PS3 sells out at launch

[Pchan 5,162]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6135452.stm

Electronics stores in Japan have sold out of PlayStation 3 consoles after thousands of gamers queued for hours in the cold to buy them. Large queues meant some shoppers were turned away even before stores opened at 0700 local time (2100 GMT).

The console officially went on sale on 11 November but Sony only made 100,000 machines available on launch day.

Instead of opening at midnight, stores organised lotteries to decide who in the queue would get a long-awaited PS3.

Line dance

Outside Bic Camera's flagship Tokyo store more than 1,000 people queued for their chance to buy a PlayStation 3.

Shop attendants with microphones warned impatient customers that sales would end if there were any injuries.

"Standing in line today is the only way to make sure I got one," said Takayuki Sato, 30.

Tomoaki Nakamura, 41, said: "I've been waiting for this day to come for so long. I'll play it all through the weekend. No time for meals,"

The head of Sony's game unit head, Ken Kutaragi, known as "the father of the PlayStation", expressed his gratitude to those who had waited.

"I hope you will enjoy the next-generation entertainment to your heart's content," he said.

The company said it would be a few days before they knew whether all retailers had sold out of all their PS3 consoles.

Earlier, bloggers catalogued the numbers of people waiting outside stores.

Brian Ashcraft who toured electronics stores in Tokyo for game blog Kotaku described the scene as "organised chaos".

The BBC News website also received e-mail messages from those queuing outside stores.

Game gear

The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is being sold in two configurations. The more expensive version has a 60GB hard drive and wi-fi on board and costs, in Japan, 60,000 yen (£270). The cheaper version has a 20GB hard drive, lacks the wi-fi and will cost 49,980 yen (£222). European prices are expected to be higher than direct comparisons suggest.

Both versions include a wireless controller, a Blu-ray high-definition DVD drive and a port so they can work with a high-definition display. Buying a PS3 also gives owners free access to the online PlayStation Network where they can meet and take on other gamers.

Sony expects five games to be available at launch including Ridge Racer 7, Mobile Suit Gundam: Target in Sight, Genji, and Resistance: Fall of Man.

Like other next-generation consoles the PS3 offers gamers much more detailed graphics than ever before. The IBM-developed Cell chip inside the console uses seven separate processing cores which can be used to make the physics in game worlds more realistic and allow computer-controlled enemies to behave with great sophistication.

"The image quality is so superb you'd almost think it's a real movie," gamer Hisafumi Funato said after trying it out at a demonstration event in downtown Tokyo. "I want one, especially if I don't have to stand in a long line."

Cost crunch

The PlayStation 3 was originally supposed to go on sale in early 2006 but production problems and shortages of key components forced a delay. The European launch of the console has been pushed back to March 2007.

This has also meant that there are only 100,000 consoles for gamers in Japan. Sony said 400,000 will be available for the US launch on 17 November. Despite the shortages, Sony said it was confident of shipping six million PS3s by the end of March 2007.

Although Sony has dominated home console gaming since the launch of the first PlayStation in 1994 its lead is under greater threat than ever before. Arch-rival Microsoft released its Xbox 360 console in November 2005. By the end of 2006 Microsoft hopes to have sold about 10 million Xbox 360s.

Also due to launch in November is Nintendo's Wii console which is far cheaper than the PlayStation 3 or the Xbox 360. It goes on sale in the US on 19 November.

Analysts expect Sony to lose money on every console sold for some time to come.

"For all you know, it may take Sony five years to get back the money it's invested in PS3," said Mitsuhiro Osawa, analyst for Mizuho Investors Securities, "even 10 years if it doesn't watch out."

If you click the link, right at the bottom, there're people's comments and one such person flew all the way to the UK to get his PS3 ''

[Ladywriter 7,783]

hmm.. I guess them folken aint payin $3 a gallon for gas >.<

[Strider Hiryu 2,704]

And people said it wouldn't sell, what fools

Too bad I won't be able to get on on the US launch. *still steamed he couldn't preorder a PS3*

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

Heh, told you anti-sony fanboys.

PS3 > Everyone

[Pchan 5,162]

I'm just glad for the release, cos now everything 'PS2' will have its prices fall. Ohhh that reminds me, I picked up 3 games today *goes to the random section*

[Moon Doggie 220]

*laughs* PS2's are now $129 and now they have platinum PS2's. What losers everyone wants to up grade to PS3 lol. Can't wait to see if my parents have gotten me one for my birthbay or christmas (spoiled little brat). Cheers!

[Sledgstone 8,672]

It doesn't surprise me that the PS3s would sell out. and I bet they'll keep selling for quite a while too, at least until everyone that wants to buy one at that price gets it. then the PS3s will probably take up their real estate spot right next to their stagnant high priced PSPs. X'D

I figure the first price drop will be around 2008, so I'll start saving up for it now.

I'm just glad for the release, cos now everything 'PS2' will have its prices fall. Ohhh that reminds me, I picked up 3 games today *goes to the random section*

thats what I'm looking forward too. There will be an influx of pre-owned games heading to the stores. Everyone will trade in all their games for more credit to the ps3, and I'll be there to buy up all those rpgs I always wanted to get my hands on.

[Eppy 3,446]

no shit it sold out...they shortchanged the amount that was shipping out -P and Lady....we have the cheapest gas in teh world....UK is i think in like the $4 a liter range

[Vincent 2,861]

i heard something like 100,000 systems were available on opening day?

[Eppy 3,446]

yeah its a really low amount...makes sony look good cause they "sold out so fast"...yeah when you have a tiny ass amount going out of course itll sell out fast....cheap ass tactics