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Crowds Camping for PlayStation 3

Dozens are lined up outside the Circuit City in NYC’s Union Square today waiting to become proud parents of the new PlayStation 3. Even though the system doesn’t become available to the public until Friday morning, most have been in line since early Tuesday. So why devote over 72 hours in the wind and rain to purchase this $600 system? The answer depends on where you stand in line. Gamers towards the back gave reasons varying from bragging rights to graphics, while those closest to the front seemed to have just one reason for their dedication: profit. These entrepreneurs are expecting to auction off the system for over $2000.

Coincidentally, online auction site eBay announced today that only account holders with sterling ratings — i.e. with comments from at least 50 users and a rating of 98 out of a possible 100 points — can list PS3 units for sale, and those who qualify can only auction off one unit.

Here’s what the people in line told SPIN.com:

“I’m getting it for the bragging rights. You know, I have it, you don’t!” — Jonathan Cora, 21, Brooklyn

“By the time game developers utilize the system it will be towards the end of its run. It always take a while for the games to catch up to the system, so the hottest games will come out at the end.” — Tyrone Torres, 28, Brooklyn

“We love capitalism! This is a free market society!” — Mekayel Fontaine, 20, Queens

“There was an incident with a High-C. I just set it down and some dude ran up and grabbed it. He was thirsty from the line!” — Joseph Peters, 18, Maplewood, NJ

“I’m going to play it, and then put it back in the box all neatly and sell it for $2000!” — Lenny Pepin, 19, Queens

“When we got here we didn’t even have chairs, but we realized really quick we needed them.” — Joel Mora, 24, NYC

“There’s only something like 400,000 being made so if you don’t get it now, you won’t be able to get this until February or March.” — Tamba Peters, 21, Maplewood, NJ

Talk: Where do these guys go to the bathroom?

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