Video games are central to the lives of thousands of UW-Madison students, and the introduction of two highly anticipated systems last month has meant big business for EB Games, 640 State St.
Neon signs in the store's windows advertise the new video game systemsA-A-—the Nintendo Wii and Sony's Playstation 3. In addition, the store keeps several kiosks where customers can test the systems at their leisure.
However, there are also signs indicating there are no more Playstation 3s or Wiis in stock. The gaming systems are in such high demand that many stores, including EB Games, are regularly sold out.
""Every single day we have people trying to tackle our UPS guy to see if we have new Nintendo Wiis,"" said Jason Laske, an employee at EB Games.
Although many college students already play video games, the Playstation 3 and Wii, along with Microsoft's Xbox 360, offer new features such as interactive games, photo editing and the ability to download games from the Internet, Laske said.
The entertainment comes with a price tag, though. The Wii costs $250, the Xbox 360 costs $300 and the Playstation 3 costs $500.
Tommy Reigle, a UW-Madison freshman and the proud owner of a Nintendo Wii, said he now plays video games with the system's trademark plastic wand almost exclusively.
""We used to play a lot of FIFA, but now we play a lot of Wii,"" Reigle said.
Thousands of Americans across the country waited in line to purchase the new systems when it first hit stores, Reigle added.
""We went out and sat at 5:45 a.m. and we were 9th and 10th in line,"" he said. ""People had been there since 12 the night before, and when they opened at 10 a.m. there were over 120 people.""
Since the '90s, video game systems have become increasingly prominent in UW-Madison dorm rooms and apartments, offering a diversion for 18-to-22-year-old men looking for entertainment and a break from schoolwork.
""I make time for [video games] and it's good relaxation at the end of the day,"" said Nate Kautzer, a UW-Madison freshman who was in EB Games Monday trying out new systems.
But Reigle, who said his Wii attracts people from all over Ogg Hall, insisted there is always a balance between entertainment and school.
""The controllers are going to get locked up for finals,"" Reigle said. ""No matter how much we want to play, it's getting locked up because I need to do well on finals.""
