PlayStation is skipping E3 once again as Microsoft confirm plans

While it was believed Sony skipped last year’s E3 due to a lack of announcements, it seems the company could be removing themselves entirely from the Los Angeles gaming convention. 

In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, Sony confirmed they won’t have a presence at E3 2020 despite their next-generation console, the PlayStation 5, releasing later this year.  

“After thorough evaluation SIE has decided not to participate in E3 2020,” a Sony Interactive Entertainment spokesperson told the publication.  

“We have great respect for the ESA as an organisation, but we do not feel the vision of E3 2020 is the right venue for what we are focused on this year.”

The PlayStation 5 won't be at E3 2020 (Picture: Sony) 

They did however state they will be “participating in hundreds of consumer events across the globe” across the year, without any specifics. 

This means Sony will most likely reveal the PlayStation 5 at their own dedicated event – after having only released a logo and some feature specifications for the console so far.  

Shortly following the announcement, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer confirmed Microsoft are already planning their E3 2020 showcase.  

Posting on Twitter, Phil wrote: “Our team is hard at work on E3, we look forward to sharing with all who love to play what’s ahead of us.  

“Our artform has consistently been propelled by the cross-section of creativity and technical progress. 2020 is a milestone year in that journey for Team Xbox.” 

While this may seem like an open goal for Microsoft, Sony proved last year it doesn’t necessarily need E3 to catch widespread media attention – especially considering they’re the market leaders at present.  

With the next-gen consoles due later this year however, this could give a significant advantage to both Microsoft and Nintendo if they offer enough exciting announcements to sway the conversation.

E3 2020 takes place on 9-11 June at the Los Angeles Convention Center.