Layden Reflects on PlayStation's Reliance on Exclusives Amid Soaring Game Budgets
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During his tenure as PlayStation boss from 2014-2019, Shawn Layden oversaw many big exclusive games like Spider-Man, God of War, and The Last of Us.
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In a recent interview, Layden said exclusivity can limit your audience, especially with high dev costs over $200 million. He thinks going multiplatform widens the funnel.
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However, in another interview a day later, Layden said exclusives remain important to highlight platform features and recognition.
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Game budgets have ballooned, with titles like Spider-Man 2 costing $300 million. Layden agrees this is unsustainable.
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Five years after Layden's departure, PlayStation still relies heavily on exclusives, while Microsoft brings games like Call of Duty to PlayStation.