Joystiq Cares: Please rethink waiting in PS3 lines
We start you off with this video submitted to Kotaku of the NYC Circuit City line, just to give you a small taste of what's to come tomorrow. Reports continue to pour in that, other than certain Circuit City stores, most retail locations will not be receiving their intended, expected, hoped, dreamed, whatever you want to call it, shipments of Playstation 3 for launch. Although none of the retailer HQ's we contacted will give us their launch numbers -- because those greedy guys hope you'll walk out with another system in hand -- many retail store employees continue to send in tips that their stores are receiving fewer (if any) expected units. Although Sony still hasn't said anything official, please just look at a fraction of evidence regarding the launch numbers. There are other ways of procuring a PS3 if you're desperate and rich enough to afford one. In general, if you aren't one of the first few people in line -- don't forget the people who pre-ordered in some cases -- double check and ask exactly how many units the store will receive. That's it. Cold hard truth. But, we ain't your motha', go wait in line if you want.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kevin @ Nov 16th 2006 7:08AM
I still think Sony should have waited to release this damn thing.
jd @ Nov 16th 2006 7:11AM
Pathetic is too kind of a word to describe that...
Jonathan @ Nov 16th 2006 7:12AM
I think it's irresponsible of Sony to aggressively market something that most people won't be able to get.
Yesterday I was in EB Games, and a woman mid-30s came in and asked about the PS3. When they told her the price, her jaw dropped. When they told her that unless she has one preordered, she's likely not gonna get one, she was even more shocked.
I think it will be at least a year before the PS3 becomes a viable product (i.e. you actually can get it at the store for a reasonable price).
Anonymouse Rep @ Nov 16th 2006 7:32AM
I'm just wondering how many fights, brawls, and or riots are going to occur when people who've waited outside in the cold and rain for 3 days for what they felt was a sure fire way to make $1400 profit on eBay find out they're getting zilch - because you all know as well as I do that none of these people are actually waiting in line to buy one for themselves. If you wanted one for yourself, you pre-ordered it at GameStop.
Brian O\\\'lyaryz @ Nov 16th 2006 7:32AM
Yea, I'm here in front of my local Gamestop. I have a DC converter plugged into my car with an extention cord plugged into my iMac and I'm getting internet connection from one of the shops. So we're here in a PS3 line looking at vids of other PS3 lines. I'm number 5 and number 1 just left to buy us some cuban coffee (expresso for America).
Cheers.
ThisIsNot @ Nov 16th 2006 7:33AM
I think those people have way too much hope that they will be getting a PS3 tomorrow. At best, maybe 40-50 of those people will be getting a PS3. My local Best Buy will only be getting in 2-20GB models and 3-60GB models. This same store received 35 premium Xbox 360 consoles and 10 core consoles at launch. Back then, I thought Microsoft should have waited. Now, I definitely think that Sony should have waited another 6 months to year before launching this thing.
Ashley Allen @ Nov 16th 2006 7:35AM
For the sake of sanity someone go and buy a 360 at a shop with a huge line then go outside to the line hold the 360 above your head and shout: "No need to wait they've got plenty of 360's now!"
Jeff @ Nov 16th 2006 7:37AM
"I think those people have way too much hope that they will be getting a PS3 tomorrow."
Those camping out at certain stores do, but not that particular one above. That's one of the stores getting 100 units for sale, and they're also getting *another* 100 units to give away.
So that line will all be getting PS3's; the only question is whether or not they'll have to pay for them.
Still, camping out for 2 days is ridiculous and not something I would ever do for a game console.
Trismegistos @ Nov 16th 2006 7:38AM
Interesting.
Would anyone be tempted just to go with an Xbox360 or Wii that dont own a next-gen console?
Microsoft & Nintendo can capitalise on the disappointment of a lot people not getting the console that they have waited for.
Optimus Prime @ Nov 16th 2006 7:44AM
"For the sake of sanity someone go and buy a 360 at a shop with a huge line then go outside to the line hold the 360 above your head and shout: "No need to wait they've got plenty of 360's now!""
