Sony fans play the waiting game

  • By Curt Feldman, GameSpot
  • Posted Nov 15, 2006 6:03 pm PT

Dozens of would-be PS3 owners have begun camping out at Sony's official PlayStation store in San Francisco in the hopes of being among the first to buy the new system.

First in line, Chris from SF.

SAN FRANCISCO--It takes a unique brand of dedication to line up and wait for the privilege of lining up and waiting somewhere else.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, a line of about 65 people had formed across the street from Sony's flagship PlayStation and SonyStyle stores in the Metreon at the corner of Fourth and Mission. While there's no doubt the line is for the PlayStation 3, Sony corporate mandated that no "official" line was allowed at the Metreon before 8 a.m. Thursday, so this line formed on Minna St. as a place to wait until there's an official line to join.

Counting down the hours at the Metreon.

The line was a calm affair, most people lounging in beach chairs or milling about in the balmy 60-degree weather. They were hunkering down for the long wait until the following morning, when what they hope will be an orderly transition to official status is expected to be facilitated by Sony staffers.

To manage the transition from rogue gathering to official PS3 queue, the fifth person in line, Gieson from the East Bay, had created a list. "As long as no one bum rushes, it'll be fine," Gieson said.

With tent, cards, and cooler, these UCSF grad students wait out the night in relative comfort.

Sony staffers inside the PlayStation store made it clear that they could disperse the currently building line at any time, but privately added as long as those in line remained peaceful and orderly, breaking up the line was unlikely.

The first in line, Chris from San Francisco, said he and his friends decided to start the camp out on a whim. They came by the Metreon today at 5 a.m., and noticing there was no one waiting and no lines formed, they quickly went on a supply run--securing tents and food--returning around 9 a.m. to camp out in the pole position. Most of the crowd had made no more preparation than wearing heavy coats and lugging some additional clothing and food.

Milling around, with the PlayStation store in the distance.

A group of five grad students from the University of California San Francisco passed the time playing cards and tossing a football. The group, all biophysics researchers, planned to sleep in shifts and keep an eye peeled for foul play. However, once in line, plans have a way of changing. One of the group expressed concern for how they would pass the time until the 8 a.m. transition to a Sony-sanctioned line, saying, "I don't know if sleep's a realistic option."

Those in line signed a list to preserve their spot.

The line members' vigil should come to an end Friday at 12:01 a.m., when Sony's PlayStation 3 game console officially goes on sale. And while Sony's big launch event is taking place at SonyStyle Plaza on Madison Ave. in Manhattan, there will be plenty of activities happening in San Francisco to report on.

Expect more coverage from the PlayStation Store in San Francisco as well as the New York City launch party tomorrow night.

281 Comments

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 23, 2006 1:14 pm PT

    I might do that for the ps4 launch

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 10:01 am PT

    Really crazy. Some people just want to be first.

  • TryMe01

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:33 pm PT

    pure madness!!!

  • Stedmister

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:20 pm PT

    CRAZY!!!! I'm gonna wait for price drop, INSANE!!!

  • syrik22

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:53 pm PT

    I wish I was able to just go sit out there.... I always have too much junk going on =(

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 4:15 pm PT

    It would be stupid if you brought your psp because the wait is going to be too long for the systems batteries..... I love my psp but the batteriest only last about 4 hours... I think sony has a 2x battery but thats still going to run short, you would have to bring a bunch of them. Im sure those people have been in line for over 24 hours lol LOL =) THERE NUTS!! Ill get mine when there easier to get.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 3:03 pm PT

    i bet they brought their psps too

  • SteveTwo

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 2:34 pm PT

    Many PSP fans are rabid PS3 fans. Many rabid PS3 fans hate the PSP. Go figure.

  • ragin_massaih

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 12:58 pm PT

    Haha, I love how all the Sony fans are just playing card games and tossing a football- I mean comon where's the BLUERAY in that? lol No sign of their beloved PSP then.

