Technobuddy

By Bobby Blackwolf

November 14, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

I think you guys should really endeavor to find someone who is actually buying one to take it home to play it. The majority of people attempting to get a PS3 that I’ve spoken with via my internet radio show are eBay opportunists. Even the Japanese launch was filled with homeless Japanese or Chinese nationals working for the Yakuza or other opportunistic businessmen wanting to sell them on eBay for exhorborant prices. I wouldn’t be surprised if the majority of units sold on Friday are left unopened and go straight to eBay.

By Gary

November 14, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

I can’t way I’m waiting for the PS3 this weekend — instead it’ll be for the Wii. Wife and I are really looking forward to having some fun with the new control system.

Sadly, a lot of both systems will end up on eBay probably, but certainly not ours.

By Bobby Blackwolf

November 14, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

I think you will find a lot more rabid and real gamers lining up for the Wii two nights later. There’s more quantity, it’s cheaper, and it’s actually got some decent games at launch (unlike the PS3.)

By Tuesday

November 14, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

So let me get this straight, people are actually standing in line to purchase a game system? Do these people have lives? Or are the major game freaks/geeks. Unbelievable. I cannot believe this nonsense.

By Bobby Blackwolf

November 14, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

People can buy a $600 system and sell it on eBay for $1500 or $2000 to people who have lives and can’t stand in a line. The system is in short supply and there is a lot of perceieved demand. Spending 24 hours in a line to get possibly over $1000 profit isn’t such a bad idea anymore, is it? Wouldn’t you like to make $1000+ for just sitting in a line in one day?

By Wanda

November 14, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

Just curious, does anyone know why there is ALWAYS a shortage on these games?

By KP

November 14, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

When I was in college and looking to make a quick profit, I might have done it.

There’s no way I would do it now, not even for a child. That’s just ridiculous. I’ll wait until the prices drop and then buy one with fewer bugs and better game availability.

By Bobby Blackwolf

November 14, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

Wanda:

They always claim that there is a shortage due to manufacturing hiccups. With the Xbox 360 last year, it was the CPU that wasn’t being produced fast enough. This time around, Sony’s claiming that they can’t make the “Blue Laser Diodes” fast enough. Blue Laser Diodes are the core component for the Blu-Ray DVD player that’s in the PS3, and is one of the reasons that the system costs as much as it does. (Blu-Ray DVD is Sony’s new high definition DVD format that is going up against Toshiba’s HD-DVD format. Sony is including Blu-Ray into every PS3, while Microsoft has just released a $200 add-on to play HD-DVD’s on the 360 which works well. Betamax vs. VHS all over again.)

Nintendo is actually doing things right two days later - I believe they have twice as many units on launch day as Sony (PS3’s only launching less than 400,000 in all of North America, which yes, does include Canada and Mexico) and they are only half the price of the “base” PS3 unit - the Wii is $250 and comes packed in with a game. Chances are you’ll be able to walk right into a store and get one next week (probably not this weekend just because of the launch craziness.) That’s why it’s not as appealing of a story as the PS3 one is - Nintendo’s console won’t be hard to find, while Sony’s is hard to find AND is out of financial reach of most people.

By Don't Believe the Hype

November 14, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

I play PS2 daily however, I will NOT be standing in a line to purhcase the next one. I guess the Sensible people will wait until after the helladaze, the price goes down and the bugs & glitches have been addressed in about 6-12 months. I buy used games or wait until the new versions come out and get the price cut on the old ones. The gaming market is a billion dollar business and I try to give them as little as possible.

By Jeremy

November 14, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this

I heard today that gamestop stores are only getting half of the shipment that they originally forcasted for. So if you want one you better start standing in line now!

By Brett Shepherd

November 14, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

There is no way I would pay 600.00 for any system. This is a complete rip off. I could understand the price if this were the early 80’s, but not today. There is no reason this system should be that much. That being said, I too will wait until the bugs are fixed in the system, because if I am going to pay that much,the system better work for more than 5 minutes. Has anyone noticed that there seems to be lots of xbox 360’s on the shelves…is there a problem

By Gary

November 14, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

Do these people have lives?

I work 50-60 hours a week in a great career and still have time to be politically active and do the same things everyone else does (socializing, networking, etc). So yes, I’m pretty sure I ‘have a life’ just like anyone else. You’d be surprised who falls into the ‘gamer’ demographic nowadays.

It just so happens, though, that gaming is my main hobby and my wife enjoys sharing in that. My job is mainly in the political realm, so it’s nice to put that behind for a few hours a week and just relax.

When concert tickets go on sale and people sit in long lines, nobody says a thing. Utter the word ‘video game’, however, and everyone automatically assumes it’s for the lack of an active social calendar. Interesting, eh?

There is no way I would pay 600.00 for any system. This is a complete rip off.

I don’t think you’re familiar with the losses Sony is going to personally take on launching the PS3 based on components alone. Considering Blu-Ray players go for $1,000 MSRP or so, and the PS3 is running $600 with in-built Blu-Ray capabilities, I’d say “rip-off” is mildly off-base to assume. Not only that, one can use it as a full-fledged computer if you were to install an alternative OS and grab a USB keyboard/mouse. Nice, no?

I’m still not personally up to paying $600 for much of anything these days (other than the essentials in life, of course), so I’m more than thrilled to get Nintendo’s system instead.

By Gary

November 14, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

Also, I used to believe in the “manufactured shortage” of videogame system at launch, but after having done enough research, I can safely disagree that such a problem exists in the industry at this point.

It probably did happen a decade and a half ago in an earlier era where the Genesis and Super Nintendo reigned, but the competitive nature of gaming hardware launches has pushed system manufacturers even further to the brink in modern times, with real shortages in bleeding-edge components widespread.

By Jim

November 14, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this

I agree with the other posters here.

According to Japan sales numbers, Sony did not sale all the units available, and Sony knocked down the price there 20%. The PS3 is over priced, and I will be waiting in line for the Wii on Saturday night.

Nintendo has stated that they will be replenishing the inventory as fast as they can, possibly the very next day.

Hopefully, Sony will follow suit and drop the prices here in America quickly.

I did wait outside every morning for 3 weeks straight to get my hands on the XBOX360, after failing to get one on launch date.

I also have a Sony PSP (waited and bought at midnight launch), Sony PS2 (3 week search after launch), 2 Nintendo Gamecubes and I am a 40 year old, professional, with a family.