timed exclusive
/taɪmd ɪkˈskluːsɪv/
CommonA game that is exclusive to one platform for a limited time before releasing on others.
Often viewed as deceptive marketing. Players who know about timed exclusivity usually just wait for the wider release instead of buying the platform-locked version.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | it's a timed exclusive. just wait 6 months and it'll be on PC | Advising someone not to buy a console for the game because the wait is short. | reddit, 2024 |
| 02 | Sony paid for a timed exclusive again. at least be honest about it | Criticizing the practice of paid exclusivity deals without transparency. | x, 2023 |
| 03 | called it. timed exclusive ended and now it's on Xbox too | The exclusive period expired and the game arrived on the other platform as predicted. | x, 2024 |
| 04 | not buying a PS5 for one timed exclusive. I'll play it when it drops on PC | Refusing to purchase hardware for a game that will eventually be available elsewhere. | reddit, 2024 |
Use it when
- A game launches on one platform but is confirmed (or suspected) to come to others later.
- Warning someone not to buy a console just for a specific game.
- Expressing skepticism about an exclusive announcement.
Do not use it when
- The game is confirmed permanent exclusive to one platform.Use “exclusive title” instead.
- You mean a limited-time sale or discount.
Timed exclusive vs exclusive title
timed exclusive
A timed exclusive comes to other platforms after a delay.
VS
exclusive-title
An exclusive title stays on one platform permanently.
Origin and context
Business practice that became visible in gaming discourse around the early 2000s when console makers began paying publishers for delayed releases on competing platforms.
- First seen
- 2000s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/timed-exclusiveUpdated: 2026-08-29License: CC BY 4.0