PlayStation
Sony executive Ken Kutaragi managed one of the company's hardware engineering divisions before becoming known as "The Father of the PlayStation". Until 1991, Sony had little direct involvement with the video game industry beyond supplying components like the sound chip for Nintendo's Super Famicom. A joint project between Nintendo and Sony began in 1988 to create a CD-ROM version of the Super Famicom called "Play Station" or SNES-CD. At the Consumer Electronics Show in June 1991, Sony revealed this prototype console featuring Green Book technology. However, just one day after that announcement, Nintendo broke its partnership with Sony and chose Philips instead. The deal collapsed because the two companies could not agree on how revenue would be split. This betrayal infuriated Sony President Norio Ohga who then appointed Kutaragi to develop a rival system. Negotiations officially ended in May 1992 when Sony decided to pursue independent development. A critical meeting held in June 1992 included Sony President Ohga, Kutaragi, and senior board members. During this meeting, Kutaragi unveiled a proprietary CD-ROM-based system capable of 3D graphics. Despite strong internal opposition from older executives, Ohga decided to retain the project partly due to the humiliation suffered from Nintendo. To protect the initiative, Kutaragi and his team were moved from Sony headquarters to Sony Music Entertainment, a separate financial entity. In March 1994, Computer Gaming World reported rumors that the "Sony PS-X" would retail for less than $400 before year-end. By December 1994, the PlayStation hit Japanese stores at ¥39,800 and gained massive sales due to its lower price point compared to competitors like the Sega Saturn.
The original PlayStation released in Japan on the 3rd of December 1994 became the first console to ship over 100 million units. By December 2003, combined shipments of the original PlayStation and its redesigned version PS One reached 102.49 million units. The PS One launched on the 7th of July 2000 alongside the PlayStation 2 and featured cosmetic changes plus a new graphical user interface previously used only on PAL consoles. It outsold all other consoles including its successor throughout the remainder of 2000. Released in 2000, the PlayStation 2 became part of the sixth generation of video game consoles and sold over 155 million units as of the 28th of December 2012. On the 29th of November 2005, the PS2 achieved the fastest milestone to reach 100 million units shipped within just five years and nine months from launch. The PlayStation 3 arrived on the 11th of November 2006 in Japan and competed against Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. It introduced motion-sensing technology through the Sixaxis wireless controller and incorporated Blu-ray Disc players with high-definition resolution. Initial models offered either 20 GB or 60 GB hard drives which later increased up to 500 GB capacity. As of November 2013, the PS3 had sold over 80 million consoles worldwide. A redesigned Slim model released the 1st of September 2009 was 33% smaller and consumed 34% to 45% less power than previous versions. In 2012, Sony revealed a Super Slim version weighing only 4.3 pounds almost three pounds lighter than prior models. The PlayStation 4 announced the 20th of February 2013 introduced x86 architecture developed by lead system architect Mark Cerny starting as early as 2008. Released the 15th of November 2013 in North America, it competed with Microsoft's Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. A revised Slim model unveiled the 7th of September 2016 featured a matte finish and removed optical audio ports while maintaining pricing parity with original hardware. The PlayStation 5 launched globally on the 12th of November 2020 using an AMD Zen 2 microarchitecture CPU manufactured on 7 nanometer process nodes. Its graphics processor utilized RDNA microarchitecture supporting real-time ray-traced rendering. An updated Pro model released November 2024 included GPU improvements approximately 45% faster than base models plus image upscaling technology called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution.
The PlayStation Portable or PSP debuted December 2004 in Japan and March 2005 internationally as Sony's first handheld console competing against Nintendo DS. Original model PSP-1000 utilized Universal Media Disc storage medium containing 32 MB internal flash memory expandable via Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Released September 2007, the PSP-2000 Slim & Lite variant weighed 33% less and measured 19% thinner than initial units despite reduced battery capacity. In October 2008, Sony introduced the PSP-3000 featuring built-in microphone upgraded screen allowing interlaced video output modes. The PSP Go arrived October 2009 without UMD drive instead offering 16 GB internal flash memory extendable to 32 GB with Micro M2 cards. This unit weighed 43% lighter and measured 56% smaller than original PSP-1000 while incorporating sliding mechanism revealing main controls. Budget-focused PSP Street model announced Gamescom 2011 lacked Wi-Fi stereo speakers replacing them with single mono speaker available across PAL regions for €99.99 retail price. The PlayStation Vita launched Japan the 17th of December 2011 North America the 22nd of February 2012 codenamed Next Generation Portable before official unveiling the 27th of January 2011 at PlayStation Meeting 2011. Original PCH-1000 series featured five-inch OLED touchscreen dual analog sticks rear touchpad Sixaxis motion sensing four-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor. Redesigned PCH-2000 series announced September 2013 Tokyo Game Show proved 20% thinner fifteen percent lighter adding hour battery life LCD display micro USB Type B port one gigabyte internal storage released Japan the 10th of October 2013 six colors including white black pink yellow blue olive green discontinued March 2019. SIE president Jim Ryan stated they moved away from portable consoles calling it "a business that we're no longer in now." In early 2023 Sony announced Project Q streaming PS5 games from home console officially unveiled the 23rd of August 2023 as PlayStation Portal releasing the 15th of November 2023 priced $199.99.
