What did Sony release during the pandemic?

metadad · by Bill Berger

setup: What did Sony release during the pandemic?

[Sony Executive] qua black turtleneck, AirPods, white-on-black slide deck, March 2020 Welcome to State of Play, Spring Edition. Today we are thrilled to unveil the next chapter in our flagship platform.

((SLIDE: SLEEK BLACK CONSOLE, WHITE PIPING, LOGO IN A FONT THAT TOOK THREE MONTHS OF DESIGN-COMMITTEE DEBATE))

[Sony Executive] The Plaguestation 5.

((THE ROOM — EMPTY. PLEXIGLASS. ONE MASKED PR REP.))

[PR Rep] qua KN-95, faceshield over that, gallon of hand sanitizer Plague-station? With a plague?

[Sony Executive] Pandemic-era branding. Focus group tested. Resonant.

[Shakes] qua livestream director from the back, smiling This is the best of all possible product launches.

[PR Rep] Sir, we are in a plague.

[Sony Executive] Yes.

[PR Rep] And we are naming the console —

[Sony Executive] After it.

[PR Rep] Because —

[Sony Executive] Because the players are stuck inside. They have nowhere to go. They are receptive to the metaphor.

[Manyfeek] qua single working PS4 in the warehouse behind them ((WHIRRING)) I am still here. I still work. Why are we doing this.

[Sony Executive] Manny. Quiet.

[Manyfeek] Plaguestation. Like, with the plague.

[Sony Executive] The launch title is Resident Evil Village.

[Manyfeek] OF COURSE IT IS.

[PR Rep] Sir. The price point?

[Sony Executive] Four ninety-nine.

[PR Rep] And the next iteration?

[Sony Executive] Plaguestation 5 Pro. Six ninety-nine. Comes with a mask.

[PR Rep] A face mask?

[Sony Executive] A controller mask. Antimicrobial silicone. Protects the buttons.

[PR Rep] The players don’t have masks?

[Sony Executive] That is on them.

punchline: The Plaguestation 5.