PlayStation 5 Cross-Buy Hinted, May Enable PS5 & PC Dual Purchases
▼ Summary
– PlayStation Store code and images referencing “Cross-Buy” have been verified as legitimate, indicating Sony is considering a cross-platform purchasing feature.
– The exact implementation of Cross-Buy is unclear, with questions about whether it applies to PC, first-party games, third-party titles, or a potential PlayStation handheld.
– This development is recent, with images added by Sony in June 2025, ruling out connections to older cross-buy initiatives like the PlayStation Vita era.
– Sony has historically staggered PC releases of first-party games, often delaying them by a year after console launch, unlike Xbox’s simultaneous cross-platform access.
– Microsoft has criticized Sony’s delayed PC release strategy, while Sony has defended its approach and committed to continuing staggered PC releases for the foreseeable future.
A recent discovery on the PlayStation Store has ignited widespread discussion about a potential Cross-Buy feature that could allow players to purchase a game once and own it on both PlayStation 5 and PC platforms. This development, if implemented, would represent a significant shift in Sony’s strategy for its first-party titles.
Social media user Amethxst first noticed references to a “crossbuy-tag” within the PlayStation Store’s code, alongside a graphic that explicitly displayed the term “Cross-Buy.” The findings were later investigated and verified by Dealabs, confirming that the code and images are legitimate additions made by Sony in June 2025. This suggests the company is actively exploring some form of cross-platform purchasing program.
While the evidence points toward a real initiative, many questions about its scope remain unanswered. It is unclear whether Cross-Buy would apply only to first-party games already available on PC, or if future PC launches would automatically grant dual-platform access. The possibility also exists that the feature could relate to a rumored PlayStation handheld device rather than PC, enabling games to be shared between a PS5 and a new portable console.
The concept of cross-buy is not new to the gaming industry. Microsoft’s Xbox ecosystem has long offered a similar system through its “Play Anywhere” program, allowing gamers to buy a title once and play it on Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and other supported devices without an additional purchase. Sony, by contrast, has historically taken a more guarded approach with its major exclusive games.
Sony began porting select first-party titles to PC with Horizon Zero Dawn in 2020, but typically delays these releases by one or more years after their initial console launch. This staggered approach has drawn criticism from competitors, including Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer, who has pointed out that it forces consumers to wait extended periods and potentially pay twice for the same content. Former PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan previously defended the company’s strategy, indicating that a delayed PC release schedule would continue for the foreseeable future.
The emergence of these Cross-Buy references indicates Sony may be reconsidering its position. Whether this leads to a unified purchasing system across PS5 and PC, or is tied to another hardware initiative, gamers are watching closely for an official announcement.
(Source: IGN)
