Tekken Tag & Billy

Friday, October 20, 2000

Lifting Off the New PlayStation2 Game Hollywood-Style

There may be a glitch in the availability of PlayStation2, Sony's newest video game console, but that didn't mean game over for a big launch party. Sony hosted a blowout at the Pacific Design Center on Thursday night for hundreds of guests.

The star-studded party was about positioning the product for the future, said Sony Computer Entertainment President and Chief Operating Officer Kazuo Hirai.

The party was held in the parking structure, but dry ice created moody smoke that disguised unpleasant garage features. Guests took elevators up to the fifth level, or rode in one of about a dozen golf carts standing by to ferry them up. Upstairs, waitresses served oyster shooters from rolling raw bars, while revelers got a sneak peek at the movie-like quality of PlayStation 2 on gigantic screens. But no game-playing yet.

At about 10:30 p.m., after a voice announced over a loudspeaker that PlayStation2 was "ready for liftoff," the game-hungry herd migrated to the top level of the parking structure. Under the stars, two floors of platforms had been erected. DJ Paul Oakenfeld was stationed on top of the party pyramid, playing to a dance floor on a platform below.

Drinks, desserts and the breathtaking skyline view were no match for the soft sofas and wide-screen TVs hooked up with the new game consoles. Some of the names attending the pary were, Alexis Arquette, Jason Biggs, Billy Campbell, Jessica Capshaw, Carmen Electra, Billy Wirth Kelly Hu, Shar Jackson, Tommy Lee, and many more. (edited from LA Times story by Booth Moore and photos by Al Ortega)

Photos by Al Ortega

11/21/00 copyright bwfc.com

Play Station Additional Photos

built mm 10/2000