PlayStation game design papers

Collection — Box: 1-2

Identifier: 113.5969

Staff Only

The PlayStation game design papers contain design documentation, game scripts, and game demo discs created by various game developers for the Sony PlayStation console. These materials, previously owned by David O’Connor of the PlayStation Museum, describe several games which were never released or were cancelled prior to being published. The bulk of the materials are dated between 1995 and 1997. Additional scope and content information can be found in the “Contents List” section of this finding aid.

The PlayStation game design papers are arranged into two series. The collection is housed in two archival document boxes.

Dates

1995 - 2003
Majority of material found within 1995 - 1997

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives. Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, he has given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes. Intellectual property rights for materials in this collection may be owned by Sony or other game developers.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

The PlayStation game design papers contain design documentation, game scripts, and game demo discs previously owned by the PlayStation Museum. The materials span from 1995 to 2003, with the bulk of the items dated between 1995 and 1997.

Historical Note

Sony first released the PlayStation video game console in North America in 1995. The PlayStation utilized an optical disc format instead of proprietary cartridges; issuing games on CD-ROM allowed for third-party game developers to create games for Sony’s system, while competitors Nintendo and Sega relied on in-house staff for development. Over 7,900 game titles exist in the PlayStation software library, thanks to the success of the console and its backwards-compatible successor, the PlayStation 2.

The PlayStation Museum collects, studies, and interprets the hardware, video games, design, and all related materials regarding the history of the original Sony PlayStation game console. They are an online web resource intent on preserving the history of the Sony PlayStation brand and the efforts of the system’s game developers.

System of Arrangement

Series I: Game design documents and scripts, 1995-2003

Series II: Demo discs, 1996-1997

Custodial History

The PlayStation game design papers were donated to The Strong in January 2014 as a gift from the PlayStation Museum. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 113.5969 and received from David O’Connor in one box.