Is Sony preparing to support cross-purchases, meaning you can play games on PC simply by buying them on PS5?

Recently, data miner Amethxst discovered an icon labeled 'Cross-Buy' in a file, alongside a combined PS5 + PC icon. This discovery immediately sparked heated discussions among the gaming community, with many speculating that Sony might be planning to launch its own PC gaming platform, directly competing with Steam and Epic Games Store.

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Currently, the gaming community is also fiercely debating the implications of this — especially regarding the potential impact on PlayStation 's future strategy . According to notebookcheck, Microsoft launched its 'Play Anywhere' program early on, allowing players to freely play purchased games on both consoles and PC. And now, as PlayStation is pushing its multi-platform strategy, it seems Sony is also considering implementing a similar mechanism. This new icon could imply that after purchasing a game on PS5, players will no longer need to pay extra for the PC version. Currently, many of Sony's exclusive games have been released on Steam and Epic, but they usually have a fairly long console exclusivity period. Massively multiplayer online games like Helldivers 2 are an exception, being released simultaneously.

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Furthermore, media outlets have suggested that if Sony truly plans to expand further into the PC market, launching a separate store similar to the PC version of the PS Store would be more logical. Implementing cross-buy functionality on third-party platforms faces numerous technical and policy limitations. In comparison, the Microsoft Store on Windows – after years of improvements – now offers relatively good cross-platform support, although it still struggles to match Steam's massive user base.

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In fact, 'cross-buying' isn't a new concept for PlayStation. Even back in the PS3 and PS4 era, some games allowed players to get the corresponding version for free on the PS Vita. If the rumored 'PS6 handheld console' actually launches in the future, this mechanism could be revived once again.

Update 24 March 2026

Isabella Humphrey

Isabella Humphrey is a Senior Game Analyst. This position is a high-level professional who acts as a bridge between raw data and game design to drive game success. Unlike lower-level positions that focus solely on basic reporting, a senior analyst proactively shapes data strategy, predicts player behavior, and directly influences core business decisions.