2023 is almost here (or it is already here depending on when you are reading this). As part of our year-end round-up, we look ahead at what’s next for Playstation, Nintendo, and Xbox. Along with the console round-up, we will also highlight the most anticipated games for 2023. For now, have a look at the exciting year in front of PlayStation for 2023.
Sony First Party
Image courtesy of Sony Interactive Entertainment.
For the most part, we already know what PlayStation Studios is bringing this coming year. While there is always the expectation of more, more, more, what we have here is a lot. Horizon Call of the Mountain and PS VR2 will occupy the first half of 2023. As for the content for this reality Horizon Burning Shores, Destiny II: Lightfall, and MLB The Show 23 will carry us into the summer.
Then the second half of 2023 will be taken up by Spider-Man 2. I fully expect PlayStation to wholly focus on PS VR2 and Spider-Man 2 in 2023. They will supplement their gaps with second-party and third-party titles, all of which combined makes for a busy month-to-month in 2023.
With that said, if Sony ever decides to bring back the hype machine, 2023 could be a big year for announcements. I can account for nine studios that could potentially announce a new first-party PlayStation title. A list that does not include Naughty Dog, who have already said they will give more information on their upcoming multiplayer TLOU game before the end of 2023. So while 2023 may feel short on new AAA first-party games, Sony will certainly add to the list for 2024. In the meantime, Spider-Man 2 and PS VR2 will dominate the focus in 2023.
Our Best Guess For Sony First Party Projects Announced in 2023.
| Studio | Best Guess |
| Ballistic Moon | The survival horror game code name “Bates” announced in 2023 |
| Bluepoint | Remake announced in 2023, with new “Original Content” after |
| Deviation Games | New live service IP announced in 2023 with PlayStation Studios |
| Firesprite – New IP | Code name “Heartbreak” announced in 2023 |
| Firesprite – Twisted Metal | New live Service Game announced in 2023 |
| Housemarque | If they are working on a smaller game (Nex Machina) or Returnal 2 it could be announced in 2023 |
| Media Molecule | Overdue, the team has made 2 full AAA games in 10 years. |
| Pixelopus | Their last game was in 2019, they could announce in 2023. |
| Suckerpunch | Ghost of Tsushima will be 3 years old in 2023. Look for Sony to make the sequel official. |
| Sumo Digital & XDev | Open world code name “Carbon” could be announced in 2023. Previously worked on Sackboy. |
| Team Asobi | Astrobot Team, working on a new “Open World” game, announced in 2023 |
| London Studio | Project Camden has been shown on the PlayStation Blog, they could title the game in 2023. |
Transmedia
In 2023 we will get our first taste of the massive batch of transmedia cooking within PlayStation and its partners. Over the next three years, Sony plans to have eight movies or series launched across various streaming services. It all begins on January 15th, when HBO premiers The Last of Us. Followed by later in 2023 when Peacock is set to air Twisted Metal. Throughout the year expect to hear more on Gran Turismo, Gravity Rush, and Horizon adaptations, between the three, one of them will be next.
Second and Third Party PlayStation
2023 will be an important year for third and second-party support. After missing out on Starfield, PlayStation hopes to counter with Final Fantasy XVI, Resident Evil Village VR, Forspoken, and a collection of VR titles. Sony is off to a bad start here as the Forspoken demo has not been well received and Starfield looks like it could be a generational-defining game.
With that, this could be an area where PlayStation grows. We already know the rumors of a Helldivers 2, and we fully expect another handful of PS VR2 titles. With the legal fight against Activision and Microsoft, it is unlikely PlayStation continues to secure or announce major third-party exclusives. Although if the conclusion on the merger comes to ahead in early 2023 Sony will look to gain more ground. Plus nearly all of its partners are subject to be acquired when the time is right.
PS VR2 Launches in 2023
2023 is going to be the year of PS VR2. The HMD will ship on February 22nd with over 20 games to play. While there will be a significant amount of Oculus and PC ports, expect some unique Sony games to be there from day one. Games like Horizon Call of the Mountain, Firewall Ultra, Resident Evil Village, Fantavision 202X, No Man’s Sky, as well as an untitled Alien game.
Expanded Services in 2023
Last spring PlayStation changed PlayStation Plus to include an ongoing catalog of games, streaming, and retro titles. Unfortunately, the retro collection is building at a slow pace. There are roughly 400 games in the Classics Catalog, yet important PlayStation franchises have been MIA. Hopefully, this year will be the year we see Twisted Metal, SOCOM, and Killzone join the service.
Another addition to PlayStation Plus has been PlayStation Tournaments. While the slow rollout has failed to make an impact, the potential of daily crowd-sourced at-home Evo-style tournaments is something that could change the industry. In my opinion, this is the best addition to the PlayStation service dating back to trophies. The idea of getting paid $5 to win a single Street Fighter 6 match is too much to pass up. If PlayStation Tournaments become something bigger, it could be the future of competitive games.
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