CEO DATELINE - Sony pulls out of video game association trade show
CEO DATELINE - Sony pulls out of video game association trade show
- November 16, 2018 |
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Walt Williams
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Sony will not showcase its popular PlayStation video game console at next year's E3 trade show—a decision delivering a public relations black eye to both the show and its producer, the Entertainment Software Association.
E3 was once the premier event in the video game industry for companies to showcase new titles and video game systems. However, the popularity of the event has waned in recent years as other video game shows have popped up and developers have increasingly turned to online streaming services such as Twitch and YouTube to build buzz for their games.
Sony has been a staple of E3 since the show's creation in 1995, and its PlayStation console is currently the best-selling video game system in the market. In a statement to media outlets, the company said it wants "to innovate, think differently, and experiment with new ways to delight gamers."
"As a result, we have decided not to participate in E3 in 2019," Sony said. "We are exploring new and familiar ways to engage our community in 2019 and can't wait to share our plans with you."
Sony's announcement comes roughly a month after Michael Gallagher unexpectedly stepped down as ESA's CEO. Citing anonymous sources, the entertainment news publication Variety reported that the association's board of directors forced him to resign. ESA did not confirm the report. Stanley Pierre-Louis, the association's senior vice president and general counsel, was appointed interim CEO.
The good news for ESA is that the two other major producers of video game consoles—Microsoft and Nintendo—both will participate in next year's E3, scheduled for June 11-13 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The association also announced Thursday several changes to enhance the visibility of games showcased at the event.
"E3 2018 broke records, and we sold out of both exhibit space and attendee badges," Pierre-Louis said. "We are confident that, through the continued creative innovations delivered by our participating member companies, E3 2019 will deliver the same kind of excitement and energy."
One change implemented for the first time in 2017 was the decision by ESA to open E3 to the public. Previously the event has been open only to industry insiders and the media.
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