Sony has delayed the PlayStation 5 reveal event that was previously scheduled for Thursday, June 4, saying that the company “[does] 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 has not announced a rescheduled date.
The company had planned to offer a first look at PS5 games in an hourlong presentation on Thursday ahead of the next-gen system’s launch this holiday season.
Sony’s decision comes after a week of anger, unrest, and protest over the killing of George Floyd, the man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25. Since Floyd’s death, thousands of protestors have taken to the streets of major cities and to destinations online to denounce violent policing tactics and to shine a light on the racism and systemic inequality that disadvantages and cuts short black lives in the United States.
On Monday, Sony Interactive Entertainment also issued a statement in support of black people, saying on Twitter, “We denounce system racism and violence against the Black community. We will continue to work toward a future marked by empathy and inclusion and stand with our Black creators, players, employees, families, and friends. #BlackLivesMatter”
The statement followed a broader corporate statement from Sony, which read, “Being silent about the violence and racism Black people experience is being complicit. We stand in solidarity today and every day with the Black community. #BlackLivesMatter”
Sony’s decision to delay its event follows a similar move from publisher Electronic Arts. On Sunday, EA announced it was postponing a reveal of Madden NFL 21 planned for Monday, saying on Twitter, “We stand with our African American / Black community of friends, players, colleagues and partners. Our immediate attention is on actions we can take to drive change against the unjust treatment and systemic bias that is plaguing the nation and our world. We’ll find another time to talk football with you. Because this is bigger than a game, bigger than sports, and needs all of us to stand together and commit to change.”
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