After the recent launch of Helldivers 2 on Xbox Series X, Sony’s choice to drop its live-service sci-fi masterpiece on Microsoft’s hardware seems to have paid off in a major way! Though Sony’s exclusivity strategies are consistently evolving as Microsoft implements changes in the same regard, it was still a pretty big surprise when they announced that one of their more popular titles was getting some reinforcements from the green team; complete with a Halo ODST crossover and the new update “Into the Unjust” that looks suspiciously similar to something straight from the Gears of War series.
With one of Microsoft’s classic exclusives being remastered in the form Gears of War: Reloaded and releasing on PlayStation for the first time alongside Helldivers 2 on Xbox, the console exclusivity trend seems to be steadily evolving, and many fans on both platforms are showing appreciation with their wallets. Many of the bestselling games on PS5 this year were previous Xbox exclusives, and now that’s being reciprocated as Helldivers 2 just reached nearly 1 million sales on Xbox in less than a week after launch.
That number is higher than the PS5 sales during the same post-launch timeframe, though the hype around the title for Xbox and the community built around the game and “providing reinforcements for our brothers in blue” seems to have helped elevate the popularity this time around. Even still, the title is enjoying a new life; one where friends and strangers alike can play cross-platform and fend off the alien onslaught in the name of democracy!
Now, up until recently, Sony hasn’t really played ball with Xbox, even though Microsoft has been pumping out games like Forza and Indiana Jones for both consoles and then some. With Helldivers 2 becoming such a smash hit on Xbox, I am optimistic that it’s only a matter of time before more PlayStation exclusives start making their way over to the little black mini fridge of gaming goodness. Sony is already looking to hire someone specifically for that role, so it seems like things are moving in a positive direction.
I mean, it’s been less than a week and Helldivers 2 is in the very top spot on Xbox’s “Top Paid” category on the digital store! Unfortunately Gears of War: Reloaded isn’t popping quite so well on PS5 at the moment, but the trend towards eradicating console exclusivity is picking up steam with each clever marketing strategy and heavily armored future soldier team-up. Here’s hoping that these incredible multiplatform sales milestones continue to break down the barriers between consoles and allow gamers of all preferences to finally coexist and enjoy the content they want, where they want!
