![47 Playstation Statistics and Facts [2024]](https://nerdbear.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Playstation-Statistics-720x405.jpg)
PlayStation is a video game brand produced by Sony that specializes in consoles and handhelds.
This highly successful brand stands out among competitors for its popularity. It continues to hold attention after almost thirty years on the market.
With PlayStation being so influential in the video gaming world, there is much data to sift through. Let’s take a look at the most intriguing statistics.
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Playstation Stats Highlights
PlayStation has been enjoying huge figures since it was introduced in 1994. This Japanese brand has created five video game consoles, two handheld consoles, and various other accessories. Its success can be easily understood when looking at statistics.
- PlayStation is behind the most sold video game console of all time: the PlayStation 2.
- The newest addition, the PlayStation 5, is part of the ninth generation of home video game consoles.
- Three of the top five all-time sales of video game consoles belong to PlayStation.
- The PS5 pre-orders covered 72% of next-gen console pre-orders in 2020.
- When the PS4 came out, it immediately became the fastest-selling console ever.
Playstation Global Market and Sales Stats
With PlayStation’s success expected to continue, let’s take a look at how influential it is on the worldwide market.
Europe Has the Highest Number of Original Playstation Unit Sales
(Source: Statista)
The original PlayStation has enjoyed huge success around the world, selling over 157.68 million units worldwide since its release in 1994. Of these, 55.28 million units have been sold in Europe.
This is followed by North America, with 53.65 million units sold, then by Japan with 23.18 million units. The rest of the world splits the remaining 25.57 million lifetime units sold.
The Global Video Game Consoles Revenue Will Increase
(Source: Statista)
In 2022, the revenue of the video games console market worldwide is projected to be 100,400 million USD, following 2021’s record of 107,490. 2021 was the first year that this figure surpassed 100 million USD, and this trend is expected to continue.
Projections estimate that in 2026, this figure may reach 130,843 million USD.
Revenue Growth Is Expected To Remain Stable
(Source: Statista)
Due in no small part to the pandemic and the release of next-gen consoles from PlayStation and competitors, 2020 saw a huge 19% increase in video game consoles revenue growth. While this figure isn’t expected to repeat itself, after a sudden downturn of -6.6% in 2022, the revenue growth will stabilize at 7.2% in 2023, followed by 6.9% and 6.7% in subsequent years.
Playstation Has Been Enjoying Huge Market Revenue
(Source: Game Informer)
In 2020, PlayStation broke the record it had set and generated over 25.04 billion USD in revenue. In 2021, this success remained steady at 24.87 billion USD. In comparison, Microsoft’s gaming division generated 16.28 billion USD in revenue in 2021, while Nintendo generated 15.3 billion USD.
A Huge Majority of Revenue Came From Digital
(Source: TweakTown)
In Q3 of 2021, PlayStation made 4 billion USD in-game revenue. This was heavily influenced by a huge microtransaction surge, which ensured that most of this revenue came from digital gaming.
Of the 4 billion USD in revenue, 3.755 came from digital game sales, including add-ons and software and 2 billion came from in-game purchases and expansions.
Playstation’s Gaming Hardware Sales Revenue Will Decrease
(Source: Statista)
In 2022, PlayStation achieved a record of 9.19 billion USD in worldwide gaming hardware sales revenue. While an impressive figure, this is projected to reach 8.33 billion USD in 2023 and 5.48 billion in 2025.
This is indicative of the steadily growing turn from hardware but doesn’t seem like it will affect PlayStation’s overall success.
Playstation Is Pursuing Live Service Games
(Source: Sony Interactive Entertainment)
With live service games so clearly dominating market trends, Sony has announced that it is working on several live service games for the PlayStation. While players were initially concerned, this shows that Sony understands where the profits are in the gaming industry.
It doesn’t look like PlayStation will be ditching single-player games in the future, only that it is following what the numbers are saying. The market is highly influenced by add-on content from live video games.
Sony’s Playstation Division Was Behind Huge Deals
(Source: PlayStation Lifestyle)
In January 2022, the giants of the video game industry all participated in some of the biggest spending to date. Between Sony, Microsoft, and Take Two Interactive, over 85 billion USD was spent on acquisitions.
