PSP Storms Japan.

C.A.R25

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Following posted at www.gamespot.com

" TOKYO--It all started just before dawn in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. At 6AM, the popular game store known as Yodobashi Camera opened early, counted down the final minute, and fired streamers into the air. Ken Kutaragi and other Sony executives donned Yodobashi uniforms and happily sold the store's first PSP to a young man who was quickly mobbed by reporters. The reporters interviewed and filmed him as he opened the box and showed off the unit for the cameras.


Like many other major retailers in Japan, Yodobashi did not take PSP pre-orders ahead of time. As a result, over 1,200 hopeful game fans lined up throughout the long, cold night, some taking up their position as early as 3PM the previous day. By the time the store opened, the quiet crowd snaked around two blocks. Interestingly enough, the line at this particular store seemed to continue growing even after the store started selling the PSP, the six launch games, and other assorted accessories. With overall supplies for Japan said to be in the neighborhood of 200,000 PSPs, it seems almost certain that this initial stock will disappear quickly.

The PSP is available in two configurations. One is a system-only package, while a "value pack" includes many of the available accessories, such as a pair of headphones with remote, a 32MB memory stick duo, and a slim carrying case. Sony is also selling AC adapters (though, obviously, both packages come with one already) and additional batteries. Third-parties are already selling thin pieces of plastic film that are intended to protect the screen from scratches.

Stay tuned to GameSpot for more news and preview information on the PSP as we put the final retail unit and its launch lineup through its paces.

By Jeff Gerstmann -- GameSpot
POSTED: 12/11/04 03:02 PM PST "



Man, these Japanese gamers are serious about getting thier stuff… check these pics out to see the lines for people picking up their new Sony PSP.

screens_6114900.html


http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/12/11/news_6114900.html

Even though Sony only has 200,000 to go around on lunch day… I predict this thing is gona sell out big time any were it is selling at and this may be the case for sometime. That is why it’s a good idea to pre-order.
 
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You mean when you launch on a saturday with no preorder system, and mass shortages huge lines form in Shinjuku?

Amaaaazing.

Like the DS launch, I think any calls are premature.

Also, we're left with the conundrum it'/ll sell out, but wil that even mean a thing? 200,000? The helll?
 

RAINBOW PONY

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Interesting, I never thought people ANYWHERE would care so much about a Handheld System...

PS2, GC, DC, those I can understand having the mass chaos and hysteria on Launch Day...but a DS or PSP? Sounds weird... :eye: :eye:
 

C.A.R25

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DARK ANDY said:
Interesting, I never thought people ANYWHERE would care so much about a Handheld System...

PS2, GC, DC, those I can understand having the mass chaos and hysteria on Launch Day...but a DS or PSP? Sounds weird... :eye: :eye:


It's ironic because I just was not excited to see the PS2, X-box or GC... but for a REAL long time I have been holding my breath for a portable that's as powerful as the PSP, so imagine the possibilities even 10yrs from now. :)
 
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DARK ANDY said:
Interesting, I never thought people ANYWHERE would care so much about a Handheld System...

PS2, GC, DC, those I can understand having the mass chaos and hysteria on Launch Day...but a DS or PSP? Sounds weird... :eye: :eye:

It's mostly an effect of lack of supply. There's a DS shortage, but Nintendo is, as usual, only a bit under demand. PSP has a laughably inept supply number.

Who knows what the launch would have been like if Sony could produce enough PSP's to fill demand. THey've embarrassingly supplied a helluiva lot less PS2's than last year this year as well.

Makes you wonder what shape they're really in internally...
 

ResO

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PSP:
925178_20041211_screen004.jpg


DS:
nds-launches-in-japan-20041201025916826.jpg



Hmm... I would say something, but it would make a few of our resident DS fanboys get their panties in a wad.
 

ResO

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jethrek said:
It's mostly an effect of lack of supply. There's a DS shortage, but Nintendo is, as usual, only a bit under demand. PSP has a laughably inept supply number.

Who knows what the launch would have been like if Sony could produce enough PSP's to fill demand. THey've embarrassingly supplied a helluiva lot less PS2's than last year this year as well.

Makes you wonder what shape they're really in internally...

Obviously they are still in the kind of shape internally that they make better marketing decisions than Nintendo. Shortage is good for demand, and it is fair to potential stockholders.
 

TonK

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ResOGlas said:
PSP:
925178_20041211_screen004.jpg


DS:
nds-launches-in-japan-20041201025916826.jpg



Hmm... I would say something, but it would make a few of our resident DS fanboys get their panties in a wad.

Say something...

Christ, how many times do us "resident DS fanboys" have to say it?

PSP = NO PREORDER

DS = PREORDERS

Hence the long lines.
 
