Sony Corporate Strategy Meeting announced for May 19 | Outlook strong* for PS5 news/updates

[Rösti]

*In relation to contents of Sony's IR events last year

Yesterday, April 17, 2020, Sony published an IR Schedule for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2021. Thus we have dates for some (IR) events within calendar year 2020 that may provide new information on PlayStation 5.

• FY2019 Earnings Announcement | May 13, 2020
• Corporate Strategy Meeting | May 19, 2020
• FY2020 Q1 Earnings Announcement | August 4, 2020
• ESG & Technology Briefing | September 10, 2020
• FY2020 Q2 Earnings Announcement | October 28, 2020

The Sony IR Day will not be held this year. The Sony IR Day 2019 was held May 21 last year and featured a decent amount of information on PS5 (then referred to as "next gen) in the Game & Network Services Segment presentation slides. The 2019 Corporate Strategy Meeting featured information on the future direction of PlayStation ( using two keywords: immersive and seamless) as well, but to a slightly lesser extent. You can view the presentation slides with speech script at https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/strategy/pdf/2019/speech_E.pdf.

The FY 2019 Earnings Announcement, which will featured a live webcast at 16:00 (JST), may feature some remarks on PlayStation 5. The FY2019 Q3 Earnings Announcement on February 4, 2020 did. But for more substantial new details on PS5, I would look at the Corporate Strategy Meeting. Mainly because of the absence of the IR Day this year. The Sony IR Day 2019 featured the following slide:

With no IR Day 2020, I can think of no better venue than the Corporate Strategy Meeting to present an updated version of this. Regardless, the Corporate Strategy Meeting is something I'd mark in the calendar for PS5 news/updates, whatever such may be.

 

[Neoxon]

Seems like a weird place to do reveals like games, though. At most, maybe they'll show off the actual system? Maybe the release date & price tag if we're lucky.

 

[Razgriz417]

Seems like a weird place to do reveals like games, though. At most, maybe they'll show off the actual system? Maybe the release date & price tag if we're lucky.

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Yeah I would think they'd want a public reveal prior to a meeting like this

 

[formasymphonic]

I imagine it being more about product strategy and financials than games and reveals - but I'd have no problem with being proven wrong on that.

 

[zombiejames]

I'd think they'd reveal stuff before the meeting so they'd have something to talk about? That's just me, though.

 

[TeaLeaf]

Country Rollout.... eww not this tier rollout system again.

 

[janusff]

Neat

 

[Acquiescence]

Aww nice, I hope they reveal Bloodborne 2 during this.

 

[modiz]

I'd imagine this means we are getting more major information before the strategy meeting, not at the meeting,

 

[ViewtifulJC]

here we go with this country rollout shit again...RIP tier 2 and below countries

 

[ianpm31]

Maybe some type of a reveal before May 19th?

 

[HououinKyouma]

Horizon 2 baby.

 

[Deleted member 61469]

No WW launch?

 

[Nightengale]

May 19th is an important date, but May 13th is equally important.

That date will be when they have to officially acknowledge/reveal what are their shipment estimates and anticipated revenue/P&L for the PS5's impact on their gaming business.

 

[EssBeeVee]

this is where they announce the delay until after the fiscal year and then their stocks drop

 

[HStallion]

No WW launch?

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Considering the state of the world I don't think this would be the most surprising outcome considering they're already talking about decreased production in the PS5's launch year.

 

[Nightengale]

Considering the state of the world I don't think this would be the most surprising outcome considering they're already talking about decreased production in the PS5's launch year.

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Country Rollout.... eww not this tier rollout system again.

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here we go with this country rollout shit again...RIP tier 2 and below countries

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No WW launch?

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This slide was shared before the COVID-19 crisis. It's a choice of words to signify that they haven't revealed rollout plans of any form, and the reality is this. There will be countries that will not get them day one, even if a vast majority of countries gets it at day one. Also, the quote from the Bloomberg article said this:

Suppliers have started delivering components to PS5 assemblers, who are scheduled to begin mass-producing the product by June. Sony's PlayStation chief Jim Ryan has stressed that the machine's launch should be simultaneous around the globe, according to people in the company's supply chain.

