What we want to see at Sony’s September show

Sony is preparing for its next PlayStation Showcase, due to be streamed on September 9, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT) via Twitch and YouTube. Not too much is known about the company’s plans other than that they involve both first and third party studios and promise a glimpse into the future of PS5. Every PlayStation owner has their own wish list for Sony events, but here are some of the things we can expect from Sony’s PlayStation 2021 event – realistic or not.

1. The first gameplay recordings of God of War 2 / Ragnarok

Perhaps the one thing that is both likely and eagerly anticipated is the gameplay material for the next God of War – sometimes referred to as God of War: Ragnarok, though that subtitle is at least not yet official. The game was first teased in September 2020 and is slated to come out sometime in 2022, so it’s high time people see what it looks like. In fact, rumors have claimed it will, and Sony had previously promised details by the end of the summer.

Since the title was kept in the shadows, not much is known about its history or gameplay. It will presumably expand on the battle from the final game and cover the theme of Ragnarok, the Norse apocalypse in which many of the gods are supposed to be killed (something Kratos has a lot of experience in). A sting at the end of 2018’s God of War promised a confrontation with Thor, the god of thunder. If we’re really lucky, Sony could use September 9th to announce a release date, but it’s likely hesitant to be precise as it was originally targeting a release by the end of 2021.

2. A PlayStation Now competitive with Xbox Game Pass

PS Now should, by all rights, be a superior rival for both Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming. It contains a larger library of titles, some of which go back as far as the PS2. In practice, however, subscribers don’t get PS5 games, let alone day-one releases, which makes it especially useful for trying out old titles without paying full price.

Sony almost certainly wants to overhaul PS Now because Game Pass is such a definite perk for Xbox owners. The company also needs to be able to deliver new games via the cloud – not so much for the current market but for the upcoming one, where streaming Final Fantasy 23 or Uncharted 9 on your phone doesn’t just mean playing it on a console is different.

See also: 5 Ways A New PlayStation Portable Could Build On PS Vita And PSP

The question for the PlayStation 2021 event is whether Sony is ready to announce something. Since the event is supposed to last 40 minutes, the answer is likely no, but we hope to see a makeover for PS Now over the next year.

3. A new Spider-Man game

One of the best-selling PS5 games to date has been Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Since it’s both successful and a Marvel brand, a sequel was inevitable, and it’s even teased in the original game and spin-off. Each follow-up has the advantage of being optimized for the PS5, while the original just looks better on this console and loads faster than it does on the PS4.

It might be too early to show the gameplay as Morales was released along with the PS5 in November 2020. It’s not impossible, however, and Sony is undoubtedly in a rush to launch more PS5 games in the marquee.

4. Bloodborne PS5 upgrades (and maybe a PC port)

FromSoftware’s spin-off Dark Souls is over six years old but has a dedicated fan base. It mixes traditional Gothic horror with a touch of HP Lovecraft, and with the Souls-style mechanics at its core, it manages to be a better Lovecraft game than many based on the original stories.

Bloodborne could use a PS5 upgrade as a sequel is either a long way off or not coming at all. The fundamental improvements include 4K resolution and 60fps frame rates. FromSoftware could also include texture and lighting improvements, as well as minor gameplay tweaks, though that’s likely a big question from a company rushing to get Elden Ring out.

Related: The best upcoming PS5 games

A PC port that has been in demand for a long time will be even less likely this week. While other FromSoftware games are available on Steam, it doesn’t make much sense for Sony to talk about PC games during a PlayStation event, except maybe in passing.

Gran Turismo is the forefather of realistic console racing and is often a showcase for Sony consoles. While there may be a PS4 version of the GT7, the game will take advantage of every aspect of the PS5, from flash memory and ray tracing to DualSense controller feedback.

Related: PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition – Which Console Is Better For You?

Gran Turismo 7 was first unveiled in June 2020 with a target window for 2021 – but like many games, it has been postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes sense to show a little more now since, like God of War, this is a first-party game from Sony, and it’s been a while since fans had meat to chew on.

6. More Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 7 Remake is all well and good, but even die-hard series fans have probably already finished the first part and are looking for something new. Final Fantasy 16 was announced in September 2020 but remains mysterious beyond its basic plot and characters.

That includes even the vaguest release window. In fact, there’s a big chance Sony will mention Final Fantasy 16 on September 9th, just to provide a timeframe, though no one should expect massive amounts of gameplay footage until 2022 as Square Enix’s next flagship RPG. The game is unlikely to ship before 2023.

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7. To be able to buy a PS5

The PS5 has really sold really well so far, breaking US records for every console. The sad truth, however, is that most people can’t get one at list price. Scalpers grab units as soon as they become available and sell them to the public for hundreds of additional dollars. If you are happy with your current game library, there is no point getting a PS5.

It’s hard to say how Sony might bypass the scalpers so we don’t expect any comments during the event. But it would be nice to hear that it is tackling production bottlenecks or finding a sales method that defeats bots. After all, it makes little sense in a fantastic list of PlayStation games if there isn’t a channel to play with. Sony is probably doing everything in its power, but some assurances in the stream of the PlayStation 2021 event might calm some frustrated fans.

What would you like to see at the PlayStation 2021 event? Let us know in the comments.