PlayStation Studios operates group video game developers owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment dedicated exclusively developing titles for PlayStation series consoles. Notable franchises include Gran Turismo racing series Uncharted action-adventure saga God of War fantasy epic Ratchet & Clank platformer Twisted Metal shooter LittleBigPlanet sandbox creator Infamous superhero adventure The Last of Us survival horror Spider-Man web-slinging adventures. Re-release programs vary regionally: Greatest Hits North America Platinum Range PAL territories The Best Japan Asia qualifying criteria evolved over time. During original PlayStation era games required minimum sales 150,000 copies later raised 250,000 plus market presence one year entering program. PlayStation 2 requirements increased further requiring 400,000 copies sold nine months market duration. PSP entries needed 250,000 copies nine months availability. Current PS3 standards demand ten months market tenure five hundred thousand copies sold. PS One Classics re-released original PlayStation titles digitally on PlayStation Store accessible via PS3 PSP platforms. Classics HD compilations remastered PlayStation 2 games single disc upscaled graphics Move support 3D support trophies added. PlayStation Mobile formerly Suite cross-platform framework providing downloadable content Android devices certified PlayStation Certified certification Vita compatibility. Indie development supported since PlayStation 3 digital storefront incorporation simplified process transitioning to PlayStation 4. July 2020 Shuhei Yoshida led new Indies program spotlighting innovative novel titles akin PaRappa the Rapper Katamari Damacy LittleBigPlanet Journey anticipating expansion PlayStation Now series.
PlayStation Network launched 2006 focusing online multiplayer gaming digital media delivery provided Sony Computer Entertainment used across PS3 PSP Vita PS4 PS5 consoles monthly active users exceeded 103 million December 2019. PlayStation Store virtual market available PS3 PS4 PS5 PSP utilizing physical currency Network Cards updated weekly Tuesday offering full games add-ons demos themes trailers movie TV shows films television shows February 2010 availability BRAVIA televisions VAIO laptops Blu-ray Disc players worldwide downloads surpassed 600 million the 24th of September 2009. Subscription-based PlayStation Plus complements standard services enabling auto-download patches system updates early beta access game demos premium DLC trials Infamous LittleBigPlanet free subscription Qore discounts store items PS One Classics Minis themes avatars fourteen-day trial period offered. PlayStation Blog launched the 11th of June 2007 featuring interviews third-party companies Square Enix posts executives sub-site Share the 17th of March 2010 reader submissions voting ideas merged European outlet the 28th of May 2009 into main outlet the 1st of June 2020. PlayStation App released the 11th of January 2011 iOS Android installed over 3.6 million times the 2nd of March 2014 viewing trophies friend status online information no gaming functionality included. Gaikai-based video game streaming service PlayStation Now announced the 7th of January 2014 CES playable Last of Us God of War Ascension Puppeteer Beyond Two Souls Bravia TVs Vitas open beta United States Canada the 31st of July 2014 PS3 the 18th of September 2014 Vita TV the 14th of October 2014 merged PlayStation Plus May June 2022 unavailable standalone subscription. Community social networking service Home developed since early 2005 public beta test the 11th of December 2008 allowing custom avatar creation decorating personal apartment spaces traveling world constantly updated mini-games shopping items advertising screens theatre entertainment special events prize-giving entertaining gatherings connecting friends customizing content alternate reality game Xi created nDreams secret areas halted the 15th of April 2010 negative feedback Room beta tested Japan October 2009 April 2010 development stopped.
