TV, Movies, and Games
Talk about TV, Movies, Gaming or anything entertainment related.
PS 3 and Wii
blaster76
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Texas, United States
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Posted: Monday, November 20, 2006 - 03:21 PM UTC
Anybody stand in line for days on end in the hopes of picking one of these up? Anybody get oe off of ebay for a whole lotta bucks? Shoot 600 bucks is totally outrageous to me. All the folks paying 1200 - 1500, well a fool ad his money are soon parted. So you wait a month or so..800 or so bucks premium on top of the 600 is a lot of dough for gotta have it now
keenan
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Indiana, United States
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Posted: Monday, November 20, 2006 - 04:31 PM UTC
Instant gratification and being the first kid on the block are at work here big time.
I would think you could upgrade an old computer with a faster processor and a butt load of RAM for $600.

Shaun
/Waiting for the new dancin Elmo
//Cabbage patch kids anyone
Gunny
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Pennsylvania, United States
Member Since: July 13, 2004
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Posted: Monday, November 20, 2006 - 04:34 PM UTC
Well, Steve-O, as a matter of fact, mate, that's how I spent the better part of my weekend. . .here's the whole story, in a nutshell. . .

My son's 14th birthday was last Thursday, and as most teenage guys his age, video games are a large part of the extra curricular activity, and of course, he is a Nintendo fan, and has been following this new Wii since the early days of it's production.

Well, the system did not go on sale at the local Wal-Mart until 12:01 AM Sunday morning, and of course, I had promised to deliver this system as his present (he is a GREAT kid, deserves every bit of it!). Well, my game plan was as follows, to arrive at the store early Saturday AM, scope out the floor plan, talk to some store employess for a little inside info, and make a sound strategy.

So I arrive in the parking lot at around 6:45 AM Saturday morning, and with this being a 24 hour store, a large amount of cars in the lot at all times is not unusual, which today, it was about the norm for early morning.

I waltze on in to the store, and back to the electronics dept., to find a sign stating that the Wii System will be sold in the rear of the store, near the Layaway Dept. . .No problem. . .well, the closer that I got to the rear of the store, the louder the ruckus became, until I spotted a crowd of teens, about 15 or 20 guys, all in one group (and quite excited), and beside the group were several shopping carts full of pillows, blankets, folding chairs, T.V.'s, games, food, and anything else a young man may need while waiting in a line for a loooong time!

I stopped dead in my tracks, and after getting over the initial shock, asked one of the youngsters what was going on, which he explained that the store was supposed to have sixty of the game units for sale, but only had 32 in reality, and they were NOT going to miss out on the opportunity to have one of their own, and were going to wait as long as need be to do so. . .well, the only choice that I had was to join the ranks, and stand in the line BEFORE the actual line formed for the game system (yeah, really insane by this point).

The real line started forming at 9:00 AM, and quicky became a very long line, which snaked throughout the store. . .17 hours I spent in this line, 17 very long hours, but honestly, these kids had it together. . .Wal-Mart was allowing the use of their electric outlets for a ten dollar donation to the Childrens Miracle Network, so these guys had extension cords strung everywhere, safely out of shoppers way, connected to T.V's, game systems, laptop computers, you name it! Guys were crashed in the aisles on blankets, while others passed the time with board games, food, talk, and just alot of fun. . .the local News showed up, and just couldn't believe the tenacity and organization of this mob, all waiting for "just a game". . .

Well, at 12:00 AM Sunday, the store officials, escorted by two security guards, started at the front of the line, and went one by one, handing out "Wii Vouchers", and when they hit #32 in line, that was it. . .if you were #33 and beyond, you were promptly sent packing! I was #24, and to be honest with you, I would do it all again to see and hear the excitement of my boy when I sprung the system on him (he thought that I didn't get one!)

