In little over four weeks, it’ll be a year since the last major PlayStation press conference. While we have been treated to a handful of State of Play livestreams into 2021, Sony has been infamously secretive about its upcoming software slate. In fact, at the time of typing, there’s not a single first-party exclusive for the PlayStation 5 announced – the likes of Horizon Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarok, and Gran Turismo 7 are all coming to the PS4 as well, of course.
The Japanese giant has changed its marketing approach, as has become increasingly obvious over the past 12 months. Some of this will be down to the pandemic, no doubt, but it’s also quite clearly a shift in internal strategy: software is announced later, marketing cycles are significantly smaller, and the company’s keeping in-development projects quiet until they’re truly ready for the primetime. All of this means, presumably, there’s lots to look forward to – it just doesn’t want us to know about it. Yet.
Of course, E3 2021 has come and gone with barely a whimper from Sony – and now on the eve of Gamescom we’re yet to get a peep out of the platform holder either. In fact, we’re approaching the anniversary of its previous press conference: 17th September, 2020 saw the organisation announce God of War: Ragnarok, Final Fantasy 16, and much more. It was a sprawling showcase stacked to the brim with big software and hardware reveals.
Rumours continue to swirl that a similar livestream is imminent, although supposed “industry insiders” have been singing from the same hymn sheet all year long. We know that, in all likelihood, the company is going to delay Horizon Forbidden West into next year – although it’s yet to come out and clarify that. What’s the situation with The Last of Us 2’s previously announced multiplayer mode? And just what will the next PS5 exclusive actually be?
All remains a mystery for now, and with almost a year passing since the last proper update from PlayStation, fans are understandably getting antsy about what the future holds.
Comments 74
Anyone expecting a big event like we had last year is delusional imo, we will get another mid state of play.
I'd be surprised if we don't get a reveal for the new God of War, would love some new ip teases... and it'd be great if they (officially before anybody points to that Sony Japan tweet) announced that they've purchased BluePoint and let us know what their next remake is.
We can't expect big announcement at every conference/state of play.
Any way my mind is firmly fixed on kena release!
This is what happens when games get so big to make. They take longer to come out, as a result, and many big modern games get released unfinished, anyway. It’s the way of the paid beta, maybe it’s time to consolidate the websites?
They must be wanting to hold back on announcements at the moment where things are so up in the air with the pandemic. Pretty much every game seems to be delayed at the moment and those are for ones that were announced before or during the start of it all.
The next lot of games are all ones that are even further from release which means the delays are likely even greater. It’s something we will likely live with for the next few years.
We've got Abandoned to talk about, what more could you ask for?
@Lyonjak Speaking of Abandoned - apparently it's fixed and will be out today (the trailer app thing that is).
Seriously people why would you expect a conference from Sony ? Ps5 is selling out fast, they don't need to make a conference to entice people to buy, people are already buying it left and right.
@render Every big game ever has been delayed before covid existed, just want to point that out. I’ve never heard of a huge AAA game being released on time in the last 10-15 years.
Press conferences are so last gen/s.
Sony are in a world of their own, they don't need press conferences.
@Amppari
FTFY
Anyone expecting a big event like we had last year is delusional imo, we will get another (MILD) state of play.
Everyone are talking about first and third party exclusives but what about second party exclusives?
Ehh, it’s annoying as hell, but Sony’s way of doing business is working for them. There are millions of sheep that come to their defense. There is already a few here.
Does Miles morales and Demon souls remake not count? Really hoping to see them announce that they aquired bluepoint and maybe Funimation/Crunchyroll included with ps plus for the SAME price though
I know the journalists in the industry are desperate for a constant stream of click bait... bait and what's next info, but I've had a great year with the PS5 and I'm personally enjoying a bit of down time and the switch's turn to give out some new releases.
It would be nice to know more about new games, but with Metroid Dread, Advance Wars, No More Heroes 3 and Shin Megami Tensai 3, followed by Elden Ring in the new year, I don't really need to know anything else for the next six months at least.
