Nintendo Wii a year later

I can’t believe that I am still standing in line waiting for my turn since I last mentioned Nintendo’s Wii. This is the first time in my memory where a console remained sold out a year after its release. Where 200 people still lined up outside of the store under the duress of sub zero Canadian winter to cheer like wartime buddies when receiving their coupon to one Wii console.

The demographic of people has changed. The line no longer consists of hardcore enthusiastic gamers, but instead is populated by your average mom and pop types. It’s harder to relate to one another because we are from different age groups, but the stories of each person’s desperate search brings a little warmth to our heart. Especially when we know that the fight is finally over. At least for those of us who managed to get one.

One dad has been everywhere on the island of Montreal, another has traveled to the states. While a whole family was coordinating each other between 4 different stores to enhance their chance of success. That is how I know that several others stores received their stock at the same time and already have a lineup of 200 by 6AM. I have to thank the fact that I live in the middle of nowhere and that the majority of people here aren’t your typical hardcore gamers.

“It will only get worse as the holiday approaches”

At 7:30AM I arrived and placed myself 17th in line when only 20 units was advertised to be in store. I got really lucky at my estimation of time this time, but the same cannot be said if I were to line up outside another store at another part of the city. The accurate analysis boosted my confidence in myself and I am beginning to wonder if my estimation of Ebay Wii price tag of $500 right before Christmas will come true as well and if I will my console when that price is reached.

When will this madness end? How many people bought it for the hype? Will gamers be competing against grandmas from now on to get their hands on one? On one side, I am glad that the general population is getting into gaming, on the other, I am looking at them with disdain thinking “What do they know about gaming?”.

“What do I know about gaming?”