While Sony didn’t have the biggest spending of the three, it continues to be a huge player on the video game market.
Playstation Dominates the Operating System Market Share
(Source: Statista)
In 2021, PlayStation held 64.5% of the global market share of game console operating systems. This figure shows the clear lead PlayStation has ahead of its competitors, with Xbox following at 35.48% of the market share and Nintendo at 0.02%.
This comparison shows PlayStation’s strength on the international market, a trend that is set to continue in the coming years.
Playstation Leads in Console Market Share
(Source: Ampere Analysis)
In 2021, PlayStation continued to lead the world market share among console companies. Based on the spending generated by the PlayStation consoles, the brand had 46% of the market share.
In comparison, Nintendo was the closest runner-up with 29%, while Microsoft followed after both with 25 of the market share.
Playstation Console Stats
PlayStation has some of the most popular consoles ever made. While the brand is behind other devices and gaming accessories, the consoles are what have ensured its success. Let’s see how the PlayStation consoles have shaped the game industry.
The PS2 Is the Most Sold Video Game Console Ever
(Source: Statista)
Released in 2000, the PS2 went on to make video game history when it became the most sold home video game console in history. It continues to remain at the top, with 157.68 million units sold as of 2021.
Its nearest competitors are the Nintendo DS, released in 2004, with 154.9 million units sold, and the Game Boy, originally released in 1989, with 118.69 million units sold.
The PS4 Is the Fastest-selling Console Ever
(Source: SIE)
Following its release in 2013, the PS4 became the first console to sell one million units in one day in North America. These huge numbers show how the popularity of PlayStation consoles drives sales before and after their release on the market.
The PS5 Is the Fastest-selling Console in Sony’s History
(Source: SIE)
First launched in November 2020, PS5 shipments were affected first by COVD-19 shipments and then by a global shortage of semiconductors. Despite this, by July 2021, the PS5 had sold over 10 million units worldwide.
These huge sales have given the PS5 the accolade of being Sony’s fastest-selling console. It has been consistently outpacing its predecessor, the PS4.
Three Playstation Consoles Feature in the Top Worldwide Sales
(Source: Statista)
In the ranking of most sold game consoles worldwide, there are three PlayStation consoles in the top 5. These are the PS2, with its historic 157.68 million units sold, followed by the PS4 in fourth with 116.44 million, and the original PlayStation in fifth, with 102.5 million units sold.
The PS3 is also in the top 10, with 87.41 million units sold.
The PS5 Is One of the Current-gen Trendsetters
(Source: Statista)
The current generation of video game consoles is still quite fresh, with the release of the PS5 and the Xbox Series X/S in 2020. Since then, the PS5 has been leading in sales among the consoles in this ninth generation.
While the Nintendo Switch leads in video game console units sold in 2021, it still technically belongs to the eighth generation. The PS5 sold 12.59 million units in 2021, with its only close rivals from the Xbox Series X/S following with 8.75 million units.
The Psp Had Great Sales
(Source: Statista)
Created in response to the huge popularity of handheld devices and released in 2004, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) was Sony’s first product of its type. It included innovative technology that made it the first to be able to store both games and movies.
By November 2013, it had sold over 80 million units around the world. It achieved its highest units sold in one year in 2008, with 14.05 million.
The PS5 Is Much More Powerful Than the PS4
(Source: Digital Trends)
Built for high performance, the PS5 delivers in power and quality. From the hi-tech DualSense controllers to the AMD GPU capable of 4K resolution, the PS5 is around eight times more powerful than the PS4.
It is also out-performing many of its main competitors when it comes to sheer processing speed. This is due primarily to the way it uses storage.
The PS5’s Dualsense Controller Is Pure Innovation
(Source: WhatHiFi)
The DualSense controller on the PS5 is one of the most impressive additions to this generation of consoles. Featuring incredible haptic feedback and stunning engineering, the DualSense controller is an experience on its own.
The PS5 comes with a pre-installed platform game, Astro’s Playroom. This also serves as a way for users to get familiar with the DualSense controller. Users can even feel the haptic response to raindrops falling on the in-game umbrella.
