 | |
| Product type |
|
|---|---|
| Owner | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Country | Minami-Aoyama,Minato, Tokyo,Japan |
| Introduced | December 3, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-12-03) |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Tagline | "Play has no limits." |
| Website | playstation.com |
PlayStation[a] is avideo gamingbrand owned and produced bySony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), a division of Japanese conglomerateSony. Its flagship products consists of a series ofhome video game consoles produced under the brand; it also consists ofhandhelds,online services, magazines, and other forms of media.
The brand began with thefirst PlayStation home console released in Japan in 1994 and worldwide the following year, which became the first console of any type to ship over 100 million units, which made PlayStation a globally recognized brand.[1] Since then there have been numerous newer consoles—the most recent being thePlayStation 5 released in 2020—while there have also been a series of handheld consoles and a number of other electronics such as amedia center and asmartphone. The main series of controllers utilized by the PlayStation series is theDualShock, a line ofvibration-feedbackgamepads.[2] SIE also operate numerous online services likePlayStation Network, thePlayStation Store, and the subscription-basedPlayStation Plus, which may also offer non-gaming entertainment services; the PlayStation Network has over 103 million active users monthly as of December 2019.[3]
The series also has a strong line-up of first-party games due toPlayStation Studios, a group of many studios owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment that exclusively developed them for PlayStation consoles. In addition, the series features various budget re-releases of games by Sony with different names for each region; these include theGreatest Hits,Platinum,Essentials, andThe Best selection of games. It is also known for the four iconic PlayStation face buttons (
,
,
,
) and has been known for its numerous marketing campaigns, the latest of which being the "Greatness Awaits" and eventually, "Play Has No Limits" commercials in the United States.
PlayStation was the brainchild ofKen Kutaragi, aSony executive who managed one of the company's hardware engineering divisions and was later dubbed "The Father of the PlayStation".[4][5]
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Until 1991, Sony had little direct involvement with the video game industry. The company supplied components for other consoles, such as the sound chip for theSuper Famicom fromNintendo, and operated a video game studio,Sony Imagesoft.[6] As part of a joint project between Nintendo and Sony that began as early as 1988, the two companies worked to create aCD-ROM version of the Super Famicom,[7] though Nintendo denied the existence of the Sony deal as late as March 1991.[8] At theConsumer Electronics Show in June 1991, Sony revealed a Super Famicom with a built-in CD-ROM drive that incorporatedGreen Book technology or CD-i, called "Play Station" (also known asSNES-CD). However, a day after the announcement at CES, Nintendo announced that it would be breaking its partnership with Sony, opting to go withPhilips instead but using the same technology.[9] The deal was broken by Nintendo after they were unable to come to an agreement on how revenue would be split between the two companies.[9] The breaking of the partnership infuriated Sony PresidentNorio Ohga, who responded by appointing Kutaragi with the responsibility of developing the PlayStation project to rival Nintendo.[9]
At that time, negotiations were still on-going between Nintendo and Sony, with Nintendo offering Sony a "non-gaming role" regarding their new partnership with Philips. This proposal was swiftly rejected by Kutaragi who was facing increasing criticism over his work with regard to entering the video game industry from within Sony. Negotiations officially ended in May 1992 and in order to decide the fate of the PlayStation project, a meeting was held in June 1992, consisting of Sony President Ohga, PlayStation Head Kutaragi and several senior members of Sony's board. At the meeting, Kutaragi unveiled a proprietary CD-ROM-based system he had been working on which involved playing video games with 3D graphics to the board. Eventually, Sony President Ohga decided to retain the project after being reminded by Kutaragi of the humiliation he suffered from Nintendo. Nevertheless, due to strong opposition from a majority present at the meeting as well as widespread internal opposition to the project by the older generation of Sony executives, Kutaragi and his team had to be shifted from Sony's headquarters toSony Music, a completely separate financial entity owned by Sony, so as to retain the project and maintain relationships with Philips for the MMCD development project (which helped lead to the creation of theDVD).[9]
According to SCE's producer Ryoji Akagawa and chairmanShigeo Maruyama, there was uncertainty over whether the console should primarily focus on2Dsprite graphics or3D polygon graphics. Eventually, after witnessing the success ofSega'sVirtua Fighter in Japanese arcades, that Sony realized "the direction of the PlayStation became instantly clear" and 3D polygon graphics became the console's primary focus.[10]
The PlayStation logo was designed by Manabu Sakamoto. He wanted the logo to capture the 3D support of the console, but instead of just adding apparent depth to the letters "P" and "S", he created anoptical illusion that suggested the letters in depth of space. Sakamoto also stuck with four bright principal colors, red, yellow, green, and blue, only having to tune the green color for better harmony across the logo. Sakamoto also designed the black and white logo based on the same design, reserved for times where colors could not be used.[11]
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AtSony Music Entertainment, Kutaragi worked closely withShigeo Maruyama, the CEO of Sony Music, and with Akira Sato to form Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) on November 16, 1993.[12] A building block of SCEI was its initial partnership with Sony Music which helped SCEI attract creative talent to the company as well as assist SCEI in manufacturing, marketing and producing discs, something that Sony Music had been doing with Music Discs. The final two key members of SCEI were Terry Tokunaka, the president of SCEI from Sony's headquarters, andOlaf Olafsson. Olafsson was CEO and president of New York-based Sony Interactive Entertainment[13] which was the parent company for the 1994-founded Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA).
The PlayStation project, SCEI's first official project, was finally given the green light by Sony executives in 1993 after a few years of development. Also in 1993,Phil Harrison, who later became President ofSCE Worldwide Studios, was recruited into SCEI to attract developers and publishers to produce games for their new PlayStation platform.[9]
Computer Gaming World in March 1994 reported a rumor that the "Sony PS-X" would be released in Japan "before the end of this year and will retail for less than $400".[14] After a demonstration of Sony's distribution plan as well as tech demos of its new console to game publishers and developers in a hotel inTokyo in 1994, numerous developers began to approach PlayStation. Two of whom later became major partners wereElectronic Arts in the West andNamco in Japan. One of the factors which attracted developers to the platform was the use of a 3D-capable, CD-ROM-based console which was much cheaper and easier to manufacture for in comparison to Nintendo's rival console, which used cartridge systems. The project eventually hit Japanese stores in December 1994 and gained massive sales due to its lower price point than its competitor, theSega Saturn. The popularity of the console spread after its release worldwide in North America and Europe.[9]
The original PlayStation, released in Japan on December 3,1994, was the first of the ubiquitous PlayStation series of console and hand-held game devices. It has included successor consoles and upgrades including theNet Yaroze (a special black PlayStation with tools and instructions to program PlayStation games and applications), "PS one" (a smaller version of the original) and thePocketStation (a handheld which enhances PlayStation games and also acts as a memory card). It was part of thefifth generation of video game consoles competing against theSega Saturn and theNintendo 64. By December 2003, the PlayStation and PS one had shipped a combined total of 102.49 million units,[15] eventually becoming the first video game console to sell 120 million units.[16]
Released on July 7,2000,[17] concurrently with its successor thePlayStation 2, the PS One (stylized as PS one) was a considerably smaller, redesigned version of the original PlayStation video game console.[18] The PS one went on to outsell all other consoles, including its successor, throughout the remainder of the year.[18] It featured two main changes from its predecessor, the first being a cosmetic change to the console and the second being the home menu'sgraphical user interface (GUI); a variation of the GUI previously used only on PAL consoles up to that point.
