30 Years of PlayStation: A Gaming Revolution

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It has been 30 years since Sony's home gaming console, PlayStation (PS), was released on December 3, 1994. Over the course of its history, from the original model to the current PS5, the PlayStation evolved significantly. 

Initially treated as a toy, it became an entertainment system that adults can enjoy, thanks to performance upgrades and integration with the internet. However, at first, there was considerable skepticism in the gaming industry about whether the emerging PS could succeed.

According to the gaming media Famitsu, seven of the top 10 best-selling titles across all PlayStation consoles come from the Final Fantasy (FF) and Dragon Quest series. This highlights that PlayStation's success in capturing a significant market share can be attributed to its acquisition of these iconic franchises. Both series had previously been exclusive to Nintendo consoles.

Humble Origins

Ken Kutaragi is the former Sony Vice President. He was also the driving force behind the development of the original PlayStation through to the PS3. Before the launch of the first PS, he was told to give up and that it was bound to fail. 

In his keynote speech at the Tokyo Game Show this September, Kutaragi revealed that in 1993, he pitched the console to almost 100 game companies. Most responded with skepticism or indifference as Kutaragi discussed his vision for the PS. "Even within Sony, no one thought it would succeed," he recalled.

However, Kutaragi's belief never wavered. "Technology evolves at an incredible pace over 20 to 30 years," he emphasized. “I had a deep passion to lead that transformation with my team."

Leveraging 3D Animation and CD-ROMs

At the time, industry insiders struggled to see a bright future for gaming. However, the breakthrough came with the PS's high graphical performance, which could render 3D images and use CD-ROMs. These innovations offered significantly larger storage capacity for games. During a pre-launch technical briefing, the room fell silent as attendees watched a 3D dinosaur walking and roaring on screen.

Kutaragi and his team were initially discouraged, wondering if the presentation had failed to impress. They later learned, however, that the attendees had been so shocked by the high quality of the visuals that they were left speechless. "From the next day on, the phone kept ringing nonstop," Kutaragi reveals.

In December 1994, after hosting a pre-launch party for invited guests the night before the release, Kutaragi saw something remarkable. Outside a retail store in Akihabara, Tokyo, a long line had formed despite the freezing cold. "I was truly moved," he recalled. "It felt like a rock concert was about to begin!"

Towards Movie-like Games

A year and two months after the release of the PlayStation in February 1996, a major shockwave hit the gaming industry. Square announced it had partnered with a Sony subsidiary to release Final Fantasy VII for the PS. 

Final Fantasy is a popular series in the role-playing game genre in which the protagonist grows over time. It is as well-known as Dragon Quest. From the first installment in 1987 through Final Fantasy VI, the series had been exclusively available on Nintendo's gaming consoles.

Why did Square make the shocking decision to switch platforms? Some have pointed to a shift in the relationship between Square and Nintendo. In a market dominated by Nintendo's influence over software distribution, Square began exploring new methods, such as selling through convenience stores. 

However, the real turning point appears to have been the PlayStation’s impressive performance, a reflection of Kutaragi's relentless commitment. “We want to create games that feel like movies." According to a contemporary industry insider, a PS executive wanted to make movie-like games. This executive apparently had Final Fantasy in my mind.

Released in January 1997, Final Fantasy VII opens with a scene where a powerful corporation siphons energy from a planet. Meanwhile, a group of rebels plots a bombing operation to oppose its actions. Its unique blend of science fiction and fantasy, paired with cinematic storytelling, earned widespread acclaim and became a massive hit.

A PlayStation Classic

While it is now common for a single game to be released across various platforms, it was once the norm for games to be exclusive to a single console. As a result, the performance of a console's top titles directly impacted its sales. Enix's Dragon Quest, which had previously been released exclusively for Nintendo consoles, was launched for the PlayStation with Dragon Quest VII: Warriors of Eden, released in 2000. In 2003, Square and Enix merged, resulting in the formation of Square Enix.

Final Fantasy VII, considered one of the series' masterpieces, still has a large fanbase. In June 2015, when a teaser for the remake was shown at an event in Los Angeles, the venue erupted in applause.

Evolution Through Cutting-Edge Integration

Tadashi Miyokawa, the editor-in-chief of Famitsu, pointed out, "The adoption of CD-ROM in the original PS was significant. Compared to the previous ROM cartridges, it allowed for larger storage, which enriched the content of games." Miyokawa added that it reduced costs for manufacturers, and production became more flexible, leading to the release of FF7 on the PS.

He also noted, "The PS2 introduced DVD, and the PS3 brought in Blu-ray and network capabilities. Sony’s integration of innovative technology into its consoles greatly expanded the potential of the PS."

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Author: Kanji Takahashi

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