Police concerned about impending UK PS3 launch
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Mar 15th 2007 at 5:30PM }
The PS3 is launching on Friday, March 23rd in Europe, and Virgin Megastore's flagship Oxford Street store will be home to a midnight launch--something that has the police worried. A spokesperson for Marylebone Police has told GamesIndustry.biz that there are "genuine concerns" about the safety of shoppers attending the launch.The American launch of the PS3 was wrought with violence, including shootings, and various robberies. The Virgin Megastore launch will pose a few unique problems for police, as it is situated on a narrow stretch of pavement nearby busy tube and bus stops. Because crowd barricades will not be possible, the police are advising shoppers to take extra caution: "We don't want people walking around London with expensive pieces of equipment late at night. We want Oxford Street to be vibrant and successful, but we don't want victims of crime."
Eurogamer is offering a few (obvious) tidbits for those willing to camp out for the midnight launch: don't bring cash, have a cell phone, bring a friend, and take a cab back home. Good luck to all of you that are going to attempt a midnight launch.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike @ Mar 15th 2007 6:29PM
Game have 30% of their pre orders unsold (the biggest game retailer in the UK), why dont people just pre order there?
Azorean @ Mar 15th 2007 7:38PM
They can't even sellout the pre-orders in the UK what makes you think it's going to be a crazy launch like it was here in the NA? They already know what to expect from the PS3 so it's not like it was here when everybody wanted one because they thought it was going to be an amazing console which it ended up not being and or sell it on Ebay for a profit which they won't because it won't sell.
kev @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:00PM
@Azorean
UK and US are 2 different places, the US's intentions were just to make money then buy a PS3 with the profit made, I know lots of UK peeps with me living in the UK who realy want a PS3, the problem is the price, it costs much more than it does in the US or Japan, shipping a PS3 isnt worth the hassle either, so us brits will wait until prices come down.
The only reason X360 sold out was because of system shortages, M$ didnt supply enough... at least Sony are well prepared this time, unlike with the PS2 launch.
All you Americans are just PS3 haters and the reason I say that is, sony have been the top brand name in America for the last 6 years, yet fanbois keep on dissing the PS3. X360 has had a 1yr head start and only has 1 killer app (Gears of War) are you afraid of the UK launch, that all you X360 fans have to bad mouth it? I'm hearing these comments all over the net (PS3 wont do well in the UK bla bla bla... why are they cueing up... what I want to know is, why the f**k do you care how the UK launch goes? your American with your beloved X360, so just leave those who want a PS3 to cue up and buy one if they want one... jeez
kev @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:29PM
BTW its not 6 times in a row for Sont to be at #1 in best brand in the US its 7times in a row, my bad
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/archives/2006/07/13/sony_gets_seventh_straight_top_spot_in_us_brand_poll.html
kev @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:05PM
I wish I had been in line @ Virgin megastore in london 100 people recieved a £2.500 HD Sony Bravia TV each a total cost of £250.000 just for buying a £425 PS3...
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/7112/8136/playstation-3-launches-in-europe.phtml