UK PS3 Pre-orders

[Lenny]

Well I'll be... I think I'm thinking of Mumbai, not Dubai.

In fact... I always think of Mumbai instead of Dubai.

Meh, Geography of the world has never been my strong point... now, Geogrpahy of San Andreas, on the other hand...

[Winters_Sorrow]

I must say I haven't noticed much hype on my high street shops for the PS3. Ok, so it's still over 4 weeks before launch day but I can't even recall any TV ads for it. The Wii and XBox360 were on for about 6 weeks prior to launch. It may be cheaper online but I bet you'll be able to buy a PS3 from the shops on launch day in Newcastle - the only reason they might be sold out IMO is people hoping to make a quick buck on eBay. To contrast, the Wii is still sold out in most stores however.

Oh, and about your map Lenny, I thought that Japan was in Region 2 as well?

[Lenny]

Even I'm confused by my map... it came from IGN. Let me find the original article.

It may just be that for Blu-Ray Films the regions have been changed?

IGN: PS3's AU Region Locks Explained

Yep, Blu-Ray regions are different from DVD.

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I don't watch Television much, and when I do it's the BBC channels, so I can't comment on TV ads, and me? Leave the house? Though I was in Burnley two weeks ago, and Gamestop had an ikkle yellow poster in the window saying "PS3 Pre-Orders Inside". Game had absolutely nothing.

[Rane Longfox]

Lots of japanese game imports gonna be popular in America then, looking at that map...

[Lenny]

The map is only for Blu-Ray Films. The actual games for the PS3 are completely region free - so the Japanese imports will work on European consoles, Japanese consoles, American consoles, Asian consoles, etc.

[Lenny]

Sorry for the double post, but I've got to say it:

Amazon are -ing useless! I've been on the site since 8:30, F5ing and just waiting for the "Buy" button to pop up... and what do I get instead?

Amazon.co.uk: Sony PlayStation 3 Console (60GB Premium Version): PC & Video Games

That damn message saying "Oh, we're sorry, but we don't have any to sell"...

For heavens sake you're the biggest damn onliner retailer in England! Get your act together!!

Instead I've bought the console and wo games from Woolies, and the third game, a controller, and HDMI cable from HMV.

It'll be just my luck that I get the HMV order on the PS3 launch date, and then the PS3 after the weekend... bet you...

Ah well, at least I've bought the swine.

[Lenny]

If only I could still use the EDIT button.

Amazon have finally updated their site to allow PS3 pre-orders... they're only 5 hours late.

If anyone is going for it - go to Woolies and HMV instead. It's not completely guaranteed that it'll come on the day, but you save some money. Instead of £628, all from Amazon, I've managed £588, from Woolies and HMV.

Good luck to anyone else who is getting it!

[Lucien21]

I don't see it selling out on day one.

There is no Xmas rush from parents, it's too expensive to be an impulse buy and Sony claim to have a decent supply coming.

[Lenny]

Amazon started there pre-orders at 2. I don't know when they'd all gone, but when I checked again at 6 they'd sold out.

I'd guess that most other sites (like Play, Gameplay, GAME - major online retailers), will have sold out quickly, too.

Don't forget that the UK only gets 22,000 units.

I also got e-mails from both Woolies and HMV confirming my order, which is reassuring.

[Stenevor]

Ive heard that Amazon are only taking orders between 9 and 5(read it on other forums, dont ask me why) and will have more of their allocation for sale tomorrow.

Im not much of a gamer anymore, very casual you might say. I have owned computers and consoles going back to a Grandstand pong and a ZX81 to a Game cube, Xbox and PS2 and many inbetween. I just cant get any excitement up for gaming any more, I read game forums regularly looking for something to spark my interest but I am totally cynical to all the rubbbish that comes out of Sony and Microsofts PR departments, ive heard it all before and know they will spout any old crap to get at my custom.

However, I might be on the lookout for a new console towards the end of the year but Im not convinced by either Sony or Microsoft. For me the PS3 is too expensive, I cant see how it will appeal to anyone but hardcore gamers, I cant see a decent pricedrop for a long time either. The Bluray V HDDVD could go either way or no way for the time being and I certainly wouldnt be replacing my DVDs with more expensive newer versions. Not sure how Sonys online service will match up to microsoft either.
As for the Xbox 360 if it gets a bit of a price drop it would almost become an impulse buy though it reputedly has a shocking reliability record, and by the time youve factored a HDDVD drive for it its almost as expensive as a PS3.

I also dont like the way both firms are going with so many games downloaded to the HDD which in the longrun looks to be designed to kill the preowned market, £45-£50 for a new game is far too much. I dont feel any alliegence to either company, IMHO fanboyism towards major multinational electronics/computer firms is madness.

I might even just make do with a Nintendo DS which is probably a better bet for a casual gamer. Good luck with the PS3, lets have a few unbiased opinions when you get it.

[Lenny]

9 to 5 are their "opening hours", I think.

Now I could go off spouting loads, now... for example, one Australia's biggest retailers, JB Hi Fi, is stocking Blu-Ray films only. Not a single HD-DVD film in sight, though they are stocking the MS HD-DVD add-on.

I'll definitely post my own thoughts and a review of the PS3 once I get it, and I'll try to get as many unbiased points in as possible. So watch this space.

Talking about the DS - Japanese analysts, and a few Americans, too, reckon that this year is going to be the year that DS really breaks into the European market. This year will be the year that its sales peak.

[Lucien21]

Originally Posted by Lenny

Don't forget that the UK only gets 22,000 units.

220,000 units I think.

[Lenny]

Oh figs... that's the trouble when you're a self-confessed PS3 geek - you get it wrong, and boy do you get it wrong.

Yes, 220,000. And I'd even got it right in my first post and everything.

[Lucien21]

GameTrailers.com - User Movie: The PS3 Song by averageg

LOL

[Winters_Sorrow]

Originally Posted by Lucien21

GameTrailers.com - User Movie: The PS3 Song by averageg

LOL

It was quite well produced, if a little pro-microsoft