The technology that built the DualSense is far ahead of any near competitors.
The PS5 Has a Huge Game Library
(Source: VG Chartz)
With over 360 game titles available, the PS5 offers an extensive catalog to its players. This is enhanced by the over 4000 older generation games that can be added to the PS5 thanks to backward compatibility.
Over 25 exclusive PS5 games are currently in development, with more on the way. This will continue giving players many hours of entertainment for the foreseeable future.
The powerful performance that fuels the PS5 is inspiring game designers worldwide, with many of them eager to provide PS-exclusive games.
The PS5 Had the Highest Ever Launch Year Sales
(Source: SIE)
Despite launching at the end of 2020, between pre-orders and post-release sales, the PS5 achieved 7.8 million units sold in that fiscal year. This made it jump to the top of the brand’s highest earners.
The PS4 sold 7.6 million units in its launch year, while the PS3 sold 3.6 million units.
Playstation Games & Services Stats
Beyond the consoles, the success of PlayStation is massively boosted by the services and games it offers. There are numerous exclusive titles, along with the many benefits of the PS Now and PS Plus subscriptions. The PlayStation Network is the online service supporting all users.
Playstation Network Active Users Remain Stable
(Souce: Statista)
The PlayStation Network is the online service that all regular PlayStation users tend to be registered to. It has consistently had over 100 million active users since the end of 2019 and currently has 111 million.
The highest figure was achieved in 2020 when there were 114 million active users on PSN. This shows that there is a constant trend of loyal users being active on this main free service provided by PlayStation.
Playstation Plus Has Millions of Subscribers
(Source: Statista)
PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) is a subscription service that enhances what PlayStation Network puts on the table. PS Plus includes an auto-download feature, along with early access to games and demos, as well as free titles. First-time users have the option to trial the service for 14 days.
In December 2021, PS Plus reached its highest ever number of subscribers, at 48 million. In December 2019, it had 38.8 subscribers. This meteoric rise shows the many benefits that PS Plus offers to users.
Most PS Plus Subscribers Use It for Online Multiplayer
(Source: SIE)
Of the 48 million PS Plus subscribers, 40% have stated that they pay for the service due to its online multiplayer features. 30% joined for the access to the catalog of free games, while 18% joined for the exclusive discounts and offers on the PlayStation Store.
12% joined for access to cloud storage that can be used for game saves.
The Majority of PS Plus Users Are Highly Satisfied
(Source: SIE)
Of those using the PS Plus service, 75% have stated that they would rate their satisfaction with the service between 8 and 10. This shows that all the features that PS Plus continues to offer remains relevant and provide users with what they need to enjoy the service.
PS Plus Is Evolving
(Source: Business Insider)
Starting in June 2022, PS Plus will be converting to a tiered subscription service. It will include Essential, Extra, and Premium plans, all at different price points and with different perks on offer.
New features add a streaming library of games and access to hundreds of classic PlayStation games. PlayStation and Windows users can access the service. The evolution of the PS Plus service is designed so it can better keep up with the Xbox Game Pass.
This change will also see PS Now merging with PS Plus.
Playstation Now Is Preferred by Console Gamers
(Source: Statista)
PlayStation Now is the PlayStation subscription service that focuses on cloud gaming. With less subscribers than PS Plus, the two services will soon merge. Despite this lack of huge popularity, PS Now has been appealing to particular gamers.
In the US, 43% of PS Now subscribers are console gamers. 33% are PC gamers looking to have access to PlayStation titles, while 30% are Twitch users interested in its streaming potential.
Avid gamers make up 31% of PS Now users, while casual gamers are 13% of the total.
Marvel’s Spider-man Is the Best Selling PS4 Game
(Source: Statista)
Of the many popular PS4 titles, one has been ruling in sales. Marvel’s Spider-Man, released in 2018, has sold over 20 million units. God of War, released the same year, follows closely behind with 19.5 million units sold.
Grand Theft V sold 19.39 million units, while Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End sold 16.25, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 sold 15.09.
