After kicking off launch week by setting records as the fastest selling console in the history of the United Kingdom, the PlayStation 3 suffered a bit of a setback, with sales down 82% for the second week after the system's release. The numbers come from prominent market research company Chart Track, which gathers data from a majority of UK video game retailers. The same company that released the 165,000 in two days figure last week.

It's an odd situation, really. It seems to be that most folks who wanted the console picked it up at when the system was first made available, and the normal post-launch buzz that gaming systems usually generate just isn't happening in the United Kingdom.

What really bothers me about this news is that SCEE, when contacted by GamesIndustry.biz, refused to comment on the situation. Is there any way to put a positive spin on a story like this? Michael Fahey

PlayStation 3 hardware sales plummet 82 per cent [GamesIndustry.biz]