It's here!

by Jennie Lees { Nov 22nd 2005 at 6:00AM }

It may be the middle of the night, but some lucky folks have already managed to purchase their 360s. Others have a few hours to wait until stores open this morning, but many are already lining up to be first.

Why so enthusiastic? Tom from AdJab interviewed a few of those camping out at a Target store in NJ, braving chilly rain to be among the first with a 360.

Louis, college student: "The reason I'm here is because Gamestop didn't have enough, and I really wanted the system the first day. Waiting 13 hours, out in the rain, 40-degree weather, but it's all good."

Jay, 8th grade math teacher: "I'm here for two reasons - one, to prove that common coral, attached with small wood screws to a small child's head would make that child look like a small reindeer, and secondly because by my being here, I know that one less child is gonna have a good Christmas."

launch interviews

However, Chris sums up the prevailing attitude: "I'm out here because two of my friends are out here, and if they get one and I don't, then there's gonna be a problem..."

What's your story?

[Photos: GameInsider and AdJab]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jonty @ Nov 22nd 2005 7:00AM

Yea! It is finally here and phew! It has been some week really with the anticipation building up whipping a frenzy that was never seen before in the history of consoles. Even we couldn't help but get sucked in totally in the Xbox 360 hysteria. So much so that we made the last week as the Xbox 360 Week in our blog [http://www.gamingblog.org] where we tried to cover each and everything that we thought was of any interest relating to the Xbox 360 and the hype surrounding it. Even after the week got over, the hangover was such that we couldn't stop ourselves carrying on with Xbox 360 and I am sure we are going to be with it for sometime to come. I am really impressed with your idea of starting Xbox 360 FANBOY. The idea is awesome indeed. Looking forward for many, many interesting posts about Xbox 360 fans here.

Nick Spacek @ Nov 22nd 2005 8:13AM

Well, I just opened up mine.
Disappointments:
No universal remote (for Canadians?)
Also no 30 day trial (for Canadians??)
Peeled off the plastic covering the tray (also holding it shut) and it left some sticky residue (probably come off with some... rubbing alcohol? Hopefully that won't hurt the finish...)

Nick Spacek @ Nov 22nd 2005 8:27AM

Looks like I was wrong, I hadn't created the Silver account yet, I'm a n00b!

Buuuut, one other thing I noticed, my D-pad doesn't move right as easy as it should, and the other directions move fairly easy.

Morgon @ Nov 22nd 2005 8:51AM

People suck.
Those that don�t even know wtf an Xbox 360 even IS are standing in the rain, leaving people who deserve one out of the running.

Does anyone know if any more shipments of 360s are going to make their way to stores between today and tomorrow? This is a �premeditated impulse buy�, as I like to call it, but official stance is that if I�m not playing by Thanksgiving, I�m going to wait.

Shame on you Microsoft for not fulfilling your consumer demand, just to generate marketing fodder. I�m not outright saying you �withheld shipments� on purpose, but instead of already half-failing on your �worldwide launch� strategy, you could have concentrated your deployment efforts on the areas that needed htem most.

Anyone have any word on additional units before Thursday?

OffTopic Man @ Nov 22nd 2005 9:18AM

I picked up my Xbox360 this morning after pre-ordering it in advance. I must have gone by about 40-50 people who were in the regular line. As I was leaving this group of punks took a sledge hammer to an xbox and crushed it for shock value or something, they were armed with a camera. So expect to see a video on the internet soon. It was infront of a Toronto(Downsview) Bestbuy. It was kind of sad, someone wont have one because of these rich spoiled punks.

Tucker @ Nov 22nd 2005 9:25AM

Morgan - "premeditated impulse buy" I love it. I will now add that to my list of phrases, since that is precisely the stance I've taken at this point.

My plan all along was to get up this morning a little earlier than usual and cruise around to see if anyone had any. I live right down the street from just about every retailer you can think of, so I figured it'd at least be a nice little adventure.

Well, as of 8:10 a.m., every store in the area was cleaned out. I didn't even have a chance. I called around to stores in a couple of the other nearby cities (there's 3 in one little area here) and they were all sold too. Rats.

Thing is, just wait for "MSClaus" to deliver a magical shipment "just in time" for Black Friday. Don't expect to hear anything by tomorrow - they wouldn't dare be that silly. But don't be surprised when somehow hundreds of units appear on shelves for the Friday morning frenzy.

The second part of my prediction (call me Asstradamus) is that we won't see any shipments for a while after Thanksgiving. Enough will hit stores to re-invigorate the rush around Black Friday, then a couple weeks will go by to increase the panic. Now, remember, the biggest shopping day of the year is NOT Black Friday, it's the Saturday before Christmas. So if MS *is* manufacturing this, and the "shortage" *does* run long, expect to get wind of another "magical" shipment sometime around 12/14.

