Gamers across UAE turn out for launch of PlayStation 4

Midnight launches pleased those who pre-ordered their Sony consoles but many who did not were left empty-handed ahead of Christmas.

Gamers dressed up in the hope of winning a Playstation 4. Clint McLean for The National

Ayesha Al Khoori

ABU DHABI // Gamers across the Emirates have turned out for the launch of the PlayStation 4.

Some came dressed as video game characters to take part in a contest offering a PS4 as first prize. Others dressed up for the fun of it, and were content to queue for five hours before the console went on sale at midnight.

Shoppers queued up for a midnight launch of Sony’s first console in seven years at the Geekay store in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates.

Store manager Zia Ahmed said customers often wear costumes for product launches and one regular customer was dressed as a character from the historical action-adventure game Assassin’s Creed.

But while many customers who pre-ordered the console left shops happy, there were others who were not so pleased when they realised shops did not have enough stock.

“Many customers came in requesting it, mostly teenagers, and they get upset when we can’t sell it to them,” said Nazir Shaikh, senior sales assistant at Jumbo Electronics on Al Falah Road.

“One customer wanted to buy it as a gift for her child and we had to contact our other branches but, unfortunately, we didn’t have any extra.

“Because some customers booked the devices three months ago, they deserve it first, and we gave priority to them.

“Almost 20 pieces were sold within hours and we only have a few left.”

Mr Shaikh said the store had been taking customers’ names and numbers so they can be contacted when a second shipment arrives.

Nate V, the department manager at Virgin Megastore in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wahda Mall, said the day had been “pretty hectic”.

“We had a midnight launch and many customers came in, even though we only opened for one hour,” he said. “They are still coming in throughout the day.”

He estimated that about 3,000 customers had pre-ordered the PlayStation 4, as they had informed shoppers there would be shortages. Virgin Megastores were only supplying consoles to those who pre-ordered.

“There is a worldwide shortage from Sony. Pre-ordering started four months ago, and we informed people that there are limited quantities,” Mr V said.

“[The customers] will be able to purchase them eventually, but not before Christmas.”

Happy customer Mohammed Al Junaibi got his hands on his pre-ordered console from the LuLu Hypermarket in Khalidyah Mall.

“They called me yesterday and told me to come pick it up, I was excited, of course,” Mr Al Junaibi said.

“This is like the equivalent of buying a new car for some people. I find it better than buying a new car.”

He said games such as Call of Duty: Ghost and Battlefield 4 are already released, while Watchdogs, which he said many people are waiting for, would come out soon.

Explaining the gamers’ costumes, Mr Al Junaibi said: “I think it’s fun, especially if you’re young.

“I used to wear costumes a long time ago, the days of Nintendo, although I choose to abstain now since I’m older and I choose to play more mature games.

“Growing up, we didn’t have such events, but now, with online communities, people with the same interests get together and it is easier to find people who play the same games.”