Sony’s eagerly-awaited event of the year, the PlayStation Showcase, left fans with mixed feelings last week. This annual assembly serves as Sony’s main stage for video game announcements, encompassing upcoming releases for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, as well as titles destined for PlayStation VR 2.
Jim Ryan, president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, introduced new hardware including a set of headphones and ProjectQ—a portable console to enjoy PlayStation 5 games. The showcase concluded with an extensive gameplay session from one of this year’s most anticipated PS5 exclusives, Marvel’s Spider-man 2.
Despite an hour-long event, the fanbase’s reaction was tepid at best. The disappointment stemmed largely from the absence of several highly-anticipated exclusives that have been making rounds in the rumor mill.
Fans were left wanting more, particularly with regards to the multiplayer mode of the Last of Us, despite Naughty Dog’s mysterious tweet that followed the event. Additionally, those who had high hopes for a Bloodborne remaster or a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima were left in the cold.
Brighter Prospects in 2023?
While the recent showcase may not have met expectations, it doesn’t mean Sony has shown all its cards for 2023. It’s plausible that the company is saving its big guns for the summer or fall season.
This sentiment is echoed by Ethan Gach, a reporter at Kotaku, who recently hinted at forthcoming digital conferences from both PlayStation and Nintendo.
Yet, fans should temper their expectations. Gach’s statement, while intriguing, remains somewhat vague. It’s unclear if he’s referring to another PlayStation Showcase—a substantial event spotlighting Sony’s consoles—or additional State of Play events, which, while appreciated, tend to offer lighter content.
While patience is indeed a virtue, those eager for more gaming news and reveals won’t have to wait too long. The upcoming Summer Game Festival is set to offer a wealth of content to satisfy even the most impatient gaming enthusiasts.
