Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)

The Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) presents a sleek design, featuring a convex left side with an upright PlayStation logo when vertical. This glossy black finish, conceptualized by designer Teiyu Goto, was influenced by the Spider-Man-font-inspired logo, shaping the PS3's aesthetics.
On March 22, 2007, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SCE) partnered with Stanford University to release the Folding@home software for PS3, enabling users to contribute computing power for protein folding research. PS3 hardware has been repurposed for supercomputers, including a cluster of 200 units used for SSL authentication cracking in December 2008.

Moreover, in November 2010, the Air Force Research Laboratory created a formidable supercomputer by connecting 1,760 PS3s, delivering impressive computational capabilities. Notably, PS3s have been utilized by the U.S. military for research due to their cost-effectiveness.
In terms of specifications, the PS3 is equipped with a slot-loading 2× speed Blu-ray Disc drive and user-upgradeable 2.5" SATA hard drives. Its processing power derives from the 64-bit Cell microprocessor, featuring a 3.2 GHz PowerPC-based "Power Processing Element" (PPE) and eight Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs). Graphics are handled by the Nvidia RSX 'Reality Synthesizer', ensuring high-definition resolutions.

The system boasts Bluetooth 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, and HDMI 1.4 connectivity, with Wi-Fi available on most models. Additionally, select models include a flash card reader compatible with various media formats.

Development of the PlayStation 3 commenced on March 9, 2001, when Ken Kutaragi, then President of Sony Interactive Entertainment, revealed collaboration between Sony, Toshiba, and IBM to create the Cell microprocessor. Led by Shuhei Yoshida, a team of programmers explored advanced game creation. By early 2005, Sony shifted focus to developing launch titles. In September 2004, Sony announced Blu-ray integration for the PlayStation 3, alongside DVD and CD compatibility. Nvidia joined as a design partner for the graphics chip in December. The official unveiling occurred on May 16, 2005, at E3 2005, showcasing a prototype design of the Sixaxis controller. Despite no functional version being present, demonstrations were held at events like E3 and the Tokyo Game Show, featuring software development kits and PC hardware comparisons. The initial prototype featured multiple ports, including HDMI, Ethernet, and USB. However, by E3 2006, the design was refined with reduced ports, aiming to lower costs. Two hardware configurations were announced: a 20 GB model and a 60 GB model, priced at $499 and $599, respectively, with the latter offering additional features like HDMI, Wi-Fi, and flash card readers. The worldwide release was set for November 2006, with a delay in the PAL region until March 2007 due to Blu-ray drive material shortages. At the Tokyo Game Show in September 2006, Sony adjusted features and pricing, including a reduction in the Japanese 20 GB model's launch price. Additionally, 27 playable PS3 games were showcased running on final hardware during the event.

The PlayStation 3 made its debut in Japan on November 11, 2006, selling 81,639 units within the first 24 hours. Ridge Racer 7 emerged as the top-selling launch title. In North America, it was released on November 17, 2006, amidst reports of violent incidents surrounding its launch. The European release was delayed until March 23, 2007, due to material shortages. Sony also launched the console in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore in March 2007. The initial launch in Europe saw rapid sales, with 600,000 units sold in the first two days. In Australia, over 27,000 units were sold in the first ten days, generating significant retail spending. India saw its launch on April 27, 2007, followed by Mexico on June 16, 2007.

In North America, the PlayStation 3 debuted with 14 titles, with Resistance: Fall of Man emerging as the top-selling launch game. The European launch featured 24 titles, including exclusives like MotorStorm and Virtua Fighter 5. Sony showcased upcoming titles at E3 2007, including Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Final Fantasy XIII. Budget ranges like Greatest Hits in North America and Platinum range in Europe offered popular titles at lower prices. By March 31, 2012, PlayStation 3 games had sold 595 million units, the top selling PS3 games are Grand Theft Auto V, Gran Turismo 5, The Last of Us, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.. The final PlayStation 3 game, Shakedown: Hawaii, was released on August 20, 2020.

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