Sony kiosks hit Korean theater, bank
by Kyle Orland 
{ Aug 13th 2007 at 1:58PM }
When Nintendo put Wii kiosks outside in the cold of a London winter , we thought it was a little nutty. When Sony put a PS2 in the lobby of the England National Symphony, we thought things couldn't get weirder. Well, those crazy foreigners are at it again. This time it's Sony Korea setting up PS2 and PSP kiosks in movie theaters and a PS3 unit in a bank.
AVING USA has pictures of the "ZAM ZONE" in Seoul's MEGABOX multiplex, which feature rows of systems set up in front of comfortable-looking stadium-seating-style chairs. The "Bank Zone," on the other hand, comprises a single PS3 and HD monitor with a leather chair in the corner of a Shinhan Bank branch in Seouls' COEX convention center.
We can see the appeal of playing a few games when you're out at the movies, but the bank? Do people really feel the urge to have a high-end gaming machine nearby when waiting to deposit checks? Are businessmen going to take time out of their busy schedules for a quick game of MotorStorm? We tend to doubt it.
[Via Insert Credit]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Fernando Rocker @ Aug 13th 2007 2:05PM
Smells like desperation...
cc123 @ Aug 13th 2007 2:17PM
Did you even read the article? Nintendo put Wiis on London streets was that desperation too?
James @ Aug 13th 2007 2:33PM
That it does. Still you can't blame them for trying.
cc123 @ Aug 13th 2007 2:39PM
ugh...
Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb.
ForceUnleashed @ Aug 13th 2007 3:12PM
I agree...
A ps3 in a bank? A movie theater? WTF? Thats desperation.
And as for the Wii in the streets...thats not desperation. Thats called good strategy. EVERYONE is out and about on the streets. And why wouldn't they want to play a console (ANY console for that matter) while they're out and about?
If sony did the same thing as Nintendo it wouldn't be a big deal other than the fact that they're copying Nintendo's strategy.
Basically this is just proof of how desperate sony is to branch out their base.
Airhab @ Aug 13th 2007 3:25PM
Wrong Again Son.
When Will You Learn?
cc123 @ Aug 13th 2007 3:40PM
Putting one on the street during the winter is a good strategy, putting one in a bank or movie theater is desperation because nobody goes to those place.
You honestly cannot believe the shit you type on here JonnyBoy. This has to be an act.
ForceUnleashed @ Aug 13th 2007 3:52PM
Lol this isn't an act. When someone is in the streets they're either on their way towards somewhere or they've just left. Either way most people aren't in any hurry or are taking their time while out and about.
I don't know about you but when I'm at the bank I'm usually there for ONE THING and one thing only. Thats to complete whatever transactions I have to do that day. NOT stand there and play some random videogames (no matter which system) and yell in excitement when I win a race or I beat the crap out of the opponent.
When I go to the movies I get my ticket, I get my popcorn, some candy, and then I go to the movie....and then when I'm done I may hang around a few mins to talk wtih a few peoples but afterwards I'm going straight home.
So no I don't see what your point is. The average person is not going to stop banking or delay their banking to play some ps3. And I firmly believe the same thing applies to movie theaters. Except for the few bums whose sole existence is to live at the movie theaters or the people who come way too early.
On the other hand I don't see whats wierd about seeing a game system outside and wanting to play it. Most people see food outside and pause a few minutes to eat. Why not pause and play games? You're outside. You've got time on your hands.
Thats why I think Nintendo is using good strategy while sony is clearly desperate as hell for any type of consumer to buy the ps3 and they're willing to take gambles.
But in the end its sony's money. They're free to waste it however they way. I guess this is just another way to PLAY B3YOND!
cc123 @ Aug 13th 2007 4:07PM
Well Jonny I don't know what island you live on where people wander the streets aimlessly without a care in the world hoping entertainment gets dropped on their lap but where I live when people are commuting they don't like to stop on the street during WINTER.
A lot of movie theaters also have/had arcades at them so saying thats a bad place to put a video game demo is asinine. Banks just happen to be a place where people from all walks of life usually have to attend at one point or another. And it's out of the cold.
ForceUnleashed @ Aug 13th 2007 4:32PM
So you're saying that people don't do anything remotely fun during winter outside?
Lets think about that one for a second...
If people buy food outside during winter (which we both know is true). If people walk outside during winter. If people drive during winter. If people chat during winter, play outdoor activities during winter, play SPORTS during winter, then what is so strange about playing videogames during winter.
Yes some movie theaters have arcades. Mine has a 3 standss. One is like an on rails shooting type of thing. The other a driving game. And the third is PacMac. Unless you're talking about huge megaplex type theaters the average theater doesn't have a full arcade where you can place a system kiosk.
Like I said before what insane sony does with its money is none of my concern. However its pretty obvious that this is an act of desperation on their part.
