I didn't really plan on going to the PS3 launch in Sydney's Pitt St mall Thursday night, but then I figured when else would I get a chance to experience a launch of something supposedly so big and hot as this next-gen beauty? Not in another 4-5 years, I figured.

So I got there around 10 pm, fully anticipating to see crowds of people young and old clawing and pushing for a space in the line. Nope, the place was virtually deserted except for a few clusters of teenagers and couple onlookers spread around the Myer staging area, where a construction crew was setting up the big screen tv to play 'Casino Royale' via a PS3. I must say I felt a bit disappointed at first and thought this might've been a complete waste of time, but then I got to briefly speak to the GameSpot AU crew and appear on the video clip (i'm the mumbling dude in the green shirt), and it all felt worth the effort.

Besides the large number of people from the press, many of whom looked like they had no clue what a PS3 was (ahem, Lizzie Lovett and the 2Day FM possie), there were very few people there whom I'd call a gamer. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but after watching the US launch parties that were filled with avid gaming fans who lined up for days, I certainly hoped to see more people of that sort. That said, I must admit that I actually did not line up to buy a PS3 myself so really, I'm not the one to judge and complain about the slim presence of gaming fans.

My guess is that most people just don't have a compelling reason to buy a $1000 piece of hardware whose current lineup of system-exclusive games is rather slim. Sure, I'd love to play MotorStorm and Ridge Racer 7, but dude... I'm not made of money! Give me Assassin's Creed and Metal Gear and I might think again, but for now - what's the rush?