Sony Interactive Entertainment Decided To Pull From PAX East Due To Concern For Coronavirus

Sony Interactive Entertainment has begun to step back from public events as we already know with the company’s announcement to skip participating in this coming E3 event for the second consecutive year now. Atop of also cancelling the annual held PlayStation Experience (PSX) previously, this looks to be more of a trend starting to form. However, Sony did clarify to be attending “hundreds” of other consumer events in the meantime.

Or so we thought, but due to the growing concern surrounding the pandemic disease novel coronavirus, the company has decided to pull its booth from this coming PAX East later this month.

Making the announcement through an update on the initial announcement, Sony shares that the decision was purely based on the safety of those working for the company.

Today, Sony Interactive Entertainment made the decision to cancel its participation at PAX East in Boston this year due to increasing concerns related to COVID-19 (also known as “novel coronavirus”). We felt this was the safest option as the situation is changing daily. We are disappointed to cancel our participation in this event, but the health and safety of our global workforce is our highest concern.

Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications Manager, Justin Massongill

The abrupt cancellation of Sony’s attendance at the annual event in Boston also dismisses participants from playing a slew of anticipated titles that were said to be presented on the show floor. Games like the upcoming sequel The Last of Us Part II, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Dreams, and Iron Man VR.

Viewing the map for the convention’s floor layout, it reveals the PlayStation occupied three slots parallel from each other. Now with the company confirming to be absent from PAX East, it is unsure which vendor might take the vacant spots. It is confirmed that Nintendo will also be attending, however, Microsoft will only be present via Mixer for the Boston event.

In relations to the concerns inhabited in China, it was revealed that the approaching Nintendo Swith version of The Outer Worlds have been pushed due to the disease’s impact on trade. You can read the full report by heading here.

What are your thoughts on Sony’s decision to pull the company’s attendance from PAX East?

PAX East commences next week on February 27 and runs until March 1 the following week.

Source: PlayStation Blog