PS3 launches in Australia

Sony's latest console goes on sale in Australia; hundreds of retail stores opened for midnight launches.

Hundreds of retail stores around the country are getting ready to throw their doors open at midnight tonight for the official launch of Sony's PlayStation 3 in Australia.

One of the biggest crowds is expected to be at Sydney's Pitt St Mall, where retail store Myer (in conjunction with Sony Computer Entertainment Australia) will be entertaining eager gamers lining up for the new console with free entertainment, including a public screening of the James Bond film Casino Royale.

GameSpot AU will be covering the Sydney launch of the PS3 with regularly updated news reports from the Pitt St Mall location. Check back here for our coverage later tonight. For more information about the PS3 in Australia, check out our extensive PS3 Launch Centre.

9:40 p.m.: There's less than three hours to go now until the midnight launch of the PS3, and Sydney's Pitt St Mall is... empty. Workers are still setting up barricades leading into the entrance of the Myer store, and the big screen to be used for showing Casino Royale at 10 p.m. was just erected 15 minutes ago. 2Day FM radio personality Lizzie Lovett has been hyping up the nonexistent crowd. Here's hoping some eager gamers line up soon.

10:00 p.m.: Still no one lining up behind the official barricades, but a small group of curious onlookers have started to gather outside and around the stage.

10:15 p.m.: We just spoke with Sony Computer Entertainment Australia head Michael Ephraim, who said that he still expects the PS3 to become the winner in this generation of consoles. As for the launch finally happening after months of waiting, Ephraim said he was excited that the time had finally come.

10:35 p.m.: A crowd of about 100 people have now gathered around the official Myer lineup area. Simply said, no one is in the line, but a sizable crowd is starting to gather. 2Day FM staff are walking around the crowd giving away free drinks and popcorn. Casino Royale is playing on the big screen, and it's at the section where Bond is running around Morocco.

10:42 p.m.: Alert! Alert! Five people have now actually formed a line. The movie has been paused to allow some live gameplay with people from the crowd. Gran Turismo HD is now being played on the big screen. MC Lizzie Lovett is urging the crowd to join the line.

11:00 p.m.: Twenty people are now in line. It's a good mix of people, with some teenagers and a few parents waiting. The first in line is Danny Zarka from Pyrmont, who says he's been looking forward to buying this console for more than a year.

11:12 p.m.: There are now close to 50 people lining up, and about 300 more milling around outside the official barricade. Some lucky crowd members just completed a lap on FI Championship Edition on the big screen. Free massages are being given out underneath a tent at the end of the line.

11:20 p.m.: There are now about 60 people in line, but the crowd outside the line has dwindled somewhat to about 200. We just spoke to Bernie Brooks, CEO of Myer, who said that the PS3 had by far the most preorders of any next-generation console. Brooks quoted a presale figure of close to A$2 million.

11:40 p.m.: We've just received reports from our colleagues at CNET.com.au who are staking out the Moore Park Supa Centa. Jeremy Roche reports a crowd of about 40 people, who have just finished watching Kostya Tszyu play Fight Night. Ella Morton is at the Bondi EB Games, and she reports a very small turnout of about 10 people.

11:50 p.m.: Getting close to launch now, and there are about 70 people in line. Updates will now become more sporadic as we cover the midnight rush.

LATE UPDATE: Just before midnight, Lizzie Lovett led the countdown. The number of people in line was still roughly 70 or so, but they made plenty of noise while counting down to zero. After midnight, the lineup of people had to travel up a flight of escalators to reach Myer's sales area. At roughly 12:30 a.m., there were still close to 20 people waiting to pay for their consoles.

12:50 p.m.: Back at GameSpot AU HQ, and we've turned on our PS3 to see whether the firmware upgrade (1.6) has been released yet. No luck.

141 Comments

  • Funky_J

    Posted Mar 25, 2007 10:36 pm PT

    tribe81 - What Xbox360 launch were you at?

    I took photos of the launch at EB in Rundle Mall, and I'd say there were maybe 150-200 at the absolute maximum...

    EDIT: They're online at http://www.funkyj.com/images/eblaunch0009.jpg
    http://www.funkyj.com/images/eblaunch0010.jpg
    http://www.funkyj.com/images/eblaunch0012.jpg
    http://www.funkyj.com/images/eblaunch0013.jpg
    http://www.funkyj.com/images/eblaunch0014.jpg
    http://www.funkyj.com/images/eblaunch0015.jpg

  • vroenis

    Posted Mar 25, 2007 4:19 am PT

    The PS3 continues to present one of the most interesting conundrums in the industry at the moment. It is an exceptionally capable piece of hardware, yet months from its initial international launch, it remains terribly under-supported in regards to software. As a full-time wage-earner, the question of cost is irrelevant to me, yet I still remain unconvinced that I will actually have enough to play on the system to pay the high cost of entry to be an early-adopter. I have no doubt that within the next 12 months there will most likely be an increase in decent games, but will they come in time? I still believe that all three majour manufacturers have a solid place in the market, and it would be disappointing to see Sony unsupportive in the long-term.

