Ritatsu Thomas (aged 17) is a happy man today. He’s first in the official line-up at Sony’s launch event in Virgin’s London Oxford Street store today. Which (kind of) means he’s the first person in the UK to get hold of a PAL PS3. SPOnG collared him earlier and had words.
SPOnG: So, you’re set to be the first person, in an official type of way, in the UK to get your hands on a PS3, how do you feel?
Ritatsu: Feels good man! Feels good!
SPOnG: You’ve been looking forward to this day I presume? To PS3 finally arriving?
Ritatsu: Yeah, well I was a bit disappointed when it first got delayed months ago. So I’ve been waiting for it for a long time yeh. But I’m not your typical hardcore Sony fanboy though – I’ve got a 360 and a Wii as well!
SPOnG: So, you’d describe yourself as a hardcore gamer?
Ritatsu: Yeh, pretty much. There’s just a little lonely shelf there waiting for the PS3 under my TV, which will finally be filled tomorrow.
SPOnG: So, what games are you picking up tomorrow?
Ritatsu: Well, they’re giving us Resistance: Fall of Man for free – which is the only thing I really want for the PS3 at the moment.
SPOnG: Motorstorm, Ridge Racer?
Ritatsu: Nah, not so much. I like racing games, but I’m not a hardcore racer. If I have a few quid left over I might consider Motorstorm… we’ll see.
SPOnG: And what of the other launch titles?
Ritatsu: Not interesting me at all.
SPOnG: Mind you, you’ve got a 360 I suppose!
Ritatsu: Yeah exactly, I’ve got most of those games anyway!
SPOnG: What about the built-in Blu-ray – is that something which interests you? Is that a selling point for you?
Ritatsu: Hmm, well. When there’s some decent movies available I’ll maybe start getting interested yeh. So far though, there’s not much to choose from. Casino Royale should be cool, seeing as it’s free.
SPOnG: So, really it’s just the fact that it’s a new PlayStation more than anything?
Ritatsu: Yeah, pretty much yeh…. I’m also waiting for Metal Gear Solid 4, Final Fantasy XIII and, well, I was waiting for Devil May Cry 4 as well but that’s coming out on the 360 as well now, so I’ll probably pick it up on the 360 instead so I can get some achievement points…
SPOnG: Yeah, that’s a good point actually, so if you have a game coming out on both consoles, you would rather buy the 360 version for the achievement points?
Ritatsu: Yeah, straightaway the 360. Achievement points, Xbox Live… It’s the same thing I did with the PS2 and Xbox back in the day…
SPOnG: Surely, do you not think Sony will offer you something as good, or if not better, than achievement points?
Ritatsu: Yeh, well that’s what I’m hoping for. If that happens then the tide may turn.
SPOnG: So, the fact that the PS3 is graphically slightly better than 360 is not currently enough to turn that tide?
Ritatsu: Yeah, well in terms of graphical differences, there’s not so much difference [between 360 and PS3] even though the PS3’s specs are that much better. Nobody has really pushed the boundaries of the PS3 yet I think. When they do then I’ll start buying those games yeah…
SPOnG: I suppose the whole online side of the PS3 is still a bit of an unknown isn’t it?
Ritatsu: Yeah, it’s weak. Plus also the fact that you can buy a Core Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii for less than a PS3 is a bit of a joke.
SPOnG: So the PS3 is only really going to appeal to the hardcore Sony fans initially…
Ritatsu: Pretty much.
SPOnG: There’s a lot of cynicism about the high price point of the PS3.
Ritatsu: That’s why you’re not seeing many people here today by the way [laughs]!
SPOnG: Ah well, I’m looking forward to finally getting hold of one for my lounge.
Ritatsu Yeah, we’re just waiting for them to set one up here to keep us entertained.
SPOnG: Oh great, so you’ve got your own little PS3 demo area here for the night!
Ritatsu: Yeah man! 50 inch plasma-screen, the works! Looking forward to seeing Casino Royale later. Not looking forward so much to sleeping on the floor mind! But I’ve got the sleeping bag. I’m ready.
SPOnG: Have you got any mates heading down here?
Ritatsu: Yeah, they're all really hyped about it now, now that they know that I’m first in the queue. Plus, we’re getting free cabs home! So all those people who were saying, “You’re gonna get mugged” ha! Shame to them!
SPOnGL: That’s cool.
Ritatsu: Yeh, I also think it’s the first time they’ve let people camp inside the store rather than stay outside on the street.
SPOnG: Yeah, it’s a great idea. The Wii launch last year was actually a bit of a nightmare.
Ritatsu: I was there as well. And I never got my Wii there. So this is my vengeance!
SPOnG: So, you’re set to be the first person, in an official type of way, in the UK to get your hands on a PS3, how do you feel?
Ritatsu: Feels good man! Feels good!
SPOnG: You’ve been looking forward to this day I presume? To PS3 finally arriving?
Ritatsu: Yeah, well I was a bit disappointed when it first got delayed months ago. So I’ve been waiting for it for a long time yeh. But I’m not your typical hardcore Sony fanboy though – I’ve got a 360 and a Wii as well!
SPOnG: So, you’d describe yourself as a hardcore gamer?
Ritatsu: Yeh, pretty much. There’s just a little lonely shelf there waiting for the PS3 under my TV, which will finally be filled tomorrow.
