A bunch of fruit-loops have been waiting for a couple of
days to get a massively overpriced machine with average games that look no better than those on a Xbox 360!
Sony fans play the waiting gameDozens of would-be PS3 owners have begun camping out at Sony's official PlayStation store in San Francisco in the hopes of being among the first to buy the new system.
By Curt Feldman, GameSpotSAN FRANCISCO--It takes a unique brand of dedication to line up and wait for the privlege of lining up and waiting somewhere else.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, a line of about 65 people had formed across the street from Sony's flagship PlayStation and Sony Style stores in the Metreon at the corner of Fourth and Mission Streets. While there's no doubt the line is for the PlayStation 3, Sony corporate mandated that no "official" line was allowed at the Metreon before 8 a.m. Thursday, so this line formed on Minna St. as a place to wait until there's an official line to join.
The line was a calm affair, most people lounging in beach chairs or milling about in the balmy 60-degree weather. They were hunkering down for the long wait until the following morning, when what they hope will be an orderly transition to official status is expected to be facilitated by Sony staffers.
To manage the transition from rogue gathering to official PS3 queue, the fifth person in line, Gieson from the East Bay, had created a list. "As long as no one bum rushes, it'll be fine," Gieson said.
Sony staffers inside the PlayStation store made it clear that they could disperse the currently building line at any time, but privately added as long as those in line remained peaceful and orderly, breaking up the line was unlikely.
The first in line, Chris from San Francisco, said he and his friends decided to start the camp out on a whim. They came by the Metreon today at 5 a.m., and noticing there was no one waiting and no lines formed, they quickly went on a supply run--securing tents and food--returning around 9 a.m. to camp out in the pole position. Most of the crowd had made no more preparation than wearing heavy coats and lugging some additional clothing and food.
A group of five grad students from the University of California San Francisco passed the time playing cards and tossing a football. The group, all bio-physics researchers, planned to sleep in shifts and keep an eye peeled for foul play. However, once in line, plans have a way of changing. One of the group expressed concern for how they would pass the time until the 8 a.m. transition to a Sony-sanctioned line, saying, "I don't know if sleep's a realistic option."
The line members' vigil should come to an end Friday at 12:01 a.m., when Sony's PlayStation 3 game console officially goes on sale. And while Sony's big launch event is taking place at SonyStyle Plaza on Madison Ave. in Manhattan, there will be plenty of activities happening in San Francisco to report on.
NYC loves PS3Hundreds line up in front of the SonyStyle store in midtown Manhattan; spirits are high with less than 24 hours before the system's launch.
By Tim Surette, GameSpotNEW YORK CITY--The most hardcore of hardcore gamers were out in abundance in New York City Wednesday night, all hoping for a chance to score a PlayStation 3.
Gamers lined up outside SonyStyle Plaza in midtown Manhattan knew that their best chance of getting a PS3 was waiting in front that store. While other retail outlets were stuck with only a handful of systems, the PS3 bash there promised hundreds of Sony's next-gen console for sale.
Herded without opposition by Sony security guards, hundreds of gamers lined the street and even began wrapping around the corner of the next block. Spirits were high as a pseudo-commune formed, each participant allied by an equal goal--get a PS3 on November 17.
Throughout the huddled line, the hopeful were crammed close together and sat in folding chairs more suitable for the beach than the hard asphalt of Manhattan. Diversions included gaming on PSPs, idle chit-chat, the occasional Nintendo DS, and the classic book. While most were receptive to the slightest bit of media attention, some campers covered their faces, perhaps protecting their "being sick and can't work" alibis.
Though one would expect harsh weather in New York at this time of the year, the weather seemed forgiving for those in line, hovering in the 60s and merely overcast. The weather gods appear ready to test those tomorrow though, as thunderstorms have been forecast for the area on Thursday.
The gamer with the claim to being first in line is New York native Angel Paredes, who arrived at the store Monday evening. Though his commitment to getting a system day one was met with some resistance from his family, the temptation was too much to resist.
"I've been waiting for this system for over a year," Paredes told GameSpot. His family, who now understand his plight, have supplied him with food and even held his space in line for a few hours while he went home, showered, and revisited the luxury of having a roof over his head.
Though the launch of the system is still a full day away, those in line exuded a feeling of being in the home stretch. Paredes and the other hopeful PS3 owners are doing this together and have built a common bond.
"I've made a bunch of new friends," said Paredes, smiling and gesturing to those in line behind him.
Though there is the temptation of hawking a system for profit for all those who are lucky enough to score a PS3 on Friday, most of those waiting in front of the Sony Store in New York seemed content to keep theirs. However, a few dissenters did seem to opt for the quick cash.
"I'm totally happy with my Xbox 360 right now. I've got Gears of War sitting at home," said a man in line. "I may get a PS3 later, but for now, I think I'm selling mine."
Hopefully for those in line, the wait will culminate in a brand new PS3 early on Friday morning. Sony plans on kicking off its launch festivities at 9 p.m. EST, with the first PS3 sold in North America being handed out to Paredes at midnight. Those waiting at the end of the line be warned--Sony has announced that only the first 400 in line will get into the party and have the chance to buy a console. As for the others? Well, there's always the next shipment.
In contrast to the SonyStyle Plaza, a few major retail locations in the popular shopping area of Times Square were near empty. Both Toys "R" Us and Virgin Megastore in the famed district were barren. One employee at Virgin confirmed to GameSpot that the store only expected about five units for the system's launch.
I'm sorry, but waiting for over a day outside a shop for a fucking console is ridiculous. I didnt wait in line for my 360, i just bought one in the new year. Personally, if i bought one on day one id flog it on ebay for triple what i paid for it! I remember seeing 360s going for over a grand on ebay last year, oh and i heard about someone being shot dead in the US for one as well!
Sen
Topic: Nutcases line up for PS3 (Read 1108 times)