Exclusive games are a temptation that’s very hard for any gamer to avoid. I repurchased a PS3 console in 2013 only to play; The Last of Us, and it was worth it. However, many exclusives these days are becoming available on multiple platforms, losing their ‘exclusivity.’
As more exclusives are sharing platforms, you might wonder, are computers losing the exclusive games to consoles?
Computers are not losing exclusive games to consoles. Most AAA titles are multiplatform. And for indie titles that are available exclusively on PC, it’s not very financially viable for the developers to port them to consoles. Although some PC exclusives are finding their way onto consoles after a specific time, it would be an exaggeration to claim that computers are losing exclusives to consoles.
You can play video games on either a PC or a console. In the current market, you’ll have to pay a pretty large amount, so you’ll want to get the most out of your investment. Extensive knowledge of exclusive games is a must before you step in.
So, let’s dive in for an in-depth discussion about exclusive games, various platforms, and everything in between.
Does PC Have More Exclusives Than Consoles?
In numbers, PCs have way more exclusives than consoles. This has always been the case since the inception of video games.
The battle between console and PC is on multiple fronts, but mostly it’s about exclusive games. Three major gaming consoles, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, each have their array of engaging exclusive titles that no real gamer can elude.
Every generation of consoles gets exclusive games throughout their lifecycle. Console makers release one or two exclusive titles on the console’s release date to boost sales. They are called ‘launch exclusive.’
Other exclusive games are released periodically, depending on the company’s marketing strategy. Most exclusive games are single-player and part of an ongoing franchise. These games are highly polished, with lifelike graphics, a good storyline, intuitive gameplay, and many more.
PlayStation has exclusive games like the God of War series, Uncharted series, Infamous series, etc. Sony also released iconic and cult-favorite franchises like the Resistance trilogy and the Killzone trilogy for PlayStation 3.
However, since the release of the PlayStation 4 and Playstation 5, their focus has shifted to new games such as the Horizon series, Spiderman by Insomniac Games, etc.
Xbox lags behind PlayStation in exclusive games, but Microsoft has a few franchises that are adored by gamers, like Halo, Forza, Gears of War, etc.
Although Nintendo games are not like those typical AAA titles with ultra-realistic graphics and whatnot, they reign supreme in the gaming world with titles like Zelda, Pokémon, Mario, etc.
So yes, in the naked eye, exclusive console games are more captivating, and these games are one of the reasons that PC vs. console war is still a thing. But if you look at the numbers, consoles are nowhere near the PC in terms of exclusives.
Most AAA titles are released on all three major platforms, except some console exclusives. But at the same time, there are so many games on PC that never see the face of either console. PC is the home of video games, from AAA titles to indie games.
Also, there are many timed exclusives for consoles, which the publishers release on other platforms after a certain period. They are not exclusive. On top of that, studios like Sony are releasing their trademark and long-running exclusive titles like God of War, Uncharted on PC.
So, as you can understand, the PC has always had more exclusives than consoles in terms of numbers. And these days, the difference is getting bigger as more and more AAA console exclusive titles are coming to PC.
Which Console Has The Most Exclusive Games?
If you set aside all the factors and count the numbers, Nintendo consoles have the most exclusive games.
Let’s elaborate a little bit. First, let’s talk about Xbox.
Xbox has its 4th generation consoles on the market: the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The previous entries were the Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One, each having different iterations.
Microsoft Corporation owns the Xbox. As we all know, Microsoft Windows holds the largest share of the computer operating system market.
So, in a way, Xbox exclusives are never really exclusives because most of them are available on PC. There was a time when certain Xbox games were kept exclusive and not released on PC for bragging rights. But now, with the release of the Xbox Game Pass, all Xbox exclusives are available on day one for PC users.
Now let’s move on to PlayStation consoles. Sony has had a rich lineup of exclusive games since PlayStation 1. With each entry in every exclusive franchise, Sony has proven one stereotype wrong, “The original is always better than the sequel.”
Also, Sony never had to share their exclusives with PCs, so their exclusives remained true exclusives.
Sony exclusives are better compared to Xbox. But in sheer numbers, none can beat Nintendo. No matter how big or small the title is, Nintendo never releases its titles on other platforms. Although games from other studios often get a port to the running Nintendo console, it’s never the other way around.
Since their first game, Donkey Kong, in 1981, Nintendo has released countless games on numerous consoles, like the Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, etc. But none of them are available on any other platform. So, in a sense, every game that Nintendo publishes is an exclusive title.
Are Computers Losing The Exclusive Games To Consoles?
No, computers are not losing exclusive games to consoles. It’s quite the opposite. Lately, many studios have been releasing their console-exclusive games on PC.
Exclusive games are a console’s bragging right. Although not as prestigious and reputed as the consoles, the PC has always had more exclusive games. So, consoles had the upper hand in the exclusive market.
But things are changing now. Microsoft has been releasing their games on PC along with Xbox. So, as I have already said, Xbox exclusives are not exclusives. Sony is bringing their exclusives to PC one by one. Big titles like Death Stranding, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and God of War have been released on PC.
Uncharted 4 and Uncharted: Lost Legacy have a planned release date of 2022. More exclusives are hopefully on their way to the PC.
However, the opposite is happening as well. Outlast, a spine-chilling horror game by Red Barrels studio came out on PC in 2013. A year later, it became available on PS4 and Xbox One. In 2018, Red Barrels released the game for the Nintendo Switch.
However, games like Counter-Strike, DOTA 2, League of Legends, Team Fortress, Warcraft, etc., have little to no chance of being released on consoles. Furthermore, most indie studios release their games on PC. Only Nintendo stands strong in the exclusive battles because of their business strategy and console design.
Every platform has its exclusive games, and more are being released every day. But as far as PC gaming is concerned, computers are not losing their exclusive games to consoles, which will probably never occur.
Conclusion
Both PC and console have their own merits and demerits. There are tons of different aspects to judge before making up your mind. But if you are worried about: are computers losing exclusive games to consoles, don’t be because consoles are yet to overtake PC! Thanks for stopping by!