Playstation 3 Sells Out At Japanese Launch

s31523 writes "With its high price tag and stiff competition the PS3 was a gamble. Based on the reaction in Japan to the game console's release, there might be a new hot toy on everyone's Christmas list here in the states. According to the article there were 100,000 units [Z: actually, only 80,000 units] available and all were sold out in record time. There are 2 configurations currently offered, a 60GB WiFi enabled box and a 20GB non-WiFi box. The Japanese price for the lower end system is considerably discounted vs. the system to be released in the States." For a look at launch day, Kotaku has photos taken by Sony's Phil Harrison on the streets of Tokyo.

Comments

The very definition of "hardcore"

[antifoidulus]

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."

Well, I guess that shows who Sony's demographics are, 41 year old men who put gaming ahead of basic biological function. Take that Maslow!

Re:The very definition of "hardcore"

[RonnyJ]

There's an even better quote here:

Apparently one of the campers called in sick (for two weeks?), and had to postpone his engagement to divert the ring fund to a PlayStation 3, while another guy quit his job altogether.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/10/ps3-hopefuls-pa rt-ii/

Re:The very definition of "hardcore"

[Mr. Ksoft]

Hm, now we might be able to blame Sony for killing a man.

Re:The very definition of "hardcore"

[Meagermanx]

Maslow had a Hierarchy of Needs. It goes:

1. Playstation 3
2. Physical Survival
3. Safety and Security
4. Social Needs
5. Self Esteem
6. Self Actualization

Re:The very definition of "hardcore"

[Anonymous Coward]

It exists at both ends. Possessing a PS3 is at the base, before physical survival, but actually playing is up at Self-Actualization.

Re:The end of Sony bashing?

[William_Lee]

Hopefully, this story will reduce the amount of people randomly bashing Sony (and how their PS3 will "obviously" fail) for no reason. Right now I'm just happy for Sony and the rate of sales they've had. Aren't you?

Kutaragi-san, don't you have better places to be right now than the slashdot forums?! You should be working on production issues, better developer tools, and lack of strong launch titles...

Re:Sony Rhetoric

[Jerf]

Because the VGCats comic is inevitable, might as well come from someone with maxed-out Karma.

(It is pretty good though. I love the auction in the background of the second-to-last panel.)

Obligatory

[shoptroll]

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=212

No further comment needed

Re:Yeah, Hot new Xmas Item...

[Opie812]

What econ did you take? Lowered supply always increases demand...

Wha? I have one weiner (a low supply you will agree?). Yet there is very little demand. *sigh*

I'm sure you can argue how I'm wrong with my interpretation of your comment, and you could very well be correct in that argument. I'm just joking around, is all.

Re:I am not surprised

[Daniel Phillips]

Based on the euphoric reaction to PS3's flagship launch title Resistance: Fall of Man Sony has nailed this, the PS3 is a guaranteed long term hit. In spite of all the FUD (I wonder who sponsored that) the machine performs to spec and production qualities are top notch. Oh yes, I'm a PS3 fan. After all it is a Linux machine, not to mention a superb piece of engineering.

I personally won't bat an eye about dropping $600 on this box. After all, I'm picking up a $2,500 flat screen tv to go with it. Sony is obviously going to be selling every box it can make for a long time. Now the race to dominate the high end console market comes down to one thing: Sony's manufacturing ramp-up.

Re:Yeah, Hot new Xmas Item...

[c_forq]

Except for their being an almost unlimited supply of one-of-a-kind cat shits, along with the abundance of substitutes from dogs, horses, squirrels, deer, rabbit and countless others.