The PlayStation 3 Launches In the U.S.

Sony's next-gen console has officially launched in the states, complete with an NYC launch party, and a giant line in San Francisco. While many gamers went home happy, the night was not without incident. There was also some ugliness, with individuals being hired to stand in line, as was done in Japan earlier this week. Overall, though, the news is positive for the hundreds of gamers who waited through the night for their new console. "As midnight approached, the first person in line, New York native Angel Paredes, was escorted into the SonyStyle Store where he was handed the first North American PS3 by Hirai and Stringer. The console's box also included a personal autographed message from Hirai. Paredes, his voice hoarse from interviews and arms tired from repeatedly hoisting the console, was a good sport, standing still for the multitude of photographers and offering a few words for anyone who asked. The first three gamers in line were comped their PS3s. Once the media buzz died down, the rest of the attendees were ushered in to get what they had been waiting for all week. Though the consoles' next destinations were unknown — many are expected to be posted on eBay for a quick profit — the next destinations of the new PS3 owners was clear — go home and get some rest. " Any readers spend the night in lines, and want to share about it? Did you eBay the thing, or are you just taking a break from Resistance? Let us know how things went, and what the system is like.

eBay

[perlionex]

It looks like the going rate [ebay.com] is anywhere from $3000-$5000...

PS3 Related Crime

[eldavojohn]

Yep, it sure is great that the PS3 is out. The account on Kotaku listed in the summary is nothing, however. No one lost a PS3 (which are selling on eBay for several thousand [ebay.com] even after launch). For those of you interested in criminal activity, Engadget has an amusing collection of articles [engadget.com]:

• Drive bys with BB guns [engadget.com] in Kentucky.
• A riot for spots in line [engadget.com] in Burbank.
• Read [sega.com] - 10 to 12 people robbed in PS3 line (dubious, but possible). [Via Digg [digg.com]]
• Read [cbs2.com] - Sheriffs shut down another California store for rowdy behavior.
• Read [playboy.com] - Police break up NY SonyStyle store fight.
• Read [todaystmj4.com] - Brawl breaks out at another Wally when manager plays musical PlayStation chairs. Seriously, what an idiot. [Thanks Kyle D. [kyledrake.com]]
• Read [cheapassgamer.com] - Shots were apparently fired at a Texas Wally. Pics here [photobucket.com] and here [photobucket.com] of the 5-0. [Thanks, Jason]
• Read [ktvz.com] - Two armed, masked robbers overtook a customer in Springfield. [Thanks, Jason]
• Watch [youtube.com] - North Fresno / Merced had stampede-riot insanity. [Thanks, Jonathan]

And they even have a link to our very own lovable Senator Jonathon Edwards [prnewswire.com] contacting Wal-Mart for one PS3.

It's clear that some people are just so into the giving spirit that they will do anything for the perfect gift.

Before anyone asks...

[MK_CSGuy]

Yes, it does run Linux. From Engadget [engadget.com]:
Yes, according to Sony you can install any PowerPC-capable Linux build. Yellow Dog Linux [engadget.com], however, is the most prominently supported distro announced to date.

Shootings, shortages, and selling

[shirizaki]

3 S's, and the main reason why i didn't stand out in the farking cold. Kudos to those people who stand out in the cold like that. Whether you're reselling it for profit or playing in your pajamas, those people either have no lives or are dedicated to playing the newest first.

Otherwise, i still think the PS3 is a great buy if you're into the whole high def DVD thing: by the time you buy a 360 and the HD-DVD add on you're better off buying a PS3 if you want high def.

Personally, I'm waiting for 2 reasons:

1) First batch hardware from Sony is almost always shoddy.

2) Metal Gear Solid.

When the system actually has over 1 million units produced and the bugs are worked out, then the real battle starts. Not having as many exclusives (Assassins Creed, Grand Theft Auto) might bring the PS3 to a real head on fight with X360.

Of course I couldn't live without the PS3 and call myself a gamer, so I will own one exentually. It's just a matter of getting quality releases.

I've enjoyed this LOLer coaster of a ride: Hirai's and Kutaragi's comments, shortages, BD v. Hd disc battles, lack of rumble. *sniff* I'm so sad to see it go.

Alwell, it's on to the PS4, Xbox 720, and the Nintendo Ballz!

$ony screws up HD

[TheDoctorWho]

A 720p game, (what happened to all the 1080p games Sony Liars?) played on a TV set that does not support 720p, but supports 1080i, will down rez to 480p.

480p is not HD my little tard friends at $ony, didn't you get the memo?

Gosh, does $ony suck balls.

