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Sony, Facebook, KojiPro cancel GDC appearances due to coronavirus (Up2: Microsoft, Amazon, and Epic are also out) [See Staff Post]
- Thread starter Biosnake
- Start date
How do so many people here think that GDC is a fan event? It's literally called Game Developer's Conference. You can only go if you work in the industry.
It's not a fan event, but we always get a ton of footage and information out of GDC.
It was canceled after a number of companies had pulled out. Sony were among the first to cancel their attendance to it.
First of all, isn't GDC aimed at games industry professionals and not fans?
Even if that wasn't the case do you realise that despite initial intentions priorities change when there is a health and safety issue? You should be glad the event was cancelled because that's less risk for you too. There are more important things than Playstation news.
Between missing all of these shows as a part of a next gen hype cycle and the inevitability of hardware part shortages, both due to the virus, I feel like we will soon start hearing whispers of delay to 2021. Might be for the best anyway.
And we knew they wouldn't attend it before Corona, and was about that time that they stated that had plans for a lot of events for this year. Unfortunately corona affects these kind of events. Including the ones Sony was interested in.
So until we have the virus under control, expect more cancellations. It happens to be the most reasonable approach.
Agree.
Ppl, it's not that serious. If next gen consoles get delayed, so be it.
taking a different approach ironically won't feel that different now that they're also skipping E3 again .There are pros and cons about releasing info bits over time. Maybe MS' move of officially showing something that is considered next-gen will make them show things a bit earlier than currently scheduled.
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Yup, E3 had to do with Sony not liking the direction the ESA have and are taking the event, and it seems multiple other companies and notable figures feel the same way. So that's 1 event they're not attending that has nothing to do with the corona virus and we know their reasoning.
There's still several months til launch and many, many opportunities for fan engagement to come. Skipping these events won't even be a minor hindrance once they begin their marketing campaign for the PS5.
Playstation wants to interact with fans.
Worldwide virus spreads.
Playstation can't interact with fans because of death, possibilities of infection, and other stuff.
"Heh so much for fan interaction, huh Playstation?"
It's not about events in NA specifically. It's about all the people that fly into the event from all over the world.
Somehow I think their fans will be totally ok with this like any reasonable person would.
Hopefully this thread won't be as embarrassing as the other one.
The possibility that the coronavirus could cause next-gen shortages at launch is very real. It's becoming more real I think than many of us would like to believe.
I doubt it would impact the launches in the US, but it wouldn't surprise me if Sony and Microsoft will be forced to delay the launch in other regions.
Sony definitely being extra cautious here, I'm fine with it.
The possibility that the coronavirus could cause next-gen shortages at launch is very real. It's becoming more real I think than many of us would like to believe.
I doubt it would impact the launches in the US, but it wouldn't surprise me if Sony and Microsoft will be forced to delay the launch in other regions.
Sony definitely being extra cautious here, I'm fine with it.
Sony to announce the PS5 in August, 2 or 3 months before release at the only gaming conference they will be a part of this year and ERA will implode.
You will absolutely hear journalists report about a lot of developers talking about the PS5. Just like what happened with the PS4. Sony doesn't need to be there for that to happen.
Hey, if we can't get next gen news then at least let us be entertained by people choosing to embarrass themselves :)
It's so weird to see people on Era pissed about this. This a forum where that's for the majority anti crunch and pro union, but there's people here that would be happy to have a corporation send their employees to expos in the middle of an international virus outbreak? Like, where would an employee who doesn't want to be exposed to thousands of rando's coughing on them stand in this situation? Go or be fired?
Good on Sony...and *shivers* Facebook.
Good on Sony...and *shivers* Facebook.
Many other events are happening in NA every day with people from all over the world. If there is a risk, shouldn't be wise to cancel all of them instead of specific companies deciding if is too risky to attend? What are the recommendations from our authorities monitoring the issue?
Yup I agree with this. People here are going to have to come to terms with the fact that this virus will most likely delay their favorite shit. Conference cancellations aren't the only thing happening here. You have entire factories being shut down and quarantined. I almost can't visualize a scenario where both of these systems launch worldwide this fall anymore.
Realize I came off like I was complaining, which wasn't my intent. I know GDC is not a fan event.Was trying to say CV is kinda screwing Sony over in terms of promotion
Obviously coronavirus is the sole reason for not attending, since GDC is not a fan event at all and thus Sony has absolutely no reason not to attend regardless of PS5 plans. Also with TLOUS II releasing soon, Sony would have definitely wanted to be at PAX.
And we have many, many months until it will be available for purchase. There is a lot of time between now and then for Sony to make the case for their console. They may well bungle their messaging by the time the PS5 is ready, but there's a lot of time yet to come their lack of participation in traditional events doesn't mean they aren't going to share information.
That it sure do. We'll see how they'll handle the situation going forward. The thing left unanswered for now, is how this might affect any PS5 "reveal" plans.
Have you seen the White House Administration? People dying in mass would be a celebration for them.
Obviously Sony has every right as a company to make decisions to skip PAX East and GDC based on their own reasons regarding the virus, but their brief written statements regarding both haven't yet provided any meaningful communication regarding ways to mitigate the impact to fans and developers. Maybe they will still provide follow up regarding both, but there is a difference between short statements to cancel and ones that include things such as "We intend to provide video assets of our planned PAX content online at PlayStation.com and to media outlets" or "We intend to provide on demand sessions of planned GDC content to interested developers and online at PlayStation.com" and so forth.
Obviously NA is not like Wuhan but nobody likes to see it get to that point. Companies using their own discretion is totally reasonable and there's no reason at all to question it.
They can put out their own direct if you think about it. It doesn't have to be done in front of a big media presence
That would be a wise thing to do. While I do not think these are knee jerk reactions, it's probably something that they decided on quite recently, so plans moving forward are likely developing as we speak, as so to say.
Manufacturing plants in China are already being affected by the virus, but I don't think next-gen will be delayed, maybe just supply limited at launch.
The flu has a mortality rate of .001%, coronavirus is bopping around 2500 times more deadly with 2.5%. The reason more people aren't dead is that there's a massive concerted push to contain it and not create a pandemic.
Flu deaths will pale in comparison if uncontrolled.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but most GDC content isn't streamed live and if it ever hits the internet it could be weeks or months later. At least that's been my observation, but I could be mistaken.
These events happen every year and skipping one due to virus is not a big deal.
Because they pulled out of GDC due to the coronavirus? C'mon son
You don't get it.
If there's no PS5 at the Game Developer Conference, how can they develop games for it??
/s
Relevant update directly from GDC today on how they are addressing any concerns and following all local and state health official guidance - https://gdconf.com/news/gdc-2020-plans-successful-and-safe-event.
Facebook clearly cancelling because they know they're not ready to reveal Facestation 5. Classic Zuckerberg.
Not literally the same city (HQ is in San Mateo, 19 miles south of SF), but Sony does have an office downtown as well.
GDC is literally in Sony's backyard. Most staff would probably have a shorter commute from home to GDC than they would from home to the office.