Q&A: First in line for the PSP launch

By Patrick Garratt Published 1 September, 2005

The first three buyers talk about why they queued, and why they didn't import.

The PSP has finally launched in Europe. With stock spread thin across the UK on day one, most of the initial allocation has now been snapped up, and retailers claim you'll be hard pressed to get hold of one until Sony ships the next batch in a few weeks' time. But, as is so often the case with the launch of new console hardware, there were a few units kept aside for those determined enough to spend most of the day camped outside high street stores. In London, HMV's midnight opening drew a crowd of around 300 people. At the front of the queue were Londoners Paul Arneil, and John and Louise Brock.

'Q&A: First in line for the PSP launch' Screenshot 1

Paul Arneil - first in line for a European PSP.

Eurogamer: How long have you been waiting here?

Paul Arneil: A very long time. I started queuing here at midday, and the launch is at midnight, so I've been here about 11 hours.

Eurogamer: Didn't you consider buying one on import?

Paul Arneil: I did. I've got a couple of friends that bought them from the States. Personally, I want my machine from the UK. If there's a problem with it it's a lot easier to get it sorted out, and I want to prop up our economy, so I'm quite happy to buy the UK version.

Eurogamer: How do you feel about having to wait so long for it to come out over here?

Paul Arneil: It's quite annoying, actually. I'm not sure why the UK and Europe is always last to get stuff. They must have a very good reason, but I don't know what it is.

Eurogamer: Have you got a DS?

Paul Arneil: No, I avoided buying a DS, mainly because I knew the PSP was coming out, and I looked at the two of them and said, ‘Well which one do I want? I'm not going to buy both.' The DS has a massive back catalogue, but I don't like the look of the machine itself. I don't want to spend all my gaming time twiddling with my thumb and finger on a screen. It's a nice idea, but to me it's a bit of a gimmick. I don't think they're going to bring out quality games that utilise it in a major way. I want a larger, more impressive screen, which I get with the PSP. Games look more impressive on the PSP.

It's hard to decide which console to go for, but the PSP looks like such a fantastic machine. It's up there with iPod in terms of desirability. And that's why I'm prepared to wait 12 hours and then probably collapse when I buy my PSP.

'Q&A: First in line for the PSP launch' Screenshot 2

John and Louise wait patiently.

Eurogamer: How long have you two been here?

John Brock: I've been here since 12 noon, 12 hours.

Louise Brock: Since 2 o'clock.

Eurogamer: Why?

John Brock: The UK always has to wait last for everything. Japan gets everything first, then America gets it, and then we get it last six or 12 months later. It's just the point of having to get it now; I just want to get it. I could have bought one online, but if you get dead pixels or something, then you can't go back to them and get a refund.

Eurogamer: Are you that bothered about the possibility of dead pixels?

John Brock: Yes. I don't want it. I want it perfect. I don't want to have to wait so long for a product and then have it faulty.

Eurogamer: Have you bought a DS?

John Brock: No I haven't, I avoided buying it because I knew the PSP was hot on its heels. I mean, it's a lot better to look at.

Eurogamer: What do you think of the price point?

John Brock: I think it's ridiculous, and I think the deal HMV's offering is ridiculous as well, but I'm going to buy it because I want it! I haven't queued up for 12 hours for no reason!

'Q&A: First in line for the PSP launch' Screenshot 3

Paul finally gets his hands on the PSP.

Eurogamer: What games are you going to get for it?

John Brock: I'm going to get Ridge Racers and Wipeout Pure, because they look amazing. I was going to get Metal Gear Ac1d, but I've got a friend who's got one, and it's crap. Every time you do three moves you've got to use cards to do it. That's not Metal Gear Solid.

Eurogamer: Do you think £180's a lot of money for it?

Louise Brock: I think it's a hell of a lot of money. I mean, it does a lot of other stuff that you wouldn't normally get on a handheld, but at the same time it's pretty bad.

Eurogamer: What made you queue up for 10 hours for this?

Louise Brock: He did, my brother! I wanted to keep him company.

Eurogamer: Don't you think this is all a bit odd?

Louise Brock: It's a bit mad, but everyone's got to have a hobby.

Picture of Patrick.

