Since bursting into homes in 1994, the Sony PlayStation has taken the world of video games by storm. It doesn't seem poised to end there either, as PlayStation's current incarnation, the PS3, has sold over 40 million units worldwide since 2006. The general design of the PlayStation model has remained fairly faithful to the original brief, a next-gen, CD-based take on the popular cartridge-based models of the day.
The control pads take their cues from the early ergonomic pads used by the SNES or Sega Mega Drive, and this, in my opinion, is where the humble PS won out over the Nintendo 64 and still wins out over the Xbox. Talking about control pads in lieu of software specs or even games may seem crass, but consider this; the controller is the part of you that connects to the game. It's the interface between man and machine. Why else would they now come equipped with rumble effects and all sorts of gadgetry?
Whereas other console's controllers can be hard-edged, almost square (any old-timers remember the Dreamcast? What was up with that!?) and have buttons placed too far apart to reach one-handed, or reach in a hurry without A LOT of practice; the PlayStation has always boasted a pad that fits right there in your palms and can be adapted to suit any number of innovative styles of button-bashing. Much to my friends' annoyance, I assure you.
The fact that anybody can pick up a PS of any model and be fairly familiar with the controls is a major contributing factor to PlayStation's longevity. The other was a free-for-all policy that Sony wisely employed back in the 90's. Sony invited anyone and everyone to design games for them, which led to a huge influx of fresh ideas, designers and innovations (as well as fuelling a secondary industry of game magazines and online reviewers). So, when Sega or Nintendo had 50 or so games on their fledgling devices, PlayStation adverts confidently emblazoned their logo with the tagline '200 Games' it didn't matter that a lot of these games were complete and utter rubbish, what mattered was that first-time gamers were spoiled for choice.
It has to be said that PlayStation's M.O hasn't changed significantly since then. It is still the most cost-effective, user-friendly, and widely owned system around. It still boasts a huge collection of games (a good many of which are unfortunately still arse) and it still has the unnerving Bowie-esque ability to completely re-invent itself every few years without changing what made us love it in the first place.
The control pads take their cues from the early ergonomic pads used by the SNES or Sega Mega Drive, and this, in my opinion, is where the humble PS won out over the Nintendo 64 and still wins out over the Xbox. Talking about control pads in lieu of software specs or even games may seem crass, but consider this; the controller is the part of you that connects to the game. It's the interface between man and machine. Why else would they now come equipped with rumble effects and all sorts of gadgetry?
Whereas other console's controllers can be hard-edged, almost square (any old-timers remember the Dreamcast? What was up with that!?) and have buttons placed too far apart to reach one-handed, or reach in a hurry without A LOT of practice; the PlayStation has always boasted a pad that fits right there in your palms and can be adapted to suit any number of innovative styles of button-bashing. Much to my friends' annoyance, I assure you.
The fact that anybody can pick up a PS of any model and be fairly familiar with the controls is a major contributing factor to PlayStation's longevity. The other was a free-for-all policy that Sony wisely employed back in the 90's. Sony invited anyone and everyone to design games for them, which led to a huge influx of fresh ideas, designers and innovations (as well as fuelling a secondary industry of game magazines and online reviewers). So, when Sega or Nintendo had 50 or so games on their fledgling devices, PlayStation adverts confidently emblazoned their logo with the tagline '200 Games' it didn't matter that a lot of these games were complete and utter rubbish, what mattered was that first-time gamers were spoiled for choice.
It has to be said that PlayStation's M.O hasn't changed significantly since then. It is still the most cost-effective, user-friendly, and widely owned system around. It still boasts a huge collection of games (a good many of which are unfortunately still arse) and it still has the unnerving Bowie-esque ability to completely re-invent itself every few years without changing what made us love it in the first place.
If you want to find out more about the PS3 or Games for PlayStation, or more about the author, please click on the links for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Messenger
No comments:
Post a Comment