Tempers flare in NYC as PS3 nears

Line-cutters spark controversy in New York as those who waited for days are pushed back further into the queue.

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NEW YORK CITY--In recent times, New York City has rid itself of the stigma of being a grumpy city. While in office, then-mayor Rudy Giuliani "cleaned up" much of the city, and tragic events, including the World Trade Center attacks, have helped the metropolis's citizens bond.

Now it appears as though one thing may rip them apart--the PlayStation 3.

In stark contrast to the jovial atmosphere of last night, emotions of those waiting in line today to purchase PlayStation 3s are reaching fever pitch. Gamers who were on the cusp of getting a PS3 last night have now been edged out by line-cutters looking to take advantage of the situation.

Outside the SonyStyle Store in Midtown Manhattan, several gamers voiced their disgust at the way the line was being managed, complaining of seeing their place in line move farther back because of line jumpers.

At the Circuit City in Union Square, several gamers told GameSpot that people have been cutting the line since midweek, with the most coming in the last hours.

"There's no management of the line here," said one hopeful PS3 owner. "People are just jumping the line, there were even fights last night. It's totally messed up."

Employees of Circuit City told GameSpot that the store will have 100 PS3s for sale but will also raffle off an additional 100 consoles beginning at 10 p.m. with the support of a New York City radio station.

Local news stations are also covering the escalating tension, reporting that some gamers have moved about 100 feet backward since they first got in line.

The weather doesn't look to help matters, either. An overcast morning turned into a blustery afternoon with winds picking up--the leading edge of an incoming thunderstorm. Rain and winds up to 35 miles per hour are expected straight through the console's midnight launch.

To see if gamers go home happy or a full-scale riot develops, check back later tonight for GameSpot's coverage of the event. For now, those interested can check out Tim Surette's video blog of the NYC PS3 line.

309 Comments

  • disworldsuckz

    Posted Nov 25, 2006 11:21 am PT

    It's pathetic to see people just cut in line of other people that have been waiting for quite some time just to get the PS3, which i believe it isn't worth it. What have we turned to, that we have to turn to fists and guns just to get one console? It's sickening, and trust me on this...this will not be the last time this will happen...

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 23, 2006 6:05 pm PT

    I would hate to have been waiting in line so long, and someone cuts me. I'm sure there were fights

  • abu123

    Posted Nov 22, 2006 6:17 am PT

    Dang if there line cutters there must be some Wii fans here. So now after this what do you think is the best system?? vote at

    http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=25164974

  • ritchieage

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 1:02 am PT

    man theres nothing more annoying than a line jumper.....GRRRR

  • grim_fandango

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 7:42 pm PT

    These people are overdoing it...

    Wait a couple months, make sure all bugs are fixed and all... then it'd be a better time to go buy one.

    And you don't get caught in a fight and shoved face first into a telephone pole *cough cough*

  • Dreski83

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:12 pm PT

    I can't say its completely lame... but at the same time I find very high levels of comic relief blowing in the winds Everything from minature fortresses to people sitting in line for days only to be damn tired when being budge at the last moment... punch a mofo in the face gamer, show me all those years of figting games was not for nothing... lame I say!

  • aramitz

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 4:59 pm PT

    Judging by the looks of the people in the queue, I find it hard to believe that any queue jumper could possibly just hop over the barrier and not get killed by 20 or so bruvvas ;P

  • Cobalt_Strike

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:10 pm PT

    Wow, if this weren't the pinnicle sign that shows society has gone to hell in a hand basket.

  • lilmp89

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 1:45 pm PT

    With such a big event, you'd think they'd be prepared...They could have made a list as the line built up...

  • trifuzion

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:25 pm PT

    Not unexpected, but disheartening to read nontheless. I can't say I blame the retail employees as much as I blame the city for not taking the initiative. Big events like this are bound to attract trouble makers. It just doesn't make any sense not to be prepared for it. Of course, none of this will change unless people start demanding better security measures from their city. Otherwise, this will continue to just be another normal part of the launch day event.

    The sad thing is people expect this. That really shouldn't be the case.

  • MasterAsh42

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:20 pm PT

    Some people just didn't learn anything in kindergarten. . .

