Leading specialist chain GAME has opted not to open at midnight for the PS3 launch this Thursday - following advice from the Metropolitan Police.

The chain's Oxford Street store was originally planning to hold a midnight opening event on Thursday (March 22nd). However, following consultation with the Metopolitan Police - and, given the high value of the PS3 consoles - GAME "has put its customers' safety first" and made the decision to open the store at 7am on Friday (March 23rd). As the GAME statement points out, this will guarantee that gamers have access to public transport and can safely take their consoles home in daylight.

The first 150 gamers to have pre-ordered the PS3 are invited to attend the store at 7am, where they will be greeted with bacon butties, pastries and coffee. They will also have the chance to claim Sony goodie bags.

"The launch of the PS3 is a big deal to our customers," said GAME's marketing director Anna Macario. "We are managing the launch so it is safe for them, and the only thing they have to concentrate on is securing their new console."

HMV has also opted not to open at midnight on Thursday. Virgin Megastores, meanwhile, will be hosting the official launch event at its Oxford Street store.