Gamescom 2018 is almost over, and it’s clear at this stage that we won’t be hearing a peep from Sony again. The platform holder was never likely to hold a press conference in Cologne – I’ll actually be surprised if it has a briefing at Paris Games Week or PlayStation Experience – but it’s been busy on the showfloor, demonstrating titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man and Firewall Zero Hour to the public and press. Great.
Much like at E3 2018 earlier in the year, though, the company’s keeping its bigwigs under lock and key. Save for a single panel starring Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden in Spain earlier this summer, we haven’t heard a word from Sony’s suits all year; the organisation avoided interviews at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and it’s done the same at the Koelnmesse.
This is something that I talked about before, but at the expense of sounding like a broken record, I think it needs repeating: PlayStation is completely closed off from the media and its consumers right now. Gone are the days when the company’s biggest names were on Twitter, cheerleading products and engaging with fans. I wouldn’t even know who to turn to if I had a question or concern these days.
There’s definitely an argument that Sony’s letting its products do the talking for it, and I think it’s true: five years into its lifespan, the PlayStation 4 remains a vibrant platform stuffed to the figurative gills with great content – and a quick glance at the release schedule for 2019 reveals that it’s a trend that will continue deep into its sixth year on the market as well. That’s good to see.
But I still can’t help but feel frustrated by Sony’s overall silence this year. It’s true that I come from the perspective of the press, and if the executives are talking it gives me more things to write about – fact. However, I’m also speaking as a fan of the brand, and it irritates me no end that we have no idea what the company’s cooking behind-the-scenes – or even what its general plans are.
I’m obviously not asking president John Kodera et al to come out and outline everything that it’s got in the pipeline for the next ten years – that would be idiotic and unrealistic. But I would like to know where the company’s general headspace is at: how does it feel PlayStation VR is performing? What are its first-party objectives moving forwards? What are its plans for PlayStation Plus?
The fact of the matter is that Sony has been so quiet these past 12 months that I’m only able to infer things, because it’s not telling us anything. It’s clear, for example, that the days of it funding smaller exclusives like Journey and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture are over – but why? My guess is that the budget has been reallocated to virtual reality, but I’m purely speculating.
And this is the point: the company is so ridiculously closed off from the media that I don’t even know where PlayStation is going anymore. I know that there are great games on the horizon, but I haven’t got a clue what its general platform plans are. I’d imagine that’s intentional, but again it leaves me pondering why? The foundation of the PS4’s success was built on transparency.
Now I know there’s a dark cross-play shaped cloud hanging over the entire company right now, but frankly it should be embarrassed if it’s avoiding all communication with the media because of one issue. There are so many other things that it could and should be talking about that it’s inconceivable to think that it’s shutting down all lines of conversation due to that topic alone.
But what other explanation is there? Gamescom used to be great: Jim Ryan would often do booth tours with Germany’s official PlayStation channel, discussing all of the titles on display. I remember in the glory days, third-party chief Adam Boyes used to be on hand to talk about the roster of titles on the way. All of these people have either left or been locked up.
I don’t want my point to be misconstrued here: PlayStation is doing great and I don’t need these executives to be in my face every minute of every day. Frankly, I look at Xbox and it’s the opposite scenario, with so much inane babble you begin to wonder if it's ever going to actually back any of it up.
But as a writer and, crucially, as a fan, I want Sony to rekindle that public-facing persona it had at the start of the generation. I want to hear from the executives; I want to know what they’re passionate about, what they’re trying to achieve, and where the brand’s going. They don’t have to do anything, of course – but the longer things go on like this, the more closed off the company’s going to come across.
Do you care about any of this? Are you frustrated by Sony's silence, or do you think it's doing all its talking with its stellar lineup of software? Avoid any interviews in the comments section below.
Comments 65
Can’t fault them for avoiding Twitter that’s for sure
**** VR
Language please! - Quintumply
i think you won't hear from any of them untill psx sammy
I've got a 70+ game backlog and just got dragged into starting FFXIV again from scratch. Spider-man creeps up in 2 weeks' time. Red Dead Redemption 2 rustles its way into my collection the following month. I've got enough to keep me going even if Cyberpunk 2077 releases in its titular year.
Sony being quiet and uncommunicative? Blessing.
I haven't really noticed too much if I'm honest. I don't care too much about what they have to say, it's just a load of nonsense half the time anyway. I like trailers and cool surprise announcements, though.
Me doth think thou worry too mucheth
I agree fully - and it makes me concerned for next gen. MS and even Nintendo to a certain degree are following Sony's approach to a certain extent, they now have lots of personalities they are showing, are talking about what they are investing etc. and hinting at the future. I don't get that from Sony. If a new gen launches, all bets are off - success in one gen doesn't translate into success in another, we've all seen that. The products are great, but I would like a little bit more information on where they see gaming headed.