Released 1994 original PlayStation control pad featured basic design D-pad four main select buttons Green Triangle Red Circle Blue Cross Pink Square start select shoulder buttons L1 L2 R1 R2 named side Left Right top bottom respectively. In 1996 Sony released Analog Joystick flight simulation games replacing digital controller Dual Analog 1997 adding two analog sticks potentiometer technology same Analog Joystick succeeded DualShock series longest running controller line brand. DualShock introduced 1998 succeeding Dual Analog featuring inputs original digital controller plus two analog sticks depressible activate L3 R3 buttons consisting four controllers: DualShock DualShock 2 standard PS2 controller DualShock 3 second current PS3 controller DualShock 4 redesigned default input PS4 compatible PS3 originally USB firmware update Bluetooth connectivity enabled. Sixaxis first official PS3 controller based DualShock design lacking vibration motors like Dual Analog DualShock DualShock 2 feature Analog button toggling sticks on-off use games supporting only digital input. Beginning Sixaxis PlayStation button incorporated PS logo similar Xbox 360 Guide button replaces Analog button pressing brings XMB holding opens Quick Menu quit game change settings turn off system/controller. Motion-sensing platform PlayStation Move revealed the 2nd of June 2009 launched Q3/Q4 2010 using handheld motion wand tracked PlayStation Eye webcam inertial sensors detect movement. Hardware launch included main controller optional sub-controller starter kit PS Eye demo sampler disc under US$100 full console pack DualShock 3 PS Eye Move motion controller bundles Move controller select games.
PlayStation logo designed Manabu Sakamoto capturing three-dimensional support optical illusion suggesting letters depth space created bright principal colors red yellow green blue tuned green harmony black white reserved colorless usage scenarios. Advertising slogans varied iterations: "NoS Lives" (E printed red denoting word ready Enos stood Ready Ninth September) "U R Not" (letter E printed red denote word ready You Are Not Ready) "Do Not Underestimate The Power of PlayStation." from S.A.P.S. Society Against PlayStation series adverts. PS One slogan "Wherever, Whenever, Forever." PlayStation 2 taglines "The Beginning," "Live In Your World, Play In Ours" (face buttons denote certain letters), "Third Place," "Fun, Anyone?" "Ultimate just got better , PlayStation 9 , teleport yours today." PSP campaigns "PSP Hellz Yeah" (PSP-1000 Series), "Dude, Get Your Own..." (PSP-2000 Series), "Everywhere Just Got Better" (PSP-3000 Series/PSPgo), "It's GO Time" (PSPgo), "Your Whole World In Your Hands" UK Europe Territories, "Step Your Game Up" US Territory PSP-3000/PSPgo. PS3 slogans "Wait Is Over," "Welcome Chang" (number three denotes e printed red), "This is Living," "Play Byond" (three denotes e printed red), "Only Does Everything" US Commercials, "Game Is Just Start Start PS3" EU countries, "Long Live Play" Slim, "Never Stop Playing" SuperSlim, "Greatness Awaits" SuperSlim. Move campaign "Changes Everything," "Move Into Action." Network messaging "Download, Play, Connect." Vita tagline "Never Stop Playing," "World in Play" EU only. PS4 slogans "See Future," "Push boundaries of Play," "Greatness Awaits," "4 the Players," "Greatest Play." PS5 messages "Has No Limits," "Happens on PlayStation 5." Notable commercial series "It Only Does Everything" featuring fictional character Kevin Butler vice president answering Dear PlayStation queries popularized among audiences.
Up Next
Common questions
Who is known as the Father of the PlayStation?
Sony executive Ken Kutaragi managed one of the company's hardware engineering divisions before becoming known as The Father of the PlayStation. He developed a rival system after Nintendo broke its partnership with Sony in June 1991.
When did the original PlayStation release in Japan and how many units shipped by December 2003?
The original PlayStation released in Japan on the 3rd of December 1994 and became the first console to ship over 100 million units. By December 2003, combined shipments of the original PlayStation and its redesigned version PS One reached 102.49 million units.
What date did the PlayStation 5 launch globally and what microarchitecture does it use?
The PlayStation 5 launched globally on the 12th of November 2020 using an AMD Zen 2 microarchitecture CPU manufactured on 7 nanometer process nodes. Its graphics processor utilized RDNA microarchitecture supporting real-time ray-traced rendering.
When was the PlayStation Portable or PSP first available internationally and what storage medium did it use?
The PlayStation Portable or PSP debuted in Japan in December 2004 and March 2005 internationally as Sony's first handheld console. The Original model PSP-1000 utilized Universal Media Disc storage medium containing 32 MB internal flash memory expandable via Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.
Which year did the PlayStation Network launch and how many monthly active users were recorded by December 2019?
PlayStation Network launched 2006 focusing online multiplayer gaming digital media delivery provided Sony Computer Entertainment used across PS3 PSP Vita PS4 PS5 consoles. Monthly active users exceeded 103 million December 2019.