Game news PS5: Sony forced to cancel its PlayStation Showcase because of Microsoft?
We are already halfway through October, and it seems that there has been a breach during this back-to-school period. Indeed, Sony has remained behind in recent weeks as the company tended to organize, in these waters, a PlayStation Showcase as was the case, for example, in the previous two years. This absence raises questions and, behind the scenes, it would seem that a culprit is all designated: Microsoft!
Summary
- The PlayStation Showcase and its PS5 announcements postponed?
- The investigation into the acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King by Microsoft at the heart of the problem!
The PlayStation Showcase and its PS5 announcements postponed?
Very soon, Sony and PlayStation will be able to blow together the second anniversary candle of their latest console, the PS5. At the time of the launch and to promote its brand new machine, the Japanese company had planned a massive event capable of making all the players on the planet salivate. This back-to-school meeting seemed important to the firm, so much so that it had given the cover in September 2021 where we had been able to witness masterful announcements such as the remake of Star Wars : Knights of the Old Republic, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Marvel’s Wolverine or, God of War: Ragnarök ! In short, a very important niche that boosted the hype for the months and years to come and which we thought would be elevated to the rank of tradition on the manufacturer’s side. And yet…
In the middle of summer, when the Summer Game Fest period had just closed and Gamescom was reaching out to us more and more, rumors of the hallway about this famous PlayStation Showcase had begun to spread. At that time, we felt that something was going on behind the scenes, but it was then difficult to put our finger on it precisely.. And for good reason, the precise date or, at least, the broadcast period were still very vague: to compensate, rumors had it that the announcement schedule couldn’t be more enticing. It’s only towards the end of August that a date seemed to stand out. But, in the meantime, we haven’t had any more news and this event has slipped our minds a bit. This must have suited Sony well since the manufacturer might simply have decided to draw a line under it, in particular because of its direct competitor: Microsoft!
The investigation into the acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King by Microsoft at the heart of the problem!
For a few weeks now, Sony and Microsoft have been a bit like cat and dog and accumulate disputes and other settling of accounts through the media. The reason for their conflict? The process of taking over the huge American publisher Activision-Blizzard-King that the Japanese firm doesn’t see very well. Thus, to ensure its back, Sony is trying at this very moment not to incur the wrath of regulators who are monitoring the various stages of the acquisition of the American publisher by Microsoft. Therefore, who says to keep a low profile, says not to organize major events filled with big announcements.
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The ongoing CMA investigation for MS acquisition of AB, has indeed delayed any Showcase plans for Sony. Exclusive titles and first party I.P were ‘locked in’. Sony believe a showcase will add weight to MS arguments. Silent Hill & Kojima Who Am I reveal were part of show.
— Millie A (@millieamand) October 17, 2022
In this tense period between the two manufacturers, what Sony wants to avoid at all costs is to offer solid arguments on a platter to Microsoft as part of the validation of the acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King. According to insider Millie A, Sony should have announced, on October 11, the holding of a PlayStation Showcase on October 20, this week. But, still according to her, the firm would consider not organizing it this month, nor during the period when the CMA investigation into the planned acquisition by Microsoft is underway.. PlayStation fans will therefore have to be patient to discover the surprises concocted by Sony!