A Comprehensive Look at PlayStation State of Play: Showcases and Major Game Announcements from 2019 Onwards

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Sony’s State of Play: A New Era of Gaming

In 2019, Sony introduced State of Play, a series of pre-recorded, Nintendo Direct-style broadcasts that highlight upcoming first- and third-party PlayStation games. These broadcasts serve as a replacement for Sony’s participation in E3, allowing them to engage their audience in a more controlled, consistent, and cost-effective way.

The Early Years

Sony’s first-ever State of Play aired on March 25, 2019, and featured the biggest announcement of the day: Iron Man VR. This virtual reality game for PlayStation VR showcased the potential of the platform and set the tone for future State of Play broadcasts. Other notable announcements from the early years include Final Fantasy 7 Remake and The Last of Us Part 2.

Expanding the Showcase

As State of Play evolved, it expanded to include larger-scale events known as PlayStation Showcases. The fourth anniversary of State of Play allowed us to look back at the history of these shows and highlight the biggest announcements from each event.

State of Play	Days Between Showcases	Runtime
Sony’s First State of Play	45	21:26
Sony’s Second State of Play	138	21:42
Sony’s Third State of Play	77	22:44
Sony’s Final State of Play in 2019	156	18:40
First Show of 2020	13	23:34

The PlayStation 5 Era

With the arrival of the PlayStation 5, State of Play took on a new level of significance. Sony’s June 2020 showcase, in particular, stood out as a substitute for their canceled E3 conference. It unveiled not only the PlayStation 5 but also an extensive lineup of first-party games scheduled for late 2020 to early 2022.

Continued Success

Sony’s State of Play continued to deliver exciting announcements and updates for PlayStation fans. From the highly anticipated God of War: Ragnarok to the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth release date, each showcase offered something to get players excited about.

State of Play	Days Between Showcases	Runtime
Sony’s First State of Play in 2021	63	22:28
April 2021’s State of Play	28	19:11
May 2021’s State of Play	42	31:44
August 2021’s State of Play	41	47:54
State of Play Before PS5 Release	52	12:13

State of Play in 2022 and 2023

The State of Play broadcasts continued into 2022 and 2023, with a mix of first-party and third-party games. Sony’s focus shifted from monthly broadcasts to a more sporadic schedule, ranging from 8 days to 163 days between showcases.

State of Play	Days Between Showcases	Runtime
First State of Play in 2022	56	42:37
Third-Party Focused State of Play	100	32:00
Gran Turismo 7 State of Play	35	21:10
State of Play for Japanese Publishers	8	21:44
Hogwarts Legacy State of Play	77	30:44

Recent State of Play Showcases

In 2023, Sony continued its State of Play series with showcases that highlighted upcoming games and provided new gameplay footage. These showcases featured highly anticipated titles such as the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater remake and Spider-Man 2.

State of Play	Days Between Showcases	Runtime
February 2023’s State of Play	49	25:19
Second State of Play in 2023	41	1:12:35
PlayStation’s 2023 Showcase	113	27:17
Fourth State of Play in 2023	163	43:19

What’s Next for State of Play?

Sony’s State of Play series continues to captivate gamers with its exciting announcements and gameplay reveals. While the cadence and format may evolve over time, one thing is for certain: PlayStation fans can look forward to more State of Play showcases in the future.

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