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'''PlayStation''' is a series of video game consoles created and developed by [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]], a division of [[Sony Corporation]]. The series includes the original PlayStation, the [[PlayStation 2]], the [[PlayStation 3]], the [[PlayStation 4]], the [[PlayStation 5]], and the handheld [[PlayStation Portable (PSP)]] and [[PlayStation Vita (PS Vita)]]. |
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'''PlayStation''' is a video game brand owned by [[Sony_Interactive_Entertainment]]. It includes home consoles, handheld consoles, online services, controllers, accessories, first-party studios and related entertainment projects. |
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== PlayStation History == |
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The original PlayStation was first released on December 3, 1994, in [[Japan]], and on September 9, 1995, in [[North America]] and [[Europe]]. It was the first console in the PlayStation series and was a significant success, selling over 100 million units worldwide. The PlayStation 2, released in 2000, was even more successful, becoming the best-selling console of all time with over 155 million units sold. The PlayStation 3, released in 2006, introduced features such as Blu-ray Disc support and online multiplayer gaming through the PlayStation Network. The PlayStation 4, released in 2013, continued to build on these features and introduced new ones, such as Remote Play and Share Play. The PlayStation 5, released in 2020, is the latest console in the series and features significant upgrades in performance and graphics capabilities. |
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The original PlayStation launched in Japan on 3 December 1994, then in North America and Europe in September 1995. The brand became one of the defining console platforms of the late 1990s and has continued through later generations including [[PlayStation_2]], [[PlayStation_3]], PlayStation 4 and [[PlayStation_5]]. |
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== PlayStation Consoles == |
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== Origins == |
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Sony Computer Entertainment was established in 1993 as a joint venture between Sony Corporation and Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The first PlayStation launched in Japan in December 1994. |
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# PlayStation: The original PlayStation, also known as the PS1, was a 32-bit home video game console. |
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# PlayStation 2 (PS2): The PlayStation 2 was a 128-bit console that introduced a variety of features, including DVD playback and USB support. |
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# PlayStation 3 (PS3): The PlayStation 3 was the first console to feature a Blu-ray Disc player and introduced the PlayStation Network for online gaming and digital distribution of games and media. |
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# PlayStation 4 (PS4): The PlayStation 4 introduced Remote Play and Share Play, allowing players to stream their games to other devices and share their games with friends. |
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# PlayStation 5 (PS5): The PlayStation 5 is the latest console in the series and features significant upgrades in performance and graphics capabilities. |
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The console used CD-ROMs rather than cartridges, which gave developers more storage and helped shape the look and sound of late 1990s console games. PlayStation's history page states that the original console sold more than 102 million units worldwide between 1994 and 2006. |
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== PlayStation Handheld Consoles == |
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== Home Consoles == |
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The main PlayStation home consoles are: |
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# PlayStation Portable (PSP): The PlayStation Portable was a handheld console that featured a wide range of games and multimedia capabilities. |
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# PlayStation Vita (PS Vita): The PlayStation Vita was the successor to the PlayStation Portable and featured improved graphics and a touchscreen interface. |
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* '''PlayStation''': the original 32-bit console, launched in Japan in 1994. |
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* '''PlayStation 2''': launched in 2000 and became Sony's best-selling console. |
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* '''PlayStation 3''': introduced Blu-ray support and expanded online services. |
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* '''PlayStation 4''': focused on social sharing, digital services and a large software library. |
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* '''PlayStation 5''': launched in 2020 with solid-state storage, a new controller and stronger support for high-resolution games. |
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== PlayStation Games == |
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The PlayStation series has a wide range of games, including exclusive titles such as the "Uncharted" and "God of War" series, as well as popular third-party titles such as "Call of Duty" and "Grand Theft Auto." The PlayStation Network also offers a variety of downloadable games and content. |
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The consoles differ in hardware, media format, controller design and online features, but they share the same consumer brand. |
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== PlayStation Network == |
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The PlayStation Network (PSN) is an online service provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment that allows players to connect and play games online, download games and media, and access other services such as PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now. |
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== Handheld and Related Hardware == |
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Sony also released the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita. Both were handheld systems with their own games and multimedia features. The PlayStation Portal, released later, is a remote-play device rather than a standalone handheld console. |
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== PlayStation Plus == |
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PlayStation Plus is a subscription service that offers online multiplayer gaming, free games each month, and exclusive discounts on games and content. |
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Other PlayStation hardware includes PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2, DualShock and DualSense controllers, cameras, headsets and other accessories. |
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== PlayStation Now == |
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PlayStation Now is a cloud gaming subscription service that allows players to stream games from a library of over 800 titles to their PlayStation console or PC. |
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== Services == |
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PlayStation Network is the online account and network service used for multiplayer, digital purchases, messaging and account features. PlayStation Store is the digital storefront. |
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PlayStation Plus is Sony's subscription service. It now covers online multiplayer for many paid games and offers game catalogues, discounts and cloud features depending on tier and region. The older PlayStation Now cloud gaming service was folded into the revised PlayStation Plus structure in 2022. |
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== Games and Studios == |
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PlayStation is associated with first-party and third-party games. Sony-owned or Sony-published franchises include Gran Turismo, God of War, Uncharted, The Last of Us, Horizon, Ratchet & Clank and Ghost of Tsushima. |
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Third-party games have also been central to the brand, including Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Grand Theft Auto, FIFA, Call of Duty and many independent titles. |
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== Cultural Impact == |
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PlayStation helped move console gaming towards 3D graphics, optical discs, cinematic presentation and adult-oriented marketing. Later generations expanded online multiplayer, digital stores, trophies, streaming, subscriptions and virtual reality. |
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The brand is also part of wider media through PlayStation Productions and adaptations of PlayStation properties for television and film. |
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== See Also == |
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* [[Sony_Interactive_Entertainment]] |
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* [[PlayStation_2]] |
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* [[PlayStation_3]] |
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* [[Grand_Theft_Auto_V]] |
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* [[Resident_Evil_4]] |
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== References == |
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* [https://www.playstation.com/en-us/playstation-history/1994-ps-one/ PlayStation: 1994 history] |
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* [https://sonyinteractive.com/en/our-company/expanded-company-timeline/ Sony Interactive Entertainment: Expanded company timeline] |
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* [https://sonyinteractive.com/en/our-company/business-data-sales/ Sony Interactive Entertainment: Business data and sales] |
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* [https://www.playstation.com/en-us/corporate/about-us/ PlayStation: About Sony Interactive Entertainment] |
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* [https://sonyinteractive.com/en/our-company/ Sony Interactive Entertainment: Our company] |
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[[Category:Video games]] |
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[[Category:PlayStation]] |
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[[Category:Sony]] |