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- December 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the original PlayStation.
- The revolutionary console and its lineup undeniably impacted the gaming industry.
- Sony’s recent blockbuster AAAs have stagnated; it’s no longer the genre-defining titan it once was.
Game consoles, with their consistent evolution and exciting rivalry, made watching video games as a medium flourish all the more worth it and shaped today what you and I enjoy the most. It’s important never to forget the past, and I think you’ll agree that Sony’s PlayStation was integral in making this journey unforgettable.
Among the lead players of today, one who survived the test of time for 30 years and continues to go strong still, PlayStation’s undeniable legacy speaks for itself. Whatever you and I may feel about the current state of Sony’s console, it was certainly a pioneer in the olden times.
Why it matters: Sony’s PlayStation has completed 30 legendary years, which is all the more reason to point out the dwindling innovation in Sony’s games today.
30 Years Of PlayStation
30 years ago, in December of 1994, Sony officially entered the video game domain with the legendary PlayStation. After a failed joint venture with Nintendo for their SNES and the extreme humiliation after Nintendo’s “betrayal,” Ken Kutaragi, the father of PlayStation, pushed the console’s creation against impossible odds.
Sony’s higher-ups, who considered game consoles a “toy,” were left in awe when the PlayStation became a global sensation. With its revolutionary CD-based design and focus on 3D polygon-based visuals rather than the prevalent 2D sprites, PS1 landed with a bang.
PS1 appreciation cause why not 💕
byu/retroanduwu24 inretrogaming
Since Sony was practically an amateur when it came to gaming, it had to bring in a lot of outside help to make PlayStation and its solid lineup a reality, and I’m glad it did and not abandoned it, because that one radical idea led to years of rich history, innovation, and millions of gamers having the time of their life.
PlayStation, An Unforgettable Gaming Experience
PlayStation was such a resounding success that suddenly even the opposers became pro-gaming. Sony went into the PS2 with a renewed spirit, determined to keep the winning streak going, and when this legendary piece of hardware surpassed all expectations, the PlayStation brand reached its peak.
PlayStation consoles featured impressive hardware features for their time, but a console is always as good as its games, and this is where PlayStation overshadowed its competitors the most.
The PS1’s legendary lineup started what would become Titans later. Gran Turismo, Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, and Tekken—the original PlayStation enabled these now-gigantic franchises. And don’t even get me started on the PS2, the very embodiment of redefining what’s possible.
Every subsequent PlayStation was more or less the same. Though the PS2 perfected genre-defining and reality-defying titles, PlayStation has consistently been home to some of the most influential exclusives, which essentially established its overwhelming renown.
The Magic Of Innovation Is Lost Today
PlayStation’s 30th Anniversary is a cause for celebration, yes, but it’s also a grim reminder of just how much the legendary platform has changed for the worse. What was once the pioneer in pushing video gaming as a medium forward is now filled with monotonous cinematic AAAs and remasters of 4-5-year-old games.
I’ve been a diehard fan of the platform since the original PlayStation, and I’ve religiously followed it, which makes it all the more hurtful to see the PlayStation of today. Where has that magic of the PS2 and its awe-inspiring titles gone? Do only photorealistic visuals and cinematics matter for gaming today?
The evolution of video game visuals has been explosive in the past few years, and Sony is at the core of it. Games on the PS5 are a visual marvel, but are they innovative and imaginative like they were back in the day? Not at all. Cinematic “movie” games and monotonous blockbuster AAAs with monstrous budgets are the norm.
I miss when Sony used to make games instead of cinematic pseudo-films.
byu/Luke_IAmYourDaddy ingravityrush
Self-Reflection Is Necessary
In a nutshell, Sony and PlayStation have provided gaming with an enormous deal of service in 30 years, and I hope they continue to do so for time immemorial, but I think you’ll agree that some change is required. Some of Sony’s current policies are pretty ridiculous.
Most of all, the creativity and risky experimentation in gaming need to return, and the monotonous cinematic formula and impossibly large development times need to go away. Sony has proven itself capable of bringing back the old times with Astro Bot, an undeniable marvel.
Congratulations on 30 amazing years, Sony. As a diehard fan, I wish to see more Astro Bot and less movie games from now on.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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