Released in2000, 15 months after theDreamcast and a year before its other competitors, theXbox and theGameCube, the PlayStation 2 is part of thesixth generation of video game consoles, and isbackwards-compatible with most original PlayStation games. Like its predecessor, it has received a slimmer redesign. It is themost successful console in the world,[19] having sold over 155 million units as of December 28, 2012.[20] On November 29, 2005, the PS2 became the fastest game console to reach 100 million units shipped, accomplishing the feat within 5 years and 9 months from its launch. This achievement occurred faster than its predecessor, the PlayStation, which took "9 years and 6 months since launch" to reach the same figure.[16] PlayStation 2 shipments in Japan ended on December 28, 2012.[21]The Guardian reported on January 4, 2013, that PS2 production had ended worldwide, but studies showed that many people all around the world still own one even if it is no longer in use. PlayStation 2 has been ranked as the best selling console of all time as of 2015.[22]
Released in2004, four years after the launch of the original PlayStation 2, the PlayStation 2 Slimline was the first major redesign of the PlayStation 2. Compared to its predecessor, the Slimline was smaller, thinner, quieter and also included a built-inEthernet port (in some markets it also has an integratedmodem). In2007, Sony began shipping a revision of the Slimline which was lighter than the original Slimline together with a lighterAC adapter.[23] In2008, Sony released yet another revision of the Slimline which had an overhauled internal design incorporating the power supply into the console itself like the original PlayStation 2 resulting in a further reduced total weight of the console.[24]
Released on November 11, 2006, in Japan, the PlayStation 3 (PS3) is aseventh generation game console from Sony. It competes with theMicrosoft Xbox 360 and theNintendo Wii. The PS3 is the first console in the series to introduce the use ofmotion-sensing technology through itsSixaxis wireless controller. The console also incorporates aBlu-ray Disc player and featureshigh-definition resolution. The PS3 was originally offered with either a 20 GB or 60 GB hard drive, but over the years its capacity increased in increments available up to 500 GB. The PlayStation 3 has sold over 80 million consoles worldwide as of November 2013.[25]
Like its predecessors, the PlayStation 3 was re-released in2009 as a "slim" model. The redesigned model is 33% smaller, 36% lighter, and consumes 34% to 45% less power than previous models.[26][27] In addition, it features a redesigned cooling system and a smallerCell processor which was moved to a45nm manufacturing process.[28] It sold in excess of a million units within its first 3 weeks on sale.[29] The redesign also features support forCEC (more commonly referred to by its manufacturer brandings of BraviaSync, VIERA Link, EasyLink and others) which allows control of the console over HDMI by using the remote control as the controller. The PS3 slim also runs quieter and is cooler than previous models due to its 45 nm Cell. The PS3 Slim no longer has the "main power" switch (similar toPlayStation 2 slim), like the previous PS3 models, which was located at the back of the console.[26] It was officially released on September 1, 2009, in North America and Europe and on September 3, 2009, in Japan, Australia and New Zealand.[26][30][31]
In 2012, Sony revealed a new "Super Slim" PlayStation 3. The new console, with a completely redesigned case that has a sliding door covering the disc drive (which has been moved to the top of the console), is 4.3 pounds, almost three pounds lighter than the previous "slim" model. The console comes with either 12 GB flash memory or a 250 GB, 500 GB hard drive. Several bundles which include a Super Slim PS3 and a selection of games are available.
ThePlayStation 4 (PS4) was announced bySony Computer Entertainment at a press conference on February 20, 2013. In the meeting, Sony revealed some hardware specifications of the new console.[32][33] It introduced thex86 architecture to the PlayStation series. According to lead system architect, Mark Cerny, development on the PlayStation 4 began as early as 2008.[34] PlayStation Europe CEO Jim Ryan emphasized in 2011 that Sony wanted to avoid launching the next-generation console behind the competition.[35]
Among the new applications and services, Sony introduced the PlayStation App, allowing PS4 owners to turn smartphones and tablets into asecond screen to enhance gameplay.[36] The company also planned to debutPlayStation Now game streaming service, powered by technology fromGaikai.[37][38] By incorporating a share button on the new controller and making it possible to view in-game content being streamed live from friends, Sony planned to place more focus on social gameplay as well.[36] The PlayStation 4 was first released in North America on November 15, 2013. As part of theeighth generation of video game consoles, it competes with Microsoft'sXbox One and Nintendo'sWii U andSwitch.