I'm no economist or anything, I just calls 'em like I sees 'em. I could be wrong, I fully admit I'm talking out of my ass, but if I was a major corporation and wanted establish a broad user base through false scarcity, that's the way I'd roll.

Morgon @ Nov 22nd 2005 9:26AM

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000BVZF12/104-4621827-9804723?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance -- Amazon/Toys'R'Us seem to have their Pro Player's bundle back in stock! I ordered mine with 1-day shipping, will let you all know how it goes.

LamePlugMan @ Nov 22nd 2005 9:27AM

OTM- good job copying and pasting that comment. I'm sure you'll drive lots of traffic to *your* silly video that way. Try being a little more creative, though... Is it really that hard to type out two posts? moron.

Mark Streed @ Nov 22nd 2005 9:36AM

I went to Sams Club, I was number 20 in line. The good news was they had 20 units to sell. The bad news is that they sold 2 of those units to employees. And there were three people in front of me buying a second unit just to sell on ebay. And then they were off to pick up their pre-ordered units. Maybe I can get one by summer time, YEAH RIGHT! LOL

Curt @ Nov 22nd 2005 9:45AM

Morgan - thanks for the tip! Just bought the bundle myself. Unfortunately I had already bought most of the games - looks like I have some stuff to return to Best Buy!

OffTopic Man @ Nov 22nd 2005 9:44AM

LamePlugMan, I have nothing to do with those guys. I was just so shocked to see it, and realized there was a specific xbox blog (xbox360fanboy). Do you see me linking any URL? It may or may not end up on the internet, but I was just so shocked when I saw the guy smashing the 360. He did it right at the front door of the Bestbuy.

Mark Streed @ Nov 22nd 2005 9:50AM

Chris @ Nov 22nd 2005 9:57AM

Same deal for me at Sams Club. They had 20 and saw two employees buying them. What a bunch of shit that is. Why do they tell people that they have 20 and then really only have 19. Bunch of BS. Oh well I am sure they will be on Ebay as I am typing.

Chris

Scott @ Nov 22nd 2005 10:01AM

I picked mine up this morning at Sam's Club. I got there 45 minutes before the doors opened, and I was #14 out of 20.

Sam's is selling the premium unit bundled with an extra wireless controller and a Play & Charge kit for $450. Not too bad. I got to sleep in, and they were letting people into the front foyer where it was toasty warm

Jhodge @ Nov 22nd 2005 1:12PM

company policy is no units for employees on launch day, if this is true call the store manager they will be FIRED.

Joe @ Nov 22nd 2005 10:09AM

I snagged mine at Sam's this morning. They had 20 on hand, and they made the employees stand in line. I saw 2 or 3 behind me.

Now I wanna not be at work...

Scott @ Nov 22nd 2005 10:27AM

Erik Cohen @ Nov 22nd 2005 10:32AM

It was raining and cold out and people were camping overnight at my local Target, Circuit City, and Best Buy. I have 0 pity for them. Why don't you people pre-order?

$25 almost a year ago and I was able to pick up my system at EbGames at midnight, in a nice warm place. 12:05am I was home and playing. If I decided not to purchase the system, my $25 would have been refunded.

After the PS2, Xbox, and PSP craze, why don't people pre-order? Oh well, easier for me and everyone else gets sick for waiting in the cold rain.

Ben @ Nov 22nd 2005 1:49PM

I got mine at Sams club after Gamestop told me I was number 14 on their reserve list and they only got 5 in. I went to Sams Club, there was a line already at 530am, BUT because I had a Buisness Member card (i was the only one in the line that had that verison of their membership) I got one befor anyone else in the line, IF anything I highly recomend getting the preimium member cards at places like this.

jon @ Nov 22nd 2005 10:43AM

Went to 2 best buys this morning in Manhattan, despite the fact there were 75 or 80 people in line at both there was no chance of getting one becuase they only had 30 units!! Where are all of these things? Rumours are already flying that Best Buy is holding some back to release on Friday

Ben @ Nov 22nd 2005 10:47AM

Ben @ Nov 22nd 2005 10:53AM

Debbie @ Nov 22nd 2005 1:18PM

I didn't stand out all night, went to best buy around 5:30 am. They gave out ticket's at midnight for the first 50 in line. They said that's all they had. some people with the tickets went back home. I waited and was number 52 with no ticket. Manager came out and started to call names. There were 4 people who did not show. I got lucky and got the core unit. Had to buy extra's of course. My grip is why didn't they just make all premium's. It ended costing me a few hundred more. Oh well the things we do for our kids. He better appreciate it!

jon @ Nov 22nd 2005 10:56AM

pathfinda @ Nov 24th 2005 6:46PM

I picked my up from EBGames this morning. I love the preorder. Since I have been paying off a little at a time and buying games as soon as they coming out, it was a pick up and go.