Nintendo-fans: "First time?"
The next State of Play will be yet another third-party partner and indie showcase, and the cycle will repeat itself.
I shouldn't have jumped on the PS5 when I did, my backlog largely consists of PS4 titles and there are no true upcoming exclusives for awhile 😑 Worst case I sell at MSRP and potentially revisit down the line if needed when the console is actually on store shelves.
Not even gave it a thought tbh, I’ve got many games to still look forward too that I’ll be playing on PS5, exclusive and 3rd party.
It would obviously be good to get an idea of 2022, but knowing Horizon is coming at some point is enough to keep me happy.
We already know of a ton of games scheduled for 2022. GoW2, FF16, GT, and most likely Horizon 2 are all "exclusives". This site acts like they have nothing being worked on. Having those 4 games alone is an incredible year and there's probably more. I think the only people who are "antsy" is websites like this that need clicks to pay their bills.
I guess there's no point marketing a console that's selling out faster than they can produce units
I nearly snagged a PS5 the other day from Argos in Llandudno. I was prepared to travel to wales but when I went to reserve it, it went before my eyes. Grrr.
@Amppari Enjoy being wrong.
Sony’s marketing peaked to the sound of shuffling feet and the mournful echoes of a shakuhachi……and shuffling feet.
How do people play games so quickly 😂 i am still working through the launch line up.
In fairness to Sony, i expect they want to hold off on having a show until they have some concrete release dates. Otherwise they'll get slaughtered for delaying stuff. They can't win either way.
Lots to look forward to in the coming months from 3rd parties with or without new first party releases
Normally I would say they need something to advertise with the holiday season coming up but with most countries still having stock issues there is no point in driving up demand further at this stage for games that may be a year or so out from release.
Year one PS4 purchases :
Drive Club (pre-order) didn't release till Oct 2014
Killzone
Knack
Infamous Second Son
Spiderman 2
Last of Us Remaster
Diablo III
Infamous First Light
Destiny
Year One PS5 (so far) :
Spider Man Miles Morales
Ratchet & Clank
Marvel Advengers
There's enough third party games until Jan (including Elden Ring) These consoles are meant for third party games as well. If you are looking for games to buy and cannot find any... might as well save the money and get another gaming platform with games to fill the gap. The PC-PS5 combo is a winner in my book. PS5 for exclusives. PC for gamepass.
Edit: Switch if you can afford that as well for portability ofc.
@uptownsoul Nope. Almost every big release has seen 2-6 month delays, historically. I’ve been following gaming sites like Gamespot, IGN, Pc Gamer, etc for nearly 2 decades and they report on it. It even became a running gag on Kotaku 5-6 years ago when everyone blamed Jason Schreier for delaying games, since he was always the one who reported on it.
Anyone who knows consoles knows this is no surprise. The first year a new gen of console is released is always slim pickings for real. Like for real real. The second year picks up quite a bit and has some good releases but is still under compared to what you’re used to. In the 3rd year is when it really hits its straps and starts producing the amount of quality titles you’d expect and games being released on the previous gen are slowing down to almost none at all
I’d just like to know about FF16, GT7, and PSVR2. I don’t care if games are exclusive or already mentioned, I’d just like some solid release dates and maybe a bit of extended gameplay video.
I think we need to remember the system hasn't even been out a full year yet but we already got five 1st and 2nd party exclusives. I understand wanting to see what's next but we also know what six studios are working on already too.
Though I do wish Sony would communicate a bit more I can't say they haven't set up the 1st year of PS5 pretty well for the most part.
In September or October would be ideal. It’s coming. No need to freak out.
There a Gamescom soon we ll hear some bits from there so an event should be later.
One thing for sure sony change a lot.its not the same sony PlayStation i grew up with.been with them since day 1 in September 9 1995.hopefully by this month wehear dome PlayStation event.word up son
Like I've said, it's pretty damn telling that Sony can't even be up front about us with Horizon Forbidden West's delay. That's one thing that they might as well just tell us.