Spider-man: Miles Morales Is the Best-selling PS5 Game
(Source: SIE)
Following in the successful footsteps of its predecessor, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is currently the best-selling game on the PS5. In just eight months after its release, the game sold 6.5 million units. This made it Sony’s third best-selling game since 1995 in the US.
This was followed by MLB the Show 21 with 2 million units sold, Demon’s Souls with 1.4 million, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart with 1.1 million.
Playstation Gamers Have Accumulated Billions of Gaming Hours
(Source: ComeToPlay)
PlayStation users are so active when it comes to gameplay that they have accumulated over 61 billion hours of gaming. This amounts to around 7 million years, which shows the impact gamers have and how PlayStation consoles are at the forefront.
PS5 Players Report Increased Playtime
(Source: Wired)
Following the launch of the PS5, there was an increase of 81% in playtime when compared to PS4 statistics covering the same time period. This shows a renewed interest in everything PlayStation has to offer, thanks to the innovations introduced by the PS5.
This is, of course, in large part due to the PS5 being released at a time when many had to remain indoors. It also allows users to play all their PS4 library on this new console. Despite these circumstances, the increased playtime is a further success for Sony.
Sony Stats
PlayStation is part of Sony’s gaming division. While the Japanese multinational conglomerate is known across industries, this is one of its most successful brands. Let’s look at how different Sony business segments compare.
Sony Has Recorded an Increase in Sales Since the PS5
(Source: Wired)
The launch of the PS5 brought about an 11% increase in in-game sales. This steady increase showed Sony that the PS5 would be successful for the business overall. It also had the added effect of opening up space for more game developments and more exclusive titles being placed in production.
The positive response to the PS5 and its immediate impact on game sales started a lucrative cycle.
Gaming Is Sony’s Top Revenue, Earner
(Source: Statista)
In the 2020 fiscal year, Sony’s game and network services got 25.04 billion USD in worldwide revenue. This was the company’s best business segment in worldwide revenue, followed by electronic services and solutions with 18.1 and financial services with 15.73 million.
The game and network services segment has been at the top of revenue earnings since 2014, which makes it clear how powerful it is. The only time it came second in this timeframe was in 2019, when electronic products and solutions narrowly overtook it.
Sony’s Game Segment Has the Highest Sales and Operating Revenue Share
(Source: Statista)
The game & network services segment had 29.5% of the sales and operating revenue share in the 2020 fiscal year. This was a rise from the 23.9% share in 2019. The second segment with the highest shares in 2020 was electronics products and solutions with 21.3%, followed by financial services with 18.5%.
This is further data that proves how much of an impact the gaming division has on Sony.
Sony’s Game and Network Services Has Huge Net Sales and Operating Income
(Source: Statista)
From April 2020 to March 2021, Sony’s game and network services, including PlayStation, earned 2,656.3 billion yen in net sales and 342.2 billion yen in operating income. In the previous year, net sales were 1,977.6 billion yen and 238.4 billion yen in operating income.
Projections estimate that in 2025, Sony’s game and network services will have 15.5 billion USD in revenue, so these huge figures are set to continue the trend.
Sony Acquired Bungie in 2022
(Source: SIE)
In January 2022, Sony acquired Halo and Destiny developer Bungie. The game developer is set to remain a Sony subsidiary rather than a PlayStation Studio. Sony is looking to use Bungie’s proven expertise in live service games to create multiple titles in the near future. This partnership cost Sony 3.6 billion USD and will most likely spawn high profits.
Sony Owns a Stake in Epic Games
(Source: Epic Games)
Since 2020, Sony has been steadily investing in Epic Games. Several stake acquisitions have been purchased, and now Sony has an approximate 3.2% stake in the developer behind Fortnite.
This partnership also has the bonus of deepening the metaverse field and creating a collaboration that will assist with future live service games.
Sony Is Expecting Further Success With the PS5
(Source: Statista)
While sales of the PS5 are going well, projections estimate that this trend will continue in the following years. The forecast predicts that by the end of 2022, there will be 33.5 million units of the PS5 sold.
In 2023, the estimation is for 50.2 million units to be sold, and in 2024 for 67.3 million units. This growth shows that Sony will be able to turn a comfortable profit from the PS5 even years after its launch like it has done with the previous consoles.
