Sony Celebrates 20 Years of Playstation

The 3^rd of December marks the birthday of one of the most loved gaming consoles ever to be built. Ever since its first release in Japan, the console has seen many forms and has stuck along with us as technology progressed and video games developed from entertainment for children into full-fledged e-sports and powerful experiences.

Even if you are not a video game fan, chances are the phenomenon is not unfamiliar to you. This genre of entertainment enthralls and manages to keep dozens of millions of people all across the world hooked on one of the most powerful story-telling, reflex-enhancing and at times teaching device.

With the never-ending advance in technology, both the one used in building gaming devices and in developing the games themselves, this phenomenon only seems to be going forwards, and Sony’s sales records this year, with the release of the PlayStation 4, only prove just how fast this trend is booming. Just as an example, in 2013 Sony sold over 1 million units of the new PlayStation 4 in less than 24 hours in the United States.

But the console came a long way from what it first presented itself as. In 1994, the first model of the PlayStation was launched with 3D features, and graphics quality that revolutionized gaming back in the day. Until the console was taken off the market along with its slimmer version, 10 years later, it had already sold more than 120 million devices. The next version, the PlayStation 2, was no different. It challenged competitors head-on with state-of-the-art features, along with compatibility with older PlayStation games and support for DVD playback. After 12 years on the market, it sold 155 million units. PlayStation 3 brought some new ideas into the concept of gaming experience, including feedback controllers, versatility with Blu-ray support and a custom chip cell processor. Though it was designed for gaming purposes, the original models of the console were used for supercomputing purposes by the United States military. The latest release under the PlayStation title is currently the most popular gamers’ choice, having exceeded its rival’s, Xbox One, by approximately 40%.

So, in commemoration of PlayStation’s 20-year anniversary, Sony has organized a huge event in Las Vegas entitled PlayStation Experience. And to make things special for the fans, they’ve launched a limited-edition of the PlayStation 4 that holds a striking resemblance to the first-ever made console. With a grey coating and slightly retro-looking feel to it, only 12,300 units were built and made available with this occasion.

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Anne-Marie Jackson

Anna grew up on a steady diet of 20th century literature, science-fiction movies and Viking lore. Unsurprisingly she turned into a technology geek with an inclination for history & fantasy.