Editing PlayStation (console) (section)

===Launch===
[[File:Sony Computer Entertainment Logo.png|thumb|right|200px|Sony Computer Entertainment logo used on PlayStation startup screen]]
Sony released the PlayStation in Japan on 3 December 1994, a week after the release of the [[Sega Saturn]], at a price of {{¥|39,800|link=yes}}.{{sfn|McFerran|2015|p=12}}{{sfn|Leigh|2018|p=190}} Sales in Japan began with a "stunning"<ref name=father/> success with long queues in shops.<ref name=ignhistory/> Ohga later recalled that he realised how important PlayStation had become for Sony when friends and relatives begged for consoles for their children.<ref name="maher20231208">{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Jimmy |date=2023-12-08 |title=Putting the "J" in the RPG, Part 2: PlayStation for the Win The Digital Antiquarian |url=https://www.filfre.net/2023/12/putting-the-j-in-the-rpg-part-2-playstation-for-the-win/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=The Digital Antiquarian |language=en-US}}</ref> PlayStation sold 100,000 units on the first day{{sfn|McFerran|2015|p=25}} and two million units within six months,{{sfn|Skaggs|1995|p=138}} although the Saturn outsold the PlayStation in the first few weeks due to the success of ''Virtua Fighter''.{{sfn|McFerran|2015|p=12}}{{sfn|Kent|2001|p=502}} By the end of 1994, 300,000 PlayStation units were sold in Japan compared to 500,000 Saturn units.{{sfn|Edge staff|1995a|pp=10–11}} A [[grey market]] emerged for PlayStations shipped from Japan to North America and Europe, with buyers of such consoles paying up to £700.{{sfn|McFerran|2015|p=25}}

{{Quote box
|quote = "When September 1995 arrived and Sony's Playstation roared out of the gate, things immediately felt different than {{sic}} they did with the Saturn launch earlier that year. Sega dropped the Saturn $100 to match the Playstation's $299 debut price, but sales weren't even close—Playstations flew out the door as fast as we could get them in stock.|source = —Lee Hutchinson of ''[[Ars Technica]]'', a [[Babbage's]] employee in 1995, recalling how PlayStation preorders greatly outnumbered Saturn sales at his shop.<ref name=hutchinson>{{cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Lee |date=13 January 2013 |title=How I launched 3 consoles (and found true love) at Babbage's store no. 9 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/01/how-i-launched-3-consoles-and-found-true-love-at-babbages-store-no-9/| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211001/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/01/how-i-launched-3-consoles-and-found-true-love-at-babbages-store-no-9/| archive-date=2021-10-01 |access-date=20 June 2020 |website=[[Ars Technica]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|location=[[New York City]]|language=en-us|url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>|width = 30em}}

