Those hoping to check out some new games on the PlayStation 4, and maybe even catch some new information about the next console from Sony at PAX East, may be disappointed to hear that the firm will not be attending the event.

“Today, Sony Interactive Entertainment made the decision to cancel its participation at PAX East in Boston this year due to increasing concerns related to COVID-19 (also known as ‘novel coronavirus’). We felt this was the safest option as the situation is changing daily. We are disappointed to cancel our participation in this event, but the health and safety of our global workforce is our highest concern,” an update to a PlayStation blog post reads.

Said blog post highlighted what would be playable at PAX East when it kicked off in Boston, Massachusetts from 27th February.

The two headlining titles were The Last of Us Part II and the Final Fantasy VII Remake.

Throughout various booths at the event attendees could also experience other games such Marvel’s Iron Man VR and Doom Eternal. Crowds were expected so PlayStation recommended booking spots at the booths via the Experience PlayStation app, which is a moot point at this stage.

PAX East is the latest tech expo to be hit by missing attendees worried about the Coronavirus. The biggest event to be impacted recently was Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020, which haemorrhaged big companies until it was finally cancelled earlier this month.

We don’t expect PAX East to suffer the same fate, especially with less than a week to go before it opens its doors, but it’s not impossible. If you already have tickets to the show or you’re a higher up in charge of deciding who goes where and when, it’s best to keep your ear to the ground for future updates. Hopefully the show does go on.