Sony PlayStation State of Play rumored on April 16, but may not show PS5 exclusives

Trusted leaker NateTheHate revealed that Sony would host a State of Play showcase “well before” June. Now, the insider has pinned down a possible date of April 16th. The timing has caught some fans off guard, raising speculation about what PS5 exclusives may or may not appear.

NateTheHate updated followers on social media and the ResetEra forums. While he can’t confirm April 16th with absolute certainty, it seems a PlayStation event is in the works. However, when addressing a question about Marvel’s Wolverine, he hinted that third-party PS5 games would be the focus.

Sony’s State of Play broadcasts usually feature a single title or multiple first and third-party releases. Yet, if it prioritized its partners, that could disappoint some PlayStation loyalists. The last show in February already grabbed attention with Silent Hill: Townfall gameplay and a new John Wick project.

One scenario is that the Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake will finally surface. Coincidentally, Insider Gaming verified a rumor that Ubisoft would announce the open-world revival, named Resynced, on April 16th. With the publisher’s financial struggles, it’s leaning on its most successful franchises.

Potential first-party State of Play guests

Sony has faced criticism for an increasing lack of PS5 exclusives. Still, February’s PlayStation State of Play wasn’t devoid of SIE titles. The metroidvania-inspired God of War: Sons of Sparta was shadow-dropped. Also, the gaming giant teased an anticipated remake of the God of War Trilogy.

If more first-party PS5 candidates appear, Saros is among the most obvious targets. While the previous showcase already promoted the sci-fi shooter, the game doesn’t ship until April 30th. Perhaps even more anticipated, Insomniac Games may ramp up marketing for Marvel’s Wolverine before its September debut.

Insomniac, like many studios, will want to avoid the marketing blitz surrounding GTA 6. Fans hope to see a new trailer when Take-Two Interactive begins the campaign this summer. It’s possible that Sony had the Rockstar Games title when it scheduled an earlier-than-expected State of Play.