There’s an exhilarating charm in the world of video game leaks, a hint of the forbidden and a dash of excitement about the unexpected.
The latest chatter suggests that a new PlayStation Showcase might be on the horizon. While this isn’t the only rumor we have come across of a similar event happening since Sony’s disappointing PlayStation Showcase took place in May, many believe that this is the most credible proof we have yet.
Insiders might remember the well-known leaker shinobi0602, who used to disclose information about the older Call of Duty games months before their official debuts. While he stepped back from leaking information, said to be because of his employment in the gaming industry, he’s now back, reminding everyone that he’s still get some pretty juicy connections.
The speculation around the PlayStation Showcase could be tied to something quite prominent. The forthcoming release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 from Insomniac Games is on the cards, with its launch date slated for October 20. It wouldn’t be too farfetched to believe that Sony might want to highlight this anticipated sequel in a dedicated event, especially considering the first two game’s enormous success and reception.
But it’s also worth pointing out a growing sentiment among fans concerning the formats Sony adopts for these events. State of Play and PlayStation Showcases have, for some, lost their original appeal. The anticipatory buildup often leads to events that don’t always match the immense hype, despite Sony’s best intentions. Even if Sony tries to manage fans’ expectations, especially for events like State of Play, there’s an evident disparity in how they’re perceived. Some feel the term “State of Play” now connotes something more lackluster, while a “PlayStation Showcase” generates overly grand expectations.
As we continue through the recent of the year, there’s a sense that Sony needs to deliver after a relatively quiet year.
With Xbox unveiling names such as Starfield and Forza Motorsport and the rampant rumors surrounding the next-gen Nintendo console, fans are eager to see Sony’s countermove. They’re hungry for a roadmap, a clearer picture of what to expect in the days ahead.
In fact, speaking of long-term plans, Xbox’s current format deserves praise. The company’s current strategy consists of a significant showcase in June, complemented by a Developer Direct earlier in the year. On top of that, Xbox isn’t afraid to highlight indie games through the ID@Xbox events. Furthermore, they’re adept at weaving news into other major video game events, such as The Game Awards, Gamescom, and the Tokyo Game Show.
Similar to Nintendo, it’s an approach that feels comprehensive yet spaced out, ensuring that audiences have something to look forward to consistently.
Back to Sony, if they’re indeed planning another Showcase, there’s an element they might want to address: managing fan expectations.
These days, a singular State of Play event can oscillate between being dismissible to absolutely unmissable, like when it introduced game changers such as the Resident Evil 4 Remake and the upcoming PS5-exclusive, Rise of the Ronin. The jarring inconsistency is a problem, even for a titan like PlayStation. As previously mentioned, this year’s showcase didn’t quite meet the mark, especially after the outstanding showcases in 2021, highlighted by God of War: Ragnarok, and in 2020, that saw the official reveal of the PlayStation 5 as well as games like Hogwarts Legacy and Horizon Forbidden West.
Perhaps being more transparent about what’s to come might help. For instance, specifying in advance which studios will make an appearance or stating what won’t be featured can streamline expectations.
In the world of gaming, where surprises are aplenty and expectations perennially high, it’s a fine balance for giants like Sony to strike. Whether Shinobi’s whisperings will materialize into an actual PlayStation Showcase remains to be seen. For now, all enthusiasts can do is wait and cross their fingers.