  • Thorpe89 Site moderator

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 12:15 pm PT

    Can't wait for to see some live footage of this on GameSpot.

  • HyperMetaDragon

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 12:14 pm PT

    dtfann003
    Look at them line up for a toy. Get a life, and a date.

    Lmao, I had to lawl at that, it was pretty good.

  • LexLas

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 12:01 pm PT

    To: dtfann003
    These people do have a real life and that is a Gamers life and if you don't understand that then I think your on the wrong site buddy ! And from the looks of your profile you look like an amature to me..

  • dtfann003

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 11:31 am PT

    Look at them line up for a toy. Get a life, and a date.

  • DontEatCream

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:33 am PT

    If I was a grad student, I wouldn't be burning 600 bucks on a console, but ehh, to each his own.

    But yea, if I didn't have school and work to deal with, I would camp out too. It actually seems like a fun thing to do, ya know? You hang out with some friends, make new friends, and just chill for a couple of days. It seems pretty sweet.

  • R3DN1N3

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:32 am PT

    My friend is going bonkers over the PS3 launch this sunday but I can't seem to understand why he would want to shell out his hard earned cash on this hunk a junk. Ooh it's got blu-ray, ooh it's backward compatible (like all systems aren't anymore) and ooh it's sixaxis controller is the best thing in the world....can we say Wii-mote rip off?
    I can say many things wrong with this decision to buy a PS3 and I know that most of u familiar with gaming in general know that Sony's track record of their launches are horrible and don't get me started on their slimmer more powerful versions that are sure to be released in a year if not a few months from now. Their product recalls and delays should be hurting them on consumers trusting them but for some reason they still buy it. My buddy here is buying it solely on brand name alone.....
    I swear if he wasn't my pal I'd throw him over a freeway pass but what can I do? I guess the only reason why this "console" will survive (at least in this generation) will be because people like him say "well it's from Sony so it must be good"....yeeaaahhh....sure.

  • joeg2k4

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:17 am PT

    To add more to this sad sad story, every store in my state (Rhode Island) has people camping outside waiting for this monster, I work for Super Wal-Mart and I found out that we are only get 5 in! ok and we have over 10 people camping outside, Circut City and Best Buy have over 20 people camping outside of the stores, I talked to one of the people from Best Buy and they said they starting camping out this past monday. PEOPLE WAIT! That is the key word, the first PS3s are going to have so many problems like X-Box 3floppy had, wait till next year when the price goes down and all the final bugs are worked out. In the mean time buy a Nintendo Wii!

  • szindragon

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:12 am PT

    Eh, the waiting game sucks.

    Lets play Hungry Hungry Hippos!

  • Raging-Cashew

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:47 am PT

    it sucks for the people campin in front of stores around where i live; its suppose to rain all night. I'll be playin my 360 with gears of war in my nice warm house

  • jaredawgm

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:38 am PT

    I'm waiting for the $299 PS3-slim with HD-DVD's.

    Maybe by that point they'll have enough consoles.

  • KickinIt_ftw

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:24 am PT

    @ blueflamedino
    Poor guys, its was just as bad in Japan... or maybe they are a little better of, but still...

    ...at least it's warmer in SF

  • MACAVEL1

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:23 am PT

    The first guy in line at Metreon cares less about the PS3. I was there last night for my cousin, and we talked to the guy. He said him and his friends were bored while they were at starbucks, and just decided to buy a PS3 cuz they didn't have anything to do the next day. His exact words were "F*** the PS3, i'm getting a Wii." Wow. Nothing against the Wii, (I'm getting one myself) but this guy sucks. My cousin was around the area since Monday and he's #29 in line, and the people at Metreon kept kicking him out for some reason. There were more people that deserve to be in front of this guy, and were there since Monday as well. I know my cousin will probably get one but, it's the principles of the matter. People waited and waited and this guy just came cuz he was bored, and is not even gonna enjoy it. And to answer WR_Platinum's question. My cousin requested for a vacation like this. "Can I take a vacation?" Boss: "Sure, where are you going?" "Camping." And that's all that needs to be known. HAHA

  • Simsyas

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:46 am PT

    ravensong
    Here is what I do not get...