Thats pretty sad actually; for MS that is. Having been out a year, 360 should be the sh*t this year, but, it aint. All the gears hype from last year is now gone, in a week. Now what? Viva Pinata?
So laugh at the line ups all you want; people waited a year for PS3 after 360 launched. They dont give a sh*t about 360.
Evan @ Nov 16th 2006 8:02AM
Why is it even important to get a PS3 at launch? It's not as if the PS3 launch games are anything special. Would it kill these people to wait until next year?
Kn1ves @ Nov 16th 2006 8:05AM
Anyone camping out for the Wii?
http://illusivedesigns.net/kn1ves
Prof-KOS @ Nov 16th 2006 8:25AM
There are people camping outside the Best Buys in the Toronto area too(not a surprise). What makes this an exceptioaly stupid move is the weather reports expect 52-75mm (2-3 inches) of rain today. That's God's way of saying this is a bad idea, and you'll now pay for it. So cruel, it would fit in with Old Testament stories.
Anonymouse Rep @ Nov 16th 2006 8:25AM
Optimus -
The launch is nothing - that gets some of the hype out. What's going to make this a Microsoft Christmas is on Black (or Green, if you work at Best Buy) Friday, when the AVERAGE consumer comes in to buy a PS3 - and they're nowhere to be found.
That's when having plenty of 360's on hand is going to make the difference at the retail level. At one of my stores, the operations manager said that he's been ordering all that he can (at least 50 per week for the last month) so that he has a great inventory on hand to meet the demand.
Remember, retailers really don't care WHICH system you buy, they just want you to spend your money with THEM - so when Mom and Pop middle America find out there isn't going to be a PS3 in the holiday future, they're going to get either a 360 or a Wii (or both).
NEXT holiday will make a difference - if Sony manages to stay out of bankruptcy after failing so miserably this holiday.
FSK405K @ Nov 16th 2006 8:33AM
PS3:XB360;PS2:Dreamcast You wait and see.
HeyTone @ Nov 16th 2006 8:35AM
Optimus -
What is more disturbing for Sony is that we cannot know how geniune the 'lineup hype' is for Sony. I'd be willing to bet about half of these systems (if not more) end up on Ebay. Those lines don't represent a good thing for Sony, they represent Sony's inability to properly supply a product and a few market entrepreneurs taking advantage of this shortage.
Granted, PS3 will gain some favorable press coverage (we've already seen some) because of these lines. But the sad part about it is that Sony could've been easily selling 50-100 of these at each store.
Also, to say that people don't give a shit about 360 is downright foolish. Whether or not they have considered it before, a 360 will be sitting next to two empty spaces where campers claimed Wii's and PS3s. And you know what? 360 ain't such a bad system.
Microsoft will see a considerable boost in sales this holiday.
All of this hoopla makes me wonder why game companies don't launch their systems in the August, September area. That way they can get all the systems to the hardcores like they were going to sell anyway and then have at least some stock for the holidays. This would also deter crazy ebay prices and the annoyance for customers that goes with it.
Chris @ Nov 16th 2006 8:40AM
LOL, losers. I have a reserve on my Wii. I can just walk in with money and walk out with my console in hand. The only thing is that I will have to wait on line at the checkout.
clo1_2000 @ Nov 16th 2006 8:48AM
What cracks me up is that after all the shit Sony talked about beating Microsoft's launch numbers it doesn't seem that they will be able to after all. And don't give me that shit about top of the line components. In this industry you either put up or shut up. I guess we will know in a few days just how many they launched with. I'm guessing it'll be less thatn 300K for the US.
bp @ Nov 16th 2006 8:47AM
#10
Ninety percent of the people waiting in line are going to leave tomorrow morning and go strait to their computer and post it up on ebay. So some rich kid can tell their dad they want a $2000 ps3 along with a goose that lays golden eggs. And don’t tell me most are the corporate consumer loyalists, fanboys, that have been saving their money for the past few years so they can play Fall of Man.
