YOASOBI turn gaming memories into new single ‘PLAYERS’ for PlayStation’s 30th

YOASOBI have released their latest single ‘PLAYERS’, written specially for PlayStation’s 30th anniversary project, Project: MEMORY CARD. The track, which dropped on March 21st, forms the centrepiece of a broader campaign celebrating three decades of the iconic console brand.

Fan submitted stories about the games they wish they could experience again for the first time formed the foundation of ‘PLAYERS’. The result is a brisk, melodic pop song shaped by personal nostalgia and a shared affection for video games. Composer Ayase described the project as a tribute to the lessons and emotions carried through years of gameplay, saying:

“I’ve always loved games, and I still play them now. It’s no exaggeration to say that I’ve grown up alongside games.

There are many lessons I’ve learned from the dramas and stories of game protagonists who overcome all kinds of challenges, and I believe those experiences have helped shape who I am today.

This song is packed tightly with my love for games, my memories of growing up with them, and all the emotions tied to that journey.”

The accompanying animated commercial brings the song into a vividly imagined game world, featruing actress Nanase Nishino, hololive star Usada Pekora, and game streamer KIYO. Animator Kenichi Yoshida (Eureka Seven, The Orbital Children) designed their characters—Maru, Peke, and Ki3—who take players on a Train to the End of the World-style journey triggered by a mysterious memory card discovered in a retro game shop.

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The concept ties back to the central theme of Project: MEMORY CARD, which shows how players save, store, and revisit memories—both literally through game hardware and figuratively in their own lives.

For vocalist ikura, the emotional connection was immediate.

“Ever since high school, I’ve been watching game streams and have had games as a constant part of my daily life—they’ve supported me.

Because of that, when I heard this song, all of my emotions about games just burst forth. I think it’s become a song filled with my own love for gaming.”

‘PLAYERS’ is out now on streaming platforms, with the anniversary commercial available to watch on PlayStation Japan’s official YouTube channel.

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