Sony reportedly working on 'Cross-Buy' feature for unified game ownership between PlayStation 5 and PC — Leaked icons indicate Sony's answer to Xbox Play Anywhere is coming

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One purchase across two platforms.

PS5 Pro
(Image credit: Sony)

The past few years have witnessed a shift in Sony's strategy for first-party exclusives, as more and more titles make their way onto PC. While there's no sign of those titles also showing up on Xbox, the Japanese game company seems comfortable giving them up to Microsoft's other baby: Windows. And now we have our first look at what could be PlayStation's version of Xbox Play Anywhere — "Cross-Buy," a service that will let you purchase one game and own it across multiple platforms.

Sony used to have a Cross-Buy feature back in the day, where you could buy one game and own it across PS3, PS4, and PS Vita, but it's been dormant for some time. The June 2025 date confirms that we're looking at something new. Since it was found alongside a PS5 / PC logo, it's pretty easy to connect the dots and conclude that you may soon be able to buy a game on PS5 and also own it on PC.

Microsoft already does this with its Xbox Play Anywhere program, in which buying the game on Xbox also gets you the Microsoft Store version. But Sony doesn't have a native PC launcher — it relies on Epic Games and Steam to distribute exclusive games, so it'll be interesting to see what sort of licensing deals are chartered up to make this whole ordeal work.

The other, more exciting possibility could pertain to the long-rumored PS6 handheld in the works. Since Cross-Buy is already associated with the PS Vita in some way, a spiritual successor building upon its legacy would be the perfect time to revive this branding. Realistically speaking, such functionality wouldn't be added in the files this early for a product that's at least two years away. Only time will tell if Cross-Buy extends to the next generation, though, while we wait for it to show up in the current one.

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Hassam Nasir
Hassam Nasir
Contributing Writer

Hassam Nasir is a die-hard hardware enthusiast with years of experience as a tech editor and writer, focusing on detailed CPU comparisons and general hardware news. When he’s not working, you’ll find him bending tubes for his ever-evolving custom water-loop gaming rig or benchmarking the latest CPUs and GPUs just for fun.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ezst036
    Are we witnessing the slow death of video game consoles in real time? Has the PC finally triumphed?
    Reply
  • tommyhardware
    ezst036 said:
    Are we witnessing the slow death of video game consoles in real time? Has the PC finally triumphed?
    No. There are still plenty of people who think PCs are too much work to set up, maintain, etc.
    Reply
  • farmerfreddy91
    ezst036 said:
    Are we witnessing the slow death of video game consoles in real time? Has the PC finally triumphed?
    No... How do you get to the jump from 'purchasing a game on console', to 'consoles are dead'?
    As long as prices remain what they are for quality PC components, consoles will always be a thing. Also, some people just don't care about having a PC.
    Reply
  • Kidd N
    ezst036 said:
    Are we witnessing the slow death of video game consoles in real time? Has the PC finally triumphed?
    If Xbox sells a PC compatible device, it allows Sony to potentially reach "Xbox" owner directly, and not give a cut to MS (Same for Steam sales, which might cause them to stop releasing on Steam or wait longer if the cross buy is a hit)
    Reply
  • Handunnit
    ezst036 said:
    Are we witnessing the slow death of video game consoles in real time? Has the PC finally triumphed?
    Yep, all that was keeping consoles afloat was not being able to play PS games on PC. But with this huge, huge news, everything has changed. Everyone will link keyboards around a bonfire, sing computer camp love, burn controllers, replace Switches with steamdecks, and download install Ubuntu. Triumph is most definitely the correct word to use here, Triumph of good over evil, and people enjoying themselves without your approval.
    Victory!
    Reply
  • jsidhenneld
    ezst036 said:
    Are we witnessing the slow death of video game consoles in real time? Has the PC finally triumphed?
    Umm no ? I still choose console over pc for my living room setup, its more aesthetic than pc ( i like minimalistic design ) but mini pc also good choice but still i choose console over mini pc
    Reply