History of PlayStation in Timeline
PlayStation is a video game brand owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE). It includes home consoles, handhelds, online services, and media. PlayStation is a flagship product of Sony and significantly contributes to the gaming industry.
June 1992: Meeting held to decide the fate of the PlayStation project
In June 1992, a meeting was held to decide the fate of the PlayStation project, where Kutaragi unveiled a proprietary CD-ROM-based system, leading to Sony's decision to retain the project despite internal opposition.
November 16, 1993: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) formed
On November 16, 1993, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) was formed by Kutaragi, Maruyama, and Sato, with a partnership with Sony Music to attract talent and assist in disc production.
1993: PlayStation project gets green light and Phil Harrison recruited
In 1993, the PlayStation project was officially approved by Sony executives, and Phil Harrison was recruited to attract developers to the new PlayStation platform.
December 3, 1994: Original PlayStation released in Japan
On December 3, 1994, the original PlayStation was released in Japan, marking the start of the PlayStation console series.
December 1994: PlayStation hits Japanese stores
In December 1994, the PlayStation was released in Japanese stores and gained massive sales due to its lower price point compared to the Sega Saturn.
1994: Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) founded
In 1994, Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) was founded as a parent company of Sony Interactive Entertainment based in New York.
1994: First PlayStation home console released in Japan
In 1994, the first PlayStation home console was released in Japan, marking the beginning of the PlayStation brand.
1997: Launch of PlayStation Underground Magazine
In Spring 1997, Sony Computer Entertainment America launched PlayStation Underground, a quarterly magazine that came with two PlayStation CDs containing game demos, interviews, cheats, and more.
1999: PlayStation sponsors AJ Auxerre
In 1999, PlayStation became the main kit sponsor of French Ligue 1 club AJ Auxerre.
July 7, 2000: PS One released concurrently with PlayStation 2
On July 7, 2000, the PS One was released concurrently with its successor, the PlayStation 2. The PS One was a smaller, redesigned version of the original PlayStation.
2000: PlayStation 2 released
In 2000, the PlayStation 2 was released, becoming part of the sixth generation of video game consoles and offering backwards-compatibility with original PlayStation games.
2001: PlayStation Underground discontinued
By 2001, Sony decided to discontinue PlayStation Underground to focus on the JamPacks with the release of the PlayStation 2.
2002: Release of Linux Kit for PlayStation 2
In 2002, Sony released the first fully functioning operating system for a video game console, with the Linux Kit for the PlayStation 2. It included an internal hard disk drive and software tools, transforming the PlayStation 2 into a computer system running Linux, which can be connected to the internet and controlled via USB keyboard and mouse.
December 2003: PlayStation and PS one ship 102.49 million units combined
By December 2003, the original PlayStation and the PS one had shipped a combined total of 102.49 million units.
2004: PlayStation 2 Slimline released
In 2004, the PlayStation 2 Slimline, the first major redesign of the PlayStation 2, was released.
November 29, 2005: PS2 reaches 100 million units shipped
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.
2005: The Age Article on the PlayStation Brand
In 2005, The Age newspaper published an article featuring industry experts discussing the PlayStation brand, highlighting its impact on gaming and culture.
July 2006: Controversial Advertising Campaign in the Netherlands
In July 2006, an advertising campaign in the Netherlands, which compared Sony's new Ceramic White PSP and the original Piano Black PSP, drew criticism for being racist due to the depiction of a white model and a black model fighting each other. Sony maintained that the ad did not feature any racist message.
November 2006: Viral Marketing Campaign Controversy
In November 2006, Sony's American division was involved in a controversy when their viral marketing campaign website, 'All I want for Xmas is a PSP', was exposed as being a marketing ploy. Sony admitted that the idea was 'poorly executed'.
2007: PlayStation sponsorship of AJ Auxerre ends
In 2007, PlayStation's sponsorship of French Ligue 1 club AJ Auxerre ended.
2007: Shipping of lighter Slimline revision began
In 2007, Sony began shipping a revision of the PlayStation 2 Slimline that was lighter than the original Slimline, along with a lighter AC adapter.