Maybe they have nothing to say.
I don't have any problem with this. I've seen plenty of tweets from Shawn Layden recently about games and events within the industry although admittedly just nothing regarding Sony plans.
I think they have learned to save stuff up so that PSX has more impact. Sometimes less is more.
I just like to think they're letting the games do the talking. Zero problems on my end.
@Rudy_Manchego Sony announced they are doubling down on first party game development, considering the great games they have released and ones still to come, that's all I need to hear.
They have a proven track record now in regards to bringing quality aaa exclusives, its taken them years of hard work to get here. I think if anyone understands a previous generation doesn't mean you will do well the next its Sony, I have faith in them.
@get2sammyb I think this is telling. Someone asked Shu, only reply was: Spiderman is Coming.
When noted and then asked about Medievil (Remember that?) all he said was "Thanks for preordering".
This is getting weird.
https://twitter.com/SaveMediEvil/status/1032678019259944960?s=19
@Knuckles-Fajita Haha yeah, I saw that. I think with Shu his job was never to be this kind of makeshift community manager, so I'm fine with him stepping away from that a bit. But they needed new people to fill the role and it just hasn't happened at all.
I think Sony had lost its voice now that it's big employees like Andrew House, Adam Boyes etc have moved on they where rather good at there job and as you say communication with the media. Now it seems they have just basically shut off everything and I don't think it has anything to do with Cross Play. It could be the PS5 and they want no leaks it could be that they have no need to say anything at all ??? Who knows but I think with all the great games that have come out could Sony be running out of great fuel and now it's a case of being steady towards PS5
@get2sammyb Boyes went off to Iron Galaxy didn't he?
Hmm. They do need to hire. All they've really done is reshuffle who does what in the existing management. They haven't brought anyone in to fill the gaps that the previous guys who left were managing...
No head of indie relations now, now real CM...just the suits. No equivalent of Damon Baker or Major Nelson. It's odd.
And wasn't that Medievil remake (Assuming its not like PaRappa and just a PSP emulation) get new details "Soon"?
@Cordeceps Fair play and their games are great and I look forward to all their other titles, but at the same time as we move generations, there is a lot of risk. I want Sony (and all platform holders) to do well because it suits me as a gamer and I think they have a good fanbase and all. First party games are very important, but at the same time, image and perception is really important as well. At launch, the PS4 didn't have a lot to differentiate between it and the XB1 (as there weren't a lot of launch titles) but perception and a clear marketing message made a big difference in the early success of the PS4.
If you fast forward to now, as we enter the last 1-2 years of the PS4 generation, they have a resurgent Nintendo, they have Microsoft trying to emulate their first party and communication model (and doing some very consumer friendly things) with huge investment and Sony are on the wrong side of an argument with the most popular game on the planet. These things matter to brand success.
To be fair companies like MS and Nintendo are loud right now because their playing catch up where's Sony are buying their time. I honestly don't know what people expect them to say? Maybe it's just part of the lack patience in today's society where everyone wants to know everything yesterday.
Maybe because there's nothing to say? I mean ps4 has the big exclusives, the big AAA games and indie games. Considering the fake outrage culture on twitter maybe its wiser to just let the games do the talking.
Nintendo isn't even loud right now, either, it's only MS that engages with fans and the media the way Sammy wants Sony to. I think it's a combination of factors but the biggest right now is we all know the question the media is going to ask and as Jim Ryan, especially, showed in spades last year, Sony's current group of execs don't respond tremendously well to non-softball questions. There's already a PR nightmare surrounding the cross-play thing, no need to make it worse. The best solution is what we have now. The execs shut up, let the games do the talking and the big wigs start prepping for how they will engage with consumers and media for the PS5 reveal and beyond.
Maybe the reason is when John Kodera took the helm as CEO of SIE In late 2017. Changed their strategy.
I feel that Sony only ever say things when they are forced to and even then they give some vague answer. Right now they are riding on a wave of success. From what i have heard over the last year I will most likely be looking to a different brand of console for the next generation.
PlayStation is in great shape playa.no need to worry.games are coming.i got to many games anyways.ps3 ps1 ps2 games.ps4 games i still play on my ps3 also.so take your time .sony games are coming.word up son
@hotukdeals you do what you want but before making that bold statement i would wait untill they have revealed what the ps5 will have. if you're leaving for the cross play thing then i can only say to again wait untill you know what the ps5 will have,since there is a good chance it will include crossplay.
sorry but most of your coment seemed to be like all those typical "sony became arrogant coments" you always see these days.