PlayStation 4 Slim (officially marketed simply asPlayStation 4 orPS4) was unveiled on September 7, 2016. It is a revision of the original PS4 hardware with a streamlined form factor. The new casing is 40% smaller and carries a rounded body with a matte finish on the top of the console rather than a two-tone finish. The two USB ports on the front have a larger gap between them, and the optical audio port was also removed.[168] It ships with a minor update to the DualShock 4 controller, with the light bar visible through the top of the touchpad and dark matte grey coloured exterior instead of a partially shiny black. The PS4 Slim was released on September 15, 2016, with a 500 GB model at the same price point as the original PS4 model.[169] Its model number is CUH-2000.[170]
PlayStation 4 Pro orPS4 Pro for short (originally announced under the codenameNeo)[35] was unveiled on September 7, 2016. Its model number is CUH-7000.[170] It is an updated version of the PlayStation 4 with improved hardware, including an upgraded GPU with 4.2 teraflops of processing power, and higher CPU clock. It is designed primarily to enable selected games to be playable at4K resolution, and improved quality forPlayStation VR. All games are backwards and forward compatible between PS4 and PS4 Pro, but games with optimizations will have improved graphics performance on PS4 Pro. Although capable of streaming 4K video from online sources, PS4 Pro does not supportUltra HD Blu-ray.[171][172][173] Additionally the PS4 Pro is the only PS4 model which can remote play at 1080p. The other models are limited to 720p.[174]
The PlayStation 5 (PS5)[39] was released worldwide on November 12, 2020, and, alongside theXbox Series X and Series S, released the same month, is part of theninth generation of video game consoles. The first news of the PS5 came fromMark Cerny in an interview withWired in April 2019.[40] Sony intended for the PlayStation 5 to be its next-generation console and planned to ship it worldwide by the end of 2020.[41] In early 2019, Sony's financial report for the quarter ending March 31, 2019, affirmed that new next-generation hardware was in development but would ship no earlier than April 2020.[42]
The current specifications were released in October 2019.[43] The console uses an 8-core,16-thread CPU based on AMD'sZen 2 microarchitecture, manufactured on the7 nanometer process node. The graphics processor is a custom variant of AMD's Navi family using theRDNA microarchitecture, which includes support forhardware acceleration ofray-tracing rendering, enabling real-time ray-traced graphics.[43] The new console ships with a customSSD storage, as Cerny emphasized the need for fast loading times and higher bandwidth to make games more immersive, as well as to support the required content streaming from disc for8K resolution.[40] In a second interview with Wired in October 2019, further details of the new hardware were revealed: the console's integratedBlu-ray drive would support 100 GB Blu-ray discs[41] andUltra HD Blu-ray;[44] while a game installation from a disc is mandatory as to take advantage of the SSD, the user will have some fine-grain control of how much they want to have installed, such as only installing multiplayer components of a game.[41] Sony is developing an improved suspended gameplay state for the PlayStation 5 to consume less energy than the PlayStation 4.[45]
The system's new controller, theDualSense has adaptive triggers that can change the resistance to the player as necessary, such as changing the resistance during the action of pulling an arrow back in a bow in-game.[41] The controller also has stronghaptic feedback throughvoice coil actuators, which together with an improved controller speaker is intended to give better in-game feedback.[41]USB-C connectivity, together with a higher rated battery are other improvements to the new controller.[41]
The PlayStation 5 features a completely revampeduser interface.[39] The PlayStation 5 is backwards-compatible with most PlayStation 4 and PlayStationVR games, with Cerny stating that the transition to the new console is meant to be a soft one.[40][43] In a later interview, Jim Ryan talked of the PlayStation 5 being able to play "99%" of PlayStation 4 games, an estimate derived from a sample size of "thousands".[46]
A revised slimmer design for the PS5, similar to past "slim" rereleases, was released in October 2023. Besides the slimmer design, the slim model features 1 TB of internal storage and replaces one of the USB-A ports with USB-C. The base version also removes the internal optical disc drive, replaced by an external drive.[47]
The PlayStation 5 Pro was released in November 2024. It features three main upgrades over the base PS5 model: a GPU that was about 45% faster than the base PS5 GPU, the inclusion of animage upscaling technology called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), and an increase of internal storage to 2 TB.[48][49] Games are able to take advantage of the improved graphical performance if programmed for it, with about 50 games ready to use this feature at launch.[48]
| Console | PlayStation (PS) | PlayStation 2 (PS2) | PlayStation 3 (PS3) | PlayStation 4 (PS4) | PlayStation 5 (PS5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image |
Top: PS Bottom: PS One |    Top: PS2 Middle: PS2 Slimline (2004) Bottom: PS2 Slimline (2007) |    Top: PS3 Middle: PS3 Slim Bottom: PS3 Super Slim |    Top: PS4 Middle: PS4 Slim Bottom: PS4 Pro |
Top: PS5 Bottom: PS5 Digital Edition |
| Launch price | PS PS One | PS2 PS2 Slimline | PS3 ¥49,980 (20 GB)[50] US$599 (60 GB)[51] PS3 Slim ¥29,980 (tax included) (120 GB) PS3 Super Slim | PS4 ¥38,980 (500 GB) PS4 Slim US$299 (500 GB) PS4 Pro | PS5 ¥49,980 (825 GB) PS5 Digital Edition ¥39,980 (825 GB) PS5 Slim ¥66,980 (1 TB)[55] PS5 Slim Digital Edition ¥58,980 (1 TB) PS5 Pro |
| Release date | PS PS One
| PS2
PS2 Slimline
| PS3
PS3 Slim PS3 Super Slim | PS4 PS4 Slim PS4 Pro | PS5 PS5 Digital Edition
PS5 Pro
|
| Units shipped | 102.49 million incl. 28.15 millionPS one (as of March 31, 2007)[15] | 155 million (as of December 28, 2012)[20] | 87.4 million (as of March 31, 2017)[64] | 117.2 million (as of March 31, 2022)[65] | 75 million (as of December 31, 2024)[66] |
| Best-selling game | Gran Turismo; 10.85 million shipped (as of April 30, 2008)[67] | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas; 17.33 million shipped (as of March 26, 2008)[67] | Grand Theft Auto V; over 15 million shipped (as of December 7, 2013) | Marvel's Spider-Man; over 20 million shipped (as of November 18, 2020)[68] | Marvel's Spider-Man 2; over 11 million shipped (as of April 20, 2024)[69] |
| Media | CD-ROM | DVD-ROM/CD-ROM | BD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM,SACD (1st and 2nd Gen Only)[70] | Blu-ray,DVD Blu-ray 6x CAV, DVD 8x CAV | PS5:Ultra HD Blu-ray,Blu-ray,DVD PS5 Digital Edition: Digital Content Only PS5 Slim: Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD via detachable disc drive[71] PS5 Pro: Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD via detachable disc drive |
| Included accessories and extras |
|
|
| ||
| Accessories (retail) |
|
|
|
|
|
| CPU | R3000A 32bit RISC chip @ 33.7 MHz – Manufactured byLSI Corporation | 300 MHzMIPS "Emotion Engine" | Cell Broadband Engine (3.2 GHzPower ISA 2.03-basedPPE with eight 3.2 GHzSPE) | PS4 and PS4 Slim: 8-Core 1.6 GHzAMD "Jaguar" PS4 Pro: 8-Core 2.1 GHz AMD "Enhanced Jaguar" | All models: 8-Core variable frequency (3.5 GHz capped)AMD "Zen 2"[74] |
