Post
Sony walked into a two-player game and flipped the entire table.
Sony originally partnered with Nintendo to build a CD-ROM add-on for the SNES, but Nintendo publicly backstabbed them by announcing a deal with Philips instead. Furious, Sony built their own console. The original PlayStation (1994) used CDs instead of expensive cartridges, making development cheaper and attracting third-party studios in droves. Final Fantasy VII jumping ship from Nintendo to PlayStation was a seismic moment. Sony also marketed to an older demographic, making gaming feel mature and mainstream.
Example
When Square moved Final Fantasy VII exclusively to PlayStation in 1997, it was a console-selling earthquake. The game needed multiple CDs worth of storage, something impossible on Nintendo 64's cartridges, and moved millions of PS1 units.
Why it matters
Sony proved that a newcomer could topple established giants with the right media format, developer relationships, and audience targeting. The PlayStation brand reshaped who games were made for, expanding the market beyond kids.
Related concepts