Skid_MacMarx Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 I noticed there will be "launch parties" at a number of stores like Domayne and EB Games. Australian gamers prepare to queue for Playstation 3March 22, 2007 - 2:20PM Thousands of Australian computer game fans were expected to begin queueing here Thursday to be the first outside the United States and Japan to experience Sony's new Playstation 3 console. The next-generation PS3 was to be launched at midnight (1300 GMT) in the Myer department store in central Sydney, with queues expected to form late Thursday, traditionally the night for late shopping in Australia. A Sony spokesman said 10,000 of the consoles -- Sony's answer to the challenge thrown down by Nintendo's Wii and Microsoft's XBox 360 -- had been pre-ordered in Australia, where they retail for 1,000 US dollars (808 US). "We're expecting a good chunk of the people who have pre-ordered to turn up for the launch," the spokesman said, adding the James Bond film "Casino Royale" would be screened to entertain the eager gamers as midnight approached. The PS3 was launched in the United States and Japan in November, but production problems delayed its release in the rest of the world. The delay allowed Sony's rivals to move a step ahead in Australia, where the XBox 360 was launched a year ago and the Wii has been on the shelves for five months. The PS3 is also the most expensive of the trio because Sony is only releasing its top-of-the-line 60-gigabyte version in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia. Gamer Chris Stead, former editor of Australian GamePro, said he would not be rushing to buy the console, even though he was impressed with features such as a Blu-ray DVD player. Stead said the gaming community was concerned the PS3 lacked "backward compatibility", meaning they could not use it to play games purchased for the PS1 and PS2. "The backward compatibility of the version they're selling here is much lower than in the US and Japan, so we're being asked to pay top dollar for an inferior product," he told AFP. "You're going to have to download patches and fixes to be able to play your PS1 and PS2 games and a lot of people aren't going to bother." Sony Computer Entertainment Australia managing director Michael Ephraim acknowledged the concerns but said the compatibility issue was being addressed. "We're not blind to the comments out there but we're very excited that now, with the launch, people will see what it's all about," he told reporters. However, the Sydney Morning Herald said the PS3 lacked "killer games" to accompany the launch and advised readers: "If you're budget-conscious and just want a gaming machine, buy the 360." http://www.smh.com.au/news/Technology/Aust...4153226577.html
Kirium Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 with the launch, people will see what it's all about," he told reporters. Oh they'll see alright... A mate of mine is picking his up tonight from EB, where he got about $500 trade in on his 360 + games and crap. We were joking last week how there'll probably be more security guards there than people lining up for a PS3.
Skid_MacMarx Posted March 22, 2007 Author Posted March 22, 2007 I was told this afternoon that the local Myer won't be open 'round midnight due to security issues. I noticed that this Myer had 2 PS3 demos, one hooked up to a 40" LCD, nice stand, leather lounge etc. playing BD movies, and the other set up in the games section in a display box with a 26" LCD (like the xbox360 demo display).. I overheard the salesperson saying to a couple that its the cheapest way to get into "next generation high definition DVDs..." must admit comparing chassis, the black PS3 looks "sexier".... I agree with momaw, for me, Toys R US offer the best deal..
attilathepun Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 I put in a toys r us pre-order at lunchtime - number 87 on the list. Now I just have to pray that my HDMI cable arrives in the mail tomorrow
momaw Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 I was told this afternoon that the local Myer won't be open 'round midnight due to security issues.I noticed that this Myer had 2 PS3 demos, one hooked up to a 40" LCD, nice stand, leather lounge etc. playing BD movies, and the other set up in the games section in a display box with a 26" LCD (like the xbox360 demo display).. I overheard the salesperson saying to a couple that its the cheapest way to get into "next generation high definition DVDs..." must admit comparing chassis, the black PS3 looks "sexier".... I agree with momaw, for me, Toys R US offer the best deal.. I've noticed a few places selling Blu-ray under the banner "High Definition DVD". Talk about trying to confuse the consumer. Are they that concerned about HD DVD they have to name their product after it?
Thudd1503560234 Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 Call me a wowser, but these launch parties and "be the first to own one!" promotions are, well, pretty sad really. First you have to wait in a (outside?) queue surrounded by other geeks - and if in America, dodge the bullets and muggings as well it seems. Then you get to hand over a premium amount of money for a newly launched product. Then you take it home, except it's 3:30am by the time you get home and you're just about falling asleep, so you go to bed, then go to work the next day half exhausted so that you need an early night, so it's now saturday and you still haven't unpacked that box that you were "first to own". Or am I just out of touch
sulimo Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 I've noticed a few places selling Blu-ray under the banner "High Definition DVD". Talk about trying to confuse the consumer. Are they that concerned about HD DVD they have to name their product after it? I doubt that. Its just easy shorthand for the public.
