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PlayStation and Facebook Gaming/Oculus will not be attending this year's Game Developers Conference due to concerns around the novel coronavirus COVID19. It follows a series of cancelled or postponed video game events, plus console manufacturing disruption, caused by the outbreak.
Sony could just be paranoid about the issue. We will have to wait and see what happens.
However what I will say is that the virus could have an impact on the production of these systems in China. Doesn't mean the launches will be postponed but it could reduce the amount they will have available at launch.
Guesses.
That's some intense paranoia. Sony is gonna cancel no matter where game conventions are held at this year at this rate. Especially with the virus.
That's why it'll be interesting if MS backs out.
If there is a silver lining, maybe it will mean companies will look more into expanding where they produce all these systems in the future. Having everything in China doesn't give a lot of diversity should things come up. Although I believe both Sony and MS have production facilities in Mexico and I thought one had some in Canada....although don't quote me on the latter.
@Angelic
I don't know about MS, but I know a lot of companies are cancelling a lot of things because of the CV. Not just in gaming, but a lot of industries. Was talking to a dev today, and they said their publisher was discussing if they should attend various events, which would affect his studio since they'd end up not attending in that case.
Hopefully everything gets under control before the spring and summer travel seasons.
@Master
Doubtful. It's unlikely production on the new consoles will begin before June and both Sony and Microsoft have the foresight and resources to move production to factories located elsewhere in the world prior to starting manufacture.
It's also likely that both companies already have plans in place to action this if required in light of the potential increase on import tax (currently 10% , potentially 25%) that may be levied by the US Government against goods manufactured in China which for the minute is on the back-burner. As talks are currently ongoing and a final decision yet to be made, it's likely this increase in taxes may resurface again in the future which will practically force both companies to look at alternative manufacturing options elsewhere in the world.
@Angelic
Really depends on the people making these types of decisions. The Corona virus could be extremely bad or maybe its not serious all. Sony could he making a bad decision or the right one. That will depend on how serious the virus really is.
On a side note Sony are not the only ones canceling events due to fears of the Virus. Some entire events have been cancelled due to it. Pretty sure if China has any gaming events they will probably be affected in a serious manner. Same goes for all the other Asian countries that border China. Like for example I can see Tapei game show or Tokyo Game Show being affected by this.
It's not paranoia, anywhere that will gather thousands of people from around the world in close quarters has the potential to spark a renewed spread of the virus.
Mobile World Congress was supposed to happen next week but it's been canceled. That event draws about 100,000 people and the crowds are insane. I wasn't going to go this year anyway, but even had I planned to I likely wouldn't have gone even if it were going ahead.
@Kneon
I guess you have a point. If the Virus wasn't that bad im pretty sure the WHO wouldn't declare a global health emergency. I just recently experienced a situation that involved the Virus and we were almost put on quarantine just because someone at work was in a plane with someone that had the Virus.
Not sure why people are disagreeing. Apple has already forecast an impact on manufacturing of their products. Anyone who has at least some components of their products made in China (which is literally all electronics) could be impacted. It may not be as noticeable for more pedestrian goods like TVs and what not, but high-volume, high-demand products like popular phones and new consoles could easily take a hit.
I would not call it paranoia. It's a valid concern. WHO has been pretty aggressive in keeping the world updated on the matter. It is, after all, a pandemic.
"Paranoid" has such a negative connotation. I think this warrants a label of "cautious".
But we dont have evidence to suggest attending GDC puts your life at risk. So, it currently doesnt make sense.
True, the best way to beat a virus is not have groups of ppl. In which conventions typically do. All it takes is one person and everyone's at risk.
TK-66 it makes sense. Imagine your job decides to send you overseas to a crowded convention when there is a virus spreading. The risk is low but much higher when you cram thousands of people from all around the world into one spot for a couple days...
I don't know if MS will cancel but I am surprised at all the sh!t talking towards companies playing it safe. It's not just Sony and the gaming industry doing this stuff. COVID19 has all sorts of things going on.
I have a feeling the PS5 is going to be delayed, which will be devastating to Sony.
Xbox is made in China as well. If PS5 is delayed due to the coronavirus then more than likely so will Xbox Series X.
Unlikely to be delayed. But supplies may be short come launch day. Same will be true with a lot of electronics due to some restrictions now being put on trade.
I doubt a delay would be devastating though, and if there is a delay, it's not likely to be a big one.
Yea it just my nervous side getting the best of me......I hoping this stupid corona virus doesn’t delay anything.
But it seemed my previous comment got everyone into a fit.
Oh well
why do i get a feeling sonys gonna do ps5 reveal in state of play form now with all these events cancellation
It'd probably be a bigger showcase than the SOP is. But, I wouldn't be surprised if they did a streamed reveal.
It's the only logical thing to do if they don't want to physically be at these events.
Facebook provides a great casual gaming experience for me, and it also gives me the chance to play games from devs and companies I'd never heard of before.
I never imagined Social Network gaming would become so popular. The numbers are pretty stunning.
Hmmm...
Lets try that again: Facebook has 200m active "gamers"
Yeah..that's better.