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[Arubedo]

Country Rollout.... eww not this tier rollout system again.

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Well, it's not like the console would release worldwide even without that Covid-19 crisis, emerging/third world countries (like mine) will probably be put aside as always and will have to check the grey market.

 

[Jade1962]

Aren't we reading a lot into that country roll out? Also that slide has been floating around since last year. The original and still stated goal is to do a global launch. And by global I doubt they mean launch in every single sovereign country but most of the major territories. Obviously that may change due to a pandemic but to be upset about an uncontrollable reality is odd to say the least.

 

[Secretofmateria]

They really dont want to talk about ps5 huh?

 

[Deleted member 8196]

If they won't be able to make enough consoles for a WW launch id expect a delay in some countries but NA/EU and Japan will have PS5 units day and date.

 

[Eeyore]

If they won't be able to make enough consoles for a WW launch id expect a delay in some countries but NA/EU and Japan will have PS5 units day and date.

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I truly think Japan is not as big to Sony anymore. The PS4 launched later there and their sales have been anemic even with pretty much every big third party supporting the system.

 

[Daebo]

If they were smart they delay the US launch because we're all going to buy it anyway.

 

[Nightengale]

Aren't we reading a lot into that country roll out? Also that slide has been floating around since last year. The original and still stated goal is to do a global launch. And by global I doubt they mean launch in every single sovereign country but most of the major territories. Obviously that may change due to a pandemic but to be upset about an uncontrollable reality is odd to say the least.

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PS4 for example, also was also rolled out by stages.
South Korea was December.
India was January.
Japan was February.

Granted, for most of ERA, this isn't really something noted given the smaller Asian population here.

 

[RockGun90]

I for one can't wait for this blatant business event to happen and for gamers to scream "WHY NOO BLOODBORNE 3??!!"

Also,

 

[Nightengale]

I truly think Japan is not as big to Sony anymore. The PS4 launched later there and their sales have been anemic even with pretty much every big third party supporting the system.

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Jim Ryan on PS4 Japanese Launch Window: "... these days I do not think that was a good idea."

I think this deserves its own topic, so I'm splitting it off from the interview being discussed in this thread. I'd agree that it was a poor decision to treat their second largest market in this manner, especially with the resurgence of Japanese games this gen. Hindsight and all, but they...

www.resetera.com

 

[OG_Thrills]

This isn't anything to do with PS5 in terms of public info, right?

 

[defaltoption]

What a dry way to reveal stuff but nevertheless I'm excited, we've gotta see more eventually.

 

[ZeroX]

The country rollout delay for Europe was only two weeks for the PS4. Wouldn't get too stressed just yet

 

[Eeyore]

Jim Ryan on PS4 Japanese Launch Window: "... these days I do not think that was a good idea."

I think this deserves its own topic, so I'm splitting it off from the interview being discussed in this thread. I'd agree that it was a poor decision to treat their second largest market in this manner, especially with the resurgence of Japanese games this gen. Hindsight and all, but they...

www.resetera.com

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Fair enough, I stand corrected from the horse's mouth.

I stand by what I said though, their sales have been bad there.

 

[Carmelozi]

We can expect PS5 reveal before May 19 then they can clarify their strategy during their corporate meeting. I think we might see the reveal the first or second week of May.

 

[RedHeat]

This isn't anything to do with PS5 in terms of public info, right?

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Most likely not. I wouldn't expect any megatons like console design reveal, more like deeper spec and feature info.

 

[pswii60]

When exactly was the slide in the OP published? I'm confused.

 

[JamRock7]

They really dont want to talk about ps5 huh?

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I'm assuming they're gonna do a full unveiling before this meeting but that's me being optimistic. Sony's marketing has been monotonous so far

 

[Nightengale]

This isn't anything to do with PS5 in terms of public info, right?

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Hmm...

