Microsoft confirms E3 2020 attendance as Sony bows out

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Xbox will be there.

Xbox @ E3
Xbox @ E3 (Image credit: Windows Central)

Xbox E3

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Sony is skipping E3 2020 this year.
  • This has become somewhat of a trend and the company will hold smaller events during the time.
  • Microsoft confirmed that it's going to be at the event.
  • The compete Xbox Series X specifications may be revealed then.

Yesterday, Sony announced that it wasn't going to hold a media briefing at E3 2020, but would instead have hundreds of smaller events around the world. With the rumored PlayStation 5 (PS5) reveal coming in February, it doesn't seem like the company needs the E3 stage this year, or ever again for that matter. The company said the following.

After thorough evaluation Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has decided not to participate in E3 2020. We have great respect for the Entertainment Software Association (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.

Microsoft is going a more traditional route. Last night, Xbox head Phil Spencer confirmed that he and the team would be there. Spencer said the following. It seems like Spencer views E3 as a celebration of gaming, and that's why the company is attending.

Our team is hard at work on E3, we look forward to sharing with all who love to play what's ahead for us. Our artform has consistently been propelled by the cross-section of creativity and technical progress. 2020 is a milestone year in that journey for Team Xbox.

It's unclear when Microsoft will reveal the Xbox Series X specifications, but it might happen at E3. However, only time will tell. Since Sony is expected to discuss the PS5 next month, we may even get proper confirmation then. Who knows? We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more. The current rumors state that PS5 features 9 teraflops (tflops) while the Xbox Series X is at 12 tflops.

The ESA said the following about E3 and Sony's decision to skip the event.

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.

What do you want to see from next-generation consoles? How do you feel about major companies skipping E3? Let us know.

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Asher Madan
Asher Madan

Asher Madan handles gaming news for Windows Central. Before joining Windows Central in 2017, Asher worked for a number of different gaming outlets. He has a background in medical science and is passionate about all forms of entertainment, cooking, and antiquing.