    People will camp out for music concert tickets and sporting event tickets. Something that lasts a whole 3 hours and most people don't care about that.

    But these guys camp out for a console that will last them 5+ years and they are losers?

    Get a grip.

    You can't compare consoles with concerts and sport events, they are different. Everytime you go to one of these spectacular shows, there's a different experience and it's usual that people want to wait in line for these. That's because you can only be there once. Buy a PS3 now or 3 months later, it will be the same experience.

    And people DO care about concerts and sport events, that's why they still exist. You just owned yourself, moron.

  • akuya32

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:39 am PT

    I don't need the first system to come out, but I dam sure need it on the first day. Thank goodness for preorders.

  • Greydawg

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:31 am PT

    This is always funny about Gamespot being on the West coast. I live on the East coast-------there's lines here, parties everywhere, no stories though, and at 3AM Eastern I won't be watching the news about what's going on in California. But MAN do I want a PS3...

  • Sheiko

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:30 am PT

    Shoulda just waited for black friday got some Real cheap stuff, flogged it on ebay, gained tons of money and bought a overpriced PS3 all from the safety of ur home plus its guaranteed.

  • Bored1ed

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:12 am PT

    Leave poor Chris from SF alone. Pick on the rest of them LOL

  • w851im2

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:12 am PT

    Once a line has been there long enough, small splinter groups will begin to appear within the line who don't agree with the "names on a list " system. Violence is then only a short time away. Has anyone ever seen a nerd riot before? Would be amusing I bet.

  • inferno394

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:08 am PT

    Disciple_Gamer
    Can someone please tell what the prize is for getting a ps3 first? Because their is no way i could stand in a line for 24hrs just to get something that will be hear for the next 5 years. The prize is to sell it 3 or 4 times its worth to the suckers that just have to have one

  • blueflamedino

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:06 am PT

    Poor guys, its was just as bad in Japan... or maybe they are a little better of, but still...

  • NFunspoiler

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:04 am PT

    That's pretty orderly.
    Kudos to the person who thought of the idea of having a list.

  • Destroyeron13

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:01 am PT

    Chris from SF > xmanofstle

  • Enigma2K99

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:57 am PT

    Why in the bloody blue hell did we(yes, I said we... I'm including myself because I complained about the price..) complain about anything?!?! Soon as it comes out, you're all like lemmings!

    ravensong
    Here is what I do not get...

    People will camp out for music concert tickets and sporting event tickets. Something that lasts a whole 3 hours and most people don't care about that.

    But these guys camp out for a console that will last them 5+ years and they are losers?

    Get a grip.

    Direct them to the Star Wars fanclub... that'll shut em up.

  • shawnd0517

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:54 am PT

    There are a bunch of people lining up outside of the Best Buys in town, that have been there since yesterday.. And the system releases at midnight? No thanks. I'm glad I only want a Wii and I have that preordered.

    And about the sporting/concert event discussion.. I understand the logic behind your argument about waiting in line for tickets for days being the same as waiting in line for a system. It IS pretty much the same thing. And lots of people DO say that it's stupid to wait in line for event tickets. I mean, look at Star Wars Ep. 1, people were waiting WEEKS in advance in front of theaters for that damn movie, and most of the world thought all those people were crazy for waiting that long in line.

    I think it's all sorts of crazy to ever wait in a line for something for days, much less weeks. But I guess it's also because there hasn't been anything that I want so bad that I would wait in line for. Maybe if someone were handing out a million dollars, I would wait in THAT line for weeks. I just do the reasonable thing, and either order it online(tickets), or preorder the damn thing(games, consoles, etc.).