And for the record its not necessary to insult people just cuz they have a different opinion than you. Obviously as a sony fanboy you're going to think this is something different than what others might think. However that doesn't give you the right to call the other 2 "Tweedledee and Tweedledumb".
But hey you sony fanboys love being so arrogant and rude so it doesn't really surprise.
cc123 @ Aug 13th 2007 4:49PM
Yes people do things for fun during the winter...mostly indoors. London is cold during wintertime. Main point still stands when people are commuting to or from some place they are usually not looking to kill time.
Admitting they have arcades in your own theaters yet seeing video game demos as wrong is...I don't even know what to say about you...has to be an act.
And don't try to act holier than me you are the worst fucking troll on this site. It took your JonnyBoy2U id getting banned and probably a stiff warning from the mods to get you to acting *almost* like a human being so get off your pedestal.
upz @ Aug 13th 2007 9:44PM
I'd argue against Jonny along with you cc, but what's the point? The guy can't follow an argument, let alone give a logical response.
Placing kiosks in movie theaters, historical venues for playing video games to pass the time, is a terrible idea, but because people drive on the streets during the winter, it's the perfect place for advertising kiosks. Can't argue with that...
REUYL @ Aug 13th 2007 2:11PM
Why'd they put a PS3 in a bank? Because it'll gladly take your money! Hah!
Captain Jody Anthony XVIII @ Aug 13th 2007 3:15PM
haha, god i love your avatar.
Stevo @ Aug 13th 2007 2:16PM
I sure hope they don't put the same Motorstorm demo in these that they had in Walmart this past holiday season. That play session alone discredited all of the PS3 hype for me.
James @ Aug 13th 2007 2:34PM
You too? It was the controls that did it for me, I won't go back to a PS3 until they fix the controller or a decent 3rd party one comes out.
Stevo @ Aug 13th 2007 2:41PM
Yup-- exactly. I DID play madden on it later at my buddy's place. It wasn't AS depressing...but definitely another turn off (especially w/ the controller).
Gus @ Aug 13th 2007 2:29PM
erm... why do the pics say PlayStation2?
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 13th 2007 2:31PM
Bank had PS3 COEX convention center as in the picture had PS2 and PSP units.
samfish @ Aug 13th 2007 2:30PM
[INSERT ZINGER HERE]
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 13th 2007 2:31PM
Pirates wore eye patches for night vision!
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 13th 2007 2:33PM
Won't do better than DS Lite. PS3 would heavily compete with PC and that's not going to be pretty.
Grant @ Aug 13th 2007 2:38PM
i wouldn't mind playing some demos while waiting for my movie.
i don't know about anyone else, but the inclusion of random TV commercials before the trailers has started to get on my nerves, that seems like the perfect time to play some PS2.
ssuk @ Aug 13th 2007 3:02PM
Sorry guys, I can't resist:
At least you have SOMETHING to do while you remorgae your house to buy a PS3. AM I RITE???
Sorry, I'm so sorry. =(
RPGJock @ Aug 13th 2007 4:22PM
With the price of crappy movies and the outrageous price concession stand prices, we need something for the theaters to make it worthwhile. I mean $10 bucks for the movie? Not unless the DVD release for it is being handed out after the movie.
ForceUnleashed @ Aug 13th 2007 5:17PM
I'm done arguing about winter activities with you. Bottom line is that you're wrong. Lots of people do lots of different things in winter. Hence why we have winter clothes. Hence why there are gloves. Having a game console set up outside in a reasonable area isn't that big a deal.
You're the troll here. Not me. I've never said anything ridiculous in any thread that made it obvious I was simply there to piss people off.
The fact is that you and others like to push peoples buttons. And then when they react you try to paint them as psycho or simply irrational trolls.
I learned that the hard way and now I know how losers like you operate on this website. Since it is a major part of your "hardcore gamer" lifestyle you think you run things around here and it kills you when others simply state opinions that are contrary to yours.
cc123 @ Aug 13th 2007 6:05PM
Oh WOW!
You troll and spam because other people on forums forced you too. Your the victim, you poor thing.
I guess it's not an act after all. Thanks for the laugh Jonny and pull your head out of your ass every once in a while. =)
xc7x @ Aug 13th 2007 8:07PM
nice,i'd enjoy an excuse to hang @ the bank to play some Motorstorm at least until the security guard booted me out :-)
David K @ Aug 15th 2007 5:21AM
This post is misleading for so many reasons.
"The Bank Zone" is not just a bank, it is an area near the mentioned movie theater provided by Shinhan Bank for its customers where the customers can buy tickets for the movies and read magazines and play games.
Hence it makes sense for Sony to promote PS3 in "the bank".
I won't even argue about why promoting PSP and PS3 in a movie theater makes sense. When PC games or 360 hit the large screens, people seem to think it's cool, but when it comes to Sony doing a promotion in a theater, GOD FORBID! Double standards, anyone?
Jeez. Sony did screw up a lot of things lately, but they shouldn't be taking a rap for something they actually did right.