SPOnG: So, what games are you picking up tomorrow?
Ritatsu: Well, they’re giving us Resistance: Fall of Man for free – which is the only thing I really want for the PS3 at the moment.
SPOnG: Motorstorm, Ridge Racer?
Ritatsu: Nah, not so much. I like racing games, but I’m not a hardcore racer. If I have a few quid left over I might consider Motorstorm… we’ll see.
SPOnG: And what of the other launch titles?
Ritatsu: Not interesting me at all.
SPOnG: Mind you, you’ve got a 360 I suppose!
Ritatsu: Yeah exactly, I’ve got most of those games anyway!
SPOnG: What about the built-in Blu-ray – is that something which interests you? Is that a selling point for you?
Ritatsu: Hmm, well. When there’s some decent movies available I’ll maybe start getting interested yeh. So far though, there’s not much to choose from. Casino Royale should be cool, seeing as it’s free.
SPOnG: So, really it’s just the fact that it’s a new PlayStation more than anything?
Ritatsu: Yeah, pretty much yeh…. I’m also waiting for Metal Gear Solid 4, Final Fantasy XIII and, well, I was waiting for Devil May Cry 4 as well but that’s coming out on the 360 as well now, so I’ll probably pick it up on the 360 instead so I can get some achievement points…
SPOnG: Yeah, that’s a good point actually, so if you have a game coming out on both consoles, you would rather buy the 360 version for the achievement points?
Ritatsu: Yeah, straightaway the 360. Achievement points, Xbox Live… It’s the same thing I did with the PS2 and Xbox back in the day…
SPOnG: Surely, do you not think Sony will offer you something as good, or if not better, than achievement points?
Ritatsu: Yeh, well that’s what I’m hoping for. If that happens then the tide may turn.
SPOnG: So, the fact that the PS3 is graphically slightly better than 360 is not currently enough to turn that tide?
Ritatsu: Yeah, well in terms of graphical differences, there’s not so much difference [between 360 and PS3] even though the PS3’s specs are that much better. Nobody has really pushed the boundaries of the PS3 yet I think. When they do then I’ll start buying those games yeah…
SPOnG: I suppose the whole online side of the PS3 is still a bit of an unknown isn’t it?
Ritatsu: Yeah, it’s weak. Plus also the fact that you can buy a Core Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii for less than a PS3 is a bit of a joke.
SPOnG: So the PS3 is only really going to appeal to the hardcore Sony fans initially…
Ritatsu: Pretty much.
SPOnG: There’s a lot of cynicism about the high price point of the PS3.
Ritatsu: That’s why you’re not seeing many people here today by the way [laughs]!
SPOnG: Ah well, I’m looking forward to finally getting hold of one for my lounge.
Ritatsu Yeah, we’re just waiting for them to set one up here to keep us entertained.
SPOnG: Oh great, so you’ve got your own little PS3 demo area here for the night!
Ritatsu: Yeah man! 50 inch plasma-screen, the works! Looking forward to seeing Casino Royale later. Not looking forward so much to sleeping on the floor mind! But I’ve got the sleeping bag. I’m ready.
SPOnG: Have you got any mates heading down here?
Ritatsu: Yeah, they're all really hyped about it now, now that they know that I’m first in the queue. Plus, we’re getting free cabs home! So all those people who were saying, “You’re gonna get mugged” ha! Shame to them!
SPOnGL: That’s cool.
Ritatsu: Yeh, I also think it’s the first time they’ve let people camp inside the store rather than stay outside on the street.
SPOnG: Yeah, it’s a great idea. The Wii launch last year was actually a bit of a nightmare.
Ritatsu: I was there as well. And I never got my Wii there. So this is my vengeance!
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Comments
YenRug 21 Mar 2007 20:36
1/3
Sony must be so disappointed that they don't have a rabid fanboy first in the queue! Well done to Ritatsu, though, for being a fullblown gamer rather than being a fanboy for only one system, or another.
Joji 22 Mar 2007 17:28
2/3
Bravo to that, Yen. Its all about the games. I think this lad is more in tune with his true gamer, than that Sony fangirl behind him.
Achievement points are a great way of getting peope to play, I just wish they'd do competitions for prizes on Live (and if they do a bit more often).
That's right MS, Nintendo etc, bring back Video Armageddon (but online), like that 90's cheese gaming flick, The Wizard.
Achievement points are a great way of getting peope to play, I just wish they'd do competitions for prizes on Live (and if they do a bit more often).
That's right MS, Nintendo etc, bring back Video Armageddon (but online), like that 90's cheese gaming flick, The Wizard.
jaren 17 Jun 2007 23:27
3/3
i got a ps3 23 of march at 6.30am then i came home and set it up and it blows the wii and 360 out of the water 2 hours later i got my sony 52'' flat screen tv and set both 360 and ps3 and the graphics on ps3 on a tv that size un belivable 360 looks rubbish on a tv that size it loks 2 bright but ps3 looks great with motorstorm if u need 2 think witch 2 buy definitly a ps3 you will have a great time on ya own or wiv ya mates dont get me wrong 360 got more games at the minute but just think how many games was out for ps2 and they was great so with a little bit of patients there will be bigge and better games then the 360 thanks for reading