Tents. Tarps. Blankets. Hooded figures covered in parkas. Propane heaters.

No, this wasn’t the scene at one of many campgrounds scattered throughout Central Oregon. Rather, it was the sidewalk outside of Bend’s Best Buy store on Wednesday afternoon.

There, 20 people braved near-freezing nighttime temperatures and 20 mph winds – some for more than two days – to wait for the release of Sony’s PlayStation 3 video game system.

The PS3, as it is commonly known, will be released Friday. By that time, the first person in line will have waited about 56 hours in the elements for the privilege of plunking down as much as $600 for the much-anticipated video game console.

”It’s worth it,” said Tanner Drey, 19, of Bend, who’s first in line and has been waiting since midnight Tuesday. ”Last night (Tuesday) was around 30 to 40 degrees with 25 mile-per-hour winds, but you get in your sleeping bag and you’re fine.”

Most buyers are expected to reap the benefits of PlayStation 3’s small inventory by reselling their consoles at a substantial markup.

The PlayStation 3 is the newest video game console from industry leader Sony. The machine boasts both power graphics processors and Blu-ray high-definition DVD capabilities.

But production problems have limited the launch inventory to about 400,000 units for North America. Given the limited supply, industry experts are expecting massive PS3 shortages for months to come.

Lines also were reported at both Wal-Mart stores in Central Oregon. Target has banned buyers from camping outside its Bend location until it closes at 10 tonight.

Campers at Best Buy brought numerous accessories to keep themselves warm and occupied. The line was a makeshift village of tents and tarps, and one person said he was waiting for a friend to drop off a barbecue grill so he could cook burgers for others in line.

Some brought laptop computers and portable video game consoles, like the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP, to pass the time.

Many lining up for the PS3 in Bend aren’t keeping it. With the inventory shortage expected nationwide, many PS3 buyers are planning to auction their consoles on sites like eBay or Craigslist.

Of the 20 people waiting in line at Best Buy on Wednesday, only three said they would keep their units. The others expect to sell the console for $2,000 or more.

”It could go anywhere from $2,500 to $3,000,” said Erik McFarland, 34, of Bend, who’s No. 8 in line and had been waiting since Wednesday afternoon. ”I’m not going to make that much money in three days (by working).”

James Dickerson, 19, also of Bend, is one of the few in line who plans to keep his PS3.

”I was tempted (to sell), because I’m going to Japan in the summer, and if I sell, boom, there’s my tickets right there,” Dickerson said. ”But I’ve been waiting for this for years, and I’ve owned every console from Nintendo to (Panasonic’s) 3DO, so I have to have it.”