| GPU | 16.47 million colors Resolution: 256×224 – 640×480Sprite/BG drawingAdjustable frame bufferNo line restrictionUnlimited CLUTs (Color Look-Up Tables)4,000 8×8 pixel sprites with individual scaling and rotationSimultaneous backgrounds (Parallax scrolling)620,000 polygons/sec | 147 MHz "Graphics Synthesizer"; fill rate 2.352 gigapixel/sec; 1.1 gigapixel w. 1 texture(diffuse); 588-megapixel/sec w. 2 textures (2 diffuse maps or 1 diffuse map and 1 other(0 around 74 mill, 1 around 40 mill, 2 around 20 mill); 2 textures per pass Capable of multi-pass rendering; Connected to VU1 on CPU (a vector only for visual style coding things with 3.2GFLOPS) to deliver enhanced shader graphics and other enhanced graphics | 550 MHz RSX "Reality Synthesizer" (based onNvidia G70 architecture) 192 - 251.2 GFLOPS | PS4 and PS4 Slim: Custom AMDRadeon 18 out of 20 Compute Units enabled (1152 out of 1280 shaders enabled) @ 800 MHz[75] 1.84TFLOPS PS4 Pro: Custom AMD Radeon, 36 out of 40 Compute Units enabled (2304 out of 2560 shaders enabled) @ 911 MHz[76] 4.19 TFLOPS | PS5 and PS5 Slim: Custom AMDRDNA 2 36 out of 40 Compute Units enabled (2304 out of 2560 shaders enabled), variable frequency (2.23 GHz capped), up to 10.28TFLOPS[74] PS5 Pro: TBA |
| Online service | — | Non-unified service | PlayStation Network PlayStation Store Internet browser A/V chat viaPlayStation Eye or PS2EyeToy, voice chat via headset | PlayStation Network PlayStation Store Internet browser | |
| Backward compatibility | — | PlayStation | 20 GB and 60 GB: All PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titlesOriginal 80 GB: All PS1 titles, most PS2 titles.[77]All other models (model code CECHGxx and later): Support for PS1 titles only. | No native backwards compatibility. Cloud based backwards compatibility viaPlayStation Now.[78]Emulated PlayStation 2 titles available from the PlayStation Store. | MostPlayStation 4 andPlayStation VR games |
| System software | Proprietary OS | Proprietary OS,Linux DVD Playback Kit | XrossMediaBar (XMB) | Orbis OS[79] | TBA |
| System software features | Audio CD playback | Audio CD playback DVD Playback | Operating systems can be installed and run via ahypervisor (feature unavailable with Slim Model[80]) Audio CD playback Audio file playback (ATRAC3, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA) Image editing and slideshows (JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, BMP) | Blu-ray playback DVD playback | Blu-ray playback Ultra HD Blu-ray playback |
| Consumer programmability | Requires theNet Yaroze kit | Yabasic software,Linux for PlayStation 2 | Development on console via freeLinux platform or PC. | — | — |
ThePlayStation Portable (PSP) was Sony's first handheld console to compete with Nintendo's DS console. The original model (PSP-1000) was released in December2004 and March2005,[81] The console is the first to utilize a newproprietary optical storage medium known asUniversal Media Disc (UMD), which can store both games and movies.[82][83] It contains 32 MB of internalflash memory storage, expandable viaMemory Stick PRO Duo cards.[84] It has a similar control layout to the PS3 with its PlayStation logo button and its ('Triangle'), ('Circle/O'), ('Cross/X') and ('Square') buttons in their white-colored forms.
The PSP-2000 (also known as the Slim & Lite in PAL territories) was the first major hardware revision of the PlayStation Portable, released in September2007. The 2000 series was 33% lighter and 19% slimmer than the original PlayStation Portable.[85][86] The capacity of the battery was also reduced by ⅓ but the run time remained the same as the previous model due to lower power consumption. Older model batteries will still work and they extend the amount of playing time.[87] The PSP Slim & Lite has a new gloss finish. Its serial port was also modified in order to accommodate a new video-out feature (while rendering older PSP remote controls incompatible). On a PSP-2000, PSP games will only output to external monitors or TVs in progressive scan mode, so that televisions incapable of supporting progressive scan will not display PSP games; non-game video will output in either progressive or interlaced mode.USB charging was also made possible.[88] Buttons are also reportedly more responsive on the PSP-2000.[89] In2008, Sony released a second hardware revision called the PSP-3000 which included several features that were not present in the PSP-2000, such as a built-in microphone and upgraded screen, as well as the ability to output PSP games in interlaced mode.
Released in October2009, the PSP Go is the biggest redesign of the PlayStation Portable to date. Unlike previous PSP models, the PSP Go does not feature a UMD drive but instead has 16 GB of internalflash memory to store games, videos and other media.[90] This can be extended by up to 32 GB with the use of aMemory Stick Micro (M2) flash card. Also unlike previous PSP models, the PSP Go's rechargeable battery is not removable or replaceable by the user. The unit is 43% lighter and 56% smaller than the original PSP-1000,[91] and 16% lighter and 35% smaller than the PSP-3000.[92] It has a 3.8" 480 × 272LCD[93] (compared to the larger 4.3" 480 × 272 pixel LCD on previous PSP models).[94] The screen slides up to reveal the main controls. The overall shape and sliding mechanism are similar to that of Sony'smylo COM-2 internet device.[95] The PSP Go was produced and sold concurrently with its predecessor the PSP-3000 although it did not replace it.[91] All games on the PSP Go must be purchased and downloaded from thePlayStation Store as the handheld is not compatible with the original PSP's physical media, the Universal Media Disc. The handheld also features connectivity with thePlayStation 3's controllers theSixaxis andDualShock 3 viaBluetooth connection.[92]
The PSP Street (also known as the PSP-E1000) is a budget-focused PSP model which, unlike previous PSP models, does not featureWi-Fi or stereo speakers (replaced by a single mono speaker)[96] and has a matte "charcoal black" finish similar to the slim PlayStation 3.[97] The E1000 was announced atGamescom 2011 and available across thePAL region for an RRP of€99.99.[97]
Released in Japan on December 17, 2011, and North America on February 22, 2012,[98] the PlayStation Vita[99] was previously codenamedNext Generation Portable (NGP). It was officially unveiled by Sony on January 27, 2011, at the PlayStation Meeting 2011.[100] The original model of the handheld, the PCH-1000 series features a 5-inch OLED touchscreen,[101] two analog sticks, a rear touchpad, Sixaxis motion sensing and a 4 core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor.
The new PCH-2000 series system is a lighter redesign of the device that was announced at the SCEJA Press Conference in September 2013 prior to the Tokyo Game Show. This model is 20% thinner and 15% lighter compared to the original model, has an additional hour of battery life, an LCD instead of OLED, includes a micro USB Type B port, 1 GB of internal storage memory. It was released in Japan on October 10, 2013, in six colors: white, black, pink, yellow, blue, and olive green, and in North America on May 6, 2014.[102]
The Vita was discontinued in March 2019. SIE president Jim Ryan said that while the Vita was a great device, they have moved away from portable consoles, "clearly it's a business that we're no longer in now".[11]
In early 2023, Sony announced the development of a new portable system (originally announced under the codename Project Q) that can stream PS5 games from a home console, and on August 23, 2023, it was officially unveiled as PlayStation Portal.[103][104] It released on November 15, 2023 for $199.99.
