[Mrluvaluva]

From The Sun:

ROBBERS cashed in on the latest PlayStation craze — by targeting fans as soon as they bought their consoles.

Gamers queued for hours to snap up the new Sony PS3 when it was released at midnight last Thursday.

Moments later the crooks struck as the first buyers left shops with the coveted gadgets.

Student Angel Sanchez, 21, was robbed seconds after paying £625 for a console and discs.

Angel, who went to the Game store in Walthamstow, East London, with mum Yolanda, 52, said: “As we left a gang of youths jumped on us. I was punched in the face and mum was bashed as they grabbed my bag. But there was no security and the police hadn’t even been told about the shop opening late. I ended up in hospital but Sony and Game didn’t want to know. They’ve treated me like a mug.”

A man of 26 was robbed of his PS3 as he left the same shop. A car pulled up alongside him and one of the occupants jumped out and snatched his shopping bag.

A police spokeswoman said: “There was a loud cheer from inside the car, where other youths were sitting.”

The US launch of the PS3 sparked muggings, brawls and a shooting. Sony organised 200 midnight openings in Britain.

The spokeswoman added: “We have expressed concerns before about midnight shopping.

“If you are walking along in the early hours carrying a plastic bag with a computer shop emblazoned on it, it’s an advert to say ‘come and rob me’.”

Sony declined to comment but in a secret email seen by The Sun, Game director Anna Macario admitted they would be unable to stop the robberies.

[Dr43%er]

Typical of the blame everyone else world we now live in. Take responsibility for your own actions. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying they deserved to get robbed but were they expecting the police to walk them all the way home and then stand guard on the house just in case?

A: If you can afford that amount on a thing to play games on, you can afford to have a taxi pick you up at the shop.

B: It was well publicised that there was spare stock. There was no need to be walking the streets at midnight.

Just what did they expect Game to do?

[Sunny_01]

I have to say I agree with our good Dr here. I dont understand the madness that surrounds games consoles! Nor do I understand why people would be so despreate for one that they would go out and queue late at night for them. At the end of the day they will come into general circulation at some point so why put yourself in danger in the first place.

I dont see how Game can be to blame, thats like saying every time I buy something there I am their responsibility until I am safely home - madness the whole thing IMO

[Dr43%er]

I must admit i was expecting to get slagged for my view.

Student Angel Sanchez, 21

STUDENT!!!!!

[Mrluvaluva]

I think there are responsibilities on both sides.

1. I think it was irresponsible for companies to open their stores at midnight. Game were not the only one to do it. HMV & Vigin were amongst others. Robberies and muggings were bound to happen. HMV were aware of the dangers and would not open it's Oxford Street branch in Londons' West End because of the dangers.

2. It was widely publicised of the dangers with people walking round at night with large amounts of money in their pockets, or walking home with games consoles in a bag emblazoned with say "Game" on it. Easily spotted by thieves. Extra police were called in, but obviously to no avail. You wouldn't catch me buying something so expensive on a well publicised launch night, knowing of the risks involved. It is not one of the wisest things to do is it?

3. Actually, nobody deserves to be mugged, but in the day & age we live in, we have to be more careful and take necessary precautions.

[Dr43%er]

No doubt Game would have been slagged off if they did not open too.

Also, why should I pay for extra police out of my tax so some people can by a games machine and Game can make a profit. Football clubs have to pay for the police to attend their matches. And where should the police be? Right out side the shop, down the road, round the corner, in that dodgy car park behind the disused cinema?

[Sunny_01]

Of course - they are in a lose lose situation

[Razmataz]

Didn't those who got a PS3 at the virgin store in London...get a free HD TV worth 2grand?

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Ryceratops!
Didn't those who got a PS3 at the virgin store in London...get a free HD TV worth 2grand?

I think it was Virgin. The 1st 100 got a £2,500 HD TV free courtesy of Sony.

