Sony is skipping E3 for a second straight year. Instead, the company says that it will focus on “hundreds of consumer events across the globe” in the lead-up to PS5’s launch.
GamesIndustry.biz broke the news on Monday. According to the publication, a split has surfaced between ESA members – particularly Sony and EA – who would like to see E3 move in the direction of a consumer-driven “fan celebration of games” rather than an event for industry insiders.
Back in 2017, E3 first opened its doors beyond industry insiders. The gaming convention made 15,000 tickets available to the general public at $250 a pop (although early birds paid $150). The changes apparently haven’t satisfied Sony, though.
“After thorough evaluation SIE has decided not to participate in E3 2020,” a spokesperson for Sony Interactive Entertainment told GamesIndustry.biz. “We have great respect for the ESA as an organization, but we do not feel the vision of E3 2020 is the right venue for what we are focused on this year.”
“We will build upon our global events strategy in 2020 by participating in hundreds of consumer events across the globe. Our focus is on making sure fans feel part of the PlayStation family and have access to play their favorite content. We have a fantastic line up of titles coming to PlayStation 4, and with the upcoming launch of PlayStation 5, we are truly looking forward to a year of celebration with our fans,” the spokesperson continued.
In response, the ESA – the trade industry group that organizes E3 – released their own statement:
“E3 is a signature event celebrating the video game industry and showcasing the people, brands, and innovations redefining entertainment loved by billions of people around the world,” the trade group says. “E3 2020 will be an exciting, high-energy show featuring new experiences, partners, exhibitor spaces, activations, and programming that will entertain new and veteran attendees alike.”
This is the beginning of the end. It was Sony’s decision to go to E3 that tipped the balance and created the show. Sony is not the first to leave. More game publishers will follow.