Okemos — Shane Ward has spent the past two days wearing a huge pair of mittens while sitting on concrete, huddled around three sleeping bags, two coats and several pizza boxes.
With all the preparation, Ward was primed to get his hands on a PlayStation 3 after waiting in line outside Best Buy, 2020 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos.
"I've been here since (Wednesday) at 5 (p.m.)," said Ward, an accounting freshman who was the first person in a line of more than 65 people braving the wind and cold Thursday afternoon for a chance at this season's hottest piece of technology. "There are more people in line than there are systems; there are going to be some pissed off people at the end of the line."
The Best Buy received about 26 PS3 consoles, while Meijer, 2055 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos, only received six.
With Sony limiting availability to less than 300,000 consoles nationwide, chances are people won't be able to find one until later this season. But those desperate enough might find luck online if they're willing to spend up to $3,000 for one on eBay.com.
Sony released the newest addition to its storied line of video game consoles early this morning, just days before the release of the Nintendo Wii.
The Wii, which goes on sale Sunday morning at midnight, is set to be the PS3's chief competition.
Meijer, one of the only distributors in the area open 24 hours, began selling the PS3 at 12:01 a.m. this morning. Because about 200 people joined a line Wednesday night, the retailer had to distribute vouchers to only six people. Wal-Mart also distributed vouchers to avoid long lines and stayed open two hours later than normal Thursday night in order to sell the PS3 at midnight.
Other retailers, such as Best Buy, began selling the video game console at 8 a.m. this morning.
Scott Reschke, owner of Fast Repair and Game Center, 543 E. Grand River Ave., isn't surprised about the frenzy to pick up the new PS3. He has seen the rush before, when the Xbox 360 came out last year.
"Realistically, it's simple — technology amazes people," he said.
The high-tech graphics are the reason why video gamers are dishing out hundreds of dollars for the PlayStation 3, but Reschke doubts those gamers will get a chance to enjoy them for at least two months, at which time Sony said it may resupply distributors.
But Reschke doubts if the new console will be widely available until after the fall season because of Sony's supply.
Julia Wilber, media team leader at Meijer in Okemos, hosted a raffle to decide who would be able to purchase one of the six units her department received from Sony. She added that it's uncertain when more PS3s will arrive on the shelves.
"We should get some before the holidays," Wilber said.
Drew Beach, a Geek Squad supervisor at Best Buy in Okemos, said he is sure the store will sell out.
"We have no idea when, if we are going to get more," Beach said. "If we do, I'm positive they will sell out."
With the small amount of PS3s in the area likely to sell out within minutes, it might be advantageous for some students to shop at other stores throughout the state because East Lansing has a higher number of video game players than other areas.
Still, a quick survey of other Michigan stores on Thursday afternoon showed many have lines similar to those in the Lansing area.
At a Grand Rapids Best Buy, manager David Gernand said there is a much higher demand than supply.
People have been waiting in line to get their hands on one of 26 PlayStation 3s the store will carry.
"They've been camping out for two days," said Gernand on Thursday afternoon. "Today is day two."
As of Thursday afternoon, sellers on eBay were putting the PS3 up for bid with prices ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
The lucky individuals who managed to get their hands on the elusive PS3 now have to decide between playing the state of the art system or selling it for profit.
As for Ward, he will be selling his system to pay for a Wii.
"We are going to sell it on eBay for four times what it's worth," Ward said. "I love the Wii."
Staff writer Gabrielle Russon contributed to this report.