2008: Overhauled internal design of Slimline released
In 2008, Sony released yet another revision of the PlayStation 2 Slimline featuring an overhauled internal design, incorporating the power supply into the console, resulting in a further reduction in total weight.
2008: Development on the PlayStation 4 began
In 2008, development on the PlayStation 4 began, with Mark Cerny as the lead system architect.
September 1, 2009: PlayStation 3 "slim" model released in North America and Europe
On September 1, 2009, the redesigned PlayStation 3 "slim" model was officially released in North America and Europe, offering a smaller, lighter, and more power-efficient console.
September 3, 2009: PlayStation 3 "slim" model released in Japan, Australia and New Zealand
On September 3, 2009, the redesigned PlayStation 3 "slim" model was officially released in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
2009: PlayStation sponsors Olympique Lyonnais
In 2009, PlayStation became the main kit sponsor of French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais.
2009: PlayStation Ranked Among Top Social Brands
In 2009, ViTrue, Inc. ranked the PlayStation brand as number 13 on their 'The Vitrue 100: Top Social Brands of 2009,' based on social media presence.
2010: Gizmodo on PlayStation Brand
In 2010, Gizmodo highlighted the PlayStation brand as one of the last Sony products that truly stood apart from its competitors.
2010: PlayStation sponsorship of Olympique Lyonnais ends
In 2010, PlayStation's sponsorship of French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais ended.
2010: Removal of 'Other OS' feature on PS3
In 2010, a firmware update removed the ability to install a second operating system, such as Linux, on the PlayStation 3.
2011: Sony wanted to avoid launching the next-generation console behind the competition
In 2011, PlayStation Europe CEO Jim Ryan emphasized that Sony wanted to avoid launching the next-generation console behind the competition.
April 2012: PlayStation is 'most followed' brand on Facebook
As of April 2012, the PlayStation brand became the 'most followed' brand on Facebook, with over 22 million fans and followers.
December 28, 2012: PlayStation 2 shipments in Japan ended
On December 28, 2012, PlayStation 2 shipments in Japan officially ended.
2012: New "Super Slim" PlayStation 3 revealed
In 2012, Sony revealed a new "Super Slim" PlayStation 3, featuring a redesigned case with a sliding door for the disc drive.
January 4, 2013: PS2 production ended worldwide
On January 4, 2013, The Guardian reported that PS2 production had ended worldwide.
February 20, 2013: PlayStation 4 (PS4) announced by Sony Computer Entertainment
On February 20, 2013, Sony Computer Entertainment announced the PlayStation 4 (PS4) at a press conference, revealing hardware specifications and introducing the x86 architecture to the PlayStation series.
November 15, 2013: PlayStation 4 first released in North America
The PlayStation 4 was first released in North America on November 15, 2013.
November 2013: PlayStation 3 sold over 80 million consoles worldwide
As of November 2013, the PlayStation 3 had sold over 80 million consoles worldwide.
July 2014: PlayStation unit sales
In July 2014, Sony announced that the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita had collectively sold a total of 100 million units.
2015: PlayStation is the strongest selling console brand worldwide
As of 2015, PlayStation is the strongest selling console brand worldwide.
2015: PlayStation 2 ranked as the best selling console of all time
As of 2015, the PlayStation 2 has been ranked as the best selling console of all time.
2015: Launch of PlayStation Gear
In 2015, Sony launched PlayStation Gear, an online store for PlayStation merchandise and apparel.
2016: PlayStation sponsors Fiesta Bowl
In 2016, PlayStation became the sponsor of the Fiesta Bowl.
December 2019: PlayStation Network has over 103 million active users monthly
As of December 2019, the PlayStation Network had over 103 million active users monthly.
2020: PlayStation 5 released
In 2020, the PlayStation 5, the most recent console in the PlayStation line, was released.
2022: PlayStation sponsorship of Fiesta Bowl ends
In 2022, PlayStation's sponsorship of the Fiesta Bowl ended.
2022: Plans to release subscription service Spartacus
In 2022, Sony planned to release a multi-tiered subscription service (code-named Spartacus) in the second quarter, incorporating PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Now, and access to PlayStation 1, 2, and 3 games for the most expensive tier.
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