Saros opened to just 300,000 copies in its first week—a number that’s far from impressive for a game with a PS5 exclusivity deal. For a title positioned as a “PS5 exclusive flagship, these opening numbers have sparked discussion: what exactly did exclusivity sacrifice?
The sales ceiling for PS5 exclusives is lower than many expected
Among players, a very practical discussion has emerged: while PS5’s install base is stable, whether a title can reach millions depends on many factors: IP recognition, game genre, word-of-mouth, and marketing budget. For Saros as a brand new IP, 300K is not an ideal start.
Is exclusivity still a “boost” in this era?
In the past, exclusivity deals were an important way to ensure a game got noticed. But now, more players are hesitating to buy a console just to play one game. Subscription services and theUsed market have given players more options, and the allure of exclusivity is fading.
What do these numbers mean for Sony?
From Sony’s perspective, if their exclusive titles can’t generate enough buzz at launch, the exclusivity label’s effectiveness at driving console sales diminishes significantly. Saros’s opening numbers are a stark reminder of this problem.