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:01 pm PT

    This was expected... sadly.

  • bobreturns

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:49 am PT

    omg the pics of the note money for PS3 like ppl would pay

  • i_like_evil

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 10:08 am PT

    This is just sad...

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:55 am PT

    half of the people in those photos look homeless...

  • LordAndrew

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:48 am PT

    People are just jerks.

  • Paul_TheGreat

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:37 am PT

    I'm not suprise, it's New York City.

  • SpruceCaboose

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:09 am PT

    To the commenters bashing Circuit City, it was Sony that misled retailers about the number of systems each store would be receiving. That is also why pre-orders didn't work, as GameStop and Toys R Us both said that Sony cut their allotments, meaning even pre-orders had a good chance of getting nothing.

  • princeofgames90

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:10 am PT

    I i think if i was there i would liked it

  • JBiker51

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:01 am PT

    Well, it's obvious this would happen. It's New York. Duh.

  • Monkeyseat

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:29 am PT

    Crazy. Unlucky for those in line, but it was kind of expected.

  • psgored21

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 1:44 am PT

    being someone that used to work 4 cc, i can tell you that companies have certain contracts to ship a certain amount to certain stores *look at capcom psp games if you want an example* its impossible to tell how many systems they will end up having....stores send inv back and fourth to one another by request, in nyc the best bet to find a ps3 is going to be warehouses like b.j.s, sams club and costco. those require membership but the lines are a lot less vicious and at my old store there are people that are in line for a ps3 and a wii with laptop in hand ready to ebay them both on sunday...its not going to be a good look

  • Prince_jeffery

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 1:32 am PT

    Order will always be broken...sigh.....

  • soupboy76

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:46 am PT

    Line waiters are idiots, how can you not expect line jumpers and not being told how many are available is pretty self centered - most retailers don't even know themselves how many they will get until the shipment arrives. This is why you pre-order these things from reliable retailers.

    Again the reason I say line waiters are idiots is because this isn't like lining up months to days before a Star Wars movie... because everyone in that line WILL get to see it. This form of line waiting is just bringing out all the impatient idiots waiting to get their hands on the new form of disk read errors with a lackluster launch lineup already trumped from Gears of War alone.

    Pre-order your sh!t like I had and stop b!tching.

  • icemancell

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 11:58 pm PT

    just got back from it GRRRR im so mad.

    my friend was on line for almost 2 days, only to be turned down at last min as number 130ish on line i believe. I came later in day and was turned away as well.

    Thanks CircuitCity for not tellin us how many people how many systems are going to be availible and misleading more than 1000 people goin home systemless. They did all that for the huge freaking publicity.

  • Redsyrup

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 11:40 pm PT

    It's social darwanism! Kill for PS3 or be killed!

  • faizali86

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 11:26 pm PT

    this is crazy.

  • Sonic2batt

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 11:15 pm PT

    They are camping in line to pay $600 plus tax buying a first-run sony system which will break and/or overheat on them like all first-run sony systems?

  • SeeNote156

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:46 pm PT

    i have to point out a error in MACROSS' arguement. Technically by law "camping out" is considered loitering in a company aspect.When a company allows the customer to do such then it becomes technically "legal" (or in other words, allowed) under certain circumstances, a major release being one of them. Now while its not the company's responsibilty to to maintain peace amongst the line it is the city's obligation to maintain that peace. This is because there is a mutual allowance between the company and the customer to camp out and wait for their positioning. Now when someone disturbs their peace. thats when it actually becomes an illegal issue to where the city has to provide sanity amongst the crowd. The problem is actually proving it since it was a unenforced agreement between the customer and company. You see your right now nobody asking anyone to camp out for the game, but nobody is saying not to either, the line that is usually said is camp at your own risk....followed by you are responsible for your actions. meaning if you do something that creates a disadvantage to the situation, many issues can occure, legal or illegal (fights,arrest,ect.). In closing, can u really blame people for complaining? i mean if you had some douche bag roll up on you taking your spot cause he don't wanna wait, what would you do? what would you want done? i'm sure u wouldn't ignore it. so understand the position and predicament they are in. i feel that it should be the distributor (the company that is selling the thing) and the city's responsibility to enforce these situations. Because if your allowing people to camp out, then you have to prepare for a possible inccident that may occure on your property. And what company wants that? get me?