Debbie @ Nov 22nd 2005 11:39AM

Morgon @ Nov 22nd 2005 11:34AM

Update on my previous Amazon post - they're all sold out. Hope you got the tip from me, and that you were able to place your order!

Don Powell @ Nov 23rd 2005 9:13AM

A Marketing friend of mine just hit the nail onthe head on these "shortages"

It's not to build up a frantic fan base but all about advertising.

She was saying that MS is getting MILLIONS in free advertising for this from all of the news coverage and blogs like this.

Now, you might say it is negative advertising but think about it, are you any less likely to buy one because of the negative advertising? Didn't think so :)

I agree with the Black Friday/Mid December posts. They will let units out that best maximizes MS's exposure to the media.

I still would not be buying an MS console if it were not for my son wanting it because of MS's strategies.

Tucker @ Nov 22nd 2005 12:23PM

...Also hope if you got that tip from Morgan you enjoyed shelling out $600 more than the price of a "normal" premium bundle.. Guess that's the price for early adoptors?

Guys/Gals, I hate to say it, but you're probably going to see Xboxes on shelves before your online orders even get halfway done with that free UPS ground shipping. ;)

Morgon @ Nov 22nd 2005 12:50PM

Tucker:

You must have missed it. That Amazon bundle game with the Xbox Premium, Eight Games, an additional Wireless controller with Play'N Charge kit and battery, and a faceplate.

True, you may not want eight games, but I didn't technically pay any more for the system itself as you were implying.

JDH @ Nov 22nd 2005 12:57PM

So let me get this straight.

I reserved a Premium Xbox 360 with 6 games (two haven't been released yet). I called today to see when I would get my system delivered and the clerk at the store said, "...after the first of the year."

I have a PSP, DS, Xbox, PC, n64, iPod, 55"HD TV, and a budget for $150 a month for games. Yes, I'm truly blessed beyond belief. However, why my store that I buy from, and Microsoft for that matter, can't see that I've been alienated during their marketing strategy is beyond my comprehension.

THey are alienating gamers that are loyal and spend disposable income on more games, in favor of, the hype caused by a shortage ploy to win over "middle of the road" or "on the fence" possible buyers.

I just don't get it.

Somewhere EB Games or any of the other specialty retailers should have seen this coming and called some of their "preferred" customers.

If someone wants to make a few grand this year by selling me games, please contact me. Or better yet, send me an xbox 360 and I will gladly buy all of my games for all of my systems from you.

Thanks,

Loyal Gamer

Morgon @ Nov 22nd 2005 1:19PM

JDH, want my Gun and Ridge Racer 6? Follow my link to contact me.

yoMammabot @ Nov 22nd 2005 5:09PM

Mines on the road being shipped from Ottowa. I preordered mine from Costco 2 months ago.

I have a sweet Logitech Harmony 360 remote in hand though!! ha.

Peter @ Nov 23rd 2005 5:43AM

Hi, how can i get a debug xbox360? has microsoft some email where can i write?

Irwin @ Nov 25th 2005 9:28PM

I pre-orded mine aswell. I payed for the X360 about a month and a half before release, and BestBuy dilevered it to me the day of release around 10 in the morning..I'm satisfied..and yea, why don't people pre-order?

Irwin @ Nov 25th 2005 9:30PM

Irwin @ Nov 25th 2005 9:32PM

O, and if you want a X360, see if you can buy it from Canada. I walked into so many stores here, and 360's were just lying around...Brampton is bad for business...too many cheap people. All my friends say they are going to wait untill it gets cheaper...

Sammy @ Dec 1st 2005 7:24PM

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/743/743289/vids_3.html
see the 3rd video. thats the real graphics te 360 is capable of and think of it inthe future. i hate ppl who come out sayin it has bad graphics and crap, but to see a difference this is wat u probobally saw which is not HD(not as bad as u ppl say.) The first one is not HD. see it and you cant ell the difference between da 2. 360 is a great system and u dont kno wat u missin

Ben @ Dec 5th 2005 2:02PM

Idaho - 12/05/2005 8:00 AM. Local target received 10 premium XBox's this morning. Target Associates were told not to tell anyone they had them until that morning. The line was 8 long, I luckily came in to get the 10th.