attilathepun Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 Nope, I agree they are pretty sad. Toys R Us just rang me to see if I was coming at midnight. I declined. In good news though - they said that the 50% deal on the third game did not have to be used on the same day as buying the console. He said it should be thought of as a "coupon" which could be redeemed when more games are out. Assuming he is right, and isn't mininformed, that is awesome news, as April has a couple of titles I am more interested in. Lets hope he is right - I want it in writing :-)
Skid_MacMarx Posted March 22, 2007 Author Posted March 22, 2007 I've noticed a few places selling Blu-ray under the banner "High Definition DVD". Talk about trying to confuse the consumer. Are they that concerned about HD DVD they have to name their product after it? I don't know about a deliberate campaign but when I have scratched the surface with staff on the floor, they had little or no idea about HD-DVD.. I hope this April1 launch is bigger than ben hur.. as I really feel that for the floor staff I've quizzed, its an issue with education and better marketing. At least most of the staff at the local JB told me you can't play a BD movie on the Xbox360 "HD-DVD add on" .you must admit that is a positive... I can imagine it now...a punter leaving the store with an "add on" under one arm and a batch of BD movies under the other...
webbsy1503560295 Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 wouldnt getting a xbox360 add on be the cheapest way to launch into the next gen format?
webbsy1503560295 Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 thats the one bad thing about it but ive seen u can get the for $201 aud shipped
Felix.. Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 I'm picking mine up bright and early 6:30AM Perth time. I tried to see if the retailer would let me have one late this arvo but that was a definite no can do. They let me have the Wii before the offical launch day but I guess with all things Sony it's a different matter.
Skid_MacMarx Posted March 22, 2007 Author Posted March 22, 2007 I tempted to go in later tonight but I wouldn't get up for work in the morning
Chesty Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 I tempted to go in later tonight but I wouldn't get up for work in the morning Why wait in line anyway with all the geeky sweaty men....pheww. you will just get home and be too tired to do anything with it anyway. You have the rest of your life to play with it.
momaw Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 Why wait in line anyway with all the geeky sweaty men....pheww. you will just get home and be too tired to do anything with it anyway.You have the rest of your life to play with it. I am so tempted to go to a midnight launch and buy a wii
Chesty Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 I am so tempted to go to a midnight launch and buy a wii he, he. That would be funny.Or just go and buy the remote control for the PS3....
momaw Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 I am so tempted to go to a midnight launch and have a wii and number two's as well maybe I should go just to buy a remote. I could trade in Resistance while I'm there he, he.That would be funny.Or just go and buy the remote control for the PS3.... He he beat me Chesty
Chesty Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 maybe I should go just to buy a remote. I could trade in Resistance while I'm there hey i just said that!
-Bishop- Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 I am so tempted to go to a midnight launch and buy a wii Funny, or a good time to buy a 360, I will be interested to see just what sort of first day sale there will be here for the PS3... My reaction when I saw the thread title, who the heck can afford to party when you just spent $1000 on a toy...
momaw Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 Funny, or a good time to buy a 360, I will be interested to see just what sort of first day sale there will be here for the PS3...My reaction when I saw the thread title, who the heck can afford to party when you just spent $1000 on a toy... I was in a Big W here today at lunch, no blu-ray, but a guy was buying a 360.
Skid_MacMarx Posted March 22, 2007 Author Posted March 22, 2007 I am so tempted to go to a midnight launch and buy a wii Some of the stores, I've heard, are putting on snacks.. late night supper... maybe worth the feed and stir momaw ?
momaw Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 Some of the stores, I've heard, are putting on snacks.. late night supper... maybe worth the feed and stir momaw ? If I didn't have to work tomorrow........
quietboy Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 If I didn't have to work tomorrow........ Im going tonight, my reasoning is I have a wife and kid (2nd on way), I dont go out drinking, dont do late nights out, hell it will be the first night in a long time that I am out after 12. Goodness, just read this, pass me a sedative....
momaw Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 Im going tonight, my reasoning is I have a wife and kid (2nd on way), I dont go out drinking, dont do late nights out, hell it will be the first night in a long time that I am out after 12. Goodness, just read this, pass me a sedative.... you certainly are quiet quietboy Go and have a good time. To be honest, after the 360 midnight, I am glad not to be going. The computer system wouldn't recognise the barcodes so they did them manually. Given I was in a queue with people who clearly don't leave the couch, shave or shower, by the time I escaped the fresh air was overwhelming to my assaulted senses. Mind you, I suppose this launch will preclude the dole bludging community so maybe there is hope for "groomed" people. I hope this post doesn't offend too many dole bludgers as they have the time to track me down and......who am I kidding, they would have to get off the couch.
brodricj Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 Im going tonight, my reasoning is I have a wife and kid (2nd on way), I dont go out drinking, dont do late nights out, hell it will be the first night in a long time that I am out after 12. Goodness, just read this, pass me a sedative.... Crikey, I hear you. I just copped an ear bashing from the WMD (wife of mass destruction) "you just bought what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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