Released in 1994, the PlayStation control pad was the first controller made for the originalPlayStation. It featured a basic design of aD-pad, 4 main select buttons ( ('Green Triangle'), ('Red Circle/Red O')), ('Blue Cross/Blue X') and ('Pink Square'), and start and select buttons on the face. 'Shoulder buttons' are also featured on the top [L1, L2, R1, R2] (named by the side [L=Left, R=Right] and 1 and 2 [top and bottom]). In 1996, Sony released the PlayStation Analog Joystick for use with flight simulation games.[105] The original digital controller was then replaced by the Dual Analog in 1997, which added two analog sticks based on the same potentiometer technology as the Analog Joystick.[106] This controller was then also succeeded by the DualShock controller.
Released in 1998, the DualShock controller for the PlayStation succeeded its predecessor, the Dual Analog, and became the longest running series of controllers for the PlayStation brand. In addition to the inputs of the original, digital, controller (,,,, L1, L2, R1, R2, Start, Select and aD-pad), the DualShock featured twoanalog sticks in a similar fashion to the previousDual Analog controller, which can also be depressed to activate the L3 and R3 buttons.[107]
The DualShock series consists of four controllers: the DualShock which was the fourth controller released for the PlayStation; the DualShock 2, the only standard controller released for the PlayStation 2, and the DualShock 3, the second and current controller released for the PlayStation 3, and the DualShock 4, which went through a massive redesign and is the default input of the PlayStation 4, and upon release was compatible with the PS3 originally only via USB and eventually with a firmware update, Bluetooth connectivity was enabled. The Sixaxis was the first official controller for the PlayStation 3, and is based on the same design as the DualShock series (but lacking the vibration motors of the DualShock series of controllers).
Like the Dual Analog, the DualShock and DualShock 2 feature an "Analog" button between the analog sticks that toggles the analog sticks on and off (for use with games which support only the digital input of the original controller). On the PlayStation 3Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers, the analog sticks are always enabled. Beginning with the Sixaxis, a 'PlayStation button' (which featured the incorporated PS logo and is similar in function to theXbox 360 "Guide" button) was included on controllers. The PlayStation button replaces the "Analog" button of the DualShock and DualShock 2 controllers. Pressing the PS button on the PS3 brings up theXMB, while holding it down brings up system options, known as "Quick Menu" on the PS4, (such as quit the game, change controller settings, turn off the system, and turn off the controller).[108]
PlayStation Move is a motion-sensinggame controller platform for the PlayStation 3 video game console bySony Computer Entertainment (SCE). Based on the handheld motion controller wand, PlayStation Move uses thePlayStation Eye webcam to track the wand's position and the inertial sensors in the wand to detect its motion. First revealed on June 2, 2009, PlayStation Move was launched in Q3/Q4 2010. Hardware available at launch included the main PlayStation Move motion controller and an optional PlayStation Move sub-controller.[109]Although PlayStation Move is implemented on the existing PlayStation 3 console, Sony states that it is treating Move's debut as its own major "platform launch", planning an aggressive marketing campaign to support it. In addition to selling the controllers individually,[110] Sony also plans to provide several different bundle options for PlayStation Move hardware; including a starter kit with a PS Eye, a Move motion controller, and a demo/sampler disc, priced underUS$100;[111] a full console pack with a PS3 console,DualShock 3 gamepad, PS Eye, and Move motion controller; and bundles of a Move motion controller with select games.[110]
The PocketStation was a Memory Cardperipheral by Sony Computer Entertainment for the originalPlayStation. Categorized by Sony as a combination of a Memory Card and a miniaturepersonal digital assistant.[112] Released exclusively in Japan on January 23, 1999,[113] it featured a monochromeLCD, a speaker, areal-time clock and infrared communication capability. It could also be used as a standard PlayStation memory card by connecting it to a PlayStation memory card slot.[112] It was extremely popular in Japan and Sony originally had plans to release it in the United States but the plan was ultimately scrapped due to various manufacturing and supply-and-demand problems.[114][115]
Released in 2000, an optional 5-inch LCD screen (SCPH-131) was released for the PSone (a redesigned version of the original PlayStation), featuring built-in speakers and a headphone jack, as well as featuring an AV input jack. It was later included as a pack-in bundle with the PSone called the "Combo Pack" in 2002.
Released solely in Japan in2003, theSony PSX was a fully integratedDVR and PlayStation 2video game console. It was the first Sony product to utilize theXrossMediaBar (XMB)[116] and can be linked with aPlayStation Portable to transfer videos and music viaUSB.[117] It also features software forvideo,photo andaudio editing.[116] PSX supports online game compatibility using an internal broadband adapter. Games that utilize thePS2 HDD (for example,Final Fantasy XI) are supported as well.[118] It was the first product released by Sony under the PlayStation brand that did not include a controller with the device itself.[119]
Released in 2010, theSony BRAVIA KDL22PX300 is a 22-inch (56 cm) 720p television which incorporates a PlayStation 2 console, along with 4 HDMI ports.[120]
A 24-inch 1080p PlayStation branded 3D television, officially called thePlayStation 3D Display, was released in late 2011. A feature of this 3D television isSimulView. During multiplayer games, each player will only see their respective screen (in full HD) appear on the television through their respective 3D glasses, instead of seeing asplit screen (e.g. player 1 will only see player 1's screen displayed through their 3D glasses).
PlayTV is an add-on unit for thePlayStation 3 that allows the PS3 to act as anHDTV orDTV receiver, as well as adigital video recorder (DVR).
The Xperia Play is an Android-powered smartphone with a slide-up gamepad resembling the PSP Go developed bySony Ericsson aimed at gamers and is the first to bePlayStation Certified.
Sony Tablets arePlayStation Certified Android tablets, released in 2011, 2012, and 2013. They offer connectivity with PlayStation 3 controllers and integrate with the PlayStation network using a proprietary application. The following models were released between 2011 and 2013: S, Sony Tablet S, Sony Tablet P, Xperia Tablet S and Xperia Tablet Z.
