Sony postpones digital PlayStation 5 event

Discussions over police brutality and racism along with concerns over ongoing riots and protests in the United States have apparently spilled over into the world video games. Sony has responded to the chaos by postponing the PlayStation 5 digital showcase event that they just announced last week. The event was supposed to be held this week on June 4, and was expected to give everyone “a first look at the games you’ll be playing after PlayStation 5 launches this holiday.”

PlayStation’s twitter account tweeted out the following message:

“We have decided to postpone the PlayStation 5 event scheduled for June 4. While we understand gamers worldwide are excited to see PS5 games, we do not feel that right now is a time for celebration and for now, we want to stand back and allow more important voices to be heard.”

Sony didn’t mention the George Floyd murder or the ensuing riots and protests specifically, but it’s probably safe to assume that this was the reason for the decision to postpone the event, considering the fact that they had tweeted their support for the Black Lives Matter movement a few hours earlier.

Judging by the replies to the tweet, many PlayStation fans are understandably upset over this, claiming that the event would’ve been a nice source of escapism during these troubling times, but Sony obviously wants to play it safe. Proceeding with the event as the US appears that it might be on the brink of another civil war wouldn’t have been a good look for Sony.

We stand together 💙💚 https://t.co/HMZNHeNzLd

— Xbox (@Xbox) June 1, 2020

As a sign of solidarity, Microsoft put the console wars on hold and replied to the earlier tweet about racism, saying “We stand together.”

Sony has made the right call here. https://t.co/KlvUXieAri

— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) June 1, 2020

Also, prominent industry figures, including The Game Awards creator, Geoff Keighley, approved of the move, saying that the decision to delay the event was “the right call here.”

Sony didn’t provide a new date for the event.