9 years ago, one console reset the balance of power in the video game industry

The PlayStation we know today owes a lot to one video game system, a console that shaped the future of video games forever.

In 2012, PlayStation looked a lot different than it does today. The brand is now known for its cinematic approach to storytelling, with mature IP that has resonated with tens of millions of fans. Sony doubled down on this strategy in 2013 and truly left its mark on the industry with its PlayStation 4 console, which celebrates its ninth birthday this year. Many of the brand’s most iconic franchises either began on PS4 or featured game-changing entries on the platform, solidifying PlayStation as a major force in the video game industry

[Orchard]

"solidifying PlayStation as a major force in the video game industry.
If not for the PS4, PlayStation might not be as successful today."

What a weird article. PS was already a major force and successful prior to the PS4.

But yes, the PS4 at launch was night and day with the Xbox One, mainly due to the DRM drama, resolution-gate and the Kinect/pricing mess.

[MrNinosan]

Not often I agree with anything you write, but I fully agree.
Both the PS3 and X360 was the big leap, and the cinematic storytelling from Sony came already with Uncharted, Last of Us, (Heavenly Sword) etc.

[senorfartcushion]

The PS3 sold more than the Xbox 360 too.

And the title to this article just reminds me of the movie, Black Adam, which sucks from what I’ve heard. I’m mad that the article is now making me think of it tbh.

[KeeseToast]

"The PS3 sold more than the Xbox 360 too."
I still think Xbox 360 was more successful in terms of revenue generated. PS3 lost a lot of money on every unit sold at the beginning. Multi-Plat games sold a lot better on 360 most of the time and online gaming already cost money on Xbox 360.

[ChasterMies]

Indeed. The PS4 was not so much great as the Xbox One sucked.

[shinoff2183]

Ps4 was a great system.between aaa games and indies. Man indies brought it hard. I loved alot of indies I played and aaa games.

I'd rank ps systems ps1 ps2 ps4 ps3

Ps5 the verdict is still out but I feel it'll be up there between ps2 and ps4. Ps3 was good but that generation kinda blew. There were way ways to many fps and military ones at that. Eh

[Crows90]

Well the PS4 was great on its own especially if you consider that it has games like God of war ragnarok on it.

[darthv72]

The real success of the 4 has to do with switching from custom architecture to something more industry standard (x86 based).

No doubt the trials and tribulations of the PS3 lead Cerny to convince the powers that be to come at the 4 from a different angle. One that lead to ease of development. Making it approachable (even to indies) is what was needed.

[Eonjay]

While it was helpful to make more developer friendly hardware and SDKs the real key to their growth was it's games. They saw that their was a real market for high quality experiences and they dedicated themselves to premium content. It's probably the case that switching to x86 allowed them to deliver that content faster.

[S2Killinit]

Exactly

[ApocalypseShadow]

It's the culmination of many things:

Believing that change creates opportunity like with Mark Cerny building on what PlayStation is about. And that's providing some of the best games and experiences in the industry. Doubling down on what they do best against the narrative that single player games no longer matter. Going against the idea that you need to monitize the shit out of your games when high quality and respect for your work is more important than profits. Because that same respect can get you those profits you seek when you create high quality.

Working together with their teams in sharing technology and knowledge that will elevate the content produced. Taking the time and effort to build and improve game engines that will have the desired effect of award winning games and game of the year nominations.

Allowing their developers some room to try new things and create new IPs. Or even change the style of their current franchises for their own benefit. And not just coast on the same tired franchises that become relics. Taking risks like with VR when others have more money than them to do these same things. But can't seem to lift a finger unless it's to write out the next line in a checkbook.

PS4 is the coming together of Sony to keep the tradition alive of an outstanding console married to some of the most memorable games you'll ever play. Yeah. I drank the Kool aid and am proud of it. Because once traditions are removed, things will never be the same. And you'll regret what comes next for shunning what currently works and is best for gamers.

[derek]

It was mid-ps3 generation when Sony started to really invest in their own 1st party games, learning that they could no longer rely on 3rd party exclusives to carry them like with the ps2. Alot of the games like final fantasy were now multiplatform, appearing on the 360 and in alot instances running better.

[gold_drake]

Playstation was already quite popular and always successful.

not sure what this article is on about

[HeliosHex]

I don't know if I could give credit solely to ps4. Name brand recognition and trust was established with ps1, ps2 solidified sonys credibility in the market. Although ps3 was a flop it was an amazing achievement in its own right with the inclusion of an actual ps2 architecture inside for BC and the move to blue ray. Ps4 kind of steadied the ship that veered off with ps3. Because of this vast history Sony has become synonymous with quality product always pushing new boundaries with tech despite a few hiccups along the way. There cannot be no doubt Sony is well respected and beloved in the gaming community much like Nintendo is.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Sony had the recognition and respect from their earlier consoles. But that was being tore down from an advertising and media blitz to destroy that recognition. Backed by swag bag paid journalists and websites looking for advertising dollars. Putting out misleading comparison videos to make it seem that all PS3 games were washed out. And a base that went out of their way to be as negative as possible.

Since that other console launched first, there was this nasty air about the industry compared to before that had all games being enjoyed and respected from all corners of the globe. When their competitor launched first, Japanese games were being shunned and called "hentai games." Also, Japanese games were being westernized to a base that was negative towards those very games. RPGs turned into action games. Single player games were called "one and done" because they weren't online. Or "movie games" because of story driven narratives. Or "walking simulators." While those other gamers thought nothing other than tea bagging in each other in shooter after shooter after shooter. I didn't even recognize the industry and decided to pick a side. The side of traditional gaming.

That's why I was happy that Sony whooped Microsoft's ass with the PS4 because it righted the industry again where Japanese games were quirky and Japanese. RPGs were okay again. Single player was award winning and it was okay that all types of games from puzzle to fighting to adventure were okay again. Leaving that same fan base that shunned Japanese games to go beg and complain that they weren't getting Japanese games where the CEO had to keep flying to Japan to beg and pull out his checkbook to get those games.

So as the article kind of states, PS4 brought balance back to the industry where effort was rewarded by sales or awards over delays, promises and under delivering that lasted a decade.

[shinoff2183]

Yo that's so well thought out and on point. Shadow. APlus

[shinoff2183]

I wouldn't call 86 mill sold a flop. The wii u yea but not ps3.

[HeliosHex]

@shin. Oh absolutely. But according to Sony it wasn't their best selling console.
They had alot of problems that hurt sales like the price point and reports of yellow light of death.etc. I still have my ps3 I love it. It took time but ps3 has a cult following much like the failed vita.

[Immagaiden]

The console war’s structure had already begun to change by 2012

- Nintendo was struggling with dramatically dwindling Wii sales and the Wii U that launched later that year underperformed

- Microsoft massively scaled back exclusive support for Xbox 360 to focus on their next generation console

- Sony’s PS3 was the best selling console as it continued to receive the most first and third party support at the time

PS4 was continuing a foundation that had already been laid out just like PS2 did prior and PS5 did later.

[goldwyncq]

On the topic of cinematic games, I wish Sony would take more risk and not heavily rely on such games moving forward. We need more studios like Media Molecule and Japan Studio who prioritize innovative gameplay experiences above all else.

[DaniMacYo]

PlayStation has been king of console gaming the moment it was launched. PS4 just reminded everyone why it was the best console gaming brand in the market.

[Abear21]

Author is 20 years old. Metal Gear on PS1 established Sony as the gaming company to beat. That was 1998.

[shinoff2183]

Most of sonys iconic franchises started well before that young lad. Author gotta be about 12.

What. Also Playstation has been a force since ps1 dude.