PlayStation Initiates the Non-E3 Season with a Subdued Tone | Opinion

As the gaming industry enters the first week of June, it's evident that the traditional E3 conference has left a void, replaced by various events and showcases that have evolved around it. Despite the absence of E3, this period remains the ideal time to gauge the industry's trajectory and anticipate its direction over the next 12 months. This year, Sony has kicked off the 'Not-E3' season with its State of Play presentation, highlighting upcoming games for the PS5, PSVR2, and PC. Establishing the bar for others to follow, Sony's presentation has set the tone, but it also raises concerns about the company's focus on live-service games. With nearly a third of the presentation dedicated to Concord, a live-service PVP hero shooter, and three other live-service type games featured, it's clear that Sony is prioritizing this genre. However, this shift may alarm some core consumers who fear that the company is pivoting away from high-quality single-player titles. The industry's economic landscape, with rising development costs and a stagnant audience, has driven the focus on live-service games, but the risks associated with this model are substantial. As the 'Not-E3' season progresses, it's likely that other publishers will replicate Sony's approach, despite recent failures in the live-service sector. The trend to watch is the introduction of live-service sequels or spin-offs to formerly single-player series, which may spark controversy. Sony's partnerships with Asian developers, particularly in China, have been successful, with exclusives like Genshin Impact, and the company is likely to continue this strategy. In contrast, Microsoft faces a challenging task in its upcoming showcase, needing to regain momentum and demonstrate exciting developments with its acquired studios and IP. The next couple of weeks will provide valuable insights into the industry's pipeline and how publishers are adapting to the changing landscape. With the loss of development capacity due to layoffs and the pandemic's disruption, the industry may be heading for a period of commercial pain, and the events of the next fortnight may be the first indication of this.