PS5 Has Narrowed the Gap on Switch’s Indie Game Sales, Says Shu Yoshida

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Over the past decade and a half, Sony’s interactions with independent game developers have experienced both positive and challenging periods.

At the PS4’s first E3 presentation, I remember the company showcasing an unexpected array of indie games planned for the console. Back then, such events were typically dedicated to the largest AAA games only. It was a refreshing change!

However, with the increasing success of the PS4, the manufacturer’s enthusiasm began to dwindle. They faced severe criticism for neglecting smaller game studios, and the process of publishing software on the platform turned into a significant challenge.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been tasked by former CEO, Jim Ryan, to tackle some issues head-on. Recently, during an interview with Venture Beat, I, Shuhei Yoshida, shared some intriguing insights into my current progress.

A while ago, one factor that helped me secure that position from Jim was our past criticisms from the independent gaming community. They believed PlayStation didn’t value indie developers. However, you rarely hear such criticisms nowadays.

In the previous year, numerous stories came from our independent collaborators indicating that their fresh titles were outperforming all other platforms on PlayStation. Incredibly, some of these games even surpassed sales on PC.

Five years ago, when I first began this work, our independent partners often noted that their multi-platform games sold three to five times better on Nintendo Switch compared to PlayStation. However, over time, that significant difference has lessened. Our company boasts a dedicated team that effectively supports indie developers.

Yoshida and his team’s work truly speaks volumes about their skill, and here’s hoping that PlayStation continues to serve as a platform for fantastic independent games. Last week, during the State of Play event, the manufacturer spotlighted some remarkable indie projects like The Midnight Walk and Dreams of Another – two creative masterpieces that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the independent game community.

Currently, notable indie games like Balatro and Nine Sols are strong candidates for “Game of the Year.” It’s intriguing to anticipate what outstanding indie games will surface this year.

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2025-02-18 10:36