@Areus I'm not sure PSX is even happening this year to be honest. I feel like it would have been announced by now. It'd be nice to ask but...
It's a very interesting point and not something I'd given much thought to before now, really. But yeah I'd agree completely really, Sony definitely feels like the most distant of the three console companies, which is a pretty stark contrast to how they've been for the last few years. Hopefully it means we're building towards something good!
Twitter is such a toxic environment, I don't blame anyone for not wanting to get chatty on there. A few more interviews would be nice to see though. I guess they're not quite ready at this point in time though. Getting ready for PS5, finishing off killing off the wonderful Vita and figuring out what they plan to do next with the VR platform. Saying the wrong thing at this time, I guess they don't fancy taking any risks right now.
The silence before the storm?! ...maybe? I mean Sonys a hugh company and Playstation is their biggest division, of course, they‘re cooking something behind closed doors.
@get2sammyb Personally, I think its more to do with the fact that Sony are in a transition between the 'end' of the PS4 and getting ready to announce and release the PS5. I am 'sure' they don't want anything to be misconstrued, leaked or to be over analysed (read between the lines' and potentially give their 'plans' away. If something 'leaks', that again makes things 'difficult' - damage limitation or 'lie' to its customers...
Obviously its not 'complete' silence as demonstrated by the recent 500m LE hardware and I doubt Sony will be 'silent' at their own PSX - although they could still just focus on the software they have already announced rather than bring us any 'big' news.
My only concern are for the fans that are concerned. We faced with an extremely crowded fall starting now, and a crowded spring, and some of you are worried about Sony being quiet? Listen when their main competitor is doing all this talking, begging gamers to come over, Sony is quiet preparing to bring you great content, like they have always done. Chill. Of course if we don't hear anything until the announcement of the ps5, I will feel slighted, but we won't hear anything about that for a while. I expect a good psx this, if not... then let's speculate...a little.
Why don't John Kodera show himself? We didn't saw him at E3. it been a year now since he is the new manager.
The problem is Sony doesn't think about gamers anymore. all Sony wants is money. you can understand it from this year E3(worst one ever) and probably last year E3. Just go watch them again!
they even spoiled what was in the show before the show. Hey, sony! please show a little respect to gamers. they are the ones who make your company go on.
you may think that having good exclusives are enough for a company. BUT NO. gamers need to connect with the company.
It’s pretty obvious both Sony and Microsoft are in a holding pattern until the next console is ready to announce. There are games left to come and the core fans will eat it up but the magic hype has definitely gone. It wasn’t too long ago where Wii U owners were feeling deserted by the Nintendo PR department. Now the Switch is out and even with a dip in original titles, there is far more hype around the Switch than the PS4. I own both and I just feel more excitement for playing a year old indie port on the go, than Sony’s big autumn title that I’ve known about for two and a half years.
At some point PlayStation will bring its A game and I’ll be interested again, but at the moment it’s a distant 2nd to the white hot Switch.
@LaNooch1978 They haven't announced PSX for 2018 yet.
I think it’s closed off because I firmly believe that the ps5 will be announced within the first 6 months of next year with a November 2019 release. They won’t deal with cross play because they will make it a feature in the next generation but they can’t say anything because that would be announcing the ps5
@MrGawain You've got to remember that one is relatively new while the other is almost five years old. That's always going to play a part as well.
@ChrisOxford nah,we will get a ps5 reveal in 2019 but it won't release before 2020 for sure.
early 2020 is my earliest release date.
@pbernoos wow, this is just all kinds of bad.
@get2sammyb PSX usually doesn't happen till December so it's too early to announce anything now.
@LaNooch1978 has there really been a big announcement of games? Plus if this generation has taught us anything it’s that companies are not afraid to remaster games. Rockstar did it with gta v releasing a year before the PS4 and naughty dog did the exact same with the last of us. Both companies have big games coming out soon. CD Projekt red already said that they are designing with the ps5 in mind.
@jdv95 it’s what happened last generation with the PS4 announced before E3 and then released in the November in time for Christmas
It has been silent from Sony for years, especially on the EU blog.
They are getting cocky just like Microsoft did last generation 😳
@adf86 The last PSX was announced at E3.
@get2sammyb: I think its all from the heat they took for talking to much. Announcing games and talking about them many times years in advance. I could be wrong but seems like I remember even you asking what everyone felt about waiting so long for titles after we learned about them. Game trailers seemed to repeat show after show. Many X Box owners also tossed it around as a fault from Sony. Yes they were a lot more connected and they listened. I like it and hate it both at the same time strange! Lets hope they are just saving all that energy for PS5 launch. I am sure we will see a lot more of them then.