I don't know if they're waiting for something to announce to soften the blow, but I think we all know that they're going to have a holiday season that's relatively sparse with software, and nothing to compete with Halo Infinite or Metroid Dread.
@JohnKarnes Where's RE Village, Returnal, Demon's Souls, Sackboy, Astros Playroom, Hitman 3, Guilty Gear Strive, Scarlet Nexus, It Takes Two, Yakuza Like a Dragon?
If you own a PS5 and a switch that’s not an issue cause your still flooded in games :3
@uptownsoul You forget how frustrated people were when they wouldn't even communicate about the hardware.
As for learning lessons announcing games too early...have they? When did they announce god of war showing little more than a title screen? They dedicated a whole state of play to a game still without a release date... GT is coming out when? ...
@uptownsoul I’m not proven wrong. These things already happened, what the hell are you smoking?
They are just shying away from a load of announcement trailers and showing separate gameplay reveals.
They used to get slated for doing the opposite before lol
@SamMR as a PlayStation 5 owner it would be nice to know what Sony plans are for the PlayStation 5.
Even secretive Nintendo is giving us some idea what is coming.
@mucc what is wrong with hoping for more info on PlayStation 5's future plans?
@uptownsoul Just 2 years early now?...I guess you're right. Lesson learned.
@uptownsoul Were there any other games delayed in that timeframe, or are you just going to ramble on like a fool about a single game?
'No first-party exclusives announced' Maybe SONY are trying to copy Microsoft What SONY should do to stop everyone getting in a mood online is say they will have a few shows a year on certain months then we won't have to wait around like lemmings. Just a thought SONY
@BloodNinja Assassin's Creed Origins, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, DOOM 2016, Resident Evil 2 Remake, and many more AAA games released in the last decade did not receive a delay.
Quite the role reversal with Nintendo. Nintendo announced a bunch of 2022 stuff, and Sony's highlighting "one big game a year" and talking about "only what's releasing in the next 6 months." Meanwhile Sony's biggest game is on Xbox, and two of Sony's timed exclusives came from Xbox.....
@LastSaneManOnEarth That’s nice, but there were still games being delayed before covid was a thing, so what’s your point? People are crying over game delays and blaming covid. I’m saying that games have been delayed before covid existed, and that’s just the way things have been. Other game come out on time, that’s also a thing. What’s with you kids trying to play “gotcha” all the time? LOL
@BloodNinja The point is you said something false so I corrected you.
"Every big game ever has been delayed before covid existed, just want to point that out. I’ve never heard of a huge AAA game being released on time in the last 10-15 years."
This is a lie and I informed you of several games that were not delayed over the last 10-15 years. What exactly are you trying to spin this into? Your previous comment directly contradicts your newest one.
"kids" I can guarantee I'm at least twice your age.
@JAMes-BroWWWn
Astro's playroom was free I did not purchase it, but of I did play and love it. For me the other titles, they are not day one purchase. I will pick some of them up when on sale.
Perhaps they could copy the Xbox strategy of announcing games via a CGI trailer 4 years before release.
@KippDynamite they pretty much are, and have been for a while actually. Uncharted 4, The Last Of Us 2 for example.
Not only are there no PS5 exclusives announced, there are rumors that the three existing large budget Sony backed PS5 exclusives (Demons Souls, Returnal, Rift Apart) might be back-ported to PS4…
Starting to look more and more like Microsoft in that regard. Next up, Sony’s version of GamePass.
@BloodNinja The problem is you made an absolute statement that was provably false. If you don't exaggerate, people won't point it out.
I think we're playing catch up. Sony used to tell us what was in the pipe up to 3-4 years in advance and then show bits of those games for the next few E3's and Playstation Events. Now they don't want to show stuff that far in advance and we're having to wait.
We know very little about what the PS5 roadmap looks like from Sony themselves. There's cross gen exclusives and then PSVR 2.... that's basically it. The lack of communication is annoying and if they really have nothing to show until next year... I expect demand to drop significantly for the PS5.
