The Japanese launch of the PS3 a few hours came with the usual growing pains associated with every console launch - long queues, short supply, and hundreds upon hundreds of disappointed gamers.

In comparison to other consoles launches in the past, the build up and final execution was something quieter than usual. This is understandable on Sony's part - due the extremely limited quantity of machine that have been produced, Sony has been intentionally slow about promoting the machine, and plan to expand on advertising and exposure as more machines hit shop shelves.

Of course, this didn't stop the endless queues of people lining out outside Japanese shop stores in the (largely futile) hope of getting their hands on the first batch of consoles.

As was to be expected, far more punters were disappointed than not. A 22 year old Japanese (see pictures below) student was the first to get his hands on the machine, but he would be one of the few leaving happy. Shibuya Tsutaya was the "official" location for the launch, but even here stock was limited, with only 300 consoles available to buy. Many other stores were limited to as little as 20 machines, and "sold out" signs quickly appears on the windows of games stores across the city of Tokyo.

Sony Worldwide Studios president Phil Harrison and SCEI president Ken Kutaragi made brief appearances during the Shibuya Tsutaya launch, but nobody really cared.

Sony plans to ship at least 100 thousand units every week for the next four which, which should amount to around 400,000 units sold when the Wii is released in December as long as the machine continues to sell out as soon as it hits shop shelves, which is more than likely.

Now, the rest of the world just has to wait.

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Tags : console launch : PlayStation 3 : Sony

Comments

By: Pedro The Hutt On: 06:41 Nov 11th, 2006 Offline	Poor (as in unfortunate) guy in the picture couldn't even afford a game. XD I hope that "HD Preview" disc will keep him entertained.

By: Weeeeeepeeeeee On: 04:38 Nov 15th, 2006 Offline	I wonder how much the guy got that 60gig ps3 for, he must have saved money for a long, long time......:lol: