Sony's First State of Play of 2026 Tipped for This Week
Several reliable gaming insiders have claimed that Sony is preparing to host its first State of Play presentation of 2026 this week, although expectations for major announcements like Horizon 3 have already been tempered.
While Nintendo and Xbox have already held multiple showcases in the early weeks of 2026, Sony has remained relatively quiet about its upcoming gaming lineup. According to industry sources Jeff Grubb and NateTheHate, who accurately predicted last week's Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, a State of Play is scheduled for Thursday, February 12.
What Won't Be Featured at the Event
Despite the anticipation surrounding the rumoured presentation, several high-profile titles have already been ruled out from appearing. Insider Shinobi602 on ResetEra has confirmed that Ubisoft's long-rumoured remake of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag will not be showcased at the State of Play, despite previous suggestions that an announcement was imminent.
More significantly, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier has dashed hopes for a sequel to Horizon Forbidden West appearing anytime soon. In a recent social media post, Schreier revealed that most of the development team at Guerrilla Games is currently focused on the recently announced co-operative spin-off title Horizon Hunters Gathering.
Potential Announcements and Reveals
If the State of Play does proceed as rumoured, several titles are considered likely candidates for inclusion. The HD remake of the original Rayman game, whose existence was recently confirmed by creator Michel Ancel, could make an appearance given the character's strong historical ties to PlayStation platforms.
Housemarque's Returnal successor, titled Saros and scheduled for release on April 30, is almost certain to feature prominently in the presentation. Additionally, details about the planned beta for Bungie's Marathon ahead of its full launch on March 5 are expected to be shared.
Surprise Possibilities and Future Showcases
The presentation may also include some unexpected reveals, such as the long-rumoured God of War 2.5D Metroidvania spin-off or announcements from Sony's newer studio acquisitions. While Marvel's Wolverine remains the only other confirmed Sony first-party title for 2026, its second-half release window suggests it will likely be reserved for a later showcase this year.
Sony has maintained a consistent pattern of hosting State of Play events in February since 2021, ranging from general presentations to title-specific showcases like those for Gran Turismo 7 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. NateTheHate has indicated that while he doesn't know specific contents, the upcoming event is expected to be a general State of Play presentation rather than focusing on a single game.
If the Thursday presentation is confirmed, an official announcement from Sony is expected either on Tuesday or Wednesday, February 11. The gaming community awaits further details as Sony prepares to outline its 2026 gaming strategy following competitors' early-year showcases.