I really don't understand the whole fanboy loyalty. They are all companies that are just looking at your wallet. That's it. They aren't your best friend. And if they are, then you need to grow up and look at the more important things in life; like sex. Spend the $600 on a hooker. You will enjoy it so much more.
Brian @ Nov 16th 2006 8:48AM
Local GameCrazy was told 5 units and they are only getting in 2.
Ashley Allen @ Nov 16th 2006 8:48AM
Microsoft and Nintendo are probibly rubbing their hands together at the thought of people with $600+ in their pocket who are in the market for a next gen machine.
Whats the betting every person that loses out on a PS3 has to walk past a 360 demo unit running Gears of war?
Tyrael Kenshai @ Nov 16th 2006 2:54PM
Yeah, the launch numbers seem to have changed.
At my store (Walmart) our number of unit coming in dropped from 12 to a meagre 4 last night.
I'm afraid to leave the store 11pm tonight...I might get mauled by a PS3-craving crowd...oy.
MagWheels @ Nov 16th 2006 9:11AM
Wow. My jaw dropped when the video's narrator said "Let's go around the corner." I don't even like to line up for groceries. :)
kye @ Nov 16th 2006 11:26AM
Did anyone else notice when the guy whistled a few notes from a Zelda song?
There's a Zelda fan in each of us.
Oh yeah!
WiiFTW!!
32_Footsteps @ Nov 16th 2006 9:22AM
MagWheels has a point. I hate being in a line at a grocery store that's longer than two people. And that's to get something required for continued existence.
My experience is that I went to Circuit City last night and saw 13 people already lining up for the system. Of the 13, only one said he was buying it for himself. And according to the sign CC put up in their front door, they were only getting 19 of the high-end PS3s (and no low-end units).
Tomorrow is going to be several levels of absurd, and I'm glad I won't be in the middle of it.
shivr @ Nov 16th 2006 9:32AM
I'll be lining up for the wii saturday night at best buy. I think they're getting at least 50, but hopefully 60 or 70, and luckily I live in a fairly small city so I don't think the line will exceed 20-30 people. Plus there's less "omg limited quantities!" and "ebay for massive profits!(damage!)" craze for the wii in general so.. hopefully my time won't be wasted.
This is my first console launch since I moved out of my parent's house to an apartment, and the first console I'll be lining up for, and the second console I've ever bought on my own (not received for christmas). I'm mostly in on this lining up thing for the experience though... it will be dissapointing if I don't get one in the end, but at least I'll know the pain and misery and boredom of console launch lines firsthand :)
As for the ps3... uhh, I'm to cheap to get a ps2 yet, ps3 is faaaaaaar off on some distant hill for me
Edge of Blade @ Nov 17th 2006 5:43PM
This is crooked marketing by/for Sony. They launch with 100 PS3's at certain stores, so they can claim, with this kind of imagery, that the PS3 launch was more sucessful than the short lines at some 360 sellers. So, to "make benefit the glorious nation of Sony", they pack certain stores withh 100 consoles while other stores get 4 consoles.
The more we allow this kind of imagry, the more we help Sony to deceive the masses.
Rich @ Nov 16th 2006 9:53AM
@24
PS2's are $100 you cheap
Scott @ Nov 16th 2006 10:19AM
Good news? It's not as cold in NYC the last few days as it should be...bad news this is the forecast for the afternoon and night...
Showers early, becoming steady rain by the afternoon with a few thunderstorms possible. High 67F. Winds SE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Oops ALSO AND MORE IMPORTANT! Are we sure the Circuit City's are REALLY getting 100 units on this list...
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/categorySpecial.do?catOid=-16622&cmSearchKeyword=playstation+3#anchor1
Make sure you read the fine print:
Manufacturer shortages have decreased supply, and any statements about product availability made by Circuit City are subject to change.
