So, let’s revisit the original release dates of PS4 and what made the console such a big hit.
When Did The PS4 Come Out?
The PS4 rolled out to store shelves in North America on November 15, 2013, and November 29, 2014, in Europe, South America, and Australia and later followed a February 22, 2014, release date in Japan. Sony managed to create a ton of hype around the PS4 which ultimately led to increased demand by the time PS4 was out during the 2013 holiday shopping season. This initial release date only applied to the standard model of the PS4, and the more advanced variants rolled out a few years later.
↪ Price and Launch Bundles
The standard PS4 edition had a price tag of $399.99 in the United States during the launch. However, many gamers opted for the early-launch bundles that included games and accessories. Here’s a quick look at the early PS4 bundles:
PS4 and Killzone: Shadow Fall Bundle: $449.99PS4 plus Knack and the PS Camera: $459.99PS4 plus Battlefield and the PS Camera: $559.99
Although these bundles increased the upfront cost but delivered extra value with some amazing titles like Knack and Killzone and additional accessories like the PS4 camera. These launch bundles were just the start of capturing the excitement of the PS4 launch and more were planned down the road. READ MORE: PS4 Jailbreak: Current Status & Everything to Know in 2024 ➜
When Did Sony Introduce The PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro?
3 years after the launch of the base model, Sony introduced the PS4 Slim which was released on September 15, 2016. The small size and improved efficiency made the newer model 10% lighter and used 8% less energy than the original PS4 leading to an overall performance boost. However, the PS4 Slim model had some drawbacks to it that were polished even further with the PS4 Pro that was released on November 10, 2016. The PS4 Pro delivered ultimate performance along with the stunning visuals across a range of games. It featured a more powerful AMD Polaris GPU, a 31% faster CPU than the original PS4, and increased memory bandwidth. Overall, the PS4 Pro pushed exclusive titles to a higher resolution display and gave 4K TV owners a more vibrant gaming experience. READ MORE: 1080p vs. 1080i: Understanding The Differences Between Video Resolutions ➜
How Well Did the PS4 Sell?
In it’s first 24 hours of launch, PS4 sold 1 million units globally and managed to set a new record, beating the PS3’s launch sales. And just within 2 months, 4.2 million consoles had been sold worldwide which was more than PS3 which sold 3.6 million units in comparison. In 2016, Sony announced that almost 36 million consoles were sold since the launch. Where PS4 was dominating the market, Xbox was struggling to catch up to the pace and sold half as much as PlayStation. These figures showed that Sony had once again recaptured the enthusiasm gamers had in the beloved PS2 era. READ MORE: Sony Reaches New Heights with PlayStation Software Sales, Surpasses 5.8 Billion Mark ➜
What Made The PS4 Such a Big Hit?
From its strategic marketing to a cheaper price, there were a number of reasons that made the PS4 reach new heights of success. According to Shuhei Yoshida — President of SIE Worldwide Studios for Sony Interactive Entertainment;
1. Launch and Distribution
One of the key factors that made the PS4 outperform its predecessors was its launch in most of the major territories which allowed people to buy or pre-order the console at its peak of hype. Unlike the PS2 and PS3, which were tended to launch only in Japan in the opening day. Additionally, in terms of distribution, the PS4 had a much more straightforward architecture than the PS3 which allowed Sony to largely keep pace with the demand making it more readily available for everyone. READ MORE: PS3 Backwards Compatibility: How to Play PS2 Games on PS3 ➜
2. PS4 Launch Event
The PS4 launch event in 2013 was a big deal for not only gamers worldwide but also as a marketing strategy. Held in New York City, it showcased the console’s sleek design and powerful features. Sony also introduced the Share button for easy gameplay sharing and announced exclusive games. The global release strategy, starting in North America and rolling out to other regions, created a ton of buzz. With positive reviews from fans and the media, the event marked the beginning of the PS4’s huge success, thanks to its technology, exclusive games, and social features.
3. The Failed Launch of the Xbox One
Many see Microsoft’s launch of the Xbox One as a letdown. The initial event in May emphasized live TV features, mandatory Kinect camera use, constant internet access, and strict control over pre-owned games. Consumers didn’t like it, which led to most of them going for the main competitor which was none other than the PlayStation 4. Although Microsoft quickly realized where it had gone wrong and decided to take a U-turn, the damage had already been done and the PS4 found its way into many homes. The PS4 was a great console without any major flaws to ruin the experience and even if it did have any, the spotlight was largely focused on the mistakes made by the Xbox One. READ MORE: Xbox One Mic Monitoring: Explanation & Functionality ➜
4. The Price Game
Even if the console is packed with features and advancements, it’s the one with the cheaper price tag that manages to get all the sale. And that where the PS4 had the high ground over the Xbox One. While both of the consoles had pretty close launch dates, Sony had already won the battle before it even started due to the $100 price difference.
5. Launch Titles
From the start, Sony had marketed and sold the PS4 as a machine made for gaming which also had the potential to do other stuff but that wasn’t their focus. In fact, Bryon Atkinson Jones — Principal Engineer at PlayStation said that; Those who get the console early were excited not only about the device but also about the new games that would show off the console’s true capabilities. Here are some of major PS4 launch titles that came alongside the gaming machine:
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black FlagCall of Duty: GhostsFIFA 14KnackInjustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate EditionJust Dance 2014
The PS4 had a mix of both popular franchises like FIFA, Assassin’s Creed, and Call of Duty, as well as new games like Knack. This variety gave new PS4 owners a lot to enjoy from day one. READ MORE: How to Play PS3 Games on PS4 – Backwards Compatibility Explained ➜
Paving the Way for Future Consoles
Sony supported the PlayStation 4 with consistent hardware revisions, system software updates, and a stellar library of games. But ultimately, it was just the starting point with the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro offering enhanced performance and visuals. And after a good 7 year run, Sony launched the PlayStation 5 which had a major leap in performance with faster load times, a next-gen console with a next gen controller and most importantly ray tracing graphics. PS5’s mainstream appeal and record breaking sales can be attributed to the strong community PS4 had built, especially following a challenging era with the PS3. Even today several gamers still consider the PS4 era an important landmark in gaming history which beautifully captured what the people wanted with an outstanding library of games and a groundbreaking relase. While we don’t know what’s next to come, there’s no doubt the PlayStation 4 represents a special moment in time especially in gaming.
