PS3 takes bite out of Big Apple

Charlie Murphy, Ludacris, and Sir Howard Stringer kick off the first sale of Sony's next-gen console as weather and tempers calm for a near-flawless launch.

Rain dampened some spirits as well as some creativity.

NEW YORK--It wasn't until about 6 p.m. that the first raindrops of the day began to fall in New York City. The sprinkle was but a sign of things to come from the thunderstorms overhead, as by 8 p.m., a torrential downpour blanketed the streets of The Big Apple.

The weather was a fitting metaphor for the launch of the PlayStation 3 at the SonyStyle Store in midtown Manhattan, as what started with a few eager gamers early in the week turned into massive crowds by Thursday night.

Local radio DJ and Karima Adebibe were an odd pairing on stage.

As if by plan, the skies parted almost exactly when the first prospective PS3 owners entered the SonyStyle Store. Gamers' tempers that had turned sour earlier in the day were now sunny, as those who got in all knew they were guaranteed the chance to purchase one of the highly sought-after systems.

Though Sony's obvious intent was to "get this party started," the crowd was much more interested in getting to a cash register and taking home a PS3 than snacking on complimentary miniature hot dogs. Nevertheless, the emcee hyped up the console, saying, "Forget everything you know about gaming," as the PS3 was going to redefine it.

Charlie Murphy joked about getting friendly with a future PlayStation.

Various other celebrities entertained the crowd, including Karima Adebibe (better known as the new Lara Croft), rapper Ludacris, rapper-turned DJ D-Nice, and Charlie Murphy, who looked forward to future consoles "because you'll be able to have sex with them."

The suits also made a prominent appearance, with Sony Computer Entertainment America president Kaz Hirai joined onstage by Sony Corp. CEO Howard Stringer, who made a rare appearance at a Sony gaming event. Stringer followed Murphy with a joke of his own--which promptly bombed. Hirai was his normal jubilant self, at one point leading a "PS3! PS3!" chant.

Stringer (left) and Hirai kept it real on stage.

Not everyone was in the mood for laughing as an almost week-long ordeal was coming to an end for most of them. While some played the demo stations scattered throughout the grounds, most were content to nibble on the complimentary snacks or even take naps.

Sony gave its most hardcore fans a treat. The first three gamers in line were awarded with a free PlayStation 3 and a few games. Sony also gave away a console to one lucky gamer who found a "golden ticket" in his gift bag.

As midnight approached, the first person in line, New York native Angel Paredes, was escorted into the SonyStyle Store where he was handed the first North American PS3 by Hirai and Stringer. The console's box also included a personal autographed message from Hirai. Paredes, his voice hoarse from interviews and arms tired from repeatedly hoisting the console, was a good sport, standing still for the multitude of photographers and offering a few words for anyone who asked.

The first three gamers in line were comped their PS3s.

Once the media buzz died down, the rest of the attendees were ushered in to get what they had been waiting for all week. Though the consoles' next destinations were unknown--many are expected to be posted on eBay for a quick profit--the next destinations of the new PS3 owners was clear--go home and get some rest.

While Sony's 400 guests wore exhausted smiles, those who just missed the cutoff had another task ahead of them. According to the hundreds of gamers who remain lined up outside the building, Sony was planning to sell another batch of PS3s at 7 a.m. Friday.

The new line for waiting for a PS3.

Some in the new line claimed that they should have been in the event tonight, but line cutters pushed them back. One gamer told GameSpot, "Tonight I was number 402. Yesterday I was number 277."

Still, their spirits were high. After all they'd just been through, what's another seven hours?

245 Comments

  • naruto767

    Posted Dec 26, 2006 12:05 pm PT

    ps3 rocks yeah

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 23, 2006 5:34 pm PT

    it seemed like a pretty good launch event

  • The_Weekend

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 6:35 am PT

    See the PS3 = bow down now!

