December 29, 2025 – In a recent appearance on the “Pause for Thought” video podcast, former senior PlayStation executive Shawn Layden weighed in on the ongoing debate about game exclusivity in the age of widespread PC gaming, arguing that exclusive titles won’t vanish entirely despite the shifting landscape.
Layden stated, “I don’t believe every game should be console-exclusive, but having strong exclusive franchises offers immense value for console manufacturers in building their brands.” He highlighted iconic characters like Mario from Nintendo’s “Super Mario Bros.” series and Nathan Drake from PlayStation’s “Uncharted” as key examples, noting that players often choose consoles based on beloved characters or intellectual properties (IPs).
He also pointed out that consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 continue to showcase hardware-specific innovations through exclusive titles. For instance, “Astro’s Playroom” is widely recognized as a showcase for the DualSense controller’s features, while Nintendo has experimented with mouse-like controls for Joy-Con 2 in several games. Layden emphasized that porting these exclusives to other platforms could diminish their unique appeal, stripping them of the deep hardware-software integration that sets them apart.
However, Layden acknowledged that exclusivity makes less sense for multiplayer games with ongoing operational support. This aligns with Sony’s recent moves, such as bringing “Helldivers 2” to Xbox Series X|S earlier this year. On the other hand, he argued that blockbuster single-player titles like “Ghost of Yōtei Mountain” should remain exclusive, even as Sony has shifted its strategy by releasing several AAA games on PC in recent years.
Looking ahead, Layden suggested that the current console cycle might not last indefinitely. He recognized the appeal of a “one-device-for-all-games” approach, noting Microsoft’s focus on integrating Windows PCs into the Xbox ecosystem and Valve’s efforts to attract new users through Steam Machine. While console manufacturers continue to release new hardware, Layden implied that the industry could eventually move toward a more unified gaming experience across platforms.
