While planning our coverage for PAX West 2019; we were happy to see that Sony was amongst the exhibitors and they would have a large space on the convention floor. While they have long been a staple of the show in their usual locale; their absence from E3 and their relatively quiet approach since their Livestream have had people wondering about their next move.
The coming Gamescom show will be a nice indicator as to what the company has in mind as many believe it was far too early for any news on their next console; as speculation has been around a potential 2019 PSX or a February 2020 reveal similar to the reveal their did for the PS4.
While many would look at Death Stranding and The Last of Us 2 as possible entries to be included; I think we may see titles such as the pending Iron Man VR game; but not the new Avengers came due in 2020.
They were talked up at San Diego Comic-Con which included a large display on the side of a garage within view of the Hall H line.
It does not take much to see that the company is pivoting as they are continuing to support the PS4 and develop great looking games for it but also are looking toward 2020 and the planned rollout of their new system as well as the titles that will be released with it.
This is always the trick at trade shows as you want to confirm that your current platform is strong, viable, and in your future plans yet preparing for a future release which will put the current system as an afterthought.
V.R. is always a strong point as after impressive past showcases at PAX West featuring AAA exclusives, Sony has embraced V.R. dominant demonstrations supported by titles such as Knack 2 and other more casual titles.
With that in mind; here is a look at what we may see when Sony returns to the convention circuit.
MediEvil:
The original game was very popular and the remake is getting close. With an October release and recent feature in their State of Play; this is a strong candidate.
Death Stranding:
As mentioned above, this is a big upcoming game with lots of interest. Since it is due in November; it would be a great times for gamers to get some up-close time with the game which is still a mystery to many fans and Industry Professionals.
Concrete Genie:
While not as high-profile as some of their other titles, this game is due in the fall and has been featured in their State of Play segment.
Dreams:
The game was revealed at their E3 showcase a few years ago and until recently was in danger of becoming lost in the shuffle. Recently the State of Play showcased it and with a fall release scheduled; it would be one that fans may see.
While I do not expect to see The Last of Us 2 until the PSX expo; I think fans will naturally be excited over the possibility of the game but I do think it unlikely. They may do what they did was Infamous: Second Son and have an enclosed room showing a new trailer and footage but I do think it is too far off to be included at the show.
It will be very interesting to see if Sony decides to take an approach like dipping their toe in the water, doing a business as usual approach, or making a big splash at Gamescom and PAX West; but I think we can all agree that whatever they do; gamers all over the world will be watching.
Updated!!!
This was pretty big news.
SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Interactive Entertainment (“SIE”) announced today that SIE has entered into definitive agreements to acquire Insomniac Games, Inc. (“Insomniac Games”), a leading game developer and long-time partner of SIE, in its entirety. Insomniac Games is the developer of PlayStation®4’s (PS4™) top-selling Marvel’s Spider-Man and the hugely popular PlayStation® Ratchet & Clank franchise. Upon completion of the acquisition, Insomniac Games will join the global development operation of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios (“SIE WWS”). Insomniac Games is the 14th studio to join the SIE WWS family. This addition furthers SIE’s continued commitment to creative excellence and innovation in game development exclusively for the PlayStation platforms.
Based in Burbank, California, and Durham, North Carolina, Insomniac Games is the award-winning studio behind many of PlayStation’s most highly-successful franchises, including Spryo the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, and Resistance. Most recently, Insomniac Games, in partnership with SIE and Marvel Games, launched Marvel’s Spider-Man, one of 2018’s most highly-acclaimed PS4™ games. Marvel’s Spider-Man has sold through more than 13.2 million copies worldwide as of July 28, 2019.
In addition to the studio’s signature storytelling infused with humor and highly interactive worlds, Insomniac Games has been recognized for its collaborative workplace culture, having earned 20 awards since 2005.
Building on a working relationship between Insomniac Games and SIE spanning more than 20 years, this acquisition enhances the creative force within SIE WWS and formally adds a studio to the PlayStation family that continues to raise the bar on open world, story-driven games. The day-to-day operations of Insomniac Games post-closing of the acquisition are expected to be run by the current management team in conjunction with SIE WWS San Mateo Studio. Completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and certain other closing conditions. Financial terms of this transaction including the acquisition cost are not disclosed due to contractual commitments.
“Insomniac Games is one of the most highly-acclaimed development studios in the industry and their legacy of best-in class storytelling and gameplay is unparalleled,” said Shawn Layden, Chairman, SIE WWS. “We have enjoyed a strong collaborative partnership with the studio for many years, and are thrilled to officially welcome them to the Worldwide Studios family. The addition of Insomniac Games to SIE WWS reiterates our commitment to developing world class gaming experiences that can only be found on the PlayStation platform.”
“Joining the WWS family gives Insomniac even greater opportunities to achieve our studio vision of making positive and lasting impressions on people’s lives,” said Ted Price, Insomniac Games founder and CEO. “We’ve enjoyed a special relationship with PlayStation practically since our inception. Our partnership amplifies our potential, and Marvel’s Spider-Man was a testament to this. We’re excited to take the next step in our growth alongside our longtime WWS partners. Most of all, we look forward to delivering fresh, new experiences for our fans.”
About Sony Interactive Entertainment
Recognized as a global leader in interactive and digital entertainment, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is responsible for the PlayStation® brand and family of products and services. PlayStation has delivered innovation to the market since the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. The PlayStation family of products and services include PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Vita, PlayStation®3, PlayStation™Store, PlayStation®Plus, PlayStation™Video, PlayStation™Music, PlayStation™Now, PlayStation™Vue, and acclaimed PlayStation software titles from SIE Worldwide Studios. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, SIE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation and has global functions in California, London and Tokyo.
“PlayStation” is a registered trademark or trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. “PS4” is a trademark of the same company. Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
About Insomniac Games