I love NYC, but I really hope more than police unit is there come 10pm when the crap starts hitting the fan.
shivr @ Nov 16th 2006 10:20AM
hell yah I'm cheap. I mean nintendo's my mainstay console so 200-250 is ok for them, but any other console and I gotta sit there and mull about price drops and quality (I do not have a good track record with Sony electronics...)
D-Town @ Nov 16th 2006 11:40AM
I don't even want to thinks who is more morose: these fuckers for lining up or Sony for enabling their idiotic behaviour. I'm calling STUPIDEST LAUNCH EVAH! It's not even funny anymore. STFUAJKY!!!
JDub @ Nov 16th 2006 11:24AM
Play-Asia has been selling PS3's since last week. That's where I got my 360 from last year when all you fools were on line for that and for $349 for the jap commemorative pack that came with a game. A friend ordered his and got it already. I refuse. I was already duped once. These companies are releasing inferior and incomplete products as well as games because they know they can firmware update us. Not 1 PS3 or 360 game for that matter is in 1080p Sony is talking the same crap 360 was at launch "oh in 6 months you should start seeing the good quality games" so your telling me these games are what "not good" or just not good enough for a PS3 and if so, why not wait.
Bluefusion @ Nov 16th 2006 10:59AM
Has anyone considered how ticked off the game developers and publishers must be as well when they see such a poor launch? Many a night was probably spent getting these games ready for the launch date, and for what? Think Japan: only to see a .98 game-to-console sales ratio with a paltry 60k consoles? I'd be mighty ticked if I was EA. We know how they like their profit.
Gamey McGee @ Nov 16th 2006 11:05AM
Luckily I have a guaranteed PS3. I won't have to wait in a line and I didn't have to pre-order.
Seems that being a G.A.P. member, and showing up to the PS3 Source events paid off for people. It paid off for me. I get to show up, show them my ID, get my wristband (which reserves my PS3) and walk to the front of the line. Nice. Only 50 people in NYC got a deal like that (supposedly.) I'll see ya'll at the SonyStyle store at 55th and Madison.
BTW-- Sony said the first 400 in line at the SonyStyle store on Madison and 55th in NYC will get a wristband, too. I just don't have to wait in line. Launch party will have Ludacris as the host and starts at 9:30 tonight!
ackmondual @ Nov 16th 2006 11:26AM
@#24
""@24
PS2's are $100 you cheap""
Give him a break. While $100 for a console + $50 for accessoires + $200 for alot of games isn't really that much, it sounds like he's on his own now. He's got rent, utilties, food, Metro/bus/car payments, insurance to cover on his own now ;) :P
nea @ Nov 16th 2006 11:30AM
sad
PS3Crashed @ Nov 16th 2006 11:59AM
I was in a store yesterday with both a PS3 and Wii Demo unit with friends. I was playing around with the Wii controller and was highly impressed with the Nintendo Wii. Just as I'm creating a Mii character in the Wii's interface a store employee comes up to me and says "If I wanted a gamecube I would've bought a gamecube" and "I prefer to advance my technology". Just as he's saying this my friend thats playing PS3 says, "PS3 just crashed". The employee goes over to the Demo unit opens the cabinet, screws with the cables, remarks on how much heat is ecaping when he opens it, and all this time bashing the Wii. I asked him "what happened to your advanced technology?". He replied, "It's been crashing all day". Then remembers that sony had placed a button on the back of the demo unit to reset it, because even they know it crashes. See I prefer technology that just works. Technology that looks good, doesn't confuse and especially doesn't crash. Sony should've learned the last time they put a system out to make it work first and then sell it. I have no compassion for all you idiots being rained on waiting for a soon to be dead market Bluray Drive, and a PS3 that's going to crash within the first hour of playing it. I hope you have fun watching your no longer advertised, dead market UMD's on your PSP's waiting on a line to nowhere. I would take the advice of VP's in Microsoft and buy a wii, and a 360 for the same price as the ugliest console I've seen since the days of Atari. Have fun playing with your rubix cube and getting rained on PS3 nerds.
thbhouse @ Nov 16th 2006 12:10PM
the store manager at our circuit city (the one i'm currently camped out at) took a pic on his camera phone of twenty 60gb consoles. luckily i'm 12th :)
Rich @ Nov 16th 2006 12:30PM
That's nothing! Anyone see/remember the line for a new Apple store in Tokyo?