PlayStation TV, known inAsia as PlayStation Vita TV, is amicroconsole and a non-portable variant of the PlayStation Vita handheld. It was announced on September 9, 2013, at a Sony Computer Entertainment Japan presentation. Instead of featuring a display screen, the console connects to a television via HDMI. Users can play using a DualShock 3 controller, although due to the difference in features between the controller and the handheld, certain games are not compatible with PS TV, such as those that are dependent on the system's touch-screen, rear touchpad, microphone or camera. The device is said to be compatible with over 100 Vita games, as well as various digital PlayStation Portable, PlayStation and PC Engine titles. The system supports Remote Play compatibility with the PlayStation 4, allowing players to stream games from the PS4 to a separate TV connected to PS TV, and also allows users to stream content from video services such as Hulu and Niconico, as well as access the PlayStation Store. The system was released inJapan on November 14, 2013, inNorth America on October 14, 2014, and inEurope andAustralasia on November 14, 2014.[121]
PlayStation VR is a virtual reality device that is produced bySony Computer Entertainment. It features a 5.7-inch 1920×1080 resolution OLED display, and operates at 120 Hz which can eliminate blur and produce a smooth image; the device also has a low latency of less than 18ms.[122] Additionally, it produces two sets of images, one being visible on a TV and one for the headset, and includes 3D audio technology so the player can hear from all angles. The PlayStation VR was released in October 2016.[123]
The PlayStation Classic is a miniature version of the original 1994 Model SCPH-1001 PlayStation console, that comes preloaded with 20 games, and two original style controllers. It was launched on the 24th anniversary of theoriginal console on December 3, 2018.[124]
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Each console has a variety of games. ThePlayStation 2,PSX andPlayStation 3 exhibit backwards compatibility and can play most of the games released on the original PlayStation. Some of these games can also be played on the PlayStation Portable but they must be purchased and downloaded from a list ofPS one Classics from thePlayStation Store. Games released on the PlayStation 2 can currently only be played on the original console as well as the PSX and the early models of the PlayStation 3 which are backwards compatible. The PlayStation 3 has two types of games, those released on Blu-ray Discs and downloadable games from the PlayStation Store. The PlayStation Portable consists of numerous games available on both its physical media, the Universal Media Disc and theDigital Download from the PlayStation Store. However, some games are only available on the UMD while others are only available on the PlayStation Store. The PlayStation Vita consists of games available on both its physical media, thePlayStation Vita card and digital download from the PlayStation Store.
PlayStation Studios is a group of video game developers owned bySony Interactive Entertainment. It is dedicated to developing video games exclusively for the PlayStation series of consoles. The series has produced several best-selling franchises such as theGran Turismo series of racing video games as well as critically acclaimed titles such as theUncharted series. Other notable franchises includeGod of War,Ratchet & Clank,Twisted Metal and more recently,LittleBigPlanet,Infamous,The Last of Us andSpider-Man.
Greatest Hits (North America), Platinum Range (PAL territories) and The Best (Japan and Asia) arevideo games for the Sony PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable consoles that have been officially re-released at a lower price by Sony. Each region has its own qualifications to enter the re-release program. Initially, during the PlayStation era, a game had to sell at least 150,000 copies (later 250,000)[125] and be on the market for at least a year[126] to enter the Greatest Hits range. During thePlayStation 2 era, the requirements increased with the minimum number of copies sold increasing to 400,000 and the game had to be on the market for at least 9 months.[125] For thePlayStation Portable, games had to be on the market for at least 9 months with 250,000 copies or more sold.[127] Currently, a PlayStation 3 game must be on the market for 10 months and sell at least 500,000 copies to meet the Greatest Hits criteria.[128] PS one Classics were games that were released originally on the PlayStation and have been re-released on the PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. Classics HD are compilations of PlayStation 2 games that have been remastered for the PlayStation 3 on a single disc with additional features such as upscaled graphics,PlayStation Move support,3D support andPlayStation Network trophies.PlayStation Mobile (formerly PlayStation Suite) is a cross-platform, cross-device software framework aimed at providing PlayStation content, currently original PlayStation games, across several devices includingPlayStation CertifiedAndroid devices as well as thePlayStation Vita.
Sony has generally supportedindie game development since incorporating the digital distribution storefront in the PlayStation 3, though initially required developers to complete multiple steps to get an indie game certified on the platform. Sony improved and simplified the process in transitioning to the PlayStation 4.[129]
As Sony prepared to transition from the PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5, they introduced a new PlayStation Indies program led byShuhei Yoshida in July 2020. The program's goals are to spotlight new and upcoming indie titles for the PlayStation 4 and 5, focusing on those that are more innovative and novel, akin to past titles such asPaRappa the Rapper,Katamari Damacy,LittleBigPlanet, andJourney. Sony also anticipates bringing more indie titles to the PlayStation Now series as part of this program.[130]
Online gaming on PlayStation consoles first started in July 2001 with the release of PlayStation 2's unnamed online service in Japan. Later in August 2002 saw its release in North America, followed by the European release in June 2003. This service was shut down on March 31, 2016.
Released in 2006, the PlayStation Network is an online service[131] focusing on onlinemultiplayer gaming and digital media delivery. The service is provided and run bySony Computer Entertainment for use with thePlayStation 3, and was later implemented on thePlayStation Portable,PlayStation Vita,PlayStation 4 andPlayStation 5video game consoles.[132] The service has over 103 million active users monthly (as of December 2019).[3] The Sony Entertainment Network provides other features for users likePlayStation Home,PlayStation Store, andTrophies.
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 andPlayStation Portablegame consoles via thePlayStation Network. The store uses both physical currency andPlayStation Network Cards. The PlayStation Store's gaming content is updated every Tuesday and offers a range ofdownloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games, add-on content,playable demos,themes and game and movietrailers. The service is accessible through an icon on theXMB on the PS3 and PSP. The PS3 store can also be accessed on the PSP via aRemote Play connection to the PS3. The PSP store is also available via the PC application,Media Go. As of September 24, 2009, there have been more than 600 million downloads from the PlayStation Store worldwide.[133]
Video content such as films and television shows are also available from the PlayStation Store on the PlayStation 3 and PSP and will be made available on some new Sony BRAVIA televisions, VAIO laptop computers and Sony Blu-ray Disc players from February 2010.[134]
Life with PlayStation was aFolding@home application available for PlayStation 3 which connected toStanford University's Folding@homedistributed computer network and allowed the user to donate their console's spare processing cycles to the project.[135] Folding@home is supported by Stanford University and volunteers make a contribution to society bydonating computing power to this project. Research made by the project may eventually contribute to the creation of vital cures. The Folding@home client was developed by Sony Computer Entertainment in collaboration with Stanford University.[136] Life with PlayStation also consisted of a 3D virtual view of the Earth and contained current weather and news information of various cities and countries from around the world, as well as aWorld Heritage channel which offered information about historical sites, and the United Village channel which is a project designed to share information about communities and cultures worldwide.[137][138] As of PlayStation 3 system software update version 4.30 on October 24, 2012, the Life With PlayStation project has ended.
