Dozens line up for a chance to buy next-gen console system

BY MATT HERSH

Gina Sousa was tired. She had been sitting in a lawn chair for more than 30 hours and it had been lightly raining.

“Look at this,” she said as she showed off her  soaking wet sweat pants. “I just don’t want to see their sad faces on Christmas.”

Sousa was one of more than 40 people waiting outside Best Buy on Route 28, hoping to get their hands on the massively hyped Playstation 3 game system which came out on Nov. 17.

During the two days prior to the system’s release, the sidewalks outside of Best Buy turned in to a campground.

Some people pitched tents, while others  were content to cover themselves in blankets and sleep in chairs.

Several enthusiasts came in groups, setting up card tables and playing games to pass the time.
Many spent time socializing with each other, recalling past experiences of sleeping outside for an Xbox 360 last year.

Sousa, an Epping resident, took two days off of work to wait for the Playstation 3.

She sat along with her son, Joe Sousa 9,  and his friend, Anthony Calderone, 14.

The three occupied the 37th, 38th, and 39th places in line which was lucky for them because the store only stocked 40 of the highly coveted system.

This left people like 14-year-old Chuckie Prescott of Methuen, Mass., who occupied the 42nd spot in line, praying for a miracle.

“I’m hoping someone’s credit card doesn’t go through,” he said.  “Someone’s gotta mess up.”

Nationally, only 400,000 of the systems were released in what many have called an attempt at over-hyping the product.

All stores received a limited quantity of the system.  Target had 12, and Wal-Mart had 10.  So, for Sousa, Best Buy seemed like the best option.

“This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this,” she said as her son smiled.  “But he really wants it.”

Her son, who described himself as a diehard gamer, said the rain didn’t bother him, and the temperatures had been mild.

Sousa’s husband, Paul, said he didn’t understand the need to wait outside for the system.

“I can’t believe they’re going through this,” he said.  “It’s just a bunch of cuckoos out here.”

But his son didn’t mind the criticism.  Spending two uncomfortable days could reap major benefits, he said.

The Playstation 3 retails for $499 to $599 depending on its hardware options.  But the system has fetched thousands of dollars on eBay already.  One Playstation 3 auction recently closed for $10,000.

For electronics buffs, the Playstation 3 is a dramatic improvement in gaming that offers improved graphics and a Blu-Ray DVD player. The demand for this new technology has people digging into their wallets.

That is what drew many people out into the rain.

Danielle Adams, 20,  described herself as a “true gamer” but she’s still going to try to sell her system on eBay.

Still, others said they wouldn’t sell their system for any amount of money.

“I think it’s worth the wait and the price,” said 33-year-old Nef Carmona, who occupied the number 2 place in line and had only gotten two hours of sleep in two days.  “I really want it.”

Carmona and his 15-year-old nephew, Joshua Jimenez of Lawrence, Mass., said they were looking forward to the sports games,  especially Madden 2007.

Best Buy employees said the demand for the new Playstation is unmatched, but they expected another long line of people on Sunday, Nov. 19, when Nintendo released its Wii system.

They were correct, as stores throughout the country received a similar turnout for the Nintendo system.

“I think it’s crazy, but I guess they’re really into it,” said one Best Buy employee who wished to remain anonymous. “I hope it’s worth it.”