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/65721/the_longest_line_ever/
Ciaran Gallagher @ Nov 17th 2006 11:15AM
Here's a tip for those that are camping out for PS3's - buy a 360!
If I was in their situation, I'd have realised that I could save myself a lot of money and a lot of time if I just bought a 360. But I'm not in their situation because I've had almost 1 year of glorious next-gen gaming...
And in the UK, some people will still be playing their PS2's until next Christmas...
Seth T @ Nov 16th 2006 2:12PM
I just walked by the line. They've moved everyone against the wall and put the gates up around them. Maybe to prevent line cutters and therefore murders.
The guy at the Game stop nearby said they've been lining up since Sunday night. Suprisingly the line wasn't as stinky as I would have thought.
Also, the line has grown a little bit longer since the clip was taken. I would say it's near 3/4 of the way around an entire city block, but that does include the gaps(as shown).
Decompiled @ Nov 16th 2006 5:28PM
Imagine the scene, it's the 19th the store opens, the employees allow three people in, then the manager and a riot team appear and tell everybody else that they have no more PS3's and should all go home quietly.
Hijinks ensues.
mtphrs @ Nov 16th 2006 3:20PM
My local Wal-Mart is getting 6 PS3s for tonight's launch; it was supposed to be 10. At 4 PM yesterday the line exceeded that number, so we had basically sold out.
Shortly before that, one of the campers was offered $1000 for his place in line. What did he do? He refused it, of course, though he told the person offering the money that he'd do it for $2000; I guess we'll know the conclusion to this story later today.
lothar @ Nov 16th 2006 3:25PM
I really didnt realize that there were that many rich people in New York. They can take 3 days off from work to buy a $600 system, $60 game and then add another $50 in sales tax!
The ZeroCorpse @ Nov 16th 2006 3:11PM
Most are retards who intend to sell on eBay. The PS3 is just this year's Tickle Me Elmo... Except Tickle Me Elmo is a lot more fun.
Enjoy your wait, suckers. eBay will start limiting sales and prices, and you'll have nothing good to play on your $600 computer.
Mobster M @ Nov 16th 2006 3:42PM
The lunatics have escaped the asylum. You'd think these were desparate people waiting to get some food or other basic neccesity. This is neagtive PR for Sony and quite rightly too. They have screwed up every step of the way with the PS3 and it's biting em on the ass. Their senior execs are a bunch of dicks as well. Spouting off all sorts of verbal garbage. What did their PR man Karakker say..."This is going be be an even bigger launch than the 360 in terms of volume"..Hmmm sounds like he's gonna have to keep a pretty low profile over the next few days..MS / Nintendo do not need to do anything. I mean why would you interfere when your enemy is busy shooting himself in both feet.
Seth @ Nov 16th 2006 4:22PM
@42 NYC is crawling with rich people, at least Manhattan-ites. Just look at the apartment prices here. Now, hard to say if the people on line were from other boroughs or not, but if they can sell on ebay for 2x-10x, then maybe it's worth their time.
@43 Any publicity is good publicity these days. I saw CNBC cameras filming the line. How many people were clueless about the PS3's and how many people will learn about it tonight after seeing the lineups on the news?
RGD86 @ Nov 16th 2006 7:54PM
There are two stores in my home town (about 20000 people) that will be getting PS3s. Each are getting 2 consoles for a grand total of 4 PS3s tomorrow. One store is offering an 360 bundle for $50 off the regular price because of this.
Smart Sony. Real smart. Nintendo will definitely make more profit than Sony this holiday season and so will Microsoft.