  • Ahinors

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:39 pm PT

    Barbaric.

  • Elyoshi

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:26 pm PT

    Jesus, there like little animials!

  • Karribuhater115

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:13 pm PT

    The line should have been managed better, no wonder they're annoyed, someone who hasn't waited it out like they have could casually slide in front of them and get the last PS3 available, it's not fair. I know it's life, but there should have been some kind of management of the lines.

  • mhder

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:57 pm PT

    Don't blame people for looking down on gamers and gaming.. .look at what's happening.

  • AncientDozer

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:55 pm PT

    Is it line cutters or are people just getting up and spreading out after lying around in huddled groups?

    And though it's a big release, I doubt that any of the facilities has the proper resources to manage that many people. But really. . I second what macross is basically saying.

  • cherrybomb257

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:41 pm PT

    Star-Man from Pro Wrestling was awesome.

  • MacrossBebop

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:22 pm PT

    I'm sorry, but this is completey ludacris. First of all, the line is
    something that consumers create based on how far a person is to go to
    get the system. So what you camp out since monday, do you think that
    the company you are hoping to get a PS3 from is going to take
    responsibility for the line? No, they didn't ask you to line up days
    in advance. And if they did take care of possible patrons, they would
    be accepting liability for any harm they undergo while on the
    company's property.

    it is NOT the business's responsibility to enforce line etiquette. In
    fact, the company is actually TOLERATING gamers and their line,
    because camping is an obstruction and as I said, liability.

    In short, the more people complain the more they jeopardize the future
    of camping. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

  • Fermbiz

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:09 pm PT

    Tungsten88
    We're more civilized here on the West Coast.

    riiiiiiiight......

  • thekey

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:05 pm PT

    Tungsten88
    "We're more civilized here on the West Coast."

    Yeah right you all are worst people. More civilized ha!!!

    Put seriously this is mindless even though the PS3 is getting an overwhelming reception suppose it fails then what, all the fights drive by PS3 line shootings and the robberies will be done in vein.

  • TryMe01

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:54 pm PT

    that is totally messed up

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:52 pm PT

    *bam* *bam* *bam* *bam* .... *bam* *bam

  • Tungsten88

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:49 pm PT

    We're more civilized here on the West Coast.

  • kriptonzz

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:00 pm PT

    Don't get caught up in a brawl Tim

  • Drummersteve

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:55 pm PT

    Thats pretty messed up for the hardcore fans that have been there for a while.

  • akuya32

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:49 pm PT

    haha, too funny. Sad, but funny.

  • Fermbiz

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:47 pm PT

    This pisses me off. All these gamers waiting, on line for days and they get cut...? Im from NYC and if i was on that line waiting for days and I saw some moron try to cut, I would probably start a fight.

  • Beesond

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:08 pm PT

    Come on riot come on!!!!

    If its one thing I cant stand, its line cutters... no one, no one would be **** cutting in front of me, I don't care if its lunch line, or PS3 line. I got cut once in the lunch line, it ended with me and the guy cutting covered in condoments and both of us being suspended, only difference he went home without all his teeth. That is such BS. Really blows for those people who cant defend themselves and cant stop the line cutting, really sucks.

    Damn most people are just bastards....

    LOL and phantas777, you are so lame. Duh most people are gonna sell it. But do you really have to get on here and try to tell that to the PS3 fans, does it make you feel good inside that you could ruin some fanboy's day. And 'everyon you talked to in line" Did microsoft hire to go around and interview people waiting in line, or are you just that sad lol.

  • torres_unix

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:06 pm PT

    What's the big deal? The best games aren't going to be around for another 6 to 8 months! I'm sure as heck not going to shell out more money than I should for a PS3 on Ebay or Craigslist. When the 400k are gone, more will be on the way, in the meantime, I think I'll get an xbox 360 while I wait for sony to normalize its ps3 supply line.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:06 pm PT

    how can you be playing gears of war and posting too? 4 hands?

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