  • Master_Gabranth

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:49 am PT

    sounds like a good time to me, but i agree with nintendus--wait till the problems start rolling in on those beasts...could be a sad day for Sony in the near future

  • xmanofstle

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:48 am PT

    Wow, chris from SF looks exactly like the stereotypical gamer that gives all of us a bad name. Grow up, find a job, and get a life.

  • w851im2

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:40 am PT

    As an aside, just seen PS3 60Gb / 2 controllers / 1 game go for $4050 on Ebay.
    Insanity, no other word for it.

  • orionamra

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:35 am PT

    blah blah blah it's all the 360-fandogs is saying all the time.........................
    ......................boring

  • GrimBee

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:34 am PT

    tooo....many... ps3... waiting lines...news...topics.....



    Wow, Resistance got an 8.6, wonder if these guys know about that lol

  • LuminosityBlaze

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:24 am PT

    How can a list be valid in a line that is not official...? I would get in the "real" line when available and those people could forget their list that means nothing. Getting a PS3 is going to be ridiculous because of people like this. This is completely lame... I have been waiting for years and now I can't wait in line for one because I have to sell them on launch and there will be none left over for me. Even if I could it is too late by now... Retail workers should have a special place to purchase the system.

  • snakenamedjoe

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:11 am PT

    Yeah, but if you miss the concert or sporting event, you've missed it for good. You'll never get to go to that concert or sporting event.

    If you miss the launch of PS3 you'll have to wait a couple of months before you get the system, during which time all the games will suck anyway because they're all launch titles with no developer experience backing them.

  • ravensong

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:05 am PT

    Here is what I do not get...

    People will camp out for music concert tickets and sporting event tickets. Something that lasts a whole 3 hours and most people don't care about that.

    But these guys camp out for a console that will last them 5+ years and they are losers?

    Get a grip.

  • maturus

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:40 am PT

    For the guy who asked back on page 1. SF is cloudy and temperate at about 60 odd degrees (though really warm in the sun.) Tonight it's supposed to go no lower than 55 F. Not bad for a camp out on asphalt.

  • Simsyas

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:39 am PT

    Damn. You could throw garbage at them and they still wouldn't move an inch.

  • Disciple_Gamer

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:37 am PT

    Can someone please tell what the prize is for getting a ps3 first? Because their is no way i could stand in a line for 24hrs just to get something that will be hear for the next 5 years.

  • TintedChimes

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:34 am PT

    I hope they sell it on Ebay. I mean, shoot, they're smart enough to know that 400,000 is not enough. These are bio-physics researchers, supply an demand baby so gouge those rich folks!

  • Paul_TheGreat

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:24 am PT

    The fanboys just hate this.

  • Mobius76

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:18 am PT

    These people are waiting for days(!) to buy a console with a handful of launch titles that might be worth playing? No thanks. Genji is getting mediocre reviews. Resistance looks good, and I love Ridge Racer, but it's never been a hugely popular series in the US. Mobile Suit Gundam looks like fun, but it's also getting mediocre reviews. Why is this worth camping out for days? I guess I could see it if they were resellers..

  • Warlypwnage

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:14 am PT

    well, at least we know who some of the losers of the world are now

  • thomass60r

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 5:56 am PT

    i think its good to get your hands on a brand new console but camping out in the freezing cold waiting to get there hands on one is a bit stupid its a console not a ferrari but i guess if you have $600 and are desprate for it it probaly makes sense considering only 400,000 are in the US so getting one is peoples main priority

    i might get a ps3 maybe late 2007 or mid 07 not sure but only ig the price drops to at least £250.00 then i will get one anyway i hope the people in the US are happy with there ps3 it will serve them well for 10 years or more i read that the ps4 will come out on 2016 a long way away

  • Nintendus

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 5:38 am PT

    And wait tilll they get it, so many problems.......

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