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Crowds Form Early at Sacramento, Calif.-Area Retailers to Get Microsoft Xbox

Posted on: Tuesday, 22 November 2005, 00:00 CST

By The Sacramento Bee, Calif.

Nov. 22--Let the games begin. Eager to get their hands on the new Microsoft Xbox 360, avid gamers began lining up outside Sacramento area retailers on Monday, hoping to snag one of the $399 gaming consoles when they go on sale first thing this morning.

In Roseville, a crowd of 45 was already camped outside the Best Buy store at Creekside Shopping Center by late afternoon yesterday; in Sacramento, a handful had staked out spots in line earlier in the day at the Best Buy and Circuit City outlets on Arden Way.

Some were eager to buy them for the Thanksgiving holiday, others planned to cash in by re-selling the coveted consoles on EBay. Still others, like Walter Gallo of Roseville, intended to squirrel away an Xbox as a Christmas gift.

Gallo, 45, who had never camped outside a store before, was first in line at Creekside's Best Buy outlet. The Roseville resident said he arrived at 4 p.m. to be sure he could purchase an XBox 360 premium unit for his 13-year-old son for Christmas.

"I knew it would be difficult to get it for him for Christmas," said Gallo, manager at a Sacramento Verizon Wireless store. "I wanted this to be under the tree. It's totally worth it. "

Those in line were joined by similar lines by counterparts around the country.

Microsoft is the first of the three major console makers to get its next-generation gaming box to market, giving it a head start in the console gaming industry that's expected to be worth more than $8 billion in the United States alone this year. Sony, long the industry leader, isn't likely to have its new PlayStation 3 in stores until the spring and Nintendo sometime after that.

With its cutting edge technology and ability to play games in high-definition, the Xbox is expected to be one of the hottest-selling gifts this holiday season. But Microsoft is hoping that other features, such as the ability to store and display, music, photos and videos on the home television set will -- in the long run -- make it attractive to a much larger audience than the gaming enthusiasts lining up Monday.

Most retailers were tight-lipped about exact quantities that would be available when their doors opened, predicting they would have only a few dozen of the sought-after gaming consoles available. But they said they expect continued shipments throughout the holiday season. Microsoft officials said that while demand would likely exceed supply, the company expected to manufacture and deliver more than 2 million of the consolers during the next three months.

Wal-Mart's Supercenter in Dixon appeared to be the place where gamers could get first crack at purchasing the Xbox. The store, which is open 24 hours a day, planned to sell the first units at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

Gallo said he was ready to "tough it out" overnight.

"I have my sleeping bag, a video IPOD, two magazines and a Sacramento Bee," he said.

Ben Fisher, 30, a self-described "hardcore gamer" from Roseville took up the second spot in line at 10:30 a.m.

"If you wait, you won't get (an XBox 360) until January or March," he said. "My roommate is bringing me a laptop, food and a sleeping bag."

He said the early birds in line had passed the day visiting with each other.

Mike Intiso, 22, of Auburn was 44th in line. He ssaid he'd gone to an electronics store at the Roseville Galleria to inquire about the XBox 360 he preordered months ago. When told the units wouldn't be in the store until after Christmas, Intiso took a refund and headed across the street to Best Buy.

He was wearing only a T-shirt, pants and shoes.

"I wasn't planning on this," he said of camping out overnight.

Officials at Best Buy had no problem with the campers.

"Any new gaming system has this appeal, especially when they're on a limited basis," said sales manager Stephanie Stitch. "This one is very popular because it's the first gaming system in high definition."

Only 60 units were being made available at Stitch's store and anyone arriving after the 60th person in line would be told not to wait in line, she said.

Over at Arden Fair, a line of 15 people already stretched along the side of the Arden Way Best Buy by 4 p.m. on Monday. The excited gamers brought everything from lawn chairs and blankets to playing cards and laptops, all to keep them warm and busy for their overnight video game vigil.

Kenyatta Booth, or the "ring leader" as he called himself, was the first in line. The 33-year-old personal trainer from Sacramento showed up at 11:40 a.m. Monday morning, even before Best Buy had put up a sign instructing the eager gamers where to stand.

"I wouldn't take $5,000 for this spot," said Booth, who is looking forward to the sports games the new console will offer. "Everyone wants (an Xbox 360). And if I don't get one now, who knows when I will be able to?"

Although Booth's place in line isn't for sale, Ben Mackin's new Xbox 360 will be once he gets his hands on it. With an uncertain supply of Xboxes for the upcoming holiday season, the 22-year-old California State University, Sacramento student is looking to make a hefty profit.

Xbox 360s are already selling for over $900 on online auction website, ebay.com.

"Eventually, I want to get one for myself," said Mackin, who once stood in line for six hours in front of a movie theater to see "Star Wars, Episode II.""It's fun to get together and play racing games with my friends."

Waiting in line all night isn't anything new for Greg Shorter, 23, who was one of four people sitting in front of the Circuit City on Arden Way Monday. He did the same thing when the first Xbox came out.

Shorter, a financial consultant from Davis, went to work early to be able to get a spot in line. He calls his house the "video game central," where everyone gathers to play on his numerous systems.

Shorter is looking forward to sharing his new Xbox toy over the Thanksgiving holiday.

"I'll have the most fun watching the reaction of my family," Shorter said. "Nothing is better than family."

By Art Campos, Chris Caskey and Clint Swett

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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MSFT, BBY, CC, EBAY, VZ, VOD, SNE, 6758, WMT,

Source: The Sacramento Bee

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