Sony is Skipping E3 and Microsoft’s Exclusives Are Cross Generation

Microsoft Just Made All Your Minecraft Dreams Come True

Last year, Sony made a significant change to its gaming strategy by skipping the largest gaming-related conference of the year, E3. This year, the company has announced that they will not be attending the event again and this is more than likely the new normal.

In a statement to Game Industry, Sony said that they felt the event does not fit their vision for the year ahead. Instead, the company will be attending hundreds of consumer-focused events where they will showcase their new hardware and software.

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The way that Sony phrases the evolution of E3 can’t be interpreted any other way, they don’t like the show. If the largest gaming-focused conference doesn’t fit Sony’s vision either E3 has lost its way or Sony is shifting its focus for the PS5.

Considering that the PS4 has sold over 100 million units, it would appear that E3 is shifting away from Sony’s vision and they no longer want to be associated with the trade-show. It’s a bold move as this gives Microsoft and Nintendo room to make their presence even larger at the event.

But you can also see this from Sony’s viewpoint as well, E3 likely needs Sony more than Sony needs E3. Sony and it’s PlayStation console can make noise at any event, they don’t need E3 to thrive next generation. And Sony isn’t alone at the broader level.

We have seen large companies pull out of other conferences like Microsoft leaving CES and of course, Apple and Google have always done their own thing. I would expect Sony to host its own PlayStation 5 dedicated event later this year.

The other gaming news making the rounds lately is that Microsoft stated that it’s next-gen exclusives are not going to be initially locked to only the Xbox Series X. The company had previously used this carrot to help sell new consoles but Microsoft’s agenda has shifted and I think this move makes sense.

Microsoft wants to sell subscriptions, adding customers to Game Pass is more important for Microsoft than selling consoles. From this perspective, they will load up that offering with exclusives and they don’t care where you play them, as long as it’s a Microsoft platform.

 

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Conversation 10 comments

  • CaedenV

    14 January, 2020 - 8:10 am

    <p>But can Sony make noise at any event? We saw how well the name reveal went lol</p>

    • orbsitron

      14 January, 2020 - 3:13 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#512820">In reply to CaedenV:</a></em></blockquote><p>Don't count them out. The first Sony reveals, of the hard disk performance and some of the tech specs, via Wired, I believe, landed very strongly. </p><p><br></p><p>I'm not saying skipping E3 is a good move or that Sony has been flawless, but they have huge numbers of fans, many of whom are multi generational and they have done successful press events before. </p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft can win here but I believe it will be because of Microsoft's strategy, value proposition and messaging, not because Sony makes many mistakes. I expect both XBOX and PlayStation brands to put up strong announcements.</p>

    • My Hell baby speaking

      15 January, 2020 - 4:34 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#512820">In reply to CaedenV:</a></em></blockquote><p>I had to look this up, because I made the mistake of investing into XBox first this generation and jumping ship in favour of Playstation later: PS4 got announced in Feb 2013 in NY, while the E3 in that year merely saw the unveiling of the box design. My guess is, gamers expect the same proceeding for the looming generation, with an box design reveal in February or at an seperate event. Sony already announced they are going to hold a big number of global events in sync this year. </p>

  • Lauren Glenn

    14 January, 2020 - 8:39 am

    <p>So these exclusives are going to exclusively be on every….. console……. ?</p><p><br></p><p>I like Microsoft's approach and I admit that I like having Microsoft games on my Nintendo Switch every so often…. We'll see how it goes…. hopefully this time they'll put accelerometers in their controllers so games like Overwatch are easier to play (graphics on the Switch aren't amazing, but the gyro controls are very helpful when aiming weapons in the game).</p>

    • brinel321

      Premium Member
      14 January, 2020 - 9:02 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#512837">In reply to alissa914:</a></em></blockquote><p>They’re aiming for cross platform as in PC/Xbox. Think the goal is to reach parity, making the Game Pass subscription attractive regardless which one of those two platforms you’re on. Good strategy IMO.</p>

      • orbsitron

        14 January, 2020 - 3:07 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#512846">In reply to brinel321:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes, and, also, cross generational, according to Phil Spencer's tweet.</p><p><br></p><p>That means that Halo Infinite, for example, will run on XBOX One, XBOX One S, XBOX One X and XBOX Series X. No need to buy Series X to play the game if you own one of the other consoles (or a decent gaming PC).</p><p><br></p><p>It will look and play best on Series X of course (or a super high end PC), if the Series X specs rumors are true.</p>

        • My Hell baby speaking

          15 January, 2020 - 2:22 am

          <blockquote><em><a href="#513013">In reply to orbsitron:</a></em></blockquote><p>Imagine Ryse running on XB360 – that's how H:I and other "whatever exclusives" [in a deep dark manly voice *g*] will look on SeriesX. </p>

  • reformedctrlz

    Premium Member
    14 January, 2020 - 10:17 am

    <p>I, for one, am perfectly fine with the Series X launch titles being cross generational. This, combined with full backwards compatibility, means you aren't penalized for not getting the new system out of the gate. So anyone who wants to wait and save up before grabbing the new (probably expensive) console can still play the latest games – they just play better when you're able to upgrade. This is a very pro-consumer move as the investments you make in game library are respected over time and those who don't want to immediately jump ship can still be involved with the latest games.</p>

  • glenn8878

    14 January, 2020 - 11:23 am

    <p>Sony showed off it's latest televisions and cameras at CES. There's a place for Sony at these conferences so Sony can pick and choose.</p><p><br></p><p>E3 might be more about the games than the platform.</p>

  • codymesh

    14 January, 2020 - 11:31 am

    <p>Sony's last E3 presser was kind of a disaster. I understand not wanting to talk about hardware and the platform at E3, but for games, I doubt there's a better place to engage with the gaming community than at E3. Sony's own events are no replacement for that</p>

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