[Dr43%er]

And a taxi home. They are not going to be giving away a £2500 tv at the East Gringsted branch of game though. So I stand by my point of going at midnight ant then walking the streets with £500 + of kit.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Dr43%er
And a taxi home. They are not going to be giving away a £2500 tv at the East Gringsted branch of game though. So I stand by my point of going at midnight ant then walking the streets with £500 + of kit.

No, it was Oxford Street in London I think. lol. We cannot say the stunt encouraged people to go, because nobody knew about it. Christ, there would have been thousands of people queueing up for that if it was common knowledge. And I agreed with you, people shoud not be stupid enough to do it, but as society today, a lot of gamers want to be the first with the technology. Nothings gonna change there, so maybe it is up to the companies that make game consoles to re-think promotions like these, and the consequences they can cause.

[Lauren]

What kinda name is Angel.

[Dr43%er]

Good point. He had it coming.

[Sophii3x]

Originally posted by Lauren
What kinda name is Angel.

haha! I feel sorry for him.

It's a shame that these thing happen though.

[Mrluvaluva]

I would have thought that Angel was a girl? Maybe if it was a bloke, he got it for having a crappy name. lol. Anyway, ahem!, off topic. This is quite a serious issue. (I should have put it in serious debates). More views please.

[Lauren]

I got the vibe Angel was a bloke. But anywayyyy... serious discussion.


Some people are taking this console malarky a bit seriously, shootings in US? Just for a PS3? (Actually, they don't need reasons to have shootings over there... kidding).

[GiRTh]

I'm astonished by some of the posts on this thread. People who don't understand the fuss about game consoles and almost imply that the people were asking for it. I'm appalled. Just because some of you aren't into things doesn't mean they aren't relevant. What if people weren't bothered about women who dieted to size zero and implied they deserved it? You'd all be outraged.

Back on topic, I think that if the shop opens at midnight then they do have some responsibility to the people who are buying the console. This was inevitable and could have been avoided.

[Lauren]

If you're referring to me, I didn't mean the injured/robbed deserved it. I meant the people robbing them were taking the console thing a bit far.

[GiRTh]

I'm not referring to anyone in particular.

[Dr43%er]

I am sorry, but you have to take responsibility for your own actions. Hand up who does not know it is not a great idea to walk around at midnight with expensive kit in a bag saying "expensive kit inside" ?

I go to a hole in the wall at midnight and draw out £600. I then walk down the road waving the 600 notes about and get mugged for it. Of course I blame the bank for letting me take the money out. Sound fair? At what point do Game get to stop being responsible for your well being?

I am not saying they deserve it, but to try and blame Game and Sony and not your own judgement and the muggers is retarded in my view.

[GiRTh]

How many shops are open at that time of night? Don't MacDonald's have security late at night? Should that security be lifted in you opinion? I'm not saying Game are completely to blame but other establishments do have security for late night customers so they have clearly observed some kind of problem. that's all I'm saying.

[Mrluvaluva]

Can I just say that one of my points, was that if they did not open stores at 12.00am, then people would not be walking around at night in the first place. There are always members of the public who will be stupid enough to go there. I just want to make it clear that I personally never said it was any of the companies fault, but I did say they have to take some responsibility. The responsibility in not opening that late at night in the first place.

Oh, and I do blame the muggers DR. We should be able to go out safe at night without fear of being mugged. Unfortunately, in the society we live in, this is not possible. But precautions have to be taken in this day & age.

[Ruth*Star]

i feel sorry for him that he lost his ps3 that he was probably looking forward to getting.

[andybigbro]

Aww i fell sorry for him i would have hated that to happen to me

[Dr43%er]

Do McDonalds security follow you down the road to make sure you get to eat your burger in peace? No. They are there to stop trouble in the establishment. I am fairly sure Game and the like would have had people on the door to protect inside the shop. I don't know so i shall ask. Did any of the muggings happen on or directly outside the premises selling the PS3?