Despite not managing to get an Xbox 360 at launch,
there are some people who did.
Asking the people diligently awaiting the stroke of midnight at two UK-based launch events the simple question "Why
are you here?" resulted in a range of answers:
Gary, an IT analyst and first in line, had been queueing for over six hours. Sucked in by the hype, there was no
question about his getting a 360, and his friends will be getting them too?eventually.
Bob, also a web developer, had been queueing for nearly six hours but was displeased with the management of the
launch. Having started gaming on the NES, the 360 was a must-buy for the collection.
Scott, an IT worker standing just beyond the cut-off point at Tesco, was disappointed as he wants to keep up with his
Live friends; he had a list of other places to try, though, so he may be lucky.
Babyface, a youth worker, preordered his 360 three months ago, and is a gaming addict who had to keep up with the
latest console.
Keira, working for Gamestation, wasn?t buying a 360?the cost and complexity put her off, although she was tempted by
descriptions of Live Arcade.
Trudy, a financial operator, had travelled from Essex to get her console. An Xbox gamer, she was buying the 360 to
upgrade her entire gaming experience.
It?s interesting to note that many of the people queueing at the superstore, without preorders, were employed in
technical jobs?and those who preordered months ago at Gamestation had a very varied background but were all keen
gamers. Also, it wasn?t a male-only affair, with many women at both events?some were buying for others, some for
themselves.
Finally, unlike
the launch in America, there was nary a PSP or DS in sight, although a few books were spotted?the
UK?s PSP shortage may have had a hand in this.
