My first midnight launch

[TheScottishMexican42]

I'm going to a midnight launch next week, take a guess which game.
It's gonna be my first ever midnight launch, so what can I expect in terms of the good, the bad, and the crazy?

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

I'm going to a midnight launch next week, take a guess which game.
It's gonna be my first ever midnight launch, so what can I expect in terms of the good, the bad, and the crazy?

It really depends, all the midnight launches at my local EB games were pretty fun as the staff are really nice. Borderlands 2 had the local sweet shop owner dress up as Moxie as well as games and competitions set up for prizes. Skyrim also had medieval reenactors and Assassins Creed had some cosplayers come by as well.

It also depends on how organised the staff are, my experience with the actual picking up of the game was pretty good as well, mainly because everyone who needed to pay for the rest of their pre-order was required to do so before midnight. People who bought the mega Collectors Edition got theirs first, then those that won the games/competitions next and then it was decided by lottery for everyone else.

 

[Guffe]

I've never been at a midnight launch / movie.
I'm going to try and get tickets to TheHobbit2 midnight show so that might happen in a few months.
It'd be nice but I'm not sure the stores in my country do this, maybe in the Capital but not sure about elsewhere.

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

what can I expect in terms of the good, the bad, and the crazy?

That really depends on what the game is and where you are (or more to the point, where the store is located). The first and only midnight release I went to was for Halo 3 and it was very quiet, with about 20-ish people showing up. Got a T-shirt out of it, too.

 

[Jamash]

I've never gone to one because it seems pointless to me. I always pre-order my games online so getting it delivered to my door in the morning on launch day (and often before launch day) is better than going into town to pick it up, especially at night where the taxis fares would add at least another 25% to the cost of the game.

However, I've seen a quite a few posts on other forums by American gamers talking about how they're going to take a concealed firearm or blade to the GTA V midnight launch, because depending on the area, such a high profile event can attract gangs of opportunistic thugs looking for weak and easy targets.

Perhaps you should travel in a group and plan your journey well (e.g booking your return transport in advance so you don't have to wait around), particularly if the store is in a sketchy area.

 

[Juste Goose]

The only midnight launch I went to was Saints Row the Third. Unfortunately, Ass Creed Revelations and some football game also came out that midnight, so it just shoulder-to-shoulder nerds waiting in a massive line.

Wasn't that great.

 

[Launcelot111]

I've been to two, and they depress me in a variety of ways (mainly that I find Gamestop super depressing if I'm in there for more than five minutes, but also the kid sitting in the corner by himself with a cape and bow). My new strategy is to show up at 12:05, sit in line for two minutes, and leave. I can't even imagine staying for all the festivities they have

 

[Saelune]

Pre-order/pay for the game before hand? I dont remember what the deal was, but when I went to Skyrim's midnight release, I got like, the second or third copy and was out fast since I either pre-ordered or pre-paid before hand, while alot of others had to stand in 2 lines instead of one.

 

[Hero of Lime]

I wouldn't go because I have enough trouble staying up to midnight on New Years, let alone going to a store, buying a game, and going home to start it. Some people like to do it, so they go with my blessing. As for me? I'll just wait for the next morning for a game I really want.

 

[shootthebandit]

I've never gone to one because it seems pointless to me. I always pre-order my games online so getting it delivered to my door in the morning on launch day (and often before launch day) is better than going into town to pick it up, especially at night where the taxis fares would add at least another 25% to the cost of the game.

Same. It would cost me a fortune in petrol to drive to the nearest game store which is in the nearest town/city where ill also have to pay to park. I also work full time and start at 7:30 every morning. So its not worth going to bed really late and being knackered in the morning. It much rather let amazon deliver it and its in my mailbox by the time i get home. Or maybe it arrives a day early if im lucky

However, I've seen a quite a few posts on other forums by American gamers talking about how they're going to take a concealed firearm or blade to the GTA V midnight launch, because depending on the area, such a high profile event can attract gangs of opportunistic thugs looking for weak and easy targets.

Perhaps you should travel in a group and plan your journey well (e.g booking your return transport in advance so you don't have to wait around), particularly if the store is in a sketchy area.

Seriously? Thats unbelievable. Are they trying to steal the games?

Makes you wonder why people think its a good idea to arm citizen but that is a debate for another day

 

[Strain42]

I've done Midnight release parties for a couple of movies, and I've even done them for a few books (mostly harry potter with my sister) but I've never really done it for a video game that I wanted. The reason why I make the "that I wanted" distinction was because I did play an important part in a GameStop midnight release party for Dead Island, even though I didn't buy the game.

My friend and I were hired to make a zombie cake for the party, and it turned out pretty well. Everyone liked it, apparently the manager even put it up on the GameStop website (never checked for myself though)

But while I've never done a midnight release party for a game or anything, a lot of the times that's how I get the new Pokemon games.

I just go to walmart at midnight and ask an employee working in electronics to get it for me. It's nothing fancy, but I guess I do get the game at midnight.

 

[ToastiestZombie]

I don't get midnight launches, if you've got work you're either bunking off just to play a game or you'll play it for a few minutes and have to fall asleep. I guess it's fine if you don't have work, but still why not just go there in the morning?