If you were looking forward to seeing some new games for the upcoming PS5 system, you are going to have to wait a little longer.
Originally scheduled for Thursday, June 4th, the PlayStation 5 event has been postponed due to ongoing protests. “While we understand gamers worldwide are excited to see PS5 games, we do not feel that right now is a time for celebration,” Sony announced on Twitter. “And for now, we want to stand back and allow more important voices to be heard.”
courtesy of PlayStation
This is in response to the protests that have ignited due to the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. All over the country we have seen a growing number of protests at varying degrees of intensity. The people are angry, and rightfully so. The last thing on anyone’s mind right now should be a handful of new games.
For the Players
This is a classy move by Sony. By delaying the event they are yielding the floor to “more important voices”. Rallying behind the slogan “For the Players”, Sony is known for supporting players of all backgrounds. Obviously, video games should come second to basic human decency. Now is the time for solidarity against racism, violence, and oppression. Sony recognizes this. Countless other businesses have tweeted their support, but Sony joins the humble few who have let actions back their words. EA and Google have both postponed their own events this week for the same reasons.
Good for Business
While showing their support for the community is a great motivator, this is probably also a good business move for Sony. All eyes are on the protests, which means less visibility for Sony right now. If they want their products to do well on the market, they need as many eyes on them as possible. By postponing the event, they can ensure that their presence is not lost in the chaos. When things settle down, they can try again.
There is no telling when things will simmer down to a calm. Sony recognizes this by not providing a new date for their event. They seem to be willing to yield the floor for as long as is necessary to address this issue. I certainly hope other companies and franchises will follow Sony’s example.
New video games can wait. The fight against racism cannot.
Stay geeky, my friends.
