If you want more PlayStation games on Xbox, you’d better buy Helldivers 2 — Sony will go where the money does

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This week has been particularly challenging for Xbox and its supporters. A significant round of layoffs at Microsoft led to several high-profile game cancellations, including Everwild by Rare and Perfect Dark by The Initiative. Not only were these games canceled, but The Initiative studio was also closed down entirely. This announcement follows closely on the heels of a highly successful Xbox Games Showcase, casting a shadow over the enthusiasm and optimism generated from that event, and causing some to question Microsoft’s dedication to its upcoming projects.

Amidst all the disappointing news, there was one positive development: The unexpected reveal that Helldivers 2 will be available on Xbox. I had assumed it would never happen, considering Sony has never released a title from its PlayStation Studios on Microsoft’s platform before. However, it appears that a version of this much-loved 2024 co-op shooter is indeed coming to Xbox Series X|S later in the year, specifically on August 26. This new release will include cross-play compatibility with both PC and PS5 versions.

This recent turn of events might be surprising, hinting at Sony’s possible intention to offer more of their exclusive PlayStation titles on Xbox. Given the company’s extensive history of releasing PlayStation games for Windows PC, it wouldn’t be unexpected if they were considering broadening their reach to include Xbox as well.

As someone analyzing the gaming industry, I can confidently say that Sony has traditionally prioritized console exclusivity for its marquee titles such as God of War and The Last of Us, which provide a unique, cinematic single-player experience. This strategy has undeniably given Sony an upper hand in the ongoing competition with Xbox. Consequently, it’s reasonable to assume that games of this caliber are unlikely to appear on Microsoft’s consoles, offering PlayStation enthusiasts a compelling reason to choose their platform over Xbox.

Games that are more probable to be successful tend to be multiplayer-centric, ongoing service titles such as the hit shooter from Arrowhead Game Studios. These games can greatly profit from cross-platform launches, since increased platform availability typically results in larger player numbers and more purchases of microtransactions like Helldivers 2 Super Credits (used for Warbond battle passes and shop cosmetics).

Significantly, it appears that Sony has taken cues from Microsoft’s business strategies, as demonstrated by the release of four games on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch in Spring 2024, with additional titles following suit. Among these games are single-player titles, some featuring multiplayer and/or live service experiences such as Sea of Thieves, Grounded, and Forza Horizon 5.

From my perspective as an analyst, the sales figures for Xbox games launched on PlayStation presented a somewhat ambiguous image, yet the titles that truly excelled were undeniably multiplayer games with online functionality. By March’s end, Sea of Thieves had sold close to 2 million copies on Sony’s platform, and Obsidian Entertainment’s Grounded clocked approximately 432,200 sales. It’s plausible that Forza Horizon 5, released before its PlayStation debut, has also performed impressively well. These strong sales significantly boosted Microsoft’s presence on the PlayStation Store in the spring.

It’s clear that the popularity of Microsoft’s multiplayer games on PlayStation has not gone unnoticed by Sony. The upcoming launch of Helldivers 2 on Xbox next month serves as a trial to determine if it can replicate this success with live-service games from PlayStation Studios on Microsoft’s console. If fans of Team Green desire more PlayStation titles on Xbox, they should show their support for the arrival of Helldivers 2.

Currently, Sony’s portfolio of multiplayer-focused PlayStation games is limited, with Helldivers 2, Concord (which has ended), and the upcoming Grand Turismo 7 being the main offerings. However, they are actively working to cater to this market demand. They have an exciting competitive heist game in development from Haven Studios called Fairgames (Fairgame$), which they feel very optimistic about. Additionally, PlayStation recently established a new developer, teamLFG, spun off from Destiny maker Bungie. This team is working on a live-service experience and has hinted at “action-based gameplay, a captivating moment-to-moment gaming experience, and immersive social virtual worlds.

Currently, Fairgames$ is set to release exclusively on PS5 and PC at launch, with the same being likely for teamLFG’s game. If Helldivers 2 proves successful on Xbox, similar to Sea of Thieves and Grounded on PS5, there’s a strong possibility that these games will eventually make their way to Xbox as well.

Go ahead and consider picking up Helldivers 2 for Xbox, even if your friends aren’t ready yet. I can assure you it’s an exceptional co-op shooter, ranking among the best in my experience, and it’s also highly praised by multiplayer enthusiasts on PC. When it releases on Xbox, it’s bound to be one of their top games. If you preorder now, you’ll receive three exclusive armor sets initially; Arrowhead has promised that these will also be accessible for PC and PS5 users at a later stage.

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2025-07-04 00:39