  • bihboy69

    Posted Mar 24, 2007 4:28 pm PT

    there were about 200 where i went. not everybody goes to the city to buy their ps3, and not many people new about the event being there. gamespot was like the only place you could find out about this so shutup

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Mar 24, 2007 3:41 am PT

    70... A disappointing number.

  • tribe81

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 4:23 pm PT

    so lets see 5 million people live in NSW and only 70 showed up for the launch of the ps3 hmmm here in Adelaide we had over 500 for the 360 midnight launch and we are a small country town ....

  • Autolycus

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 2:24 pm PT

    this just in...people across the WORLD, DONT CARE ABOUT PS3 (except the delusional fan boys that think SCEA actually has their head on straight. But then again, these "FanBoys" thinks sony care's who they are. ha)

  • Tenjikuronin

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 11:51 am PT

    Only 70 people? Wow, that's quite low......especially for Sydney!

  • JustQuest

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 10:51 am PT

    I bet everyones already registered for their free blu-ray dvd, I hope they give another free dvd when I finally get my PS3

  • ChitoKiryoku

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 7:39 am PT

    I like sony, I like the PS3... but c'mon, it's hilarious xD only 70?

  • berzerk0912

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 7:33 am PT

    HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 5:54 am PT

    Only 70 at launch??

    The Wii had about 1,000

  • sun_spirit

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 4:18 am PT

    "9:40 p.m.: There's less than three hours to go now until the midnight launch of the PS3, and Sydney's Pitt St Mall is... empty."

    "10:00 p.m.: Still no one lining up behind the official barricades."

    Ahaha, shows how well the PS3 is going to do in our little world...

  • CarlosY2Jericho

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 3:18 am PT

    "PS3 had by far the most preorders of any next-generation console. Brooks quoted a presale figure of close to A$2 million."


    Ps3 will take Aussie by the storm!

  • imprezawrx500

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 12:51 am PT

    I know that $1200 price tag will hurt that bank and how can it cost $350 in tax and shipping? sony must be trying to make some money back which they lost in usa and japan

  • qwerty456123

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 12:04 am PT

    over here in New Zealand it costs $1200 (60gb) WHY!!!!

  • UltraWoody

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 11:57 pm PT

    Only fools will buy the PS3 - not worth it at all.

  • everythingj

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 9:30 pm PT

    "9:40 p.m.: There's less than three hours to go now until the midnight launch of the PS3, and Sydney's Pitt St Mall is... empty. "

    *laughs*

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 9:21 pm PT

    Aussie's and Kiwi's are getting it on

  • gamist

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 8:42 pm PT

    That's Bart Simpson's finger pointing to Austrialia on the globe!

  • rl21277

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 8:21 pm PT

    Lol, looks like Sony got shafted back and Sydney is suppose to be the largest city in Oz.

  • ketsuatama

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 7:52 pm PT

    I just read that in London, a store gave away a Sony HDTV to every registered buyer in a queue! The equivalent in Sydney - a massage. Whoopee, Sony and Myer, way to get publicity and fan support!

  • meimnobody

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 7:28 pm PT

    "but about 300 people were lingering trying to see if they were goinna get one."

    Ahem that was most likely press, and the families of those buying the ps3 as well as those who were wondering what was going on.

    Wii midnight launches in Australias had hundreds of people in line and the stores sold out.

    PS3 launchs in Australia none of the stores sold out.

    It's like the Japanese xbox 360 launch and it's repeating throughout Europe.

  • justagrouch

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 7:11 pm PT

    Hey Grim, Australia is its own continent as is Europe. Also they are about 16 hours apart by plane.

  • RahnAetas

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 5:16 pm PT

    That launch sounded extreamly painful. I wonder if it was akward to have the people lined up being outnumbered by curious on-lookers. At least on the plus side no one was shot.

  • willerdrew

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 4:20 pm PT

    there were 70 people in the actuall line but about 300 people were lingering trying to see if they were goinna get one.

  • LINK2K9

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 4:10 pm PT

    Free screening of Casino Royale? Good move that. Only 70 people in like though? Or it it 200? I'm confused. D:

  • GrimGravy

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 3:59 pm PT

    about time europe got there launch felt bad for them

  • cenz_is

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 3:55 pm PT

    hardcore

  • brant_almighty

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 3:17 pm PT

    wow that sounds like quite an exciting launch..........

