PlayStation launches industry's Not-E3 season with a subdued approach | Opinion
As June begins, the landscape of the gaming business resembles an archaeological site, where remnants hint at the former glory of structures now vanished. With E3 no longer part of the scene, a slew of events and showcases have sprung up to fill its void. Over the next two weeks, an array of game announcements and updates will be presented, reminiscent of a trade show, albeit without the centerpiece event.
Despite E3's absence, this timeframe remains critical for gauging industry trends for the coming year. Sony set the ball rolling with its early State of Play presentation, highlighting upcoming titles for the PS5, PSVR2, and PC. As a leading force in the market, Sony’s early move sets a benchmark for competitors.
However, Sony encountered challenges in 2023, with a notable gap in its release schedule. While Helldivers 2's unexpected success provided some relief, concerns linger about Sony's newfound emphasis on live-service games adversely impacting their traditional blockbuster single-player experiences.
The latest State of Play reinforced these worries, allocating significant coverage to Concord, a live-service PVP hero shooter by Firewalk Studios. Such focus likely exacerbates fears for dedicated PlayStation fans about the shift towards live-service models.
Publishers veering towards live-service iterations of previously single-player series could stir significant reaction.
Another trio of live-service games, namely Marvel Rivals, Infinity Nikki, and Ballad of Antara, added fuel to the fire regarding Sony's future direction. The economic challenges of developing big-budget single-player games and the reliable revenue from successful live-service games explain this pivot, despite several high-profile flops in the genre.
Notably, attaching popular IPs like those from Marvel and DC has not guaranteed success, as seen with the failures of games like Marvel's Avengers and the DC Suicide Squad.
Thus, focusing on live-service titles might become more prevalent in upcoming showcases by other publishers, following Sony’s example. Until a viable alternative to the current economic impasse arises, the pursuit of success akin to Fortnite’s will persist.
More troubling could be publishers transitioning existing single-player series into live-service formats. While Sony's major studios might be temporarily delayed, avoiding drastic changes, other publishers might fully commit to such a shift, risking brand dilution.
Beyond live-service games, another key trend in Sony's presentation was their deepening collaborations with Asian developers outside of Japan, particularly from China. This strategy proved fruitful with the success of Genshin Impact and Stellar Blade.
Strengthening ties with developers in China and South Korea—regions historically not dominant in console gaming but rich in mobile and PC talent—could provide Sony with a competitive advantage, even as its internal first-party projects face delays.
The success of Helldivers 2 hasn't completely dispelled concerns over Sony's shifting focus from single-player to live-service games.
Looking ahead, Microsoft's Xbox presentation, set for just over a week from now, highlights its recent acquisition of game studios and publishers worth $100 billion. The company aims to leverage its vast studio network to establish a competitive advantage.
Reiterating a familiar point, Microsoft faces mounting pressure to excel in its summer showcase events. This urgency stems from not only lagging console sales but also the adverse publicity from recent studio shutdowns and layoffs. The tech giant must demonstrate innovative utilization of its expansive library of intellectual properties and acquired studios to regain traction.
While Sony's recent State of Play event wasn't lackluster, it didn't articulate a compelling vision for PlayStation’s future. Online feedback suggests that the most captivating part of the presentation was Astro Bot, though it is not anticipated to achieve the widespread appeal of titles like God of War or Spider-Man.
Microsoft has the opportunity to shift its narrative by unveiling a series of trailers for flagship franchises or new intellectual properties from key studios, even if release dates extend to 2025 or 2026. Doing so could position Xbox favorably against PlayStation in terms of future game offerings.
Overall, Sony's subdued approach at the beginning of this unusual, E3-less announcement season is likely indicative of a broader trend. Despite setbacks with live service projects, other publishers will likely pursue this sector with increased vigor. Additionally, challenges in Sony's software pipeline suggest that other publishers may also struggle with their release schedules for 2025 and beyond.
The substantial layoffs across the industry, especially following the disruptions caused by the pandemic, make it unrealistic to expect a steady output of high-budget games. The upcoming weeks may offer the first tangible insights into how this reduction in development capacity will impact commercial success in the coming years.
