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UAE gaming aficionados queue up for PlayStation 3
Hardcore computer game fans queued up late Wednesday to get their hands on Sony's new PlayStation 3, the most expensive of the new generation consoles.
- By Naushad K. Cherrayil, Staff Reporter
- Published: 13:31 October 29, 2008
- Image Credit: Vazhisojan Godhandapani/Gulf News
- Buyers queue up at the Jumbo Electronics and Carrefour stores in the Mall of the Emirates for the Playstation 3.
Dubai: Hardcore computer game fans queued up late Wednesday to get their hands on Sony's new PlayStation 3, the most expensive of the new generation consoles.
Arvind Nair, CEO of Jumbo Electronics, said: "We are very excited with the launch of PlayStation 3 in the UAE. The combination of PlayStation 3, Bravia TV and Blu-ray movies gives you the ultimate high definition experience at home.
Jumbo's outlet at the Mall of the Emirates sold 60 units in just one hour on Wednesday midnight and so far sold around 250 units."
There is tremendous response for the console."We expect further rise in sales in the days to come," he said.
The highly-anticipated home entertainment system is expected to drive a vast number of shoppers to retail outlets across the UAE.
"PlayStation is the dominant market player in the gaming space. It is a computer with added features. It will put the gaming in a totally different sphere," Nair said.
Tim Stokes, sales and marketing director, PlayStation division - Sony Gulf said: "PlayStation3 is breaking new ground across the world of entertainment. It not only provides a whole new high-definition gaming experience but is set to revolutionise the way we watch movies, listen to music, view photos and access the web."
Sony says that unlike Xbox Live the PlayStation Network will be a free service. You'll be able to see when friends are online in order to chat with them by video, voice, or text, or to join multiplayer games.
The price tag at Dh2,499 is bit higher than its key rivals: Microsoft's Xbox sells for Dh1,900 and Nintendo's Wii for Dh1,700 in the UAE.
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