About Patrick Garratt

Read more articles from Patrick by visiting the Patrick Garratt archive page.

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Comments (44) Latest comment 7 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Derblington #1 7 years ago

    "I was going to get Metal Gear Ac1d, but I've got a friend who's got one, and it's crap. Every time you do three moves you've got to use cards to do it. That's not Metal Gear Solid."

    No mate - it's Metal Gear Ac!d. Muppet.

  • Derblington #2 7 years ago

    Are all of the public the 'it looks better so it is better' crowd?

  • DaveLondon #3 7 years ago

    Bah - I was first in line outside Game, Oxford Street - where were you then eh?

  • patlike #4 7 years ago

    Sorry, Dave. There's only one of me, unfortunately! I walked past that on the way back from HMV. Looked like there were a lot of people there...

  • DaveLondon #5 7 years ago

    I didn't look back! Umm, did you get to view some page 3 beauties, sip champagne inside from 11pm until midnight and do the tv crew interview stuff too?

  • patlike #6 7 years ago

    Didn't see any "stunnas", unless you count Ray Maguire. No champagne. I'd watch the national press for pics today. When I was taking the shots of the people grabbing the boxes, I was standing next to photographers from the Sun, the PA, etc.

  • gerg #7 7 years ago

    s-h-a-l-l-o-w

    Looks aren't everything.

  • patlike #8 7 years ago

    Oh, come on. I think Ray's quite attractive.

  • sonmi451 #9 7 years ago

    ha, queuing for 11 hours. get a life!

    midnight lastnight? i was hunched over Razzle.

    i rule!

  • gerg #10 7 years ago

    I wonder if it will outsell the DS sales record... that's what I want to know.

  • Furbs #11 7 years ago

    25th in line where I live. Took me 50 minutes to be served (with 4 tills open). Bloody pikeys trading in £400 worth of second hand stuff and causing all sorts of headaches for the (clearly tired) staff.

  • tonynibbles #12 7 years ago

    No mate - it's Metal Gear Ac!d. Muppet.

    Yeh but Ac1d is SOOO much more L33T!

  • BLACKSHEEP #13 7 years ago

    I want COLOURS!!!!! dammit

    If Sony want to compete with iPod then bring on WHITE!!!PSP!!!

  • Burton2000 #14 7 years ago

    "No mate - it's Metal Gear Ac!d. Muppet"

    i was gona say that but im 2 hours late dam u.

  • struddie #15 7 years ago

    "I avoided buying a DS, mainly because I knew the PSP was coming out, and I looked at the two of them and said, ‘Well which one do I want? I'm not going to buy both.' The DS has a massive back catalogue, but I don't like the look of the machine itself."

    I guess *a lot* of people are going to buy a PSP over a DS cos it looks cool. Unless you've played games on the DS (and see how great and unique some of them are) you're going to pick the PSP over a DS.

  • gerg #16 7 years ago

    "It's a nice idea, but to me it's a bit of a gimmick. I don't think they're going to bring out quality games that utilise it in a major way."

    It's called research: Nintendogs, Meteos, Electroplankton and many more.

  • zErOb_cOOl #17 7 years ago

    "If Sony want to compete with iPod then bring on WHITE!!!PSP!!! "

    If you want something that looks dirty after a week then yes, go and recommend to Sony they give you a white PSP :)

    I can see why the PSP might dominate the handheld market...as its technologically better than its rivals.

    Why oh why has the iPod done so well though? Because its white? People who buy an iPod are shallow, as they would rather fork out more money for something thats 'cool' because Apple (and U2) say it is, rather than spending less on a Creative Jukebox Zen which, frankly, is better quality and the sound is better IMO.

  • gerg #18 7 years ago

    The reason the iPod is so popular is because it's an amazing example of great design. An iPod is instantly recognisable. It's simple and effective. It's great.

    But I believe the PSP does not have these aspects. As problems with the square button have shown, and the fact that it is so fragile makes it a far cry from the robustness of the iPod, even if you do argue that it is instantly recognisable.
    Edited by 1 at 01/09/05 @ 11:27

  • deaner #19 7 years ago

    I like this kind of coverage.

    Kudos, Eurogamer!

