Earlier in the year at E3 2016, Sony implied that it was still undecided regarding the venue of its European press conference this year. Historically, it's held the show at Gamescom, but last year it switched the event to Paris Games Week. However, with Microsoft skipping its European media briefing entirely this time, all eyes are on the Japanese giant and its plans.
And according to French website JeuxVideo-Live, the manufacturer won't be putting on a show in Cologne. That report comes via a PlayStation France representative who, admittedly, could be mistaken. The timing of Sony's European press conference is going to be massively important, because that's where the PS4K is likely to be announced.
It's worth noting that it could, of course, opt to hold its own event any time that it wants – it admitted earlier in the year that PSX Europe could become a reality, after all. In other words, we're just going to have to sit tight and wait for it to reveal its plans.
[source jeuxvideo-live.com, via neogaf.com]
Comments 8
Gamescom doesn't really seem the place for the major console manufacturers to make their big announcements anymore, very much has a 3rd party vibe to it, IMO. So wouldn't expect anything but hopefully a few cool game announcements or new trailers. Mass Effect would be nice!
Sony most likely won't reveal neo until after psvr launches.
@WebHead But then it won't be out in time for Christmas...?
@Neolit Would be a mistake IMO. Obviously they can't rush the hardware if it's not done, though.
It seems a lot of big corporations are moving away from these big events. Sony have their own Playstation Experience, EA held their own conference just before E3 and now MS are setting up their own 'Fan' experience for Europe (although Xbox will still have a 'presence' at Gamescom - just no briefing). Last year a number of big games were announced at Gamescom but it seems that these events are 'difficult' to keep big announcements secret without getting leaked so maybe that and the big costs involved are partly to blame.
By keeping everything 'in-house', they can keep the costs down, appeal to just their target audience and keep 'surprises' from leaking...
I still think the Neo is on schedule to release this year. I don't know if Sony will announce it to a 'big' fanfare as that may send out the wrong signal to PS4 owners already concerned or if they will announce it like a 'Slim' or custom design. I fully expect it to launch in time for Christmas and in time for the games that are expected to have a 'Neo' mode (which is supposed to be October). Whether it launches prior or during October, I don't know. The PS4 launched in November so that could be a possibility too. Its not a 'new' generation so its not like the PS4 announcements. I am a little surprised that Sony haven't said anything more since acknowledging its existence and I believe have said it won't be at Gamescom (just a month away). I can't remember the dates of TGS (mid September I think) or the Playstation Experience (if this has been announced but usually early December) but I would expect the TGS would be the place to show it off (if not announce it) and the PSX to be the first place to actually get 'hands on'.
I don't think Sony want people to feel its replacing the PS4 so launching it to a big fanfare doesn't seem right. It could still be announced at Gamescom, TGS or around these dates. Just because its NOT at Gamescom doesn't mean they can't announce it but still reassure PS4 owners that games look and play great on the PS4. I expect it to be at PSX though as I expect it to have launched by then...
IMO, Sony needs to focus on the 40 million user base to sell PSVR. They need to make sure to consumers that PSVR is not another hardware like Move or PSTV, that is launch and then forgotten.
About the Neo, I think they should present the new console in their own press conference (like they did with the PS4) and probably on Q1 2017, when they can get more media attention.
Gamescom takes place to closely to E3 to justify a conference now. Sony may well announce PS4K at TGS instead but won't make a big deal about it. Unfortunately Paris Games Week takes place after PSVR's launch and Sony may want a final say on it before it goes to consumers.
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