Halo 3 rides hype into US retailers

Midnight release of the massively promoted 360 shooter in San Francisco draws crowds of media, spectators, police, and gamers from various backgrounds.

Halo 3

More Images (11) »
Screenshot Index »

SAN FRANCISCO--Nearly two and a half years after Bill Gates almost casually revealed its existence, Halo 3 finally arrived in North American stores. Some analysts estimate that over 4.2 million copies of the game were