  • FighterHayabusa

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 1:45 am PT

    360 had a better killerapp, Perfect dark. but 30 sucks as a system compared to PS3. Only DOA4 asa fighting game, didnt make launch.
    Ps3 has vf5, tekken 6, getting Soul Calibur 4, MGS 4. Devil may cry 4. The onslaught will destroy 360s batch of bland tepid games. they will crumble under the avalance of ARCADE style quality games PS3 delivers. All 360 has are lame FPS. Um I have those on my PC already thanks, and the graphics are better there. 360 has to go back to the drawing board. Thats why AMAZON .com is going to sell core 360s for $100. Thats all theyre worth.

  • Supreme_Fantasy

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:52 pm PT

    That's great! I luv ps3 pretty much...Maybe i could be the one of them if i were there..

  • Omega3210

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 4:12 pm PT

    PS3 rocks!

  • fastpunk

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 9:55 am PT

    I can't stop laughing after seeing Murphy's smile. Well, the PS3 got a warm welcome, too bad for the lack of consoles.

  • Animal91X

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 8:55 am PT

    "Near-flawless", they mest un in other works !!!

  • rouguesquadron

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:03 am PT

    Near flawless launch for the PS3? HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 9:06 pm PT

    I can't stop laughing after seeing the 1st picture!

  • helluvagood

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 6:51 pm PT

    wow nice

  • thekey

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 9:28 am PT

    sain_skywalker
    "Lol at NeoYamaneko for saying GS is Sony Biased, It's really more MS biased. (Coming from someone who will own all 3 by Monday)

    And it's the M$ One was rocky because most people were caught of guard by the shortage, while we knew (And GS made sure we knew everyday) since september.

    Lawl at his Fanboyism. "

    Auh NO! The 360's launch line up was just better then PS3s point blank. And the other gamesites though so also.(IGN 1up.com etc)

    Now when the first Xbox showed up GS didn't even give it a chance. They always rated inferior PS2 games as the "Best" version. That was until Xbox live came out and changed console gaming forever!

    I think those 110 million PS2 consumers were biased, but thats just me. GS is not biased against sony when these same old tired sony only franchises come out the ratings will sore. Should M$ fans say "oh GS being biased? I DON'T think so they have opinions just like we do.(And they thought the 360's lanch line up was better, and so do I.)

  • ramelaz

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 8:44 am PT

    I already have an Xbox 360 and pre-ordered the Wii. I didn't want to get the PS3 because they have no good games to back it up..... Resistance sure... I'll stick to Gears of War for now. My friend's brother skipped 2 days of school and started waiting for it on Wednesday, but nooooooooo, he got fined $300 for camping out and went home empty handed.

  • nnn2004

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 5:11 am PT

    in my country i found the ps3 in every where but no one buy it coz its too expinseve its about 6000 DH thats mean 1200 $

  • DeViLzzz

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 10:11 pm PT

    Personally I would have sold it as I am not rich and would have liked to raise some money for my kids education in the future but I would not have robbed or killed someone to get one for crying out loud .... what is the world coming to ?!?!?!

  • RoC1909

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 7:22 pm PT

    I got my PS3 as well. I could have slept in and went whenever to get it due to the fact that being #1 at the Gamestop PS3 Presale will let you do that

    I feel lucky and I as well will keep it.

  • ilcani

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:05 pm PT

    Great show, I really wish I could be there.
    Murphy was the funniest.
    Thanks Gamespot for bringing this for us, and special thanks to the reporters at the show, you guys looked really tired, but managed to pull through, great work.
    GrimBee....your words are gettin old, drop it....plz
    We all pretty much know what to expect from people like you by now.
    Let people enjoy their choices, and get on with your life.

    One final shout from me to all those standing in line after the first 400 got in, "you guys got my support, keep it up, so sad to hear most of you got pushed back in line....NY forever!! peace out"

  • SoRealYetSoFar

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:05 pm PT

    twilight princess gets and 8.8 score, game over. GOW is GOY

  • Enigma2K99

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:52 pm PT

    .... frigging console shortage, and they gave 3 of them away?!??!!? And I didn't get one of them?!?!?

