Sony unveils official Aussie PS3 midnight launch event

Attending a midnight launch for a new game or console usually involves hours of aimless waiting, but Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCEA) is making sure eager Aussie gamers camped out at Sydney's Pitt St Mall for this week's release of the PlayStation 3 are kept entertained.

Casino Royale to be screened free at Aussie PS3 launch.

The PS3 will be released in Australia on Friday, 23 March, and SCEA will team up with retailer Myer to host the official PS3 midnight launch event. Myer will set up a large viewing space outside its store on Pitt St Mall, Sydney, New South Wales, and will hold a free public screening of Casino Royale, the latest James Bond movie. The film will be played directly from a PS3 and will begin at 9.30pm on Thursday, March 22.

The entertainment won't stop there. Sydney radio personality Lizzy Lovett from 2Day FM will be the host for the evening, which will also include PlayStation-themed giveaways, free massages, and a chance to play the PS3 on the big screen.

Myer is also promising to give the first 100 people to buy a PS3 a free copy of the Blu-ray version of Talladega Nights. This means a lucky few will receive two free movies with their PS3, as SCEA is also giving away a copy of the Blu-ray version of Casino Royale to the first 20,000 Aussies who register their PS3s on the PlayStation Network.

The PlayStation 3's Australian release follows months after the console was shipped in the USA and Japan. Only the 60GB version of the PS3 will be available Down Under, and it will retail for AU$999.95.