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PS3 launches in Australia

Crowds gather at shopping centres around Sydney for the Australian midnight launch of Sony's latest games and entertainment console, the PlayStation 3 (PS3).

Randolph Ramsay
Randolph was previously a member of the CNET Australia team and now works for Gamespot.
James Kozanecki
Randolph Ramsay
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Hundreds of Australians stayed up late last night to be the first to buy the PlayStation 3. CNET.com.au trekked across the shopping districts of Sydney to bring you all the action from various PS3 midnight launches.

Retailer Myer joined forces with Sony Computer Entertainment Australia to hold a major launch event in Sydney's Pitt St mall. This photo, taken at approximately 9.20pm, shows workers assembling a large movie screen which was used to play Casino Royale to the waiting crowds.

James Kozanecki

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The opening credits to Casino Royale officially kick starts the night.

James Kozanecki

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Casino Royale draws a crowd of on-lookers and to-be owners of the PlayStation 3.

James Kozanecki

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Masseurs were on stand-by for any future PS3 owners who had kinks in their neck or just wanted to enjoy some of life's little luxuries.

J Kozanecki

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The queue starts to fill with anxious gamers waiting to get their PS3s. By this stage (about 11.15pm), close to 100 people had turned up.

James Kozanecki

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Casino Royale does its job and keeps the crowd entertained as the minutes tick by.

James Kozanecki

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Over at the Harvey Norman store at the Moore Park SupaCenta, Australian boxing champ Kostya Tsyzu was on hand to demonstrate the PS3's capabilities, specifically while playing Fight Night Round 3.

Jeremy Roche<

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Poor EB Games at the Moore Park SupaCenta was overshadowed by Harvey Norman's gimmicks and had no one waiting at their store, but the staff were exceptionally upbeat and smiley regardless.

Jeremy Roche

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Two Harvey Norman sales staff were manning the tills for the 40 people there to buy a PS3 -- or to see two-time junior welterweight champion Kostya Tsyzu play.

Jeremy Roche

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Brent from Bondi wins the AU$999.95 PS3 from Harvey Norman, Moore Park, Sydney -- the first game he reckons he'll play is Formula One Championship Edition.

Jeremy Roche

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This bloke was heading home and promised he'd wake his kids up so they could give Sonic a go on the PS3.

Jeremy Roche

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Keen gamers line up outside the Bondi Junction EB Games to get their hands on the PS3 ASAP. Once the clock hit 12:01 the race was on.

Ella Morton

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After customers get their paws on the PS3, they were out of the store faster than you could say PS3.

Ella Morton

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Back at the Myer Pitt St mall store, and the doors are finally open. Gamers rush in to pick up their pre-orders and take their loot home.

James Kozanecki

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The queue to get to the checkout was vast and wide. It took up to 20 minutes for some gamers to reach the cashier to collect their PS3 and games.

James Kozanecki

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Danny Zarka holds up the first PS3 sold in Myers, which was handed to him by Sony Computer Entertainment Australia's managing director Michael Ephraim.

James Kozanecki

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The line to get a PS3 gradually decreases as happy customers walk out with their PS3s.

James Kozanecki

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Whilst customers wait in line, they are offered the chance to try Resistance: Fall of Man, amongst other games.

James Kozanecki

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PlayStation 3 dummy boxes are stacked up to build upon the vibe, as well as tease and excite customers.

James Kozanecki

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