According to Kotaku, PlayStation announced its next State of Play showcase happening tomorrow, November 11 at 2 p.m. PT. This 40-minute stream will exclusively feature games from Japanese developers and broader Asian studios, hosted by Japanese voice actor Yuki Kaji from Ys and Final Fantasy fame. The entire presentation will be streamed in Japanese with English subtitles rather than getting separate regional versions. Sony confirmed the show will include both established franchises and independent projects. The stream will be available on PlayStation’s YouTube channel, marking a departure from typical global presentations by focusing specifically on Japanese-developed content.
Why This Japan-Focused Approach Matters
Here’s the thing – this is actually pretty significant. Sony’s been gradually shifting away from its Japanese roots for years now, especially after shuttering Japan Studio. Most of their first-party development happens outside Japan these days. So this dedicated Japanese showcase feels like Sony trying to reconnect with that heritage. And honestly? It’s about time.
Think about it – some of PlayStation‘s most iconic franchises originated in Japan. But recently, Western studios have dominated their big releases. This stream suggests Sony recognizes they can’t ignore the developers who helped build their brand. It’s a smart move, especially when Japanese games are having a real moment globally.
What We Might Actually See
Now, the big question – what games will actually show up? The Ys connection through host Yuki Kaji is interesting. Ys X: Proud Nordics just hit Switch 2 this year, so a PS5 port seems plausible. But I’m betting we’ll see broader Japanese support beyond just that.
Don’t expect much from Sony’s internal teams though. Team Asobi just delivered Astro Bot last year, so they’re probably still cooking. This showcase seems aimed squarely at third-party Japanese developers. Maybe we’ll see something from Square Enix‘s pipeline, or maybe some surprises from smaller studios that don’t usually get this kind of spotlight.
The Streaming Strategy Makes Sense
Streaming it in Japanese with subtitles is actually brilliant. It preserves the authentic presentation while making it accessible globally. Sometimes companies water down these regional showcases for international audiences, but this approach lets the content speak for itself.
And let’s be real – 40 minutes is a decent chunk of time. That suggests we’re getting substantial content, not just a quick sizzle reel. The fact they’re treating this as a proper State of Play rather than a smaller stream tells you Sony’s taking it seriously. This could become a regular thing if it resonates with audiences.
Basically, tomorrow’s stream feels like Sony acknowledging they need to balance their global ambitions with their Japanese foundations. In an industry where localization often means stripping away cultural specificity, this approach is refreshing. We’ll see if the games deliver.
