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.

Comments

eBay

[perlionex]

It looks like the going rate is anywhere from $3000-$5000...

Wow

[Tadrith]

I'm watching the news right now.

This is possibly the dumbest, saddest thing I've ever seen.

Re:Wow

[lucabrasi999]

This is possibly the dumbest, saddest thing I've ever seen.

You're new here, aren't you?

Near riot at our Best Buy

[volpone]

And that's not an exaggeration. When they came out to announce that they only had 30 PS3s, people went nuts. Trashing stuff, punching random people, it was crazy. They had to call a bunch of cops to get things under control.

It Is Just A Fucking Game, Damn It! I wish everyone would grow the fuck up.

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 even after launch). For those of you interested in criminal activity, Engadget has an amusing collection of articles:

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

And they even have a link to our very own lovable Senator Jonathon Edwards 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.

Re:I won't expect reviews for a good while

[Rastignac]

You need friends just to show them that you've got one and they don't...

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:Hoping for the wii Launch...

[Chris Burke]

No, you bring a remote control with you to Target, and then you pantomime beating the hell out of the people in front of you.

Moral cost?

[Anonymous Coward]

What moral cost? It's called supply and demand. It's not like this is a necessary purchase for survival.

Mod Parent Up!

[denverradiosucks]

That was supposed to be funny! How many of us remember being kids and your "friends" at school would invite you over just so you could watch them play Nintendo?

A sad day.

[Maajid]

We gather here today to mourn the tragic death of Common Sense . . .

Re:1st in line, was it worth it?

[Guppy06]

"The employees were fine and enthusiastic, but the corporate policies were inane. For instance, no tents while they're open"

"Inane?" They're a retail store, not a campground! If anything, you should just be happy that you were allowed to loiter outside the store to begin with, as your presence no doubt had an intimidating effect on the store's more legitimate customers. The people in the lines I saw differed from the people I see on streetcorners holding their cardboard signs only by degree.

"Along with that, no official rules for the line from Target (read this as ass covering) "

No, read it as "Not their fucking job."

"After work today is going to be insane!"

And after Monday? After next week? Next month? Next year? Will the insanity you participated in still have been worth it once the novelty has worn off?

Here's a question: of all the people who stood in line for a PS3 in the US, how many voted ten days ago?

I'll bet

[Enry]

..the same people standing in line for a week to get a PS3 can't find the time to vote. If you did, good for you.

Re:This is consumer America

[MS-06FZ]

The moral of my story: if you're not a financial genius, marry someone who is :-)

Certainly sounds better than my plan, of marrying a lusciously sexy girl with big tits...