PlayStation Plus, a subscription-based service on thePlayStation Network, complements the standard PSN services.[139] It enables an auto-download feature for game patches and system software updates. Subscribers gain early or exclusive access to somebetas, game demos, premium downloadable content (such as full game trials of retail games likeInfamous, andLittleBigPlanet) and otherPlayStation Store items, as well as a free subscription toQore. Other downloadable items include PlayStation Store discounts and free PlayStation Network games, PS one Classics, PlayStation Minis, themes and avatars.[140] It offers a 14-day free trial.
PlayStation Blog (stylized as PlayStation.Blog) is an online PlayStation-focused gamingblog, part of thePlayStation Network. It was launched on June 11, 2007[141] and has featured in numerous interviews with third-party companies such asSquare Enix.[142] It features posts from high-rankingSony Interactive Entertainment executives.[143][144] A sub-site of the blog called PlayStation Blog Share was launched on March 17, 2010, and allowed readers of the blog as well as users of the PlayStation Blog to submit ideas to the PlayStation team about anything PlayStation-related and vote on the ideas of other submissions.[145][146]Sony Computer Entertainment Europe launched a European sub-outlet, PlayStation Blog Europe, on May 28, 2009, to replace the "semi-official" site Three Speech that shut down on April 17.[147][148] This branch was merged into the main outlet on June 1, 2020.[149]
The PlayStation App is an application that was released on January 11, 2011, in several European countries foriOS (version 4 and above) and forAndroid (version 1.6 and above),[150] and has been installed more than 3.6 million times as of March 2, 2014.[151] It allows users to view their trophies, see which of their PSN friends are online and read up to date information about PlayStation.[150] It does not feature any gaming functionality.[150]
The PlayStation Mobile (formerlyPlayStation Suite) is a software framework that will be used to provide downloadablePlayStation content to devices runningAndroid 2.3 and above as well as thePlayStation Vita. The framework will be cross-platform and cross-device, which is what Sony calls "hardware-neutral". It was set to release before the end of calendar year 2011. In addition, Android devices that have been certified to be able to playback PlayStation Suite content smoothly will be certified with thePlayStation Certified certification.[152]
PlayStation Now (PS Now) was a Gaikai-based video game streaming service used to provide PlayStation gaming content toPlayStation 3 (PS3),PlayStation 4 (PS4),PlayStation 5 (PS5),PlayStation Vita,PlayStation TV andBRAVIA televisions.[153] The service allowed users to pay for access to a selection of original PlayStation 3 titles on either a per-game basis or via a subscription. PlayStation Now was announced on January 7, 2014, at the 2014Consumer Electronic Show. At CES, Sony presented demos of The Last of Us, God of War: Ascension, Puppeteer and Beyond: Two Souls, playable through PS Now on Bravia TVs and PlayStation Vitas. PlayStation Now was launched in Open Beta in theUnited States andCanada on PS4 on July 31, 2014, on PS3 on September 18, 2014, on PS Vita and PS TV on October 14, 2014, with support for select 2014 Bravia TVs coming later in the year.[154] It was merged intoPlayStation Plus in May and June 2022, and is no longer available as a standalone subscription.[155]
PlayStation Home is a community-based social gaming networking service for the PlayStation 3 on thePlayStation Network (PSN). It is available directly from the PlayStation 3XrossMediaBar. Membership is free, and only requires a PSN account. Home has been in development since early 2005 and started an open publicbeta test on December 11, 2008.[156] Home allows users to create a customavatar, which can be made to suit the user's preference.[157] Users can decorate their avatar's personal apartment ("HomeSpace") with default, bought, or won items. They can travel throughout the Home world (except cross region), which is constantly updated by Sony and partners. Each part of the world is known as a space. Public spaces can just be for display, fun, or for meeting people. Home features many mini-games which can be single player or multiplayer. Users can shop for new items to express themselves more through their avatars or HomeSpace.[158] Home features video screens in many places for advertising, but the main video content is shown at the theatre for entertainment. Home plays host to a variety of special events which range from prize-giving events to entertaining events. Users can also use Home to connect with friends and customize content.[156]Xi, a once notable feature of Home, is the world's first console basedAlternate Reality Game that took place in secret areas in Home and was created bynDreams.[159][160]
"Room" (officially spelled asR∞M with capital letters and theinfinity symbol in place of the "oo") was being beta tested in Japan from October 2009 to April 2010. Development of Room has been halted on April 15, 2010, due to negative feedback from the community.[161] Announced atTGS 2009, it was supposed to be a similar service to the PlayStation Home and was being developed for the PSP.[162] Launching directly from the PlayStation Network section of the XMB was also to be enabled. Just like in Home, PSP owners would have been able to invite other PSP owners into their rooms to "enjoy real time communication."[163] A closed beta test had begun in Q4 2009 in Japan.[164]
In 2015, Sony launched PlayStation Gear, an online merchandise and apparel store.[165]Jason Schreier ofBloomberg News reported in December 2021 that Sony was working to create a new subscription service, code-named Spartacus, intended as a competitor to theXbox Game Pass service by Microsoft, with plans to release in the second quarter of 2022. The multi-tiered service would incorporate PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Now, and additional features, such as the most-expensive tier that would give players access to PlayStation 1, 2, and 3 games.[166]
The XrossMediaBar, originally used on thePSX, is agraphical user interface used for the PlayStation 3 andPlayStation Portable, as well as a variety of other Sony devices. The interface featuresicons that are spread horizontally across the screen. Navigation moves the icons instead of acursor. These icons are used as categories to organize the options available to the user. When an icon is selected on the horizontal bar, several more appear vertically, above and below it (selectable by the up and down directions on a directional pad).[167] The XMB can also be accessed in-game albeit with restrictions, it allows players to access certain areas of the XMB menu from within the game and is only available for the PlayStation 3.[168] Although the capacity to play users' own music in-game was added with this update, the feature is dependent on game developers who must either enable the feature in their games or update existing games.[169]
LiveArea, designed to be used on thePlayStation Vita, is a graphical user interface set to incorporate various social networking features via thePlayStation Network. It has been designed specifically as a touchscreen user interface for users.[170]
In 2002, Sony released the first useful and fully functioningoperating system for a video game console, after theNet Yaroze experiment for the original PlayStation. The kit, which included an internal hard disk drive and the necessary software tools, turned thePlayStation 2 into a full-fledgedcomputer system runningLinux. Users can utilize a network adapter to connect the PlayStation 2 to the internet, a monitor cable adaptor to connect the PlayStation 2 to computer monitors as well as a USB Keyboard and Mouse which can be used to control Linux on the PlayStation 2.[171][172]
