Sony Cancels GDC 2020 Appearance Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Christ, may as well just give up on everything at this point, treating this like the damn Black Plague. 🙄 Sony will no doubt do like Nintendo and do a full on Sony Direct.

Sony’s pull out game has been incredible this year

Im guessing Sony will do the reveals online. I know this sucks for people who have paid their tickets but Sony are looking out for their staff. I know people are saying that its been blown out of proportion by the media (more than likely true) but better safe than sorry

The fact that Facebook is backing out too gives this some credibility. I guess PS5 will be revealed in a State of Play. Disappointing for sure but definitely safer. Considering Executives from Sony Japan and Europe are usually at these type of events I can see why.

Just as a FYI, Japan has the largest number of Coronavirus cases outside of China.

Yeah we can probably forget about a PS Meeting. An extended Sop for PS5 reveal sounds far more likely now.

Well, PS5-Reveal State of Play confirmed. Not problem at all for me.

I just want to know who is going to build 6 million PS5's? My guess is Foxconn in China is out.

@JohnKarnes Foxconn China is working normally by now (making the new Galaxy phone).
The PS5 production is months away. And there's also Foxconn India, etc.

I reckon the PS5 will be delayed until next year I bet But human life is more important than anything in the end so I am not going to complain.

You could say that makes sense following the previous cancellation.

@lacerz Can't wait for the Olympics

I don’t see why Sony just don’t go ahead and have like an 1-2 hour long State of Play detailing games we know are coming AND PlayStation 5 at the same time.

Ps5 reveal event should be online only like switch event and sony should do psx in the middle of the year for the hands-on event.

This is a huge letdown. Looking for a deal on a PS4 pro. Coulda been playing games all this time. Been waiting for pricing cause my TV broke before Christmas and didn't know how much I could afford to spend on a new one. So I've had nothing for 2 months! Watching stuff on internet is getting rather boring besides my phone has a teeny 6" screen

makes sense. sony is on the last stages of development for the ps5 — many important people are involved and to risk having them get sick would be crippling to sony's release plans. why risk that on a trivial appearance at pax or gdc when it won't benefit them anyways? true, the corona virus has been blown out of proportion in the media and when put into perspective, has had far fewer cases of death than even the flu in a given year, but still, getting stuck in quarantine for several weeks would be a pain in the butt for anyone.

Well fingers crossed some accurate leaks comes from there GDC absence since there not saying a word. 🤞

@Crimson_Ridley Agreed. Between there silence and backing out of all these and probably future events, it's been the least hyped I've ever been for a new console. Its gonna get me to the point to where I dont care what they announce, because I'm just gonna pass on buying it either way if they keep this silence up.

For anybody like me who wasn't sure when and were GDC was - honestly I have no idea how anyone writes an article like this without that info, automatic F - the event is in San Francisco, CA March 16th to the 20th.

Several US airlines already have flight restrictions in place for China, and South Korea isn't looking to good today, so it's probably a good idea on Sonys part. No idea why Facebook had to cancel, aren't they out there somewhere?

Bring on the State of Plays then. Let’s stay indoors

@Crimson_Ridley
Well, it worked for Nintendo. Not against Sony trying it.

@3Above
As long as it'd done right, a State of Play could be a great introduction for the PS5. I'm older and I will admit have my mindset stuck in the past for certain things. I prefer games on disc or a Switch card over digital, I prefer stage presentations to things like State of Play. But I also realize time moves on, the way products are consumed and the way information is given about them changes. People on this website laughed at and mocked the idea of Nintendo Directs and if all I relied on was PushSquare I'd be certain the way Switch was announced was such a failure the system was dead on arrival. That clearly wasn't the case. If Nintendo can successfully hype a new system through an online presentation, I'd like to think Sony can too.

I don't think people understand how serious the COVID 19 is, Hong Kong & WHO have already stated that if the COVID 19 isn't brought under control the Coronavirus 'could infect 60% of global population. It's also not just the likes of the gaming industry that's been effected, iphone, jaguar etc. A country doesn't build a hospital in under ten days because of flu like system's, that only happens when the poo has hit the fan.

In a world with internet it is so big deal to participate to these events via streaming. If Sony would like to do so, it's not a big problem to organisators of event to place screen and projector and Sony can present themselves right from japan. ... if they want...

@Gamer83 I too am a bit old school at least when it comes to press events. I prefer to get some stats and graphs with my game announcements. But as you say the world is changing and Nintendo has clearly been saving alot of money by doing Directs and it hasnt hurt them in the minds of their customers.

You can see the fake outrage right through. Theres wasnt going to be anything new at pax , same demo the press had access before, and GDC is not about fans.

@XFsWorld Sony's the perfect partner for sex lmao

@makina China Government has shut Foxconn down, Apple and Nintendo has already talked about shortages.

I think it’s pathetic really no reveals and no communication all because of this poxy China corona virus

Blowing out of proportion

This is Jim Ryan don’t give a dam only (safety first )

I’m more interested in upgrading ps5 than playing my PS4 pro I’m using my Xbox one x atm

@get2sammyb Week old article but Sony's decision to cancel looks better the way things are going, and heading, right now.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/28/united-airlines-slashes-asia-service-because-of-coronavirus.html

Convention could be fully canceled in a day at this rate.

https://kotaku.com/microsoft-drops-out-of-gdc-too-1841957292

I dont' consider myself 1 of those crazy fanbois demanding info RIGHT NOW but it would be nice if Sony or Nintendo gave us the pleasant distraction of a Direct or State of Play about now. Though I'm still holding out hope for a Direct next Tuesday on Switch 3 eyar anniversary, they'll give us 24 hours notice on Monday. Unless we're all just waiting to die by then.