PS3 Launch Today +$100 Wii?

Bonanza · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 3:16 pm

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/11/17 ... _PS3_line/

Quote:

For everyone who read Ryan's report yesterday about the drive-by and said, "Oh, that was BBs, that hardly counts," here's where you can start feeling guilty - someone DID get shot. Though that's the worst so far, it's certainly not the only thing that's happened, either.

The line at one Connecticut Wal-mart had about 20 people in it last night at approximately 3am. A couple robbers who were aware of this fact (and likely the high cost of the machine) decided to show up as well, and demanded money from the crowd. One of the men resisted, and was shot. He was taken across state lines to be treated, and has not yet been released.

In California, a brawl broke out in a throng of 300 people waiting in line between two seperate stores. The line had formed at roughly 4am between the local Target and Circuit City retailers - each store had only 10 units available. Though both stores were intending to use raffles to distribute the units, it didn't stop the altercation from happening before the doors opened. Police were called onto the scene to maintain order, and once the 20 units were allocated the crowd dispersed.

These are, of course, the most extreme incidents yet reported over the launch, but it raises an important question - is this truly the best way to handle a low-stock launch?

There are other articles posted on the net about other robberies and shootings. Ix Edit: I certainly suck.

Extra Note: I heard a premium PS3 sold on ebay for 9,000 USD....I'm dead serious.
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-ent ... 215536.php

EDIT: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6161948.html

Quote:

The Nintendo Wii, to be launched in the US on November 19 (in Japan on December 2 and in Europe on December 8), is built around a unique motion-sensing controller, but the interface wasn't the only part of making a console that Nintendo rethought. At Ã‚Â£179 ($249.99), it is also the cheapest of the three next-gen options, but the console was originally meant to be even cheaper, to the tune of $100 a unit, according to game designer Shigeru Miyamoto.

Miyamoto told BusinessWeek that the Nintendo Wii was made very much with mothers in mind. He said, "Our goal was to come up with a machine that moms would want--easy to use, quick to start up, not a huge energy drain, and quiet while it was running... Also we thought a low-cost console would keep moms happy."

The designer said that the $100 mark was his original goal for the Wii but that using NAND flash memory to store data and incorporating other "pricey parts" torpedoed that idea.

Power isn't everything for a console. "Too many powerful consoles can't coexist. It's like having only ferocious dinosaurs. They might fight and hasten their own extinction," Miyamoto added.

Wow, didn't even realize that this would be even cheaper than the GameCube at launch. But still, I don't think 250 dollars is that hefty of a price, compared with Sony and Microsoft.

Zombisem · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 3:25 pm

I heard that there were people camping at the stores for their ps3's...

http://www.cad-comic.com/comic.php?d=20061117

Scary stuff.

Agentsix · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 3:36 pm

The ps3 gets all the hype but no one will even try to steal the wii. There was a robbery today this guy got his ps3 stolen. I know him and he deserved it, but the point is that with a limited supply of ps3's anyone are willing to buy them. I just want the box right now so I can sell it.

Kittykicker · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 4:19 pm

I was at walmart last night. They where getting there PS3's at 12am. The managers at Walmart where getting pissed.

Bonanza · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 6:03 pm

Of course, they were.

Limited supply and high demand create chaos.

thetruecoolness · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 6:18 pm

Also people are stupid, in general. They don't realize they can just wait and likely get a better system down the road (one where the original bugs are fixed). But people are not patient so you get things like people lining up in front of stores for the release of the next deity, I mean gaming system.

As for the Wii originally planned on being $100, pretty sure that is just to raise publicity for it, as Miyamoto I believe originally wanted to make hardly any changes to the Cube or just use existing technology. I believe the point he wanted to make is you don't have to have these insane leaps forward in console technology just to make a fun new system. I find it funny how many people will completely write off a system just because it doesn't support the newest graphics, quite possibly the least important part of a game. But that brings me back to my original statement.

Of course right now Nintendo could be charging less for the Wii, since unlike the previous business model for consoles, Nintendo will actually be making a profit on the system right off. Of course this is a good idea, but it does break the tradition that you normally take a loss on the console to have the ability to make large profits off of licensing later. So really I think game developers are shooting themselves in the foot by raising the bar so high so quickly for the games. As over the past 10 years or a game has gone from costing 100,000 to 1,000,000 to make to costing upwards of 100,000,000 to make a current gen AAA title. This is why mostly just large publishers are releasing games (EA, MS, Sony, Nintendo, Activision, Konami, Capcom, etc). Also is one of the driving factors for so many sequels.

So yeah, I know I will never be standing in line awaiting the launch of a new system. If they're going to create false demand by limiting supply I'll just wait.

Agentsix · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 6:29 pm

Well riots are fun because its rare for one to happen. People don't want to wait, sony knows this. They intentionally knew the ps3 will get all of this attention while the wii is left in the dust. Wouldn't matter if the wii was on sell for 100 dollars on the launch, the people will go after the ps3 while others pay attention to what other systems have. I do wish there was a riot here, like I said its a very rare oppurtunity for one to happen.

Feros · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 8:15 pm

Around here, anyway, there is A LOT more hype for the Wii.

This goes in the videogame forum, btw. *Moved*

Valkysas · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 10:10 pm

I hope you're able to get the box. I still remember cracking up seeing a PSP box sell for a few hundred dollars. keep us updated on that.

Feros · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 10:12 pm

I got a picture of myself sitting on a "Throne" of 24 PS3 boxes. I need to get that from my friend. Heh.

Bonanza · **Posted:** November 17th, 2006, 10:36 pm

^OW: No fair! I want to see that picture.

Taizon, good luck on getting that box too.

Staffy · **Posted:** November 18th, 2006, 2:09 am

you had them TOUCH YOUR BODY!? *envys*

Jamos · **Posted:** November 18th, 2006, 4:39 pm

Why are people so damn crazy? F***!

Kittykicker · **Posted:** November 18th, 2006, 4:50 pm

Yep. theres more to life then games. But then again, some say life is a game. *shurgs*

Lantis · **Posted:** November 22nd, 2006, 12:38 pm

OblivionWolf wrote:

I got a picture of myself sitting on a "Throne" of 24 PS3 boxes. I need to get that from my friend. Heh.

You REALLY need to get that pic...

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PS3 Launch Today +$100 Wii?

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