Before the release in North America, Sega and Sony presented their consoles at the first [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] (E3) in Los Angeles on 11 May 1995. At their keynote presentation, Sega of America CEO [[Tom Kalinske]] revealed that their Saturn console would be released immediately to select retailers at a price of $399. Next came Sony's turn: [[Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson|Olaf Olafsson]], the head of SCEA, summoned Steve Race, the head of development, to the conference stage, who said "$299" and left the audience with a round of applause.{{sfn|McFerran|2015|p=28}}{{sfn|Harris|2014|p=545}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.syfygames.com/news/article/this-week-in-gaming-history-how-e3-1995-changed-gaming-forever|title=This Week in Gaming History: How E3 1995 changed gaming forever|author=Patterson, Patrick|website=[[Syfy Universal|Syfy Games]] |date=12 May 2015 |access-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225204734/http://www.syfygames.com/news/article/this-week-in-gaming-history-how-e3-1995-changed-gaming-forever|archive-date=25 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/14/sega-saturn-how-one-decision-destroyed-playstations-greatest-rival|title=Sega Saturn: how one decision destroyed PlayStation's greatest rival|first=Keith|last=Stuart|website=[[The Guardian]]|location=[[London]]|date=14 May 2015|language=en |access-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330025923/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/14/sega-saturn-how-one-decision-destroyed-playstations-greatest-rival|archive-date=30 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The attention to the Sony conference was further bolstered by the surprise appearance of [[Michael Jackson]] and the showcase of highly anticipated games, including ''[[Wipeout (video game)|Wipeout]]'' (1995), ''Ridge Racer'' and ''Tekken'' (1994).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Jeffrey L. |title=E3: 8 Jaw-Dropping Moments From Years Past |url=https://uk.pcmag.com/features/32971/e3-8-jaw-dropping-moments-from-years-past |website=PCMag UK |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502221425/https://uk.pcmag.com/features/32971/e3-8-jaw-dropping-moments-from-years-past |archive-date=2 May 2020 |location=[[Chicago]] |language=en-gb |date=7 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Colin |title=The story of the first E3 |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/6/7/18653968/e3-history-1995-sega-saturn-nintendo-64-playstation-launch |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727070309/https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/6/7/18653968/e3-history-1995-sega-saturn-nintendo-64-playstation-launch |archive-date=27 July 2020 |location=[[Washington D.C.]] |language=en |date=7 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Totilo |first1=Stephen |title=Industry Figures Share Michael Jackson Memories, From E3 To Neverland |url=https://kotaku.com/industry-figures-share-michael-jackson-memories-from-e-5302983 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Univision Communications]]|url-status=live|access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916090315/https://kotaku.com/industry-figures-share-michael-jackson-memories-from-e-5302983 |archive-date=16 September 2019 |location=[[Los Angeles]] |language=en-us |date=26 June 2009}}</ref> In addition, Sony announced that no games would be [[pack-in game|bundled]] with the console.<ref name=ignhistory/>{{sfn|Mewatt|1995|p=16}}

