Can The Sony PlayStation Remain The Top-Selling Gaming Console?

The Sony PlayStation changed the gaming industry’s landscape when it was introduced to players 30 years ago. The PlayStation 2 went on to become best-selling console of all time, a title it still holds today. But the company has its fair share of challenges ahead with the ever-changing gaming sector. Just last year, Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard threatened the landscape of gaming exclusivity. And Sony faces some headwinds with lower demand and industry-wide layoffs. Sony has continually adapted and evolved over the span of the past three decades, but can it continue to hold strong in the console wars? CNBC spoke with Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan, former SIE Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden and other experts to find out.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:55 An early hit
6:08 Rough patch
8:15 Content is king
12:05 Looking ahead

Produced by: Ryan Baker
Technology Correspondent: Steve Kovach
Edited by: Nic Henry
Supervising Producer: Jeniece Pettitt
Additional Camera: Andrew Evers
Animation: Uma Sharma, Christina Locopo, Jason Reginato
Additional Production: Liam Mays
Additional Footage: Sony, Getty Images

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Can The Sony PlayStation Remain The Top-Selling Gaming Console?

[TheJiggs]

I remember it was 1995, and my neighbor just had a kid. He couldn't play videogames anymore, he walked down the hill, with a PlayStation in hand, and gave it to me and my brothers for free. One of My favorite summers. Battle Arena Toshinden tournaments all summer long.

[Edsavage]

Man's couldn't even do a bit of research calling it a Xbox Series 10

[MersageSW]

"Xbox Series 10" is wild. His producer needs to help him

[SteadyAscension]

Sony needs to make a full PlayStation documentary like Xbox did a couple of years ago

[campos]

I’ve been supporting PlayStation for 30yrs?? Holy cow.

[accelgamerhd]

Playstation growing up was truly what got me into video games. I made friends through it. Same for Nintendo. I own the ps3, ps4 and now ps5. I also own the N64, Wii and the Switch.

[mikaxms]

0:50 The iPhone X is pronounced as iPhone 10. So, I guess that's why he assumed the same for the Xbox Series X.

[PaulieWalnuts]

I think the PS3’s comeback story should’ve been featured. People forget that it ended up outselling the 360.

[eneshalilovic]

I still remember all those nights we played a rented(!) Playstation II during summer holidays...with the controller still attached to the console with a cable...At some point, I guess it was 2012, I bought myself a PS3, with Move controllers...loved it, it still works great and me and the kids still use it occasionally...last year I felt like I need an upgrade and after realistic evaluation of my needs and resources (mostly time, but money also), I bought myself an Xbox-Series S and I couldn't be more happy about it...small, portable, very powerful, no discs, very affordable (250 euro)...I've been playing Assassins Creed Odyssey since May last year and it's mind blowing awesome...

[DJapan]

PS2 partly did so well because it was the cheapest way to get a DVD player.

[RichardHannay]

The PlayStation is turning 30?! Damn I feel old now….

[DOJAx]

PS2 will always be my favorite console. It introduced me to socom, thus introducing me to online gaming...good times, good times.

[yts]

From the first Twisted Metal to Gran Tusimo 7... My heart belongs to Sony and Playstation

[shykaliguy]

Pretty good interview but one thing to clear up is the PS2 became successful due to having a built-in DVD player . The PlayStation 3 became successful not only because of its games but also because of the built-in Blu-ray player which was a brand new Cutting Edge technology at the time.

[kyodizzy]

0:22 "the library has been the number one thing" *shows all PS2 games* the PS2 was the greatest system library.

[thuitatiime]

0:02 The PlayStation has been instrumental in bringing to life iconic video game franchises like Spider-Man, God of War, and Final Fantasy.
2:24 The PlayStation's shift to disc-based gaming with the PlayStation marked a significant turning point in the gaming industry.
5:24 The PlayStation 2 became the best-selling video game console of all time, with over 155 million units sold.
6:03 The PlayStation 3 faced challenges due to its initially high price point and difficulty in development, but bounced back with exclusive games like Uncharted and Killzone.
7:26 The PlayStation 4's launch marked a resurgence for Sony, outselling the Xbox One and focusing on bringing a great gaming experience to users.
9:19 Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard raised concerns about exclusivity in gaming, with Sony negotiating to ensure franchises like Call of Duty remained available on PlayStation platforms.
15:08 Sony has ventured into the non-gaming space by converting its iconic IP into movies and TV shows, aiming to expand its intellectual property within its systems.
16:00 Despite the success of the PlayStation brand, the gaming industry has faced challenges, including job cuts and fundamental changes impacting game creation and gameplay experiences.

[TomNook.]

11:45 is the US press honestly comparing Sony buying out small developers with ActivisionBlizzard - the biggest third party out there at the time of purchase? 🤦‍♂️

[Cheeseman]

I legit feel so sorry for the people who aren’t old enough to remember the DS, gba, GameCube, Xbox, Dreamcast, ps2 days. Gen 6

[mpwes]

2:15 for a moment I thought he was gonna start rapping 😂

[Sc_g]

Ps2 games were unmatched, so many different games and their individual content was unreal.