The PS4 has come out way ahead in recent times thanks to a strong exclusive lineup. 2018 saw the release of critically acclaimed titles like God of War and Spiderman, as well as remasters like Shadow of the Colussus and Spyro: Reignited. At this point, it seems the company has simply run out of games to reveal. “PlayStation fans mean the world to us and we always want 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. We are exploring new and familiar ways to engage our community in 2019 and can’t wait to share our plans with you,” said the company in a statement to Game Informer. PS4 has several interesting titles set for 2019, including The Last of Us 2, Death Stranding, Ghosts of Tsushima, and Days Gone. Evidently, though, it doesn’t feel it’s enough to fill its E3 timeslot, with Days Gone releasing before the conference.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) November 15, 2018
What to Expect from Microsoft and Nintendo
It’s also likely the company doesn’t want to be overshadowed by Xbox, which is in for a strong year. Microsoft may launch its xCloud streaming service in full, with rumors of two consoles in the works for 2020. The company has also made several acquisitions and formed a new studio with talent from Red Dead Redemption, God of War, and Tomb Raider. It’s likely to have some new exclusives to share, with a new Fable game even rumored from Playground Games. Of course, Nintendo has also confirmed its place at E3 2019, promising ‘new games and experiences’. Reports suggest that it has a Switch refresh lined up for 2019, too, with possible screen upgrades. Big publishers will also have a presence at the expo, including Bethesda, Ubisoft, Square Enix, Take-Two, Activision, and Warner Bros. Ultimately, it should be a great experience, though it is a definite hit to the conference.