Rising Game Budgets Fuel Debate Over Exclusivity Versus Wider Audiences
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Ex-PlayStation boss Shawn Layden says game exclusivity is risky when development costs exceed $200 million, as it limits the potential audience and revenue.
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Layden cites the success of Helldivers 2 launching on PS5 and PC simultaneously, allowing it to reach a wider audience.
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First-party game budgets have ballooned in recent years, with titles like Spider-Man 2 going $30 million over its $270 million budget.
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Layden echoes former Xbox boss Peter Moore, who suggested Microsoft may consider releasing flagship series like Halo on PlayStation given the huge potential revenues.
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The total console installed base has remained around 250 million for decades, so the industry needs to attract new audiences beyond hardcore gamers.