  • SoRealYetSoFar

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:51 pm PT

    sigh ure d biggest idiot of all simba, why do u care what people think and say? who made u king of the world? for all i know u could be just a janitor from texas or something, salivating at the boys' locker room, shut up and just mop the floor

  • Neoyamaneko

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:47 pm PT

    "jon1233
    Have fun choosing sides and thinking only about the so called "war". I'll have fun playing games on all consoles. WOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

    Sorry, but as much as I love games, I will NOT spend $1000+ on 2 systems. Sony pretty much made people choose a side with a $600 system to promote their BD format rather than a $400 system without.

  • Simba_Dude

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:42 pm PT

    Jon1233 its about time someone else knows that the gaming universe is not a warzone but a place to relax and just have fun. I just wish the rest of the idiots out there can realize that and stfu about it :/

  • jon1233

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:37 pm PT

    Have fun choosing sides and thinking only about the so called "war". I'll have fun playing games on all consoles. WOOOOOOOOOO!!!

  • SoRealYetSoFar

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:24 pm PT

    so the stage is set for the next gen wars, all competitors are in, 360vs. ps3, one on one fight for the heavyweight championship of thw world!!!! Lets get ready to rrrrrruuuuuuuummmmmmbbbbbbbbllllllleeeeee. oh yeah, i heard the wii was gonna watch the fight at home by pay per view. nintendo sucks

  • saturnsrise

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:16 pm PT

    Ok, lets do the math here. $2500- the average cost for a PS3 on ebay- will get you a console, that's it. $2500 will also buy you an Xbox360 and 35 games. Need I say more? Oh, yes I do...GEARS OF WAR.

  • radiocreed

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:10 pm PT

    The lara Croft model looks hot.

  • sain_skywalker

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:02 pm PT

    Lol at NeoYamaneko for saying GS is Sony Biased, It's really more MS biased. (Coming from someone who will own all 3 by Monday)

    And it's the M$ One was rocky because most people were caught of guard by the shortage, while we knew (And GS made sure we knew everyday) since september.

    Lawl at his Fanboyism.

  • Incubus420

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 4:46 pm PT

    This is good for gaming...

  • HyruleanLink

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 4:24 pm PT

    The next-gen is here and one more to go!

  • aldrenar47

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 4:05 pm PT

    nearly flawless LOL

  • Neoyamaneko

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:47 pm PT

    And GS shows their Sony bias again by calling a 350-400,000 unit sale "nearly flawless", but calling the similar launch of the X360 a year ago "rocky".

  • Ashkanhoss29

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:24 pm PT

    ya, that was funny when C.murphy called Gamespot Gamestop...I still dont know if he mixed them or it was a joke, lol

  • Wii_StarFox

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:23 pm PT

    smudgexxx:
    "ps3 is gana kick microsofs and nintendos but. ps3 has kick as graohics like in the game resistance fall of man. it took microsoft a year to get good graphics like in the game gears of war. but just imagine wat ps3 can do in a year in graohics wise "

    Uhh last time I checked, the PS3 was suppose to be in retail store aat march but apparently it got delayed for 7 MONTH. Giving develloper ENOUGH time to make game look great. And no, I don't think the PS3 will be like 10 times better in graphics wise compared to the PS3, perhaps 2 times or 1.5 times, but don't expect seeing something saying "0MG"!/!9684 PS3 P00N NOBO MICROSFT LOLOLOL, MKE ME GM PL0X".

    Im not saying that the PS3 will suck, but you should get your facts right.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:21 pm PT

    it was a great night. charlie murphy called gamespot.com gamestop

  • makaid

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:03 pm PT

    From now on. Game companies will charge more than normal. Sony is setting the bar.