I was a fan of the June - October game shows with live audiences. E3, GamesCon, Tokyo Game Show, PAX...live events to experience the cringe and Megatons. I've mentioned this before, but the nods to these events...like the Stage Fright trophy in Uncharted 4...they don't exist is this current environment. The Directs and State Ofs can be slick, may look cool, but there is no charm. No true personality. It's rehearsed. Shot and reshot. "Perfected" to the point of being a sizzle reel. It's a PR Department dream, but not a gamer's.
Man you guys must be envious of Pure Xbox and Nintendo Life when it comes to reporting on games the way Sony are keeping you starved for info these days.
Lots of red flags from Sony but with the continued impressive hardware sales it might not be any big issues. The competition, however, continues to grow stronger (Nintendo Switch sales, Xbox Gamepass, Valve handheld).
@Jarobusa Funny but in terms of first party software it has been an absolute drought on Switch, whilst I've been enjoying Returnal and Ratchet in the last few months alone.
@ApostateMage Keep at it, you’ll get one. May require diligence!
I think it comes down to a lack of new 1st party closer to launch stuff happening. From what I can tell, Sony's strategy with showcases is focus on the next 9 months with teasing beyond that a bit (Nintendo does a similar thing with Directs but a shorter time window).
Considering after Ratchet & Clank's launch to the end of March 2021, it seems the only 1st party games releasing are Horizon Forbidden West and a bunch of Director's Cuts hence why Sony chose not to do a showcase in June.
I think Sony will continue their current strategy of 3rd party State of Play (maybe even another Deathloop one before launch) and social media reveals for 1st party stuff until they have a substantial amount of 1st party games to show.
I think we need some smaller titles more experimental double A to name it not every game needs to be a 100 million production. A simple remake from games like Dark Cloud with some updated controls to name something. Or Twisted Metal World Tour without trying to reinvent the and just update the controls and make it look good.
Just a reminder that they never had a formal announcement for TLOUpt2's multiplayer.
All we know is that they are working on a standalone multiplayer game. That is all the official information we have on that.
I suspect it will be related to TLOUpt2. I hope it'll include Seraphites and WLF.
This has been a rough launch year, to say the least, but I had already had the feeling that they'd blown through their stack to capitalize on the larger PS4 base. Now they're strategically riding the PS4's coattails.
Considering the location, someone was probably triggered and will want to mention how many games have been released for PS5, to which I'll simply say that I'm part of that 90-95% that hasn't taken interest in that limited selection of content. As per Sony's own given numbers.
I like how Nintendo work, don't announce too much until it's almost ready to release, the hype train and long lead times between announcing and release is boring.
@Broosh Exactly the same as me, although I wouldn't sell it. I'm now on my 3rd one lol! Missing Demon Souls kept bringing me back!
I hope the velvet veil/Sony-exclusive souls like rumors turn out to be true.
Lets be real, Sony decided they didn't have to communicate with their fans anymore after seeing the overwhelming demand for the PS5.
They are just mass producing a console of which 70% of the games they hyped to sell the console are delayed or PS5 Exclusivity turned out to be a lie. They are sitting back and raking in the cash.
As a loyal PS fan since the very beginning, It's baffling how they handled this console launch and the months that followed as crickets chirp. Now we here rumors of an anime ps plus bundle? who the hell asked for that nonsense?
I thought the last big showcase was in October before PS5 released or do we just put that one under the rug? 🤷
@Broosh so you want to get a PS4 instead? Seems like that's what you were implying
@KundaliniRising333 they said there will be ps5 exclusives and also said they will support PS4 for for quite some time. Seems like that's what they're doing to me.
@PCPS4XB Yes, if I were to resell the PS5, I would only need a PS4 in the meantime to finish up the backlog.
@Broosh interesting
I'm trying my best not to get hopes up, as long as we get some decent sized State of Plays, I'll be happy.
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