Im flying up to Canada

[darkchubs]

Canada ... usually .... well at least when the 360 was like that.. Ottawa had a surplus. IM going up there this afternoon for the weekend. if they have em my e-bay id is.. :)

Re:Will it ever be lanuched in India?

[chrismcdirty]

If Sony really cared about black marketeering, they would have launched with ample supplies. I believe a blogger for Kotaku said he talked to 100 people in lines, and only 1 said he was going to keep it to play. They love the black market sales because that increases hype for the system. People see that it's going for $3,000 on ebay, and they think that it must be worth it.

Re:PS3 Related Crime

[Anonymous Coward]

A riot for spots in line in Burbank

I read this one. As I write this, it is now 9:50 AM EST, which would make it 6:50 AM in Burbank. Note what this article said:

Best Buy kicked the whole group of its property on Friday afternoon .

It's not Friday afternoon in Burbank yet, so I'm not going to put any money on the accuracy of this story.

Free graphics preview - slightly disappointing

[mihalis]

My wife works in the Sony building, so I strolled past it last night.

One one side of the Sony building were the dedicated or avaricious would-be-purchasers waiting to buy at midnight, but on the other side of the building there were externally visible screens showing PS3 games being played by people in one of the Sony stores. A preview reel looked awesome, but was simply a video of lots of game clips. The only games I saw being played were : some kind of off-road racing game and Madden 2007. Neither would blow my mind if I saw them on my PS2. There was little to no sign of mindboggling performance, in fact the off-road racing game seemed a bit slow.

I'm a big fan of PS2, having completed several games, but I'm going to wait for my PS3 until a) I can buy one for normal retail price without hassle and b) I see the mind-blowing graphics we're all expecting

No, I can't get one any earlier because I know an employee. In fact they haven't heard whether there will be any available for staff at all. There might be a raffle for 3, something like that.

Re:Who will win?

[Fozzyuw]

Who will win?

I don't know who will win, but I know a guy who lost! [todaystmj4.com] Well, he lost a PS3 chance, but is probably going to win a few 100 grand in a lawsuit. Seriously, this Wal-Mart manager who thought a 'race' to 10 seats was a good idea should be fired.

Cheers,
Fozzy

1st in line, was it worth it?

[inca34]

I was first in line at a local Target. It started around 330pm Wednesday and filled up by 6pm, and since I got to run the line the way I wanted I still got to go to work and others got to take miderms, go to class, etc. Even so, it was stressful to deal with the hordes of people so desperate that, if provoked, would forcefully take someone's place. The potential for profit drove most of the idiocy. Also, everyone in the line was there to make a profit except for possibly myself--I haven't decided yet.

The worst part of it was dealing with the corporate nature of Target. The employees were fine and enthusiastic, but the corporate policies were inane. For instance, no tents while they're open (8am to 10pm) with the lows being ~34F and soaking wet. Along with that, no official rules for the line from Target (read this as ass covering) so no waiting inside and no official list guaranteed even after the known slots had been filled--meaning you have to aggressively yet legally assert your place in line with an onslaught of douchebags trying to take your spot when you get up to take a piss.

Would I do it again? Probably not. Am I glad to have a PS3, HELL YES! After work today is going to be insane!

Re:eBay

[UbuntuDupe]

The buyer is probably just out to screw over scalpers by making bids they won't pay. When you exhaust all avenues stipulated on ebay for time until you have to pay vs. the relatively small penalties for canceling a bid, this could force the seller to delay selling it to a time when the hype dies down so they're paid less and have to wait longer.

Neat strategy -- but your ebay account won't do too well.

Re:Im flying up to Canada

[freeweed]

We're long since sold out, don't bother.

Local stores here got maybe 10-15 each, and lineups were 50+ people long.

Re:PS3 Related Crime

[admdrew]

That story was posted this Tuesday, the 14th. The "Friday afternoon" in question was *last* Friday, the 10th. The story also says the people had already been waiting in line for about four days.

And PS3 Yahoo Email addresses....

[Tmack]

are going for upwards of $700: See this example [ebay.com]

Though most have high bidders with 0 feedback, and are probably being shilled to look like a real PS3 by price...

tm

Re:OT: on the subject of buying cars

[Anonymous Coward]

He's an idiot. First off to the dealer cash, cheque or finance makes no difference to them. Secondly car dealers offer some insanely low interest rates (like 0%). If he gets a 0% loan and buys a no load money market fund with his cheque and have his monthly payements transferred out of the fund to pay the loan. He'll pay off the car and have money left.

By paying cash he loses roughly 25% of it just by signing the deal. That is not wise money management.

This can work even better by leasing the car. Paying cash for a new car is brain dead stupid.