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PlayStation 3 Launches in EU/AU

Posted by Zonk on from the it's-everywhere-it's-everywhere dept.

stpk4 wrote to mention some articles discussing the launch of the PlayStation 3 in Europe; London saw Phil Harrison handing out HD sets, while Microsoft's party barge and lackluster crowds marked the Parisian launch. The Australian launch went well but also saw disappointing crowds, with media, security, and store officials outnumbering the customers for much of the event. Eurogamer has a comprehensive list of launch titles, for those of you in the new territories thinking of picking up a console.

11 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Whee by SDuensin · · Score: 3, Funny

    (crickets)

  2. Re:wtf?! by twistedsymphony · · Score: 3, Funny

    The real question is: did they also provide the HD cables to connect the PS3 to those TVs? (since the PS3 doesn't come with them)

    --
    Collector's Edition
  3. In my store... by Kazzahdrane · · Score: 3, Informative

    we sold about 26 machines at our midnight launch this morning. That was only about a third of our pre-orders, and Sony got us 120 machines for day one. I know everyone's heralding the death of Sony's gaming division these days, but they've done a fantastic job with getting stock out there to stores (admittedly they've had months to put this in motion). I won't be buying one myself but I think Sony are starting to turn their fortunes around.

    Just as long as they don't let any of their execs do anymore interviews.

    1. Re:In my store... by jandrese · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Of course it's easy to ship enough stock when your demand is low.

      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
  4. PS3 by ObiWanStevobi · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Well, now having a Xbox 360 and Wii, and a lot of playing time on thePS3, I'd have to say the PS3 gets a worse rap than it deserves. Well, at least it doesn't deserve the ire it is shown. They could have been more competetive by making the Blu-Ray optional (which there is little use for as of yet). As far as the interface goes, the PS3 is a bit more versatile than the 360, but the 360 is much easier. Combined with a PSP, it can do some pretty sweet stuff. I hear you can do some sweet stuff on the 360 if you have a Windows Media Center PC as well, but I don't know and won't find out.

    The PS3 is quieter than the Xbox, and has a much better hard drive setup. However, for all it's much advertised power, I certainly haven't noticed it. It could be the games, but nothing I have seen would lead me to believe it is more powerful. Which, I guess, brings up games. So far PS3 is far behind the 360 in games. And that's saying alot with the 360 not having a super line-up yet.

    But, I'm still waiting for my Xbox back from MS after the dvd drive crapped out. Just like the original xbox, the DVD drives seem to be good for about a year, while my original PS2 drive is still working.

    Anyway, for the money, I'd take a 360 and a Wii over the PS3 anyday. The 360 for playing alone & online, and the Wii for when friends are over.

    1. Re:PS3 by The_Sock · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I don't know, I really hate optional hardware on a console. If you develop games for a console, you should know what hardware is in it. You should only have to worry about that one piece of hardware (per vendor), not any of this stupid core, plus, platinum, xtreme, wtf, models of a console. I personally believe, from a developers point of view, you can do more if all the neat gee-wiz options are there in every console.

      --
      For a good time call www.sawkie.com
  5. The cheapest way... by F-3582 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Intelligence says that some German retailer had a crazy stunt: Bring your Xbox360, smash it in front of the audience and get a PS3 for free! Limited to the first fifty people...

  6. Re:Folding by AArmadillo · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Indeed. To put it in perspective, the average GPU client is doing twice as well as the average PS3 client.

  7. 'Overall' power? by Funk_dat69 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    And what exactly is the 'overall' power of a system?

    Performance always has a context (despite what some marketers will have you believe) and in this context, yes, the Cell in the PS3 really is that much more powerful than an x86 chip.

    --
    FUNK!
  8. Re: Wii is plenty powerful... by trdrstv · · Score: 4, Insightful
    But the Wii just doesn't have the power and graphics to satify the gaming population.

    Sure it does. In fact it already has about half the install base of the 360 and more than twice that of the PS3. Remember that if the 'most powerful machine' wins the race, Sony would never have been a contender. People seemed pretty content with their PS1/PS2's despite there being more powerful systems competing with them.

  9. A whistle stop tour of electronic stores by hine_uk · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I had the day off today due to the dryer at home deciding to stop working. This took me on a tour of Comet, Curry's, Woolworths and Big W.

    All stores had huge signs outside saying "PS3 stock available inside". This was from 12 oclock through till 2pm. Everywhere had huge stands and what looked like large amounts of stock, I also only saw one person show interest.

    Later this afternoon I decided to take a trip into Cardiff (S.Wales vally boy just so you know). Gamestation, Virgin, Game, HMV and more all had signs saying "stock available".

    I think at this point that I should note that in all stores the Wii was totally sold out. Supply chain problems,lack of interest whatever. I think it speaks for itself that at £425 just for a base unit console the numbers are going to suck. People want value not extra's and to put a long story short, if you really do need that PS3 get to Newport and Cardiff in S.Wales.

    Pete