The most recent episode of the PlayStation Blogcast featured an interview with Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden and with it, a preview of what’s to come during Sony’s E3 conference this year.
On Episode 292 of the show, Ryan Clements and Sid Shuman ask Layden what the studio has planned for E3 and with no hesitation, the chairman explains what people can expect. The June 11 conference, which will begin live at 6:00 p.m. PT, is set to take what Layden calls a deep look at four PS4 exclusive titles, some indie highlights and more. Most surprisingly, or not surprisingly depending on where you fall on the topic, he also said that there will be no hardware announcements made during the show.
“At this year’s E3 event, both the media event and what we do in the convention center, we’re going to be focusing on all of our great content that’s coming out,” Layden said. “There will be no new hardware announcement at E3 this year. You heard it here first.”
And that answers that.
The PS4 turns five this November and with it, speculation about the next Sony console has spurred discussion across the internet. Currently, there is no official information regarding the next PlayStation and according to Layden, E3 will bring no change to that.
Despite the lack of a potential PS5 announcement at E3, viewers can still expect deep dives into Death Stranding, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel’s Spider-Man and The Last of Us: Part II.
“I’ll just come right out and say it, that E3 this year will feature exclusive looks and deep dives on four upcoming titles,” Layden said. “And just a reminder, those four titles are Death Stranding from Kojima Productions…the new Sucker Punch title, Ghost of Tsushima…of course, there’s our partnership with Insomniac Games and their title, Marvel’s Spider-Man…and of course, the sequel to The Last of Us from Naughty Dog.”
Layden said that the The Last of Us: Part II will serve as the centerpiece to what he calls the “Fab Four” PS4 exclusive titles. Beyond those four games, the conference will be detailing some indie games coming to the system and third party announcements.
In a blog post that went up shortly after the PlayStation Blogcast episode, Layden wrote, “Of course, we’ll have stellar announcements from third-party publishers and independent developers, who are all busy devising innovative new experiences that will make your heart reach and your emotions soar–whether you’re playing on PS4, PS4 Pro, or PS VR.”
Something missing? Rest in peace, PlayStation Vita.
For those interested in tuning in, the Sony E3 conference will be live-streamed at 6:00 p.m. PT, or 9:00 p.m. ET, via live.playstation.com, Twitch, YouTube and Facebook on Monday, June 11.