The games are talking to me so I don't need Sony twitter
I think we all want to know things too early so we can talk about them years ahead of release. A Sony has released stellar titles and have a few more on the horizon. Really no need to talk when your product speaks for itself.
@MrGawain For me it was the opposite, this year I only buy 2 games for switch, donkey kong port (and sold it again because I don't like it) and hollow knight, that's it. While this year on ps4 I bought monhun world, dragonball fighter z, god of war, detroit, assassin creed odyssey, guacamelee 2 and will buy spider-man and red dead 2.
I'm not prepared to upset @get2sammyb again. 😊
They announced many upcoming games already. I believe they are thinking about exclusives on PS5. Sony already has a great lineup until the end of this generation.
Also speaking as a fan of the brand, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
We seem to be in a strange, rare place, where things on the game front have aligned. All of Sony's exclusives have either just been finished and released (meaning there's nothing to share from those studios), or are approaching release and into the final grind (in which case, probably no time to chat).
Perhaps that's just the way things have fallen, or maybe it's by design so that everyone can begin preparing for their PS5 launch titles.
Either way, I'm not concerned. I'm sure we'll hear from them when there's something worth sharing. I appreciate that it makes your life easier when there's stuff to write about daily, but personally I don't have any problem with them staying quiet and not just talking for the sake of it, as - like you say - is the case with some others.
Someone needs to count all the money
I have not noticed any of this silence from Sony. I have been too busy playing the games and then sleeping so i can then play some more.
@Knuckles-Fajita They do have a head of third-party relations, but it's all behind the scenes now. No idea who's doing that job these days.
@pbernoos To be fair, I don't think they went into E3 wanting to put on a terrible show. They tried something different which is something that should be respected, but it ultimately didn't work out. Now if they do it again next year, then I'll agree with you, but let's give them the benefit of the doubt this time.
(All of the companies only care about money by the way. That's literally why they're here.)
@ZeD Nah if they were cocky they wouldn't have bothered with all the exclusives or PSVR because they can sell the console just fine with Fortnite, Red Dead, and Call of Duty alone.
@JohnKarnes Maybe, but I still think they can do interviews and just talk generally about what they're up to/passionate about.
@pbernoos Why do i need to see him bring me the games. 😃
@Flaming_Kaiser First, For the joy of shows ( remember Jack Tretton? he was a better guy than Shawn Layden ). Second, he is a new CEO. we (as gamers) need to know his reasons and results for the company. because we have PS4 and we have rights to know what would happen to our consoles, exclusive games, PSplus and...
Yes, we want games.but gaming is bigger than the games(It has shows and other stuff which Sony is not good at them. Not anymore.)
"However, I’m also speaking as a fan of the brand, and it irritates me no end that we have no idea what the company’s cooking behind-the-scenes – or even what its general plans are."
The epitome of damned if you do, damned if you don't.
There have been so many complaints about Sony announcing games early only to then complain that they don't.
If that's something people need to complain about, Sony are surely doing a fantastic job.
Sony is being silent to avoid leaks of information on PS5. I mean, all of their next big announcements are probably related to PS5; all the big names have been announced already, it's now a matter of letting the games do the talking until the time comes to reveal the next generation.
Speaking of next gen, I remember someone from PlayStation saying that a new generation is defined by a new architecture. Nvidia just announced their new one, marketed as capable of doing ray tracing in real time. If that's true, and PS5 uses it, we're about to see a huge jump in graphics..
Mebe they have nothing to say. the japanese are using quite a close knit community. or dont want to give it away. to be fair their games are doing the talking. i woild love a new handheld console . mebe sony nrxt ps5 will be a hybrid between ps4 and handheld similer to the switch
Who wants to talk to the media? Sony is doing exceptionally well in sales so they have to need for press and interviews. As far as being shut off from the consumer I would say they are probably a little busy putting out the greatest games of this gen.
It's better to be silent than keep spitting lies and bs like Phil Spencer does.
Just hug your PS4, stare at your games collection on the shelf and sing:
"Words are meaningless
And forgettable
All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm"
Wow, well said dude. I hate to say that I agree, Sony has been keeping its fanbase and the public in the shadows for too long now, and a general consensus of what to expect in the months to come and the plans for the VR department are all topics that should be addressed to its loyal fanbase.
You're overworrying for no reason, I'm sure they'll return to PSX with AMAZING news.
They give me loads of awesome games.
They can live in a cave for all i care.
@BAMozzy A lot of times people act like something is said when it isnt though. 😋
@pbernoos Dont they tell you games are released. The only difference they dont show their cards 3 years ahead.
Don't worry. It'll be quiet from Sony till next year boooooom. PS5 is announced codenamed PS5 lol
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