Revamped in High-Definition: Sony's Unforgettable E3 2006 Press Conference is Back!

Highlights

This is thanks to YouTube channel Noclip Game History Archive.

Sony has chosen to forego participation in recent E3 events and instead organize its own State of Play presentations. Among Sony's E3 press conferences, the one from 2006 stands out for its notoriety, and now it can be viewed in high-definition resolution. Although Sony has veered away from attending E3 in recent times, the gaming behemoth was previously a highly anticipated highlight of the annual event. Sony has been at the forefront of numerous memorable and groundbreaking moments at E3, as well as some notable missteps.

Sony's presence at E3 is now mostly remembered for its victories, such as trouncing Xbox in 2013 and surprising everyone with the announcements of Shenmue 3 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2015. However, some still recall Sony's rough presentation in 2006, filled with memorable moments that have become memes.

For those looking to reminisce, Noclip Game History Archive now offers the opportunity to experience Sony's E3 2006 press conference in HD. While a few minutes are missing, all the significant moments are included, such as the awkward reveal of Ridge Racer, the notorious "giant enemy crab" meme, and the controversial high price point of the PS3. This price point may have been a major factor in the Xbox 360 outselling the PS3 for a significant portion of that console generation.

Sony's E3 2006 presentation was a major setback, but the company made a significant comeback. The PS3 outsold the Xbox 360 and secured second place for its generation, trailing behind the Nintendo Wii. The success continued with the domination of the PS4, which Sony carried forward with their recent PlayStation 5. Sony has learned from past mistakes, avoiding high price points like the PS3's and launching the PS5 at a $100 lower price than its predecessor.

Sony's absence from recent E3 events disappointed fans who cherished the memorable moments created by the company. However, the COVID-19 pandemic nearly eradicated E3, canceling the 2020 event and resulting in a digital-only version for 2021. The decision has been made to cancel both E3 2022 and E3 2023, leaving uncertainty surrounding the future of the event. Even if E3 does return, fans shouldn't expect Sony's participation.

Rather than attending events like E3, Sony has opted to host Nintendo Direct-style presentations known as State of Play. For those seeking significant updates and announcements about PlayStation, it is recommended to tune in to these presentations as they have effectively taken the place of E3 for Sony.