How Sony chose to open the event stands out, and could end up being as important to the PS5’s future as the software that made up the rest of the showcase. Unlike most recent public showings, the company opted to forgo its traditional previously on PlayStation style opening montage, instead replacing it with a live action trailer that depicted a giant chess game. In keeping with similar marketing from Sony’s past, the “Play Has No Limits” trailer was packed with historic PlayStation references, and a few potential nods to the future.

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Sucker Punch’s Iconic Franchises

In the run up to Sony’s 2021 PlayStation Showcase, a large percentage of the supposed leaks from insiders regarding the show centered around IPs from Sucker Punch Productions’ past. Several reports over the last few weeks have subsequently suggested that both the Sly Cooper and Infamous franchises are potentially set for revivals at some point in the future. Even though neither series ultimately showed up during the presentation itself, both made brief cameo appearances in the “Play Has No Limits” trailer.

At roughly the 21 second mark, one of Infamous’ karma symbols can be spotted under a poster of what appears to be Fortnite’s Foundation character, while the iconic Cooper Gang logo shows up painted on the side of a guard rail later on in the trailer. While both of these could turn out to be nothing more than referential Easter eggs, it’s worth noting that previous PlayStation live action trailers have used similar references to tease future game announcements.

Back in 2013 Sony famously launched the PS4 alongside a live action commercial that contained a then seemingly random Crash Bandicoot themed street sign. Today many fans consider this tease to be the first nod towards the marsupials eventual 2017 revival, which could bode well for Sucker Punch’s classic franchises too.

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PlayStation Showcase Teases

While all of the references found within the Play Has No Limits trailer call back to aspects of PlayStation’s past, a handful also ended up being preemptive teases of what was about to be revealed after the live action chaos had ended. For example, at one point during the high octane chess game, a mural of Uncharted’s Nathan Drake and Chloe Frazer was spotted by fans painted onto the side of a wall. It’s now know that this prominent piece of artwork was placed there in part as a nod towards the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, which was unveiled to the world roughly 30 minutes later.

Perhaps even more sneaky than this was the God of War Ragnarok reference that Sony managed to slip into the midst of the action. Decorating one of the office walls that the action frequently cuts back to, is the cover art for Santa Monica Studio’s highly anticipated sequel. Having closed out the show in style with a gameplay and cinematic trailer, it seems only fitting that Kratos and Atreus technically bookend the event via the live action commercial too.

Aloy X Fall Guys

While Horizon: Forbidden West wasn’t shown off during the PlayStation event, Guerrilla Games’ franchise still managed to make a handful of appearances via the live action trailer. Most obvious was the giant Aloy statue that dominates its closing scene, and the Shield-Weaver armor logo that can be seen decorating a street corner.

Placed more covertly next to the previously mentioned Uncharted mural though, is a set of posters that depicts Aloy as a Fall Guys skin. Considering the character has so far found her way into Fortnite, Monster Hunter: World, and Genshin Impact, it’s not much of a surprise to see the iconic hunter seemingly heading to Fall Guys next. In recent months Sony’s Ratchet and Clank have both made their debut within the massively multiplayer party game, so it stands to reason that the official announcement of Aloy’s own crossover will happen soon.

Returnal’s Xenoglyph

Over the last few months Sony has been on something of an acquisition spree, having added Housemarque, Nixxes, and Firesprite to its list of first-party studios. It therefore seems fitting that one of these newest additions was featured in the live action tribute to PlayStation’s history. In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it style moment, a glowing red Xenoglyph from Housemarque’s critically acclaimed Returnal can be ominously spotted pulsating in the background, at the roughly 32 second point.

PlayStation’s Racing Heritage

Throughout the history of PlayStation, Sony has utilized a number of racing franchises to promote its gaming consoles. For this reason it’s little surprise to see two of the publisher’s most prominent IPs within the genre get the referential tribute in the live action trailer. The first of these is the anti-grav based Wipeout, which makes a subtle cameo appearance in the shape of one of the series’ Speed Pads, which can be seen flashing on one of the roads.

More prominently featured though is Gran Turismo, which makes an appearance via Mercedes’ Vision Gran Turismo concept car. Even though the vehicle gained mainstream notoriety thanks to 2017’s Justice League movie, it was actually created four years prior to this point as the debut car for Polyphony Digital’s Vision Gran Turismo collaboration series.

PlayStation’s Obscure Past

Over the last few years Sony has become noticeably more comfortable leveraging its legacy IPs, at least from a marketing perspective, with games like Astro’s Playroom and its extensive references being one of the results of this. What’s still surprising though is the fact that the platform holder now appears to be willing to tap into some of its more embarrassing historic missteps as well. To this end both a giant enemy crab and a rubber duck can be seen hidden in plain sight during the live action trailer. The former being a reference to the infamous Genji: Days of the Blade PS3 demo, while the latter is likely a cautionary reminder of the Sony published Super Rub ‘a’ Dub.

Third-Party Cameos

In testament to the third party support that’s been a key aspect of PlayStation’s success, it wasn’t just Sony-owned franchises that were referenced in the live action trailer. Between nods to Sonic, Castlevania, Crash Bandicoot, and even the recently released Deathloop, a large proportion of the references were fitting tributes to third party developers and publishers.

Of all the non-first-party franchises to make cameo appearances, a handful stood out as being potentially more significant to the future of the PS5 than others. During one scene in particular, a train station timing board can be viewed, which some have speculated could be a subtle nod towards Final Fantasy 16’s release date. Two classic horror IPs also suspiciously popped up amongst the chaos, with imagery from Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill 2 both getting turned into Easter eggs. In recent months a remake and reboot respectively of each game has been rumored by insiders, which could end up adding an extra dimension to these appearances here.

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