Sony’s Playstation vr Headset Is Popular
(Source: SIE)
By 2019, Sony’s hi-tech VR headset released in 2016 sold over 5 million units around the world. With the announcement of an upcoming VR2 for the PS5, it is safe to say that Sony sees the VR field as lucrative and is looking to continue developing technology for it.
The steady sales of the original PlayStation VR may not seem huge in comparison to the consoles, but it shows plenty of user interest.
Sony Has Enjoyed Great Success With Horizon Zero Dawn
(Source: SIE)
While Horizon Zero Dawn is the most expensive video game ever made in the Netherlands, it has been a huge success. Published by Sony, it surpassed 20 million units sold, which made it one of the best-selling games for the platform in its history.
Players have also accrued over a billion hours of playtime with the game, and the anticipation for the sequel, Horizon Zero West, shows that Sony was right in backing this Dutch-made game.
Sony Sold Numerous PS4 Games
(Source: Push Square)
By the end of 2018, Sony had sold 876 games for the PS4. This was before the pandemic increased gaming time around the world. The figure shows just how committed PlayStation users are to using the consoles and how well Sony knows its gamer base.
Playstation Player Demographic Stats
The PlayStation gamer base is what defines its success. There are some intriguing numbers to look at.
Many Playstation Gamers Are Female
(Source: Push Square)
Of the many players consistently using the PlayStation consoles, there is one group that has significantly increased in number: female gamers. While PS1 gamers were only 18% female, that figure has by now more than doubled.
PS4 and PS5 players now count over 41% females among them. This can be in part due to the ongoing trend of strong female characters in games, which can help women and girls feel more included.
Players From Around the World Prefer the PS5
(Source: Finder)
Across the world, over 84% of players have stated that they prefer the PS5 to the Xbox Series X/S.
Japanese Players Love the PS5 Most
(Source: Finder)
Unsurprisingly for a Japanese brand, PlayStation enjoys a huge deal of success at home. Its loyal gamer base ensured that a whopping 98.94% of Japanese players said they preferred buying a PS5 to an Xbox Series X/S.
PS4 Players Love Grand Theft Auto V
(Source: The Gamer)
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the PS4 titles with the highest number of players. After being successfully remastered for the PS4, its success is set to continue on the PS5. Grand Theft Auto V currently has over 97 million players on the PS4.
Most PS4 and PS5 Players Are in Their 30S
(Source: SIE)
According to recent studies by Sony Interactive Entertainment, most players who use the PS4 and PS5 are between 31 and 36 years old. The PS1 had players between 13 and 18, which shows that PlayStation users have remained loyal to the consoles with the passing of time.
Players Outside the EU, North America, and Japan Are Increasing
(Source: Road to VR)
While the established regions are behind the bulk of PlayStation sales, players from the growing markets in South and Central America, Africa, and the rest of Asia are showing a significant increase.
They are now responsible for over 10% of sales revenue around the world.
PS4 Players Played Lots of Fortnite in September 2020
(Source: Statista)
While Fortnite is one of the games with the highest number of registered players, September 2020 was a huge milestone for PS4 players. Over 25 million PS4 users were active on Fortnite during that month, a figure that broke records.
FAQs
What Is the Most Sought-after Console Brand?
Sony’s PlayStation is the most sought-after console brand in the world, taking the lead in 112 countries around the globe. The PS4, in particular, is the most sought-after console in 71 countries.
Where Is the PS3 Most Popular?
The PS3 continues to be amazingly popular, even though it was released in 2006. It still has great sales in the African and Asian markets, and users still hold on to their models even now. While the PS2 and the PS4 may seem like they are far more popular, the PS3 continues to have a steady fanbase.
Are There Rare Playstations?
While there are plenty of collectors and special editions made for PlayStation consoles, some are harder to find than others. The 24kt gold-plated PS3 Slim, in particular, is one of the rarer consoles in the world and sold for $5000 apiece.
Other rare finds include the PS1 10 Million Edition and the Rose Gold PS4.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation brand is behind the most popular consoles in the world and has attracted a loyal gamer base that continues to be active. The fascinating data shows the impact PlayStation has had on the game industry.