So yeah, I was one of the "chosen few" this time!
Cheers!
~Gunny
Removed by original poster on 11/22/06 - 11:10:15 (GMT).
long_tom
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Member Since: March 18, 2006
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Posted: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 01:42 AM UTC
http://pawparadise.7.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=629

Here's a few stories from the Wii hysteria front.
sniper
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New York, United States
Member Since: May 07, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 12:01 AM UTC
Personally, I think it's sad kids wait in line 17 hours for a game when most won't spend 10 minutes reading a decent book before losing interest. Fewer yet seem to enjoy being outside.

Watching news footage of the Black Friday shopping hysteria illuminates a somewhat sick segment of society that places materialism and the purchase of big screen TVs over more immediate concerns.

Maybe having just gotten back from a couple months in a 3rd world crap hole war zone affects my point of view, but I want no part of that deficit spending lifestyle anymore. $600 for a video game system is nuts.

Steve
StukeSowle
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Member Since: November 08, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 12:23 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Well, Steve-O, as a matter of fact, mate, that's how I spent the better part of my weekend. . .here's the whole story, in a nutshell. . .

My son's 14th birthday was last Thursday, and as most teenage guys his age, video games are a large part of the extra curricular activity, and of course, he is a Nintendo fan, and has been following this new Wii since the early days of it's production.

Well, the system did not go on sale at the local Wal-Mart until 12:01 AM Sunday morning, and of course, I had promised to deliver this system as his present (he is a GREAT kid, deserves every bit of it!). Well, my game plan was as follows, to arrive at the store early Saturday AM, scope out the floor plan, talk to some store employess for a little inside info, and make a sound strategy.

So I arrive in the parking lot at around 6:45 AM Saturday morning, and with this being a 24 hour store, a large amount of cars in the lot at all times is not unusual, which today, it was about the norm for early morning.

I waltze on in to the store, and back to the electronics dept., to find a sign stating that the Wii System will be sold in the rear of the store, near the Layaway Dept. . .No problem. . .well, the closer that I got to the rear of the store, the louder the ruckus became, until I spotted a crowd of teens, about 15 or 20 guys, all in one group (and quite excited), and beside the group were several shopping carts full of pillows, blankets, folding chairs, T.V.'s, games, food, and anything else a young man may need while waiting in a line for a loooong time!

I stopped dead in my tracks, and after getting over the initial shock, asked one of the youngsters what was going on, which he explained that the store was supposed to have sixty of the game units for sale, but only had 32 in reality, and they were NOT going to miss out on the opportunity to have one of their own, and were going to wait as long as need be to do so. . .well, the only choice that I had was to join the ranks, and stand in the line BEFORE the actual line formed for the game system (yeah, really insane by this point).

The real line started forming at 9:00 AM, and quicky became a very long line, which snaked throughout the store. . .17 hours I spent in this line, 17 very long hours, but honestly, these kids had it together. . .Wal-Mart was allowing the use of their electric outlets for a ten dollar donation to the Childrens Miracle Network, so these guys had extension cords strung everywhere, safely out of shoppers way, connected to T.V's, game systems, laptop computers, you name it! Guys were crashed in the aisles on blankets, while others passed the time with board games, food, talk, and just alot of fun. . .the local News showed up, and just couldn't believe the tenacity and organization of this mob, all waiting for "just a game". . .

Well, at 12:00 AM Sunday, the store officials, escorted by two security guards, started at the front of the line, and went one by one, handing out "Wii Vouchers", and when they hit #32 in line, that was it. . .if you were #33 and beyond, you were promptly sent packing! I was #24, and to be honest with you, I would do it all again to see and hear the excitement of my boy when I sprung the system on him (he thought that I didn't get one!)

So yeah, I was one of the "chosen few" this time!
Cheers!
~Gunny



All other rantings and ravings aside...I'm impressed by your dedication Mark. Sitting in line for 17 hours to get something your son really wants is something very very few parents would do these days.

Your son is a very lucky kid and I hope he knows that.
Removed by original poster on 11/26/06 - 20:24:05 (GMT).
Gunny
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Pennsylvania, United States
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Posted: Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 06:23 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Personally, I think it's sad kids wait in line 17 hours for a game when most won't spend 10 minutes reading a decent book before losing interest. Fewer yet seem to enjoy being outside.