The PlayStation 3 (excluding PlayStation 3 Slim) also supports running Linux OS on firmware versions prior to 3.21 without the need for buying additional hardware purchase.Yellow Dog Linux provides an official distribution that can be downloaded, and other distributions such asFedora,Gentoo andUbuntu have been successfully installed and operated on the console.[28] The use of Linux on the PlayStation 3 allowed users to access 6 of the 7Synergistic Processing Elements; Sony implemented ahypervisor restricting access to theRSX. The feature to install a second operating system on a PlayStation 3 was removed in a firmware update released in 2010.[173]
The PlayStation brand has a wide series of magazines, from across different continents, covering PlayStation related articles and stories. Many of these magazines work closely with Sony and thus often come with demo discs for PlayStation games. Currently there are three magazines still in circulation namelyPlayStation: The Official Magazine,[174]PlayStation Official Magazine,[175]Official PlayStation Magazine (Australia).[176] However, over the years, many PlayStation magazines have spawned while a few have also become defunct, these include theOfficial U.S. PlayStation Magazine,[177]Official UK PlayStation Magazine,[178]Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine.[citation needed]
PlayStation Underground was a non-traditional magazine thatSony Computer Entertainment America produced and published between Spring 1997 to Spring 2001. Subscribers received two PlayStation CDs, along with a booklet and colorful packaging every quarter.[179] The CDs contained interviews, cheats, programmers moves, game demos and one-of-a-kind Memory Card saves. Several issues showed how a game was created from basic design to final product. Since the CDs could only be run on a PlayStation, it proved a useful marketing tool which spawned a line ofPlayStation Underground JamPacks Demo CDs and which contained highlights from recent issues ofPlayStation Underground, along with seemingly as many game demos that could be packed on a single CD. UnlikePlayStation Underground these were available in most stores for $4.95, were published twice a year in Summer and Winter and usually spotlighted newly released or coming soon games. By 2001, Sony had decided to phase outUnderground to focus on theJamPacks with the release of the PlayStation 2.PlayStation Underground CDs are mainly in the hands of collectors these days.[180]
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Advertising slogans used for each PlayStation console iteration:
ur Wrld, Ply Inurs." (The PlayStation face button icons were used to denote certain letters: Live In Your World, Play In Ours)[183]The most notable of recent PlayStation commercials is the series of "It Only Does Everything" commercials featuring a fictional character called Kevin Butler who is a Vice President at PlayStation. These commercials usually advertise the PlayStation 3 and its games through a series of comedic answers to "Dear PlayStation" queries.[191] These commercials garnered popularity among gamers, though its debut commercial received criticism from the Nigerian government due to a reference to the common419 scams originating in Nigeria. Sony issued an apology and a new version of the advert with the offending line changed was produced.[199]
A spin-off of the campaign has been created for the PlayStation Portable which features similar campaign commercials called the "Step Your Game Up" campaign featuring a fictional teenage character namedMarcus Rivers acting in a similar fashion to Kevin Butler but answering the "Dear PlayStation" queries about the PSP.[188]
In July 2006, an advertising campaign in theNetherlands was released in which awhite model dressed entirely in white and ablack model dressed entirely in black was used to compare Sony's new Ceramic White PSP and the original Piano Black PSP. This series of ads depicted both models fighting with each other[200] and drew criticism from the media for being racist, though Sony maintains that the ad did not feature any racist message.[201]
In November 2006, a marketing company employed by Sony's American division created a website entitled "All I want for Xmas is a PSP", designed to promote thePSPvirally. The site contained a blog which was purportedly written by "Charlie", a teenage boy attempting to get his friend Jeremy's parents to buy him a PSP, and providing a "music video" of either Charlie or Jeremy "rapping" about the PSP. Visitors to the website quickly recognized that the domain name was registered to a marketing company, exposing the campaign on sites such asYouTube anddigg. Sony was forced to admit that the site was in fact a marketing campaign and in an interview with next-gen.biz, Sony admitted that the idea was "poorly executed".[202]
Between 1999 and 2007 and 2009 to 2010, PlayStation was the main kit sponsor of FrenchLigue 1 clubAJ Auxerre andOlympique Lyonnais, respectively.
Between 2016 and 2022, PlayStation was the sponsor of theFiesta Bowl.[203]
In 2005, Australian newspaperThe Age wrote an article about the PlayStation brand. Among the numerous interviews conducted with various people in the industry was an interview with Jeffrey Brand, associate professor in communication and media atBond University who said, "PlayStation re-ignited our imagination with video games". Game designersYoshiki Okamoto called the brand "revolutionary — PlayStation has changed gaming, distribution, sales, image and more", while Evan Wells ofNaughty Dog said "PlayStation is responsible for making playing games cool."[204]
In 2009,ViTrue, Inc. listed the PlayStation brand as number 13 on their "The Vitrue 100: Top Social Brands of 2009". The ranking was based on various aspects mainly dealing with popular social media sites in aspects such as Social Networking, Video Sharing, Photo Sharing and Blogs.[205]
In 2010,Gizmodo stated that the PlayStation brand was one of the last Sony products to completely stand apart from its competitors, stating that "If you ask the average person on the street what their favorite Sony product is, more often than not you'll hear PlayStation".[206] As of April 2012, the PlayStation brand is the "most followed" brand on social networking site,Facebook, with over 22 million fans and followers in total which is more than any other brand in the entertainment industry. A study by Greenlight's Entertainment Retail has also shown that the PlayStation brand is the most interactive making 634 posts and tweets on social networking sites Facebook andTwitter.[207]
In July 2014, Sony boasted in a company release video that the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita sold a combined total of 100 million units.[208] It was announced atTokyo Game Show on September 1, 2014, that PlayStation home game consoles claim 78% market share of all home consoles in Japan.[209]
As of 2015[update], PlayStation is the strongest selling console brand worldwide.[210]
The biggest difference between the Dual Shock 2 and the original ... is the fact that ... all of the buttons and even the digital pad offer analog support. This means that the d-pad, the four face buttons and the four shift buttons are all pressure sensitive and have 255 degrees of sensitivity. ... It's also worth noting that the Dual Shock 2 is a bit lighter than the original Dual Shock.
Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that PlayStation Move motion controller for PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, launches worldwide this fall [...] In fiscal year 2010 [ending March 31, 2011], SCE Worldwide Studios will also release more than 20 games that are either dedicated to or supported with the PlayStation Move platform.
Exact pricing and bundling information will follow soon, but in the meantime we've been told that the Move controller, PlayStation Eye camera and a starter disc with game demos will be bundled for under $100 this autumn.
Sony has delayed the Japanese release of its PocketStation PDA from December 23 to January 23, 1999.
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