  • vaejas

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 3:10 pm PT

    That's a nice read, Randolph, thanks. That last time slot should probably be 12:50 a.m., eh?

  • IpodHero176

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 3:02 pm PT

    Good for them.

  • KEM92

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 2:47 pm PT

    THEY WERE TREATED MCUH BETTER THAN WE WERE A THE SONY STORE IN MANHATTAN. AND LESS PEOPLE 2

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 2:42 pm PT

    Aww, I want a free massage.....In the other launches they got free food too. Maybe I should camp out for the PS4 launch.

  • rottenjoe

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 2:12 pm PT

    ummmmm, wait hold on, what do u mean by this " The number of people in line was still roughly 70 or so... At roughly 12:30 a.m., there were still close to 20 people waiting to pay for their consoles." Does that mean that only 20 people accually got a ps3, or that it took 30 minutes for 50 people to get their ps3's ,and there was only 20 people left???

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 2:06 pm PT

    Good I'm glad they made it have a price drop there. I have to say Sony has many idiotic decisions about the PS3 and this is one of the few intelligent choices. I do hope they fix a lot of it's issues for all the early adopters who already have a PS3.

  • doolies

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 1:58 pm PT

    1.6 is released. I updated last night at around 12:30AM
    Although I am running under a US PSN ID, that might be the reason, I don't see why not though.

  • SolidFear

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 1:56 pm PT

    Nice. Good turn out for Sony. And it says that 70 people were in line, but as of 12:30 a.m, 20 people still had to pay for the console, meaning that the other 50 people bought theirs.

  • nobeaner

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 1:43 pm PT

    Thats too bad.

  • aus_pride

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 1:23 pm PT

    lol i thought it they wer gonna say 70 people were about to pay for there new ps3's but 20? Wtf? Ohhhhhhhh i see the damn thing cost $1000!!!

  • madden07klc

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 12:35 pm PT

    yo, springfield ma only hade 12 at circut city and we invented basketball

  • silverstar1982

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 11:59 am PT

    Wii lanch day, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, outside a Future Shop.

    No midnight launch or anything.

    There were over 250 people in line, when they opened the doors, for 90 units available. I was number 67.

    I think Calgary alone, for Wii launch, may have outsold all of AU for PS3 launch.

  • thomfilm

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 11:32 am PT

    Dear me, the ausies arn't really into the swing of things are they.

    Not like London. Or Italy for that matter.

  • darkride66

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 11:27 am PT

    Sounds like a nice launch. Hope the PS3 does well. I know I'm enjoying mine as my Xbox 360 is away for repairs now A SECOND TIME! I love the games, but come on! A system with a lifespan of 6 months just doesn't cut it. They refunded me back my $150 bucks the first time but they've discontinued that program as of Jan. Fantastic. So with that cost, shipping and the 2 year extended warranty (because I'm not going through this again) that'll be about $700 the 360 has cost me. Bravo, M$. Bravo.

  • Warfust

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 11:22 am PT

    There were more than 70 lined up at the local Toy's R' Us store on a cold and windy Wii launch day. No drink, no massages, no movies. That has GOT to hurt.

  • blackace

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 11:10 am PT

    Man, that was hilarious. I love this quote though.
    "10.35pm: A crowd of about 100 people have now gathered around the official Myer line-up area. Simply said, no one is in the line" lmao!!

    100 people showed up to wattch Casino Royale, get free popcorn and drinks and have a nice massage afterwards. lol!! No one even thinking about the PS3. Finally 70 people showed up like 15mins before the launch. Unlike in Japan where they have about 300 people line up almost 24hrs in advance. Honestly, there was no real reason to line up for the PS3 because there wasn't going to be any shortages. Sydney got about 60,000 PS3 and the'll probably sell about 20K.

  • Hedfix

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 11:03 am PT

    http://www.angry-gamer.net/ag/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=450&Itemid=2

  • fastpunk

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 10:56 am PT

    Wow, that was quite a small launch...

  • jasongm

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 10:51 am PT

    I'm quite happy with my Xbox 360, Got Fight Night last year, it was ok... it got repetitive real fast afterwards. The PS3 is just to expensive right now. I'm not spending my money on a system that has only 2 good games.

    Better wait for a price drop.

  • cjnwo4life

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 10:31 am PT

    Consoles are very expensive there (more so than here) so our $600 was notthing to what they had to pay. I know that they still play alot of ps2 games and nintendo games as well and now MS has a nice little market share there as well. Price is the issue and over the next 8 months one of the big 3 will reduce there price (MS) and then things will get really competiive.

  • Bear-Max

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 10:10 am PT

    Not surprised. Didn't MS have it's largest market share in Australia last gen?

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