PlayStation 3

video game console developed Sony Interactive Entertainment

The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is the third video game console made by Sony. It was released in Japan on November 11, 2006.[5] It came out on November 17, 2006 in North America,[6] and was released in Australia and Europe on 23 March 2007.[7][source?] It competed against the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii consoles.[source?]

PlayStation 3
Counter-clockwise from the top: Original logo, new logo, original "fat" model, DualShock 3 controller, later "slim" model
DeveloperSCEI
ManufacturerSony EMCS, Foxconn, ASUSTeK[1]
Product familyPlayStation
TypeVideo game console
GenerationSeventh generation
Release dateOriginal Model:
  • JP: November 11, 2006
  • NA: November 17, 2006
  • PAL: March 23, 2007
  • IND: April 27, 2007
  • KOR: June 16, 2007
PS3 Slim:
  • NA/EU: September 1, 2009
  • WW: September 3, 2009
  • IND: December 1, 2009
PS3 Super Slim:
  • WW: September 25, 2012
  • JP: October 4, 2012
  • IND: January 25, 2013
Lifespan2006-2017
Discontinued
  • NZ: September 29, 2015
  • PAL: March 31, 2016
  • NA: October 31, 2016
  • JP: May 29, 2017
Units sold87.41 million (as of 30 September 2020)[2]
Media
Operating systemXrossMediaBar
System software version 4.31
(October 30, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-10-30))[3]
CPU3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine with 1 PPE & 6 SPEs
Memory256 MB system and 256 MB video
Storage2.5-inch SATA hard drive
(20 GB, 40 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB, 120 GB, 160 GB, 250 GB, or 320 GB included) (upgradeable)
Display
Video output formats
Graphics550 MHz NVIDIA/SCEI RSX 'Reality Synthesizer'
Sound
Audio output formats
Controller inputSixaxis, DualShock 3, Logitech Driving Force GT, Logitech Cordless Precision controller, standard USB controllers, GT Force, Rhythm game controllers, PlayStation Move, GunCon 3, PlayStation Portable, Keyboard and Mouse
Connectivity
Online servicesPlayStation Network
Backward
compatibility
PlayStation (all models)
PlayStation 2 (20 GB, 60 GB and some (CECHExx) 80 GB models)
PredecessorPlayStation 2
SuccessorPlayStation 4
Websiteplaystation.com/ps3/

The PlayStation 3 was the first console to be able to play Blu-ray discs.[8] The PS3 was, according to Sony, the most powerful console at the time. However, many people that create computer games have recently stated that both the PS3 and Xbox 360 are about equal. An upside is that to access the online mode to play and interact with other people is free unlike the Xbox in which must be paid for.

When the PlayStation 3 was released, there were two different models. One had a 20 gigabyte (GB) hard drive and cost $399. The other had a 60 gigabyte hard drive and cost $599. Sony stopped making the 20 gigabyte console in North America after the 60 gigabyte version "sold ten times as many"[9] as the 20 gigabyte version.

In July 2007, Sony announced that they would cut the price of the PS3 to $500 in the United States, though still more expensive than its competitors. Sony also released a version of the console with an 80 gigabyte hard drive around this time.[10]

In October, a version of the PlayStation 3 with a 40 gigabyte hard drive was introduced. This model could not play PlayStation 2 games, but games made for the original PlayStation could still be played. The price of the 60 gigabyte model was also further reduced. A white version of the 40 gigabyte model was released in Japan in November.[source?]

Since 2009, the PS3 was sold in a new, slimmer, and more efficient model with a 160 GB or 320 GB of hard drive memory.

In 2012, a slimmer model released to replace the last model. This was the final model released and the Playstation 3 was discontinued October 31, 2016.

Discontinuation

change

The PS3 was discontinued in New Zealand on September 29, 2015, in Europe and Australia on March 31, 2016, in North America on October 31, 2016, and in Japan on May 29, 2017,[11] though third-party games are still being made for the system.

References

change
  1. Shilov, Anton (2006-07-18). "Asustek Computer Ships PlayStation 3 Consoles". X-bit labs. Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  2. "SIE Business Data & Sales | Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc".
  3. "PlayStation Support". support.us.playstation.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  4. ""PS3 Slim gains ability to bitstream Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA"". Joystiq. 2009-08-21. Archived from the original on 2010-03-09. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
  5. "PlayStation 3 sells out at launch". 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  6. "Sony's PS3 makes U.S. debut to long lines, short supplies - USATODAY.com". USA Today. 2008-03-08. Archived from the original on 2008-03-08. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  7. "Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Announces Hardware Specification of PLAYSTATION®3 for Europe | PRESS RELEASES | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc". SIE.COM. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  8. "PlayStation 3 Features: Blu-ray - PlayStation.com". 2010-03-07. Archived from the original on 2010-03-07. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  9. Thorsen, Tor (16 April 2007). "20GB PS3 officially discontinued in North America".
  10. "Sony cuts Playstation price in US". 9 July 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  11. "Sony ends production of PlayStation 3 in Japan 11 years after release". MobileSyrup. 2017-05-30. Retrieved 2021-06-07.