Sony Explains E3 Boycot for 2019

Sony is not going to participate in E3 2019 this year, while its rival Microsoft will have a big presence at the show. SIE Worldwide Studios head Shawn Layden is trying to explain why Sony decided to not participate in E3 this year. He also tries to explain what Sony will be doing to engage fans and the media.

Layden says that E3 originated with standards that no longer apply to the industry. He says that originally it was a place for retailers to plan stock and for journalists for magazines to plan coverage of titles. Layden points out that both of those reasons have shifted.

He said that Sony has an event this month called Destination PlayStation where all retailers and third-party partners come to hear what is going on for the year. He says that the retailers make purchasing decisions in February because June is too late to have Christmas discussions with retailers reports Gamespot.

He also notes that with the internet and 24/7 game news, the impact of the show on coverage is “lost.” Layden notes that the trade show is a trade show without a lot of trade activity. Essentially, he says, the world has changed, and E3 didn’t change with it.