Sony Interactive Entertainment has confirmed that one of the biggest companies in gaming won’t be attending the biggest trade show in gaming, E3 2020.
“After thorough evaluation SIE has decided not to participate in E3 2020,” said a Sony Interactive Entertainment spokesperson to 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 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.”
In recent years, Sony has been using their own Nintendo Direct-like streamed broadcast called State of Play. These broadcasts allow Sony to dominate the surrounding news cycle with a digital event all to themselves. It’s worked well for Nintendo for several years, though Sony’s have been more lackluster.
A spokesperson from the Entertainment Software Association, which runs E3, responded to the news with the following: “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. 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. Exhibitor interest in our new activations is gaining the attention of brands that view E3 as a key opportunity to connect with video game fans worldwide.”
Sony’s PlayStation 5 will launch this holiday season. E3 2020 takes place June 9-11 in Los Angeles, CA.