  • deaner #20 7 years ago

    <a href=http://www.eurogamer.net/assets/articles/ a60728/ss_preview_IMG_4171.jpg>This</a> guy gets <a href=htt p://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/default.stm>everyw here</a>!

  • Riskbreaker #21 7 years ago

    ‘PSP looks like such a fantastic machine’
    ‘I mean, it's a lot better to look at.’

    Are people really this vain? I thought the point was to play games, not gawp at the machine with your mouth open drooling?!! Deciding which console to buy based on aesthetics alone seems pretty silly to me............

    Will the rest of the public do the same i wonder?


  • Vin #22 7 years ago

    "Eurogamer: Are you that bothered about the possibility of dead pixels?

    John Brock: Yes. I don't want it. I want it perfect. I don't want to have to wait so long for a product and then have it faulty."

    THE SONY WAY.

  • Furbs #23 7 years ago

    The Sony, Samsung, LG, Philips and most other companies who produce TFT screens way you mean?

  • knif3r #24 7 years ago

    this PSP thing still can't touch the Gizmondo

    VIVA GIZMONDO!!!!

  • keano #25 7 years ago

    my mate won a PSP for £6 (or 6 raffle tickets each £1) he got the full value pack and loads of extras like a mini brief case for it, plus a copy of wipEout pure.

    Hes so lucky! course i play on it loads too yay

  • freedumb #26 7 years ago

    'Will the rest of the public do the same i wonder?'

    Well at a 180 quid its a pretty expensive purchase for joe public, and with the games coming in at 35 pound a pop, I don't think it'll sell as well as the DS at the moment. ONce this launch furore dies down, it'll pale a bit. Whereas Ninty have Nintendogs, Mario Kart, Meteos, Electroplankton, Advance Wars dual strike up their sleeves this autumn, unless I've got releases dates wrong.

    I mean, if its marketed well, Nintendogs should be HUGE, especially with the DS's price of 99 quid.. Can anyone say, Tamagotchi?
    Edited by 4 at 01/09/05 @ 13:13

  • tengu #27 7 years ago

    That fella looks handy in a fight. Just as well seeing as his parent decided to call him Louise :)

  • joey #28 7 years ago

    I think the games industry will love this, clearly all they have to do is tart up the machines and the graphics and we will all soak 'um up - even que for 12 hours to do it. Based on this I think the X360 will do very well, and you can change the face plate - which based on these comments WILL be a killer feature - mind you the tiny Rev with that sexy blue light strip - perhaps N know what we want.....Gotta have one because....well you just gotta have one.

  • Tyronne #29 7 years ago

    Come get the psp sheeeepie sheeeepie baaaaaaaaaaaah

  • trevd72 #30 7 years ago

    why do they cue for a psp like this when it is so much easier to get one imported these days. when the x360 come out i could understand it. the hype the excitment building up. With the PSP you could just go on t'internet and order it and in a week it would be in your hands......Paul Arneil your a sad man, prop up our economy my arse
    Edited by 1 at 01/09/05 @ 15:10

  • Xerx3s #31 7 years ago

    "Are all of the public the 'it looks better so it is better' crowd?" - Most likely. They most likely fit in the catagory "It has the biggest sales figurs so its the best quality".

    "This guy gets everywhere!" - Hes a sony sales rep. trying to make ppl think that there are actually ppl queuing to buy the psp. ;p (JK! Dont flame ffs!)

  • Syrette #32 7 years ago

    why do they cue for a psp like this when it is so much easier to get one imported these days. when the x360 come out i could understand it. the hype the excitment building up. With the PSP you could just go on t'internet and order it and in a week it would be in your hands......Paul Arneil your a sad man, prop up our economy my arse

    well said.

  • Pac-man-ate-my-wife #33 7 years ago

    Queue for 11 hours to get a console?

    Do people not realise that they have only one life and it's not really worth wasting 11 hours waiting for a console that you could walk into John Lewis the next day and buy of the shelf in about, oh, 5 mins?

    Losers.

  • bootsy_NL_30 #34 7 years ago

    wow what a great article ! really really...yawn ...fantastic...no seriously .....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  • Zuiyo #35 7 years ago

    Hey guys, since you're queuing already get one for me, unfortunately I'm too busy having sex with a beautiful woman, I wish I could be with you. Lucky guys!

