How to watch Sony’s February State of Play and what to expect

By Josh Brown February 24, 2021

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After yesterday’s announcements of more games like Days Gone coming to PC and the existence of a PSVR 2, Sony isn’t done making headlines this week. A brand-new State of Play livestream is set to premiere this Thursday, promising updates to upcoming games and even some new title announcements. Settle your expectations, though. The announcement is very specific. Here’s when the stream starts, where to watch it, and what to expect.

Contents

How to watch the February State of Play
How long is the February State of Play stream?
What to expect from the February State of Play
What not to expect from the February State of Play

How to watch the February State of Play

Like the rest of the industry, the company’s own Twitch and YouTube channels are the places to be when it comes to this kind of showcase. Both video streaming platforms will host the February State of Play at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET. In Europe, that converts to a late start of 10 p.m. GMT.

How long is the February State of Play stream?

According to the announcement blog post, the February State of Play livestream is expected to last around 30 minutes. Ten games across Sony’s two PlayStation platforms are set to take the stage. Given it’s set to be a mix of “new updates and deep dives,” don’t expect each title to have an equal amount of time in the spotlight.

What to expect from the February State of Play

Horizon Forbidden West — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The announcement on the official PlayStation blog was carefully written to avoid overpromising the contents of the livestream. It’s specifically set to feature 10 titles, both new and known, coming to the PS4, PS5, or, presumably in the case of some games, both. Updates on third-party and indie titles featured during the June PS5 showcase will feature, but whether these are specifically part of the 10-title limit isn’t crystal clear.

“We’re focused on great games set to come out in the months ahead” is a line that carries a lot of weight. It means any title focused on during the stream is set to launch sometime this year, presumably up to the Christmas period. Think Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and Horizon Forbidden West.

What not to expect from the February State of Play

The focus on games releasing in the months ahead means you’re setting yourself up for disappointment if you expect news on games recently delayed into 2022. Gran Turismo 7 and the speculatively delayed new God of War title likely won’t make the cut.

Likewise, the blog post specifically mentions that news on PlayStation hardware and business talk won’t be part of the stream. That means don’t expect any new details on PSVR 2 or any plans to ramp up console production to combat the supply shortages.

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Josh Brown is a UK-based freelancer with devoted interests in video games, tech, film, and anime/manga. Just don't talk to…

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