Video game enthusiast Zach Strankowski understands the principle of supply and demand. That's why he and two friends have been sleeping outside an Escondido Circuit City store since Tuesday, waiting for Sony's new PlayStation 3 game system, which won't go on sale until Friday.
“We could either pay three grand on eBay, or camp out here for 10 days,” said Strankowski, 22.
The economics are simple. Sony built a loyal base of 30 million PlayStation 2 owners in America. When the PS3 launches Friday, there will be fewer than 400,000 of the new game systems on store shelves.
The PS3 is the latest of “next-generation” video game systems. It follows the Microsoft Xbox 360, which was released a year ago. The Nintendo Wii will be available Nov. 19.
Sony's new system will be the most technologically advanced of the three and, at $600, the most expensive. The 360 costs $399 and the Wii $250.
Sony will not disclose the total cost of creating the PlayStation 3, which has been in development for six years. But analysts say the sum reaches into the billions of dollars.
Sony has revealed that it spent $2 billion on one major component alone, the high-speed Cell microprocessor, co-developed with IBM and Toshiba.
The system also features Sony's BluRay high-definition video player, capable of producing movies on some HDTVs with more than twice the detail of today's DVDs. Problems with BluRay's development delayed production of the PS3 and led to the current shortage.
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Showing posts with label gamers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gamers. Show all posts
Monday, November 13, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Mad Catz Gears Gamers Up for War @ TeamxBox
San Diego, Calif. – November 09, 2006 - Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSE: MCZ), a leading third party video game accessory provider, announced that it has shipped its line of officially licensed merchandise for Epic Games’ highly anticipated Gears of War video game scheduled for release on November 7, 2006. Mad Catz recently entered into an exclusive 2-year licensing agreement with Gears of War creator, Epic Games, represented by CAA, to produce the new products.
“Epic Games has created one of the most-anticipated Xbox 360 games of the year and Gears of War wowed attendees at the industry’s E3 conference in May. The Gears of War license is an excellent addition to our portfolio of leading entertainment and sport licensed properties and demonstrates Mad Catz’ continued commitment to providing differentiated products by licensing cutting edge properties,” said Darren Richardson, President and CEO of Mad Catz.
“Mad Catz is a welcome licensed partner, enabling us to expand our unique Gears of War IP into the accessory market,” said Mark Rein, Vice President of Epic.
The Gears of War themed products available include faceplates for the Xbox 360 with an MSRP of $19.99; faceplate and Console Skinz™ combo pack including graphics to customize the sides of the console with an MSRP of $29.99; and a Console Crate™ hard case for transporting and storing the Xbox 360 console and accessories with an MSRP of $59.99. At launch, Mad Catz will provide exclusive Gears of War products to several major domestic retailers, with products available at major video game retailers throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. For more information visit www.madcatz.com.
“Epic Games has created one of the most-anticipated Xbox 360 games of the year and Gears of War wowed attendees at the industry’s E3 conference in May. The Gears of War license is an excellent addition to our portfolio of leading entertainment and sport licensed properties and demonstrates Mad Catz’ continued commitment to providing differentiated products by licensing cutting edge properties,” said Darren Richardson, President and CEO of Mad Catz.
“Mad Catz is a welcome licensed partner, enabling us to expand our unique Gears of War IP into the accessory market,” said Mark Rein, Vice President of Epic.
The Gears of War themed products available include faceplates for the Xbox 360 with an MSRP of $19.99; faceplate and Console Skinz™ combo pack including graphics to customize the sides of the console with an MSRP of $29.99; and a Console Crate™ hard case for transporting and storing the Xbox 360 console and accessories with an MSRP of $59.99. At launch, Mad Catz will provide exclusive Gears of War products to several major domestic retailers, with products available at major video game retailers throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. For more information visit www.madcatz.com.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Microsoft gambles gamers will turn to Xbox 360 to buy 'Gears of War' @ CanWest
(CP) - The Locust Horde has finally arrived.
"Gears of War," the long-awaited Xbox 360 title from Epic Games, ships Tuesday, meaning it will arrive in specialty video game shops either later Tuesday or Wednesday. The official kickoff, dubbed Emergence Day, is Sunday when all major retailers should have "Gears of War" in stock.
The game, rated M for Mature, is billed as a third-person tactical action-horror game. "Gears of War" covers 36 hours in the life of Marcus Fenix, a war hero with a past, as he and a few squadmates battle the alien Locust Horde that has burst through the surface of planet Sera.
The game is a sight to see, with Epic conjuring up dark images of a world ravaged by war. Fenix and the other soldiers are battle-scarred veterans with oversized armour and guns. The Locust come in all sizes and shapes, dealing in death in a variety of nasty ways.
Microsoft is releasing "Gears" just ahead of the debut of the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, hoping a hit title will help solidify its position in the next-generation console sweepstakes.
Jason Anderson, head of marketing for Xbox Canada, says "Gears" has already done wonders for the 360.
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