  • optimusprym8 #36 7 years ago

    ^^You post comments whilst having sex with beautiful women?

    Went to GAME (who wouldn't let me in as I hadn't pre-ordered a poorer-quality-European PSP) and GameStation (where all the Chavs go) in Brighton for the midnight launch. It was crap, nothing happening, just a load of kids hanging about smoking weed.
    Edited by 1 at 02/09/05 @ 12:39

  • lennon #37 7 years ago

    Wonder if he was disapointed when he opened his psp switched it on and saw all the dead pixels?

    I quite like Metal Gear Ac!d myself. Thought it was a interesting twist.

  • Mr_Whacker #38 7 years ago

    'They must have a very good reason, but I don't know what it is.'

    Its that muppets like you don't have the balls to tell them how rubbish it is. If you lap up bad treatment you get more and more of it.

  • Zomoniac #39 7 years ago

    I didn't like Metal Gear Ac!d, and I would have much preferred a traditional MGS game, but I think they should be applauded for trying to do something new with the handheld version of the game rather than just doing straight PS2 ports, even if it did backfire. There seem to be a lot of people complaining about MGA, and they seem to also be the same people complaining that PSP is just a portable PS2 with no original games.

  • OfficerSlade #40 7 years ago

    'I could have bought one online, but if you get dead pixels or something, then you can't go back to them and get a refund.'

    Good luck with that mate.......looks like Sony's answer to dead pixels is that the PSP is still operating within normal parameters and they are not prepared to take returns from stores for machines with dead pixels. That kind of customer service iseven worse than the fact we had to wait nearly a year after release in Japan and US. Bad Sony!!!!!
    Edited by 1 at 04/09/05 @ 13:55

  • penhalion #41 7 years ago

    Casually popped over to gamestation in clapham's blockbusters and got one this afternoon. No hastle, no fuss and no need to queue for 12 hours.

    Was it worth it....having seen the quality of the screen and with mine having no dead pixels (the guys in the shop checked it before hand as I'm a regualr there and they are a pretty friendly bunch) I would have to say yes but, the price is too high. As I am a profession programmer, I have the disposable income for this. I can't see the average Joe going out to buy one just yet though.

    I also have a DS and would say overall that for games the DS is the better machine at present but, if you travel overseas a lot, then the PSP would be my choice. The reason being that watching movies on the PSP screen is a very satisfying experience (yea that shocked me too given the size of the screen). I can see myself sitting in the departure lounge watching XXX or Final Fantasy or catching a match of virtua tennis.

  • chronom4n #42 7 years ago

    the ipod owners are shallow? if you are an imac owner than the ipod syncs with ical, address book, stickies and it is not just a music player, you can use it as a hard drive and use it to boot up your operating system. Do not have a dig at 'pod owners when u do not know half the story. my reason for buying an uk psp is £180 is a lot of money and if anything goes wrong i can go back to the shop from where i purchased it and get it resolved. my thinking as to why we guys get things last is if we got the psp first and all these problems reared their ugly head i bet all psp owners would be biting at the heels of sony. My cousing has the new sony ericsson walkman phone and because the phone uses the same memory stick he can watch photos the photos he took on his phone and the watch them as a slideshow on his psp. now that is versatility if u ask me. that is just one aspect of the psp. in time it will open up so many possibilities just as the newer ipods have done. i think people have to be a lot more intelligent in their criticisms of their favourite gadget. make it constructive. For sure the ds can bring a smile to many peoples faces and that is fine for some, but for others who are more tech savvy, they want their chosen product to do more than just play some games. they want to share their tech with the people around them. well that is my fifteen mins done.

  • chronom4n #43 7 years ago

    just found out that the psp has sold 185,000 units in the uk on the launch weekend.. i believe that equates to 100,000 more than the ds sold six months ago. well you can make of that what you will. go to edge-online for that snippet of information.

  • penhalion #44 7 years ago

    OfficerSlade where did you get that info from?

    Consumer law is pretty clear in this country. If the goods are faulty then you can bring them back to be exchanged or have a refund. Based on the ISO standards, having more than 2 dead pixels on a screen of the PSPs size IS a fault!

    Whether sony wish to take the kit back or not is irrelivant, they have no choice in the matter!