Sony is skipping E3 2020. Despite the company launching the PS5 this year, it’s looking to completely avoid the largest gaming expo in the US, with it instead bringing the console to multiple consumer shows. It’s a big move, as while it also missed E3 2019, it didn’t have its next-gen console to show off last year. It also means that the Xbox Series X will go uncontested at the expo, allowing Microsoft to easily steal the show in the process.
So is Sony missing out on E3 2020 a mistake? Let us know in the comments section below, and as always we’ll feature our favorite reply in tomorrow’s Tell GR.
Jason Faulkner, senior editor: “I think Sony’s decision to not attend E3 won’t really hurt public relations, but it does make it more difficult for press and industry officials. One of the cool things about E3, something that seems to continue to fall by the wayside, is that it’s primarily an industry event. That means we can network and see stuff behind closed doors that might not be ready for public viewing yet. E3 gives us a chance to get prepared for the next year in video gaming without companies having to worry about things like missing/placeholder textures or glitchy gameplay. Unfortunately, the ESA has no idea what they want out of the expo other than max profitability, so it’s just becoming another event like PAX, but worse because of how poorly organized the whole thing is.
When I attended E3 2019 it seemed like half the booths wanted to cater to influencers and the other half were aimed at press and industry. It makes things confusing, because having to set appointments in advance for booths where I could just drop by and play whenever as a member of the public eats into time I could be covering exclusive material for GR. For Sony, it probably doesn’t really matter. After all, it’s every company’s dream to bypass the scrutiny of the press and market to customers directly. That’s why influencer culture is so big after all.”
Mack Ashworth, lead editor: “I was hoping Sony would attend E3 2020 for a big next-gen console showdown, starting the fight strong with giant exclusives, but that just isn’t happening. Despite this, I’m sure making announcements at other events will still be effective for the PS5. Times have changed and E3 isn’t the only place to carry out massive reveals.”
Paul Tamburro, executive editor: “Sony going head-to-head with Microsoft at E3 2013 was what led the PS4 to have such a strong start over the Xbox One, so it’s curious that it isn’t planning on having history repeat itself. I love me a good E3 showdown, so I’m deeply disappointed we won’t get that this year. E3’s certainly got its problems, but it’s THE big gaming event in the west, and it’s sad to see its relevancy decline in recent years.”
Yesterday’s best Tell GR comment
