Leeds man queues from 6.30am on the Headrow to secure PS5 preorder

A man queued from 6.30am in Leeds to secure the new PS5 console - becoming possibly the first person in the city to do so.
Ben queued outside the GAME store from 6.30amBen queued outside the GAME store from 6.30am
Ben queued outside the GAME store from 6.30am

Ben Joel, 36, took his place outside the GAME store on Thursday morning at 6.30am.

He was the first person in the queue - which later grew to more than 40.

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Ben praised the store's staff for opening up early to meet the demand from gamers in the city.

He spent £449 to pre order the console which comes out on November 19.

Ben, a mental health practitioner, told the Yorkshire Evening Post that he wanted to support the high street rather than ordering online.

He said: "I'd be fairly confident that I was the first person to queue outside a shop in Leeds and pre order in person.

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"I was socially distancing, there were around 40 people queuing as I left the shop [after pre ordering the console].

"I decided to order in the shop because I value the high street and see the importance of supporting businesses during the pandemic.

"The guys at GAME started their day early to make sure the gamers could have their console on day one of launch, giving people a positive experience that is pretty invaluable.

"It was nice to share an experience like that with others, albeit socially distanced, during the pandemic."

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Sony recently confirmed pricing of the new console which will come in two versions.

A PS5 Digital Edition, which is without a disc drive, will retail at £359, while the main machine will cost £449.

This puts the flagship device directly in competition with Microsoft’s Xbox Series X in terms of pricing – also retailing at £449 – but the PS5 Digital Edition is more expensive than the £249 compact Xbox Series S.

Sony also showcased a number of upcoming titles due to arrive on the PS5, including a new Harry Potter-themed game called Hogwarts Legacy, an open world role player game set in the magical school before the titular wizard’s time in the 1800s.

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Glimpses of familiar franchises including Final Fantasy XVI and Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War were shown during a live-streamed event, alongside extended footage of previously announced games such as Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Resident Evil Village.

Ben said he was happy to pay the full cost for the console after saving money during lockdown.

He added: "The cost was £449 but I was happy to pay that because I haven’t spent money on holidays or anything else really this year and gaming is a hobby shared by myself and my partner.

"I think it’s fair to say that gaming has helped us both through lockdown."

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Thank you

Laura Collins