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ResOGlas said:
PSP:
925178_20041211_screen004.jpg


DS:
nds-launches-in-japan-20041201025916826.jpg



Hmm... I would say something, but it would make a few of our resident DS fanboys get their panties in a wad.

Forced to realize Sony fanboys prefer senslessness to logic...

PSP
psp-launches-20041211051305547.jpg

DS
ninten.71E.jpg


Senseless enough?
 

ResO

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They were taking preorders virtually everywhere 3 days prior to release. Everybody and their brother had a preorder slip if they weren't stupid.
 

TonK

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ResOGlas said:
They were taking preorders virtually everywhere 3 days prior to release. Everybody and their brother had a preorder slip if they weren't stupid.

3 whole days?

WOW!
 
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ResOGlas said:
They were taking preorders virtually everywhere 3 days prior to release. Everybody and their brother had a preorder slip if they weren't stupid.

No, they weren't. Many retailers did not take preorders.

DS had a preorder system

PSP had no preorder system

DS launched on a weekday

PSP launched on a weekend

Let's see Sony match N's number...wait they can't afford to manufacture enough systems to do that...
 

TonK

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That cardboard box does look cozy as hell though...

Imagine what he could do in there...

He might have a little meal set aside, maybe a portable TV...

Blanket...

He was equipped like a soldier for the PSP launch.
 

ResO

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TonK said:
3 whole days?

WOW!


Hype equals sales.

But, I wouldn't have to explain that to you at all, right Mr. Classic Metal Slug 5?

You sold more Metal Slug 5 bundles than Jesus could have for religeon.
 

TonK

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ResOGlas said:
Hype equals sales.

But, I wouldn't have to explain that to you at all, right Mr. Classic Metal Slug 5?

Why the fuck are you taking cheap shots at me over a fucking game system?

Is the PSP's success that fucking important to you?

You act like a little bitch sometimes...

Grow the fuck up.
 

ResO

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TonK said:
Why the fuck are you taking cheap shots at me over a fucking game system?

Is the PSP's success that fucking important to you?

You act like a little bitch sometimes...

Grow the fuck up.

Did I strike a Nerve? I'm not the one getting upset.

Anyway, I was just clearly implying that hype is not bad for sales. I'm sure that the Metal Slug 5 bundles could have never sold out so quickly without your hype. Hell, pretty much every other classic edition cart is still available at the neostore today.
 
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TonK said:
Why the fuck are you taking cheap shots at me over a fucking game system?

Is the PSP's success that fucking important to you?

You act like a little bitch sometimes...

Grow the fuck up.

I don't think there's been one DS thread the PSP fanboys haven't tried to piss on. Boy have they suddenly gotten touchy.
 

Mark of the Wolves

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jethrek said:
Let's see Sony match N's number...wait they can't afford to manufacture enough systems to do that...

You mean there aren't enough parts to manufacture that enough. Something that apparently isn't the case anymore.
 

TonK

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ResOGlas said:
Did I strike a Nerve? I'm not the one getting upset.

Yeah you did.

Don't fucking take cheap shots at me...

I'm not upset, I'm embarassed at the fact that you bring irrelevant shit to the table to defend your stupid fucking gizmo.
 
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Mark of the Wolves said:
You mean there aren't enough parts to manufacture that enough. Something that apparently isn't the case anymore.

"According to Mainichi Interactive, Sony will try to ship as many units as possible at launch, but the company can't increase its PSP production rate, because it can't secure enough components. Sony had previously announced that it hoped to ship 100,000 PSPs each week following the launch, and to release 500,000 units by the end of the year, but those numbers can no longer be confirmed."

The official line is about parts, but why not?
The PSP was finalized long before the DS, and Sony is a bigger company than Nintendo.

Then we come to the matter opf Sony's profitability being questionable, and the PSP losing money on each system sold....

Either way, I'll judge the systems more by numbers than photographs, which we've seen plenty of spin on already.
 

ResO

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TonK said:
Yeah you did.

Don't fucking take cheap shots at me...

I'm not upset, I'm embarassed at the fact that you bring irrelevant shit to the table to defend your stupid fucking gizmo.

It's not irrelevant, and it's not a cheap shot. It was just a reminder to you why the PSP is more in demand in Japan. Hype is good for sales, whether you are ashamed of it or not.

Limited stock+hype=high demand

Goes the same for PSP & MS5 Classic.
 
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ResOGlas said:
It's not irrelevant, and it's not a cheap shot. It was just a reminder to you why the PSP is more in demand in Japan. Hype is good for sales, whether you are ashamed of it or not.

Limited stock+hype=high demand

Gopes the same for PSP & MS5 Classic.

BASELESS STATEMENT ALERT

The PSP has a hgigher demand to supply ratio.

Higher demand is, at this point, totally unprovable with restricted supply.

I dunno about Japan, of course, but the DS is also beneath demand in America. This means "deman" statements are misleading at best.
 
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