Although the Saturn had released early in the United States to gain an advantage over the PlayStation,{{sfn|Harris|2014|p=536}} the surprise launch upset many retailers who were not informed in time, harming sales.{{sfn|Campbell|1996|p=7}} Some retailers such as [[KB Toys]] responded by dropping the Saturn entirely.{{sfn|Kent|2001|p=516}} The PlayStation went on sale in North America on 9 September 1995. It sold more units within two days than the Saturn had in five months, with almost all of the initial shipment of 100,000 units sold in advance and shops across the country running out of consoles and accessories.<ref name=ignhistory/> The well-received ''Ridge Racer'' contributed to the PlayStation's early success,{{sfn|Kent|2001|p=502}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Parkin |first=Simon |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/a-history-of-videogame-hardware-sony-playstation/ |title=A History of Videogame Hardware: Sony PlayStation |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] |date=19 June 2014 |access-date=5 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129042841/http://www.edge-online.com/features/a-history-of-videogame-hardware-sony-playstation/ |archive-date=29 November 2014 }}</ref>{{sfn|Asakura|2000|p=69}} — with some critics considering it superior to Sega's arcade counterpart ''[[Daytona USA]]'' (1994){{sfn|Leigh|2018|p=191}}{{sfn|Edge staff|1995b|p=73}} — as did ''[[Battle Arena Toshinden]]'' (1995).<ref>{{cite magazine |author= |date=1996 |title=By the numbers |url=https://archive.org/details/UneditedGPScans/GP80u/page/n21/mode/2up |magazine=Game Players |publisher= |pages=21 |publication-date=January 1996 |issue= |issn=}}</ref> There were over 100,000 pre-orders placed and 17 games available on the market by the time of the PlayStation's American launch,<ref name=ignhistory/> in comparison to the Saturn's six launch games.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kato|first=Matthew|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/10/30/which-game-console-had-the-best-launch-lineup.aspx?PostPageIndex=3|title=Which Game Console Had The Best Launch Lineup?|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[GameStop]]|location=[[Grapevine, Texas|Grapevine]]|date=30 October 2013|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630042313/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/10/30/which-game-console-had-the-best-launch-lineup.aspx?PostPageIndex=3|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The PlayStation released in Europe on 29 September 1995<ref name="developmentEU" /> and in Australia on 15 November 1995.<ref name="aus" /> By November it had already outsold the Saturn by three to one in the United Kingdom, where Sony had allocated a £20&nbsp;million marketing budget during the Christmas season compared to Sega's £4&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Horsman|first=Mathew|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sega-profits-plunge-as-rivals-turn-up-the-heat-1581404.html|title=Sega profits plunge as rivals turn up the heat|work=[[The Independent]]|location=[[London]]|date=11 November 1995|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120053343/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sega-profits-plunge-as-rivals-turn-up-the-heat-1581404.html|archive-date=20 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scei.co.jp/corporate/data/bizdataeu_e.html |title=Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Business Development/Europe |publisher=[[Sony Computer Entertainment]]|location=[[Tokyo]]|accessdate=20 September 2020|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728173744/http://scei.co.jp/corporate/data/bizdataeu_e.html |archive-date=28 July 2014 }}</ref> Sony found early success in the United Kingdom by securing listings with independent shop owners as well as prominent [[High Street]] chains such as [[Comet (retailer)|Comet]] and [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]].<ref name=eusuccess/> Within its first year, the PlayStation secured over 20% of the entire American video game market.{{sfn|Mäyrä|2002|p=47}} From September to the end of 1995, sales in the United States amounted to 800,000 units, giving the PlayStation a commanding lead over the other [[fifth generation of video game consoles|fifth-generation]] consoles,{{efn|Technically, there is one exception to this. The [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer]], though consistently outsold by the PlayStation during this period, had more ''cumulative'' sales at the end of 1995, chiefly due to its having been on the market for nearly two years longer than the PlayStation.{{sfn|Stockdale|1995|p=54}}}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Can PlayStation Compete with Ultra 64? |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=15 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|location=[[New York City]]|date=March 1996|pages=6–10}}</ref> though the SNES and Mega Drive from the [[fourth generation of video game consoles|fourth generation]] still outsold it.<ref>{{cite magazine|title= 16-Bit Surge |magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=91 |publisher=[[International Data Group]] |date=April 1996 |page=16}}</ref> Sony reported that the [[attach rate]] of sold games and consoles was four to one.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_079_February_1996#page/n17/mode/2up |title=Trailing Sony, Sega Restructures |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=89 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |date=February 1996 |page=16 |access-date=20 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707033430/https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_079_February_1996#page/n17/mode/2up |archive-date=7 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> To meet increasing demand, Sony chartered jumbo jets and ramped up production in Europe and North America.{{sfn|Asakura|2000|pp=210–211}} By early 1996, the PlayStation had grossed $2&nbsp;billion (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|2|1996|r=3}}&nbsp;billion {{Inflation/year|US}}) from worldwide hardware and software sales.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sony Reaches $2 Billion in Sales |url=http://www.next-generation.com/news/031596a.html |access-date=17 October 2021 |work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |date=15 March 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970419214133/http://www.next-generation.com/news/031596a.html |archive-date=19 April 1997}}</ref> By late 1996, sales in Europe totalled {{nowrap|2.2 million}} units, including 700,000 in the UK.{{sfn|Anderson|1997|p=54}} Approximately 400 PlayStation games were in development, compared to around 200 games being developed for the Saturn and 60 for the [[Nintendo 64]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Sony PlayStation Expo '96 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=101 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |date=February 1997|pages=44–45}}</ref>

In India, the PlayStation was launched in test market during 1999–2000 across Sony showrooms, selling 100 units.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.rediff.com/money/2000/jun/12sony.htm |title=Sony to launch Playstation in India next year |work=Rediff |date=12 June 2000 |access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref> Sony finally launched the console (PS One model) countrywide on 24 January 2002 with the price of Rs 7,990 and 26 games available from start.<ref name="india"/>