United Kingdom, France, Australia all had poor turn ups. Instead of huge queue that everyone expected outside stores before the PS3 launch only a few turned up. Is this a message to Sony from the Europeans who do not want the expensive consoles with gimped backward compatibility while the Americans and Japanese enjoy more features?

Here are a few interesting headlines:

Australian PS3 Launch Embarrassment

At midnight, about 40 PS3 buyers had arrived to collect their consoles, causing distress for the army of camera crews who turned up expecting to capture launch mayhem, while a team from 2Day FM let out bogus cheers to convince their radio listeners that a launch extravaganza was underway.

While in France..

Sony planned a big event at the Eiffel tower for the launch and were ready to hand 1000 PS3s but only 20 people were there. Same thing on the Champs Élysés where there were only 4 or 5 people.

Similarly in the UK, there are no long queue outside stores and you can get hold of a PS3 console even if you did not pre-order them.

This is a stark contrast to the US launch in November last year, where one man was shot by thieves and fights broke out over limited stock.

To make it worse, Microsoft did a few brilliant and hilarious marketing moves that are getting quite a few positive comments on the internet.

Xbox crashes PS3 launch party

At the PLAYSTATION 3 launch event in Paris, Microsoft found an opportunity to do a little guerilla marketing by sending French gamers queueing up for a PS3 a kind reminder via boat. You can check the video here, but don’t forget to view the… splendor of the midnight launch event over at Jeux-France. They have loads of shots of the, um, festivities.

Microsoft NZ Tease Sony, With Beer!

To commemorate the Xbox 360’s 1st birthday in NZ, the good people at DB sent a special present consisting of many a beer bottle to GamePlanet’s Auckland store. To be precise, $480-worth of beer, which incidentally is the exact price difference between the Xbox 360 (RRP$719.95) and the PLAYSTATION 3 ($1199.95).

Thumbs up to Microsoft on this one…