Playstation

Playstation - 01
	   
Japanese electronics company Sony’s involvement in the videogame industry
began as a manufacturer of a custom sound chip used in Nintendo’s
SuperNES console.
Rival companies NEC and Sega had taken the leap to CD based gaming,
and Nintendo had no intentions of being left behind.
They immediately partnered up with Sony to develop their CD based system.
Sony went on to develop two units.
One was a 16-bit add-on for the Super Famicom / NES that sat underneath
the system and allowed CD based gaming (SNES CD), and another as a
stand-alone unit.
Initially the agreement allowed Sony the ability to license CD based
games for the system.
Nintendo was not willing to relinquish control over software licensing.
They dropped Sony from the project, and approached Phillips to develop
the add-on.
Ken Kutaragi, the Sony researcher who had worked on the SNES PlayStation
prototype (and the sound chip for the SNES) did not want to give up
the hard work put into the unit.
He wanted to continue working on this project and so approached then
Sony President Norio Ogha to develop the stand-alone console without
Nintendo.
The project continued, and the new Sony Computer Entertainment Division
was formed.
Sony announced the console dubbed ‘Playstation’ at the Tokyo International
Electronics Show in October 1991.
The original Playstation concept would be able to play SNES games,
as well as educational CD software.
Nintendo would try to re-negotiate with Sony in fear that they would
drop support for the SuperNES sound chip, but the joint effort between
the companies never saw the light of day.
Ken Kutaragi went back to develop the Playstation from scratch making
it a 32-bit console that was simple yet powerful, easy to program for,
and cheap.
The new Sony Computer Entertainment division (SCE, SCEA, SCEE) began to
use their company connections, and financial influence to persuade 160
3rd party licensees in North America alone and over 400 worldwide to
develop for the newly designed Playstation. 
The Playstation (a.k.a PSX) was released shortly after the Sega Saturn
on December 2nd 1994.
The console was an immediate success selling over 100,000 units it’s
first weekend.
Developers found the Playstation simpler to develop for then it’s 32-bit
rival Saturn.
Sony then took it’s console abroad.
The Sony Playstation immediately saw success in America in on
September 9th 1995 driven by a strong advertising campaign, and a
price $100 cheaper then Sega Saturn.
Europe saw releases a month later.
The PSX eventually claimed the number one videogame console sales
position by beating out the Saturn, and even maintaining it’s position
after the eventual release of Nintendo’s 64-bit console.
Even after the release of next generation systems, Sony saw an opportunity
to make even more money out of the PSX.
In 1999 Sony released the PSone.
This remodeled PSX console was made to the size of a portable
CD Disk player.
It was also both cheaper to by, and cheaper to produce.
LCD screens, battery packs, and vehicle power outlets also made the
console somewhat portable.
The PSX also has one of the largest libraries of software spanning
1000+ releases, and a wide assortment of accessories.
Sony entered the videogame market with a formula for success. 

FACT: In mid 1997, Ken Kutaragi brought back an idea that had not been
seen in almost 20 years.
A special version of the Playstation called Net Yaroze
(Yaroze meaning “Let’s do it together”) was released in limited
quantities for around $750USD.
This unit was a simplified development kit that would allow users to
make their own PSX games using the C program language.
Such an idea was last introduced back in 1979 with the
Bally Professional Arcade (Bally BASIC),
the Magnavox Odyssey2 (Computer Intro),
and the Atari 2600 (BASIC Programming).
The console contained both S-video and A/V ports and cables and software
to connect to any Windows / Mac PC.
The unique thing about the Yaroze is that it did not contain region
lockouts so pretty much any game from any country could be played.
However it did come with a special memory card that was required to start
the console.
The memory card contained protections that prevented copied games from
running.
Sony even established a website to assist programmers in development. 

(darkwatcher.psxfanatics.com/console)
	   

Manufacturer Sony Name Playstation
Type Console Origine ???
Introduction Date ??? End of production ???
Built in Language ??? Keyboard None
CPU R3000A 32 bit RISC Speed 33.8688MHz (30 MIPS)
Coprocessor ??? Amount of Ram 2 Mb
Vram 1 Mb Rom ???
Text Modes ??? Graphic Modes 640 x 480
Colors 16.7 million on screen Sound ???
Size / Weight ??? Built in Media CD-Rom
I/O Ports ??? OS -
Power Supply Internal Introduction Price ???
Sold ??? Serial Number ???
Other Extras Boxed, Dual Shock Controller Bought Where Overmere
Bought When January 30, 2003 Condition Excellent
Price Paid 30 € Specs of my Model -
Setup Today -

Boxed Back Side of the Box

Bottom View Serial Number

Working
	   
	   
Playstation-01:

Bought via an auction site on 30/01/2003 in Overmere.

Paid 30€ for the boxed Playstation and a Dual Shock Controller.