So here's the thing.
Given that PS5 is tentatively launching in Holiday 2020, or even if it's delayed, will still fall before April 2021 - probably. In other words, Sony has a fiscal responsibility to investors to share a few key details:

1. Their revenue/profit loss forecast for the next fiscal year
2. The expected shipment of PS5 dating till March 2021
3. Short-to-medium term strategy for SIE gaming division factoring

They could still do (1) and (2) without sharing other necessary public information, and technically they could justify not being very detailed about (3) by saying they need to keep some stuff secret until they can publicly announce them, but ideally the best way would be to get out upfront of this strategy event with a public event first so that they can factor in their own story into the context of their business plans.

 

[johancruijff]

aah the country roulette
for the love of god be there for christmas i've already promised it to my nephew, i don't want to go to the mob to buy it

 

[Bosch]

Well at least we will know for sure if the console will come out this year or not.

 

[OG_Thrills]

Hmm...

So here's the thing.
Given that PS5 is tentatively launching in Holiday 2020, or even if it's delayed, will still fall before April 2021 - probably. In other words, Sony has a fiscal responsibility to investors to share a few key details:

1. Their revenue/profit loss forecast for the next fiscal year
2. The expected shipment of PS5 dating till March 2021
3. Short-to-medium term strategy for SIE gaming division factoring

They could still do (1) and (2) without sharing other necessary public information, and technically they could justify not being very detailed about (3) by saying they need to keep some stuff secret until they can publicly announce them, but ideally the best way would be to get out upfront of this strategy event with a public event first so that they can factor in their own story into the context of their business plans.

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I agree but we know how these things go lol Forums and gaming news sites will hype this up despite knowing it's an internal Sony meeting and not a PS5 event.

I'm expecting people to asking for a stream link.

 

[Nightengale]

When exactly was the slide in the OP published? I'm confused.

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May 2019.

The context is that every year in May, Sony corporate host a strategy session where they are expected to share their fiscal year plans and what they're doing to meet their business goals. That slide was shared last year.

 

[Nagito]

When exactly was the slide in the OP published? I'm confused.

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From last year's IR day. (It's old)

 

[NewDust]

'Outlook strong'*

*My own personal conjecture

 

[jroc74]

I'd think they'd reveal stuff before the meeting so they'd have something to talk about? That's just me, though.

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I hope so.

 

[Deeke]

I think it's more likely the PS5 will be revealed before the investor day than at it. If anything we could get some details on sales projections. But price, console design, and games will be shown at separate events. These meetings are more for investors than they are consumers.

 

[Transistor]

I think it's more likely the PS5 will be revealed before the investor day than at it. If anything we could get some details on sales projections. But price, console design, and games will be shown at separate events. These meetings are more for investors than they are consumers.

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I could see that. Reveal it before and say "just look at the social media engagement" as a high note for shareholders

 

[Armadilo]

Maybe they'll give us a teaser for Mays reveal before the end of the month

 

[Imitation Of Life]

Country Rollout.... eww not this tier rollout system again.

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They want to launch worldwide simultaneously, but obviously some markets may take priority in until allocation.

 

[tusharngf]

I feel like they have nothing to show at this stage also seems like they are behind the schedule. The communication is completely missing.

 

[ty_hot]

Bla bla bla bad communication
meanwhile, they showed the logo (LOOOL) and pics of the controller and are the most liked gaming stuff ever.
poor sony, they need to learn with the experts on Era

 

[Armadilo]

I feel like they have nothing to show at this stage also seems like they are behind the schedule. The communication is completely missing.

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Well they did say that covid screwed their schedule of revealing the PS5 , we should have the reveal in May.

Devs are going to start announcing and revealing next gen games in June, the console needs to be shown before then.

 

[Deleted member 51691]

Seems like a weird place to do reveals like games, though. At most, maybe they'll show off the actual system? Maybe the release date & price tag if we're lucky.

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They'll probably just talk about the overall direction of PlayStation for next-gen. No games. Either the games will have already been announced or will not have been announced yet.