Hmmm...well Steve, my son is an Honor student, has been for four years, and he reads, writes, and is quite active, as well (he can kick my butt in Tae-Kwon-Do!). . .and the other kids that I spent the day with were equally as interesting. Kids today are quite different than when I was a teenager, there is much more demands placed on them from a very early age. . .and they do grow up much faster!


Quoted Text


Watching news footage of the Black Friday shopping hysteria illuminates a somewhat sick segment of society that places materialism and the purchase of big screen TVs over more immediate concerns.



Yeah, I gotta agree with ya on this one, Steve, I myself have never fully appreciated the "Black Friday" hysteria, but honestly, it's been going on for a long time, and as long as there are people who will participate in the yearly hysteria, it will be there. . .just like any other over commercialized holiday, my friend.


Quoted Text


Maybe having just gotten back from a couple months in a 3rd world crap hole war zone affects my point of view, but I want no part of that deficit spending lifestyle anymore. $600 for a video game system is nuts.

Steve



Very possible, Steve, and may I wish you a personal note of thanks for your service, mate. . .God Bless all of our Brothers and Sisters in harms way, and for the record, mate, I think $600 is totally out of the question for a game system (and so does my son!), that's why we went for the $250 Nintendo system!

Cheers and Happy Holidays!!
~Gunny
Grumpyoldman
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Posted: Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 06:45 PM UTC
Black Friday, was simple for me, I used on line shopping. :-) :-)
No video games either, not into them, no kids either.

Glad you made it through and got the game for your kid Mark.
I afraid I don't even wait ten minutes on line at the bank or super market. Of course at 6AM at the super market there's normally no one there, and I do all my banking on line. I haven't actually been inside the bank next door since I first opened the accounts.
sniper
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Posted: Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 08:30 PM UTC
Mark, I didn't mean anything personal towards you or your son - there's nothing wrong with people wanting a nice gift and somone being able to provide for them. I'm sure he deserves it and will have a great time.

My feeling is we, many Americans, have gone over the top with the idea of buying stuff because we feel we need all this junk. I'm guilty of it too(luckily I don't have associated debt) and do my best not to fall into that trap anymore.

I remember growing up with lavish gifts, but looking back my best memories have nothing to do with that stuff. In fact, I'd trade everything I'd ever gotten to be able to spend a day with family who has passed on. When I see those people running into the stores, none of them look happy and most probably need to be paying off the bills they already have instead of making new ones. Guess I just don't understand the "big screen fever" and honestly don't want to.

By the way, I'm not in the service. My service "over there" is, let's say, of a different calling. But seeing the way much of the world lives - badly - gives perspective. The mob at the mall looks just as angry!

Steve

PS - I would get a PS3 someday, but at $600 there's no way I'm shelling out for one.
ShermiesRule
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Michigan, United States
Member Since: December 11, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 11:32 PM UTC
I'm waiting for some "must have" games to come out for the PS3 before I get mine. I bought the original XBox and a PS2 on the same day about 4 years ago. I got the XBox because of Halo and I got the PS2 for Socom Navy Seals. Since then I have only gotten a few games for XB and PS2 in the Medal of Honor and Call of Duty series

I passed on the X360 but now that Gears of War has come out I am going to get it... but not until I can find the game!!!
Vadster
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Posted: Monday, December 04, 2006 - 09:18 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I passed on the X360 but now that Gears of War has come out I am going to get it... but not until I can find the game!!!



I am an X-Box 360 convert - I am giving my PS2 and all my games to a friend for x-mas. I am totally not interested in the PS3 or Wii as a result. No more focus games for the PC anymore either - tired of having to go buy a new pc everytime some new games comes out because I don't have a good enough processor or video card, etc. :-)
kirk1313
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Posted: Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 05:31 AM UTC
That's it for me too. I don't want to buy anything until there is something worth playing. For me, it would be a 360 and HALO 3!!!!!!!!!