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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Gamers get set for PlayStation 3 | Gamers get set for PlayStation 3 |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Sony launches its PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in Europe on Friday, attempting to reclaim its title as the powerhouse of video gaming. | Sony launches its PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in Europe on Friday, attempting to reclaim its title as the powerhouse of video gaming. |
| The company trails Microsoft and Nintendo in sales of next generation consoles and the launch has been beset with problems in the last year. | The company trails Microsoft and Nintendo in sales of next generation consoles and the launch has been beset with problems in the last year. |
| But the PlayStation brand remains strong with gamers and one million PS3s will hit shops on day one. | But the PlayStation brand remains strong with gamers and one million PS3s will hit shops on day one. |
| Some gamers have been queuing in London since Wednesday afternoon. | Some gamers have been queuing in London since Wednesday afternoon. |
| Sony has declared its launch of PlayStation 3 to date as a success, saying early sales are faster than those of its predecessor PS2. | Sony has declared its launch of PlayStation 3 to date as a success, saying early sales are faster than those of its predecessor PS2. |
| It believes that the combination of a high-definition Blu-ray DVD player, online capabilities and gaming powered by the Cell processor will convince gamers to spend £425 (599 Euros) on the machine. | It believes that the combination of a high-definition Blu-ray DVD player, online capabilities and gaming powered by the Cell processor will convince gamers to spend £425 (599 Euros) on the machine. |
| Sales figures from the United States, where the console launched last November, suggest that PS3 is being outsold by rivals. Recent figures from sales trackers NPD show that the Nintendo Wii is outselling the PS3 by more than two to one. | Sales figures from the United States, where the console launched last November, suggest that PS3 is being outsold by rivals. Recent figures from sales trackers NPD show that the Nintendo Wii is outselling the PS3 by more than two to one. |
| But the NPD figures also show that the PS3 is selling slightly faster in the US than the Xbox 360 did at the same stage in its release. | But the NPD figures also show that the PS3 is selling slightly faster in the US than the Xbox 360 did at the same stage in its release. |
| Sony has overcome initial stock shortage problems, which were caused last year by production problems for the blue diode laser which reads high-definition Blu-ray discs. | Sony has overcome initial stock shortage problems, which were caused last year by production problems for the blue diode laser which reads high-definition Blu-ray discs. |
| PS3 HITS EUROPE Clickable guide to the PS3 A voyage around the hardware The console in action Send us your comments | PS3 HITS EUROPE Clickable guide to the PS3 A voyage around the hardware The console in action Send us your comments |
| "They did not have enough of those to launch globally last year," said Peter O'Donovan, principal analyst at Gartner. | "They did not have enough of those to launch globally last year," said Peter O'Donovan, principal analyst at Gartner. |
| "A global launch was their intention. The situation is a lot better now. | "A global launch was their intention. The situation is a lot better now. |
| "There is a lot more product flowing out of Sony now in terms of PS3 boxes for Japan and US." | "There is a lot more product flowing out of Sony now in terms of PS3 boxes for Japan and US." |
| More than 200,000 consoles will be available on launch day in the UK. | More than 200,000 consoles will be available on launch day in the UK. |
| Virgin's flagship store on Oxford Street, London, will open at midnight on Thursday despite concern from police about potential muggings. | Virgin's flagship store on Oxford Street, London, will open at midnight on Thursday despite concern from police about potential muggings. |
| The Metropolitan Police said: "Officers have expressed their concern about this planned event, which may well encourage young people to travel into central London late at night, potentially putting themselves at risk of becoming victims of crime." | The Metropolitan Police said: "Officers have expressed their concern about this planned event, which may well encourage young people to travel into central London late at night, potentially putting themselves at risk of becoming victims of crime." |
| Sony has said it has put several measures in place to ensure people attending the launch get home safely. Other shops in central London have now abandoned plans to hold similar midnight openings. | Sony has said it has put several measures in place to ensure people attending the launch get home safely. Other shops in central London have now abandoned plans to hold similar midnight openings. |
| Mr O'Donovan added: "The Wii is definitely outselling the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 at the moment." | Mr O'Donovan added: "The Wii is definitely outselling the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 at the moment." |
| But analysts expect Sony's brand will help the PlayStation edge ahead of rivals by the end of 2007. | But analysts expect Sony's brand will help the PlayStation edge ahead of rivals by the end of 2007. |
| Motorstorm is one of the most anticipated launch titles | Motorstorm is one of the most anticipated launch titles |
| Mr O'Donovan said: "The real issue for Sony is whether they can get back the momentum they had with PS2. The only thing that is going to drive that is the number of titles available." | Mr O'Donovan said: "The real issue for Sony is whether they can get back the momentum they had with PS2. The only thing that is going to drive that is the number of titles available." |
| John Houlihan, editor of Computer and Videogames.com, said the initial line-up of games for the machine was "fairly decent". | |
| "It lacks a must-buy, stand-out game. Six months down the line we will see Metal Gear Solid 4, Gran Turismo and more PlayStation bankers." | "It lacks a must-buy, stand-out game. Six months down the line we will see Metal Gear Solid 4, Gran Turismo and more PlayStation bankers." |
| He added: "PlayStation is still the world's most successful gaming brand ever. | He added: "PlayStation is still the world's most successful gaming brand ever. |
| "Whilst Sony will be a little disappointed looking back at their launch campaign, for the average gamer in the street PlayStation remains the number one gaming brand." | "Whilst Sony will be a little disappointed looking back at their launch campaign, for the average gamer in the street PlayStation remains the number one gaming brand." |
| Mr O'Donovan said he expected Sony to eventually re-take its position as the leading player in the industry. | Mr O'Donovan said he expected Sony to eventually re-take its position as the leading player in the industry. |
| "We expect PS3 to outsell Wii and 360 in a couple of year's time." | "We expect PS3 to outsell Wii and 360 in a couple of year's time." |
| Microsoft, the current leader in the next-generation console market, is still bullish about the long-term fortunes of the Xbox 360. | Microsoft, the current leader in the next-generation console market, is still bullish about the long-term fortunes of the Xbox 360. |
| Neil Thompson, head of Xbox in the UK, said: "The Xbox 360 offers a better gaming experience than PS3 for £150 less." | Neil Thompson, head of Xbox in the UK, said: "The Xbox 360 offers a better gaming experience than PS3 for £150 less." |
| He added: "The only debate is if you want to watch Blu-ray movies and pay the extra money for that feature. | He added: "The only debate is if you want to watch Blu-ray movies and pay the extra money for that feature. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I enjoy the escapism of computer and console games, but the PS3 is something I can well do without Keith Hutchinson, Sunderland Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I enjoy the escapism of computer and console games, but the PS3 is something I can well do without Keith Hutchinson, Sunderland Send us your comments |
| "We prefer to offer the consumer choice." | "We prefer to offer the consumer choice." |
| Microsoft sells a HD-DVD player add-on for Xbox, which plays high definition movies in a rival format. | Microsoft sells a HD-DVD player add-on for Xbox, which plays high definition movies in a rival format. |
| Mr Thompson said it did not matter which high definition DVD video system wins the format war. | Mr Thompson said it did not matter which high definition DVD video system wins the format war. |
| "Whatever format wins it is highly likely we will offer a solution," he said. | "Whatever format wins it is highly likely we will offer a solution," he said. |