Sony has been riding high for quite some time. It's fair to say, with the massive sales of the PlayStation 4, that the company is heading into the next generation in polished form, but pretty much everything surrounding the upcoming PS5 console is still shrouded in mystery. As the Nintendo Switch sells like hotcakes and Microsoft prepares to go to war once again through its Xbox One Series X, speculation has been rife as to what Sony has set up for the PlayStation 5. To give us an idea of What Sony has planned for its next-gen hardware, and when the official unveiling might take place, we look back on every PlayStation console release. Whatever the horizon, one thing is certain: "Don't underestimate the power of the PlayStation."
PlayStation
PlayStation (Image credit: Sony) Release date: December 3, 1994 Sales: 102,49 million Sony made its debut in the video game space after breaking away from Nintendo in a joint venture called Play Station, when the latter signed a last-minute deal to partner with Philips. However, Nintendo had unknowingly created one of its biggest rivals in the form of Sony and (and future CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment) Ken Kutaragi continued to work on his own PlayStation console, proving that Kutaragi was essential in unique console design. Opting for a CD-ROM drive instead of cartridges helped separate the model from the competition and paved the way for all future Sony systems. Sony's first major conference took the form of a keynote address at the first Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in 1995, when the company formulated its final plans ahead of its North American launch. After the Sega Saturn's asking price was €399, Sony Interactive Entertainment president Steve Race took the stage to say the one word "€299", before promptly leaving. And just like that, the first moment of dropping the microphone to start the console's gunfire was launched, changing history forever.
Playstation 2
PlayStation 2 (Image credit: Deni Williams / Shutterstock.com) Release date: March 4, 2000 Sales: 155 million After the PlayStation's 100 million-plus sales, Sony was in good shape for its successor. Announced on March 1, 1999, with various parts selected for the in-camera product poster at E3 1999, it was only at the Tokyo Game Show in September of the same year that the PlayStation 2 was revealed in its entirety by the then CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, Ken Kutaragi. With backwards compatibility, a DVD player, Internet connectivity, and an unexpected upright position, the PlayStation 2 wowed entrants. In addition, Sony first introduced the DualShock 2 controller, an 8MB memory card, and a multitude of titles, including Dark Cloud, A-Train, Tekken Tag Tournament, Gran Turismo 3, and Eternal Ring.
Playstation 3
PlayStation 3 (Image credit: pisaphotography / Shutterstock.com) Release date: November 11, 2006 Sales: 155 million 2005 was a strange time in gaming. While the Xbox 360 was announced via an MTV Special (with a Killers concert midway through), Sony returned to E3 yet again for a bizarre PlayStation 3 showcase focused on "target renderings," a Batarang-shaped Sixaxis controller, a literal rubber duck demo (led by Google Stadia VP Phil Harrison), and several ambitious promises that never materialized. The bizarre E3 showcase was unveiled by Sony president and co-CEO Kazuo "Kaz" Hirai on May 16, 2005. Although the PlayStation 3 release date is still on the horizon over a year ago, games like Killzone 2, MotorStorm and Fight Night Round 4 came together. It was only during E3 that the infamous €599 price tag was revealed along with the notorious “Ridddddge Racer” and “Giant Enemy Crab” sound clips. The release of the PlayStation 3 is still something that haunts Sony to this day.
Playstation 4
PlayStation 4 (Image credit: TechRadar) Release date: November 15, 2013 Sales: 106 million (and more) Departing from E3 for the first time, the Sony PlayStation 4 announcement has been broadcast live around the world since the first PlayStation Meeting event in New York on February 20, 2013, with SIE President and CEO Andrew House leading the show. However, it was PS4 architect Mark Cerny who lifted the lid on a number of technical specifications, features, and the DualShock 4 controller. For more than two hours, the busy night saw Ubisoft, Square Enix, Activision, Capcom, and Blizzard come together. to show your support for the new model, not to mention Sony's studio range. Many games were also given on stage, including Knack, The Witness, Watch Dogs, and Killzone Shadow Fall. Sony then returned to E3 in June of the same year to launch the actual look of the PlayStation 4, as well as its more accommodating pricing structure.
PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 (Image credit: Sony) Release date: Late 2020 Sales: TBD Seven years after the launch of the PS4 and Sony is poised to launch the PlayStation 5 in late 2020. Mark Cerny once again is commissioned to design the new device, but a revealing event has yet to be confirmed. - then we have & # 39; & # 39; We're still in the dark on key aspects of the next-gen console. With Sony skipping E3 for the second year in a row, it seems likely that most of the details will be revealed in the near future. But it seems that Sony is doing things on its own terms this time around. Various leaks have suggested that the PS5 reveal will take place in the coming weeks, most likely in February or March. But, without an official mention of an event from Sony, it's worth considering that the company may choose to ignore a live event entirely and enjoy its Nintendo Direct-style gameplay status videos - streaming a reveal instead of put up a window Regardless, the PlayStation 5 reveal should shed light on details like design, specs, and price. In terms of gaming, the sequels to Sony Horizon exclusives: Zero Dawn, Spider-Man, and God of War should all be teased one way or another, in addition to third-party support. Will we see the new Rocksteady game? Naughty Dog's next project? Knack 3? The possibilities are endless and we can't wait to find out.
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