  • -L-U-I-S-

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:03 pm PT

    "WELL TO ALL YOU PS3 FAN, AND MY FELLOW MS XBOX 360 FAN I WILL LIKE TO REMAIN EVERYONE ABOUY WHEN THE FIRST XBOX CAME OUT HOW ALL THE PS2 AND NINTENDO FANS TALKED ABOUT HOW BIG THE XBOX WAS , HOW BULKY AND HEAVY. WELL IT WAS WAY AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION IN TERMS OF HARDWARE AND OFCOURSE GRAPHICS. MAYBE NOT AS POPULAR AS THE OTHER TWO PLATFORMS AT THE TIME BECAUSE IT WAS NEW, BUT MS WAS SO SMART AND THINKING AHEAD BY INCOMPORATING A HDD AND BUILT IN ETHERNET ADAPTER, THE NEXT GEN IN MY BOOK STARTED WITH XBOX LIVE NOT WITH HD OR BLUE RAY THAT IS JUST GRAPHIC OUTPUT, THE ABILITY TO PLAY AGAINTS ANYONE FROM AROUND THE WORLD IS TRULY NEXT GEN TO ME. MY OTHER POINT IS NOW YOU PS3 FANS ARE STOCK WITH THE BIGGEST HEVIEST CONSOLE EVER BUILT, HOPE YOU DON'T GET A HERNIA MOVING THAT THING FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM TO YOUR ROOM, THE FIRST XBOX WEIGHT IN AT 8.5 LBS THE PS3 WEIGHTS 11LBS, AND IT IS ALSO BIGGER IN ZISE THAN THE 360 SO THERE SONY PS2 AND 3 FANS NOW WHAT>?? YOUR CONSOLE IS SO BIG IT LOOKS LIKE A D#@$ BIG OLD VCR. RESPECT TO 360! "
    LOL dude your grammar is worse than that of 1st grade child...Jesus...I feel sorry for your teacher. Anyways, I don't think 11punds is heavy. I can carry around a 50-pound dumbell...hell my 10-yo cousin can carry a 15-pound dumbell. Also, why should you be carrying it from your living room to your room...I thought its meant to stay in one place and one place only. I'm not muscle-man, but the weight/size of (in this case, PS3, and probs Xbox) is no excuse (generally speaking) for bashing the console. As for playing with people from around the globe...I thought you could do that on older PCs, oh well seems I was wrong

    Really dude...you're scary

  • MegaManX9101

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:58 pm PT

    "Forget everything you know about gaming, as the PS3 was going to redefine it."
    Wow... now Sony is stealing ideologies? Come on.... how is a beefier system for twice the price going to "redefine" gaming...

    Sigh... Well atleast their launch didn't go too badly... thats the last thing they would have needed. I was starting to feel bad for them.

  • aldocrito

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:57 pm PT

    what?...the PS3 is now for a buy...i have only atari and the grapics are so bad....i need one PS3 in mexico....how?

  • Korsyn

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:40 pm PT

    They were comped out of their minds.

  • fullmetalone91

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:37 pm PT

    Is it true that there is another problem with the PS3, Glitches???

  • NFunspoiler

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:25 pm PT

    Man, that'd suck. Getting cut. That's what i go through at lunch everyday.

  • Juro4dark

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 1:51 pm PT

    it doesn't matter about lack of buyers, bla bla bla...i just wanna get my hands on a PS3 soon, so whens the next shipping???

  • SEr_803

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 1:50 pm PT

    ima get the wii on sunday the xbox 360 in feb and ps3 in june/july

  • smudgexxx

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 1:50 pm PT

    ps3 is gana kick microsofs and nintendos but. ps3 has kick as graohics like in the game resistance fall of man. it took microsoft a year to get good graphics like in the game gears of war. but just imagine wat ps3 can do in a year in graohics wise

  • Titanfan2083

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 1:50 pm PT

    even if the PS3 bombs a price drop will be FAR FAR FAR off. losing $250 a console would mean a price drop is very far off, although it only took microsoft a year to get out of losing money per console. And scout10101 some of them didnt just wait a day, some waited..A WEEK

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