Sony’s State of Play outlined a boring few months for the PS5
Opinion: the recent State of Play left a lot to be desired
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Without a PS5 launch to look forward to,SonyState of Play is considerably more boring. Throughout last year we waited with bated breath for a morsel, acrumbof news on thePS5at each and every State of Play. On many occasions, we were left disappointed, though we should have known better as Sony kept its biggest announcements for specific events likeFuture of GamingandThe Road to PS5. Regardless, like moths to a flame, we kept coming back for more.
But the disappointment waspartof the whirlwind that surrounded the upcoming PS5 launch. We speculated and we hoped, knowing that at some point Sony would have to share more details on its upcoming console - so we tuned in thinking “it might happen this time”.
Fast forward to 2021 and the PS5 is out in the wild. As I awaited February 2021’s Sony State of Play, the memories of dismay from the previous State of Plays faded away and I let my mind wander to the endless possibilities of what Sony could showcase at the event.
“Maybe a newGod of War Ragnaroktrailer (I really hope it’s not delayed)? Perhaps we’ll get a release date forHorizon Forbidden West(it’ll definitely be November, right?)? Will Kena: Bridge of Spirits be one of thePS Plus free gamesthis March (I need that wholesome in my life)?” All this, despite Sony explicitly saying it would focus on third-party and indie games - we’re creatures of wishful thinking, after all.
So when State of Play didn’t give us as many big announcements we were hoping for, it stung more than before.
Wishful thinking
As I’ve said before, Sony was pretty straight-shooting with what the most recent State of Play would offer: focus on indies and third-party titles. We got an update onCrash Bandicoot 4(which we already knew about),anothernew trailer forDeathloop, a closer look at gameplay for Solar Ash, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach andReturnal, plus a release date (finally) for Oddworld: Soulstorm and Kena: Bridge of Spirits - with the latter unfortunately seeing a delay from March until August.
The biggest news of the evening was thatFinal Fantasy 7 Remake is getting a PS5 upgradecalled Intergrade, which has already been rumored, and a couple of mobile games. But even then, all these reveals and announcements felt a bit lackluster. It left me wanting more.
Where were the big PlayStation releases that we’re waiting for? While the focus on third-party and indie games was expected, I thought Sony would pull something big out of the bag at the end - like it did with the PS5 design reveal In fairness, perhaps theFinal Fantasy 7 Remakenews would have fired us up more if there hadn’t been a leak beforehand.
What we want to see next
Of course, nothing is going to be as big as the launch of a new console, but rough roadmaps (or even some more gameplay trailers and details) for big hitters likeHorizon Forbidden WestandGod of Warwould help to build a brand new hype train, and it would go a long way in helping potential PS5 adopters know whether they need a console amongst the current chaos, or if they can afford to wait.
“Right now, it feels like we know very little about some of Sony’s biggest upcoming releases and hardware plans outside of those in the next couple of months and, as a result, my anticipation for them has waned. Out of sight, out of mind.”
With Sony nowofficially confirming next-generation VR for the PS5(orPSVR 2), this is the perfect time to get fans excited about another Sony innovation - particularly asMicrosofthas no plans to release VR for theXbox Series X.
Right now, it feels like we know very little about some of Sony’s biggest upcoming releases and hardware plans outside of those in the next couple of months and, as a result, my anticipation for them has waned. Out of sight, out of mind.
I would love to see Sony gradually ramping up the anticipation for both its upcoming big hitters andPSVR2 as it did for PS5: a little blog post here, a cryptic tweet there. Always keeping these products in the forefront of fans’ heads. Then, by the time the next State of Play arrives, fans will be frothing at the mouth for confirmed juicy details.
With the PS5 release marred by stock issues, a lack of details on expandable internal storage at launch and a lackluster game offering, PS5 owners have the right to ask a bit more of Sony when it comes to transparency. Sony should be doing its utmost to encourage PlayStation fans that theyshouldsit in virtual queues for hours to get a PS5. That the next year of PS5 is something that they do want to be part of, even if the process of getting there is painful.
After all, Sony’s newest console is a big investment. But amidst a pandemic, maybe I’m asking a lot. Who knows, maybe I’m just trying to ride that PS5 hype wave again…
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
An award-winning games journalist, with seven years of experience in games journalism and a degree in journalism from City University, London, Vic brings experience from IGN, Eurogamer, The Telegraph, VG247, Dot Esports and more to the TechRadar table. You may have even heard her on the radio or speaking on a panel, as she’s previously appeared on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5, BBC Radio Ulster and more. Not only is Vic passionate about games, but she’s appeared on both panels and podcasts to discuss mental health awareness. Make sure to follow her on Twitter for more.
Lords of the Fallen is the latest game to get confirmed PS5 Pro enhancements and support
PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Edition and DualSense restock live: the latest on PS Direct’s stock drop
Do-it-yourself repair kits for the iPhone 16 series are now available from Apple
