Image: Push Square
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster week in the games industry, and for PS5 fans it’s been underlined by Sony’s sudden decision to publish Helldivers 2 on Xbox Series X|S.
This is an unprecedented decision from the manufacturer: while it’s not the first PlayStation game to launch on Microsoft’s machine, it feels markedly different this time.
With MLB The Show, we know the manufacturer was pressured by the league into releasing the title everywhere. While it still makes the games, it doesn’t publish them on Xbox or Nintendo Switch.
And in the case of Death Stranding: Director’s Cut, publishing was handled by 505 Games, once Sony’s console exclusivity contract expired.
Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube158k
But in the case of Helldivers 2, the manufacturer is handling the publishing itself, begging the question: what’s next? Almost certainly a Switch 2 port will follow.
It’s left fans divided.
In our very own Push Square poll, 46% of readers said it’s a “positive thing” for more people to play the Arrowhead shooter. But 27% argued that Sony is diluting its brand. The remaining 27% said they don’t care either way.
As you’d expect, it’s on social media where the response has been a bit fiercest.
One fan on Reddit referred to the rumours regarding Xbox’s next-gen console incorporating Steam:
“I am not being salty when I say this is the beginning of the end of Sony is they do this. Xbox’s new console will have access to PS games via Steam and Sony putting their live service games on Xbox, why do I need a PS console? Bye Sony!”
Another relatively high profile content creator on X (or Twitter) added:
“If PlayStation wants to go down the same sh*thole Xbox went by becoming third-party so be it. I just hope the brand is strong enough to withstand the insane devaluation of the platform. If not, get ready for irrelevance, good luck PS6.”
The PS Blog is also starting to attract comments about the move, and they’re not particularly positive, as you’d expect. But as is so often the case, it’s always the angriest whose opinions get shoved to the front.
We remain measured in our response: as we wrote in our Reaction piece this week, extending the player base of lucrative live service software makes sense, but it remains to be seen just how large the addressable audience on Xbox even is.
As always, it’d be nice to see news like this accompanied by clear and consistent communication from PlayStation’s management, but the company rarely ever connects with its consumers anymore, so we’ll probably have to wait months for more information.
In its most recent comments, the firm said it was being “really thoughtful” about the experiences it brings to PC – presumably that same statement applies to Xbox and Switch 2 as well. Time will tell!
How do you feel about this now you’ve had time to let the news sink in? Is it a big deal that could have an impact on the PS6, or is this all just social media sniping? Let us know in the comments section below.
Are you bothered about Helldivers 2 launching on Xbox? (1,498 votes)
- Yes, Sony is steadily diluting the value of its brand29%
- Meh, I don’t really care one way or the other26%
- No, more players is a positive thing for everyone45%
- See Also
As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.