GTA IV Midnight Madness: Do You Do It?
As I walked to my local Gamestop last night around midnight, buffeted by a stream of men clutching small white Gamestop bags like they contained one of Willy Wonka's Golden Tickets, it occurred to me: what a strange thing to do. Here I am, on a weekday night, walking up a deserted avenue to lay claim to a game that I'd probably not be diving into with any real gusto until the following evening.
On the one hand, I cut through the daytime crap and got my copy of GTA IV with little waiting time - although I heard my on-line homies say that the 14th Street store near Union Square, which is the nearest store over and sees much stronger foot traffic, even late at night, had a considerably larger midnight crowd.
Those of us waiting appeared to come from a pretty similar demographic: young men between 25 and 35, all of us in the traditionally dark clothes of a hardcore gamer, otaku, ironic-t-shirt spectrum. Not surprisingly, there were few youngsters or soccer moms - everyone looked pretty much like the kinda guy you'd expect to see at a midnight launch of GTA.
Which led me to think: how many of us sign up for these kind of midnight launches? And for which games? The only reason I'd shown up was because Gamestop's "Ashley" called me and told me about it, and because I'd pre-ordered, and because I was out walking my dog at midnight and the store is close by. The only other late-hour launch I'd attended was the Wii launch, and by and large I'm willing to wait a few days to pick up even the most hotly anticipated title.
So I'd like to know, darling reader: do you go to midnight launches? If you do, is it a rare occasion or your preferred way of cutting through the crap and getting your game ASAP? Finally: who got their copy of GTA IV last night? PS3 or Xbox 360? (I opted for PS3, since I don't play multiplayer often and am trying to give my PS3 some love.)
tiny dancer
Posted to Video Games on 29 April 2008
· Comments (8)
Other stuff like this: gta iv, midnight launch, rockstar
I opted not to go to the midnight launch pretty much because I've already got a plethora of games in my cabinet that need playing and finishing, and GTAIV can wait. Not like those TV shows you watch and then people talk about them at work the next day, the GTA games won't be spoiled for me if I wait a bit. And I decided to drink with friends and play beer pong was more fun than waiting in a line.
I've been to a few midnight launches, mostly to keep friends company... I went to grab myself a Wii (which failed), and I've also went with a group to pick up Smash Brothers, as well as a few Harry Potter book launches too.
I won't go to a midnight launch if it's not something I know other people are excited about and will go with me. The time it takes is generally too long to be a preferred way of "cutting through the crap" of finding a store that has it.
I'm a patient man. I'm sorry if I don't contribute to opening weekend numbers, but I'll play games, go to a movie, and read a book when I have the time to invest.
No. I'm a very patient guy. Though I've recently treated myself to some cutting-edge hardware (winMo touschreen smartphone and EEEpc), I usually wait patiently until I a) own the hardware that can run new games smoothly/at all or b) the price has gone down to about half.
That said, a friend of mine who wants to borrow our company 360 to play it offered to chip in. Paying half price now isn't such a bad deal... Once he is about done with it (next month maybe?), I'll try and see what all the commotion is about.
Howdy,
I was one of perhaps 100 or so at the Gamestop in Midtown Memphis (Union Ave). Long line, took me 45 minutes to get in the door to get the game.
Great crowd waiting, lots of funny comments and very diverse. A police car prowled around a bit and a homeless guy was bugging people in line. Hey that is Memphis.
I may be wrong (under) about the numbers in line. When I left it seems like the line was still very long.
I am 43 years old, in a stable and good relationshiip, mildly successful mid-level guy...but I love the excitement of these 'events.' It makes me play the game more, and be more excited.
I am an 'opening night' kind of guy. I am the same with big event movies and too. There is someting magic about sharing it with others and the energy of the peopel, lines, theaters, smell of popcorn, etc.
I am a TIVO owner, but I still prefer watching water cooler shows like LOST when they first run 'live' because there is a certain feeling of community, knowing millions of others are sitting watching it at the same time. Sort of the 'looking up at the same moon' idea.
That may sound crazy.
Anyway, GTA IV is great. I am enjoying exploring and listening to the amazing selection on the 18 or so radio stations.
Peace,
Taymar
I went to the midnight launch on Saturday for Mario Kart, but thats just because gaming all night and getting jacked up on energy drinks is okay on the weekend - not so much when I need to be in the office at 8 AM on a week night. My office building has a mall at the bottom with a Gamestop in it, so I just got the GTAIV pre-order there and took a 15 minute break with the store opened.
Now of course the day is crawling along waiting for 5 to get here!!!
The last midnight release I went to was for Final Fantasy XII. Age 20 at the time, I seemed to be at about the average age. And I was the only girl there. XD;;
Woulda gone to the one last night for GTAIV, but I had my two buddies go instead. They said it wasn't too big, just about 30 people or so. Then again, I live in Oklahoma, so.. yeah.
I think it's kinda fun going to midnight releases, even if it feels a little awkward.
I went to the midnight launch for Smash Bros. Brawl because my best friend wanted to and I was drunk. It ended up being pretty fun, but not my cup of tea.
I used to be a manager at a Gamestop, however, and I have been on the other end of the midnight launch... and all I have to say is everyone PLEASE appreciate your local Gamestop employees on midnight launches! They're (hopefully) doing their best to get it all over with.
don't own it.
won't buy it.
not interested.
Yep, joined about 40 other people at a local Gamestop and picked up my copy at 12:05.