So Which Is Most Likely?
3 Possible Reasons Sony Is Skipping E3 2019
My bet is that the PS5 is announced next year at its own launch event, and one or two of the games we’ve already seen showcased are cross-platform titles. Better still, that the PS5 is completely backward compatible with the PS4, and all its predecessor’s upcoming games are playable in 4K.
It would certainly be a huge statement for Sony to make, undercutting their rivals at a crucial moment. Consider that interest in Nintendo’s Switch has started to plateau after the initial burst of enthusiasm, and Microsoft is beginning to gain momentum with its various streaming services, studio acquisitions, and impressive showcase at E3 2018.
With rumors recently flying around about an upcoming Xbox streaming box called Scarlet, and then Microsoft’s cloud announcement suggesting the infrastructure will indeed feature prominently in their long-term strategy, I think it would be very wise for Sony to be first out the gates in the next generation “console war.”
The last thing Sony needs when it launches PS5 is for Microsoft to leverage its network infrastructure, attractive Game Pass program, and All Access purchase options to paint a picture of a better user experience on Xbox.
If Sony’s PS5 is a traditional console, the logical thing to do is launch quickly with a box that delivers big performance and exciting exclusive content. Backward compatibility, too, would obviously be a big boon, effectively turning the last of its first-party PS4 content into launch titles.
We’ll obviously just have to wait and see, but it does appear as though Sony wants to space itself from the rest of the industry for something specific.
