PlayStation Regeneration And Sales Are Not Always Good

PlayStation (PlayStation blog)

JAKARTA - It has been 25 years, the game console made by Sony Interactive Entertainment has appeared in the lives of gamers. The presence of the PlayStation has become a dream console that continues to be in demand today.

The PlayStation is the console that has the most massive influence in the gaming industry. If you step back a little, PlayStation is actually a form of collaboration game console between Sony and Nintendo. At that time Sony was still working with Nintendo to develop a CD-ROM drive to be added to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) console.

As the first gaming device to adopt the CD-ROM and replace the cartidge, it certainly immediately attracted the attention of many gamers. However, this concept did not receive approval from Nintendo and resulted in the cancellation of the cooperation contract. That's what made Sony choose to develop its own console with the CD-ROM concept on the PlayStation.

Until finally, the first generation PlayStation was released on December 3, 1994. PlayStation even became the first game console to reach sales of 1 million units throughout Japan.

Even though it has been present in Japan since 1994, PlayStation has just opened itself overseas to be precise on September 9, 1995 in the North American region. Following then 29 September 1996 in Europe.

PS1 is the abbreviation pinned to the Sony game console. Providing better graphics and more features, PlayStation has succeeded in attracting many game developers to develop their games, call it familiar ones like Crash Bandicoot, simulation games to become a farmer, Harvest Moon, Final Fantasy, Pepsiman, and many more.

Not only that, PlayStation provides a new experience in playing video games. The controller is different than others. Apart from using the d-pad type, the PlayStation also issued a dual analog controller equipped with a vibrating effect, so that players feel very close to the game.

Until now, there have been four generations of PlayStation consoles launched by Sony. And you could say, this tool has become a cross-generational game console that still survives and is still popular with many people.

PS2

Success with its initial generation, Sony then released the PlayStation 2 (PS2) market in March 2000. The increased graphics that are served and the abundance of game choices are the strengths of the PS2 to dominate the market.

The Grand Theft Auto series and Metal Gear Solid 2 were for some time exclusive games on the PS2. In 2004, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was launched which had become the best-selling game that year.

Along the journey of the second generation of PlayStation, it was recorded that in 2011 there were 10,828 video game titles available for the PS2. In November 2005, the PS2 became a game console that reached sales of 100 million units in the fastest time, namely 5 years and 9 months.

Sales of PS2 games are also very high, reaching 1.52 billion game titles. Until his retirement in early 2013, the PlayStation 2 was still in great demand and was still widely played.

PS3

The appearance of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) in 2006 could not be separated from innovation. Unfortunately, in terms of sales, the PS3 is not very encouraging.

Apart from offering better graphics quality than the previous generation, PS3 is the first console to use Blu-ray Disc as a gaming medium. In addition, this console is the first to be equipped with PlayStation Network services and also connectivity to connect with other PlayStation devices, such as the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PlayStation Vita.

The provision of the latest PS3 features this time did not follow the sales success of the previous generation of PS. Even the CEO of Sony Corporation at that time, namely Howard Stringer, could not convince investors that this console device would sell well.

In the 8 years to 2013, Sony was only able to sell 80 million PS3 units globally, as reported by Engadget. Many factors make PS3 sales not as popular as its predecessor.

The biggest factor is because of the increasingly strong competitors. PS3's biggest rival at that time was the Nintendi Wii, which looked stunning with its unique gameplay from its motion sensor. In addition, the PS3 price is also considered quite high compared to its competitors.

PS 4

PlayStation 4 (PS4) was released in 2013. The launch of this latest generation of PlayStation also brings updates. Apart from improved graphics, one of the special features of the PS4 is the controller features.

As reported by techinasia.com, at first glance the DualShock 4 (as the PS4 controller is called) looks similar to the previous version of the controller. However, when we review it again, it turns out that there are differences.

For example, the share button. With the rise of online gaming, Sony did not waste this opportunity. On the PS4 players can save game sessions such as screenshots, or even live broadcasting of game sessions conducted using Twitch. And of course "showing off" on the social media they have.

In addition there is also a Touchpad that adds variety to how gamers play the game. With this, Sony gives gamers the opportunity to play like playing a touch screen device, without having to rub the TV screen for sure.

In addition, this controller also provides plugs for earphones. This makes it easy for players to hear the roar of the music in the game clearly and personally. This is a simple innovation but very useful.

For the sales figures. PS4 is better than PS 3. In the latest records until July 30, 2019, Sony has recorded PS4 sales figures of 100 million units, as quoted by the Verge.

However, according to Daniel Ahmad Senior Analyst from Niko Partners, PS4 sales are not as fast as PS 2. PS4 reached 100 million in sales after 5 years, 7 months, and less than 3 years to get past 50 million sales.

Meanwhile, Sony looks set to launch their latest generation PlayStation 5 (PS5) at the end of 2020. Sony promises that the PS5 will support 8K graphics, 3D audio, SSD storage.

There are two key innovations to the PS5 controller. Namely haptic technology and adaptive trigger. These two features are an increase in quality standards for a more realistic gaming experience.