Before sociologists and parent groups can even start griping about the violence in the latest game releases, the Sony Playstation 3 is already generating a lot of concern because of the violence associated with its release, including riots and shootings and robberies resulting from the desperate competition to get hold of PS3 units as they were released this weekend.
With only 200,000 (estimated) units released in the North America — even fewer than were available in the first release of the PS2 several years ago — a situation was created where thousands lined up several days in advance to purchase games at stores which in many cases had only a handful of PS3s allocated to them. Typically Wal-Mart stores had only six PS3s each, Best Buy stores were limited to a couple of dozen, and other outlets were similarly far short of demand.
The price of the PS3, at a whopping $500 or $600, (depending on memory configuration) seems to have been no deterrent to purchasers, but did provide a temptation to criminals who went looking for quick money in the lines of shoppers camped out at stores around the country.
In Elk Grove, California, armed robbers made off with four PS3s from a GameStop. At Wal-Marts in Connecticut and Oregon shoppers camping overnight were robbed at gunpoint and in the Connecticut incident two men were shot when they refused to give up their cash.
In Indiana another man was stabbed when he tried to rob PS3 buyers who were waiting in line. In another Connecticut incident a successful buyer was attacked and had his PS3 stolen by five men. In Kentucky a passing car opened fire on buyers waiting in line. Another teenage buyer was robbed at gunpoint in Pennsylvania. In many locations there were stampedes and near riots, with police firing pepper pellets at unruly shoppers in Virginia.
The release in Japan didn't go too smoothly either, with reports of small scale violence and a great deal of profiteering in evidence as poor Chinese immigrants were being hired to stand in line to purchase PS3s for resellers looking for a quick profit through internet sales where PS3s are going for $2,500 or more on eBay - and where three are currently available on Amazon ranging from $3,000 to $5,000. One unit actually appeared on eBay with a 'Buy it Now' price of $10,000 and no one was laughing.
Article comments
1 - FURQAN
HHHMMM.....NIC AAMMM WAITTING TO THE NEW VERSION OFF PLAYSTETION 3 MAN I LOVE PLAYING PLZZ GIVE ME AA FREE PLAYSTATION 3 PLZZZZZZZZ PLZZZZZ....
2 - Zigger
I need a ps3 and i just cant afford it :*( to much ROFL!
3 - Dave Nalle
Trust me, you don't NEED a PS3, even though you may want one. Wait 6 months when more games are out and the price has dropped and you can laugh at the idiots who waited in line or paid $5000 this week.
Dave
4 - gossett
nintendo wii-$250.00 xbox360-$400.00, playstation3-$600.00...for $50 dollars more i can have two systems,even though one has a stupid idea for a controller or remote or whatever it is but at least its cheap
5 - YummY!
Kind of makes me glad I'm too broke to buy one. My brokenness might have saved my life.
6 - Amanda
Personally I think that buy a PS3 is a waste of money. Everything a PS3 could probably do, I'm pretty sure my computer can do. It's a waste of money. With about 600$ for the 60gb, if I saved another couple hundred I could easily buy a used computer. Its a waste of money!!!!
7 - Dave Nalle
For $600 you can actually buy a halfway decent new PC or a pretty good used Mac - which is what I'd recommend. You could even buy a lower end PC laptop for that price.
Dave
8 - Seth
Thats alot of Playstation fans going to jail or dead. Just another plus for xbox 360. spend $399 take the other 200 and buy a bunch of games its worth it
9 - Big Ben
WOW. I mean WOW! People really show their true sides over a stupid video game console. Being a technology expert, and business owner it is funny and sad at the same time. The PS3, like other are saying will be greatly reduced in price, bugs will be worked out, more games and accessories available if we wait. The incidents or robbing and shootings are very sad, and senseless. I wish more people would use common sense, and realize it is JUST A GAME.
Also, I agree with other posts. Get a real PC, buy a Internal Blu-Ray burner(yes they are available), and call it a day. You will have more:
1. Hard Disk Space
2. Processing Power
3. Ability to upgrade at will cheaper
4. Lots of games are available for the PC.
Otherwise, give it until this time next year, then buy a PS3. Just my two cents, be safe and use your brains people.
10 - Ken Edwards
I will buy a Blu-ray burnter when they are far less than $1000!
11 - Denise Christie Chan
I can't excited, I can't wait for this new light gun game for Time Crisis 5, featuring new characters.
12 - Kacey
Thousands die from starvation around the world and Americans die trying to get a gaming console. Can you say materialistic?