With the forthcoming release of the PlayStation 5, Sony revealed plans to skip E3 yesterday.

In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, a spokesperson stated, "We have great respect for the ESA as an organization, but we do not feel the vision of E3 2020 is the right venue for what we are focused on this year.” Sony will be busy promoting their upcoming console in other ways leading up to its release.

The ESA has responded to Sony’s decision with a statement of their own. “E3 is a signature event celebrating the video game industry and showcasing the people, brands and innovations redefining entertainment loved by billions of people around the world. E3 2020 will be an exciting, high-energy show featuring new experiences, partners, exhibitor spaces, activations, and programming that will entertain new and veteran attendees alike. Exhibitor interest in our new activations is gaining the attention of brands that view E3 as a key opportunity to connect with video game fans worldwide,” they stated.

This is Sony’s second time skipping the popular video game convention. They didn’t attend last year’s event, which led to some people believing Sony would bring back the PlayStation Experience to promote the PlayStation 5. Originally launched in 2002, the event was revived 12 years later to mark the PlayStation’s 20th anniversary. It would continue in North America until 2017. The last PlayStation Experience took place in Thailand in 2018.

The PlayStation 5 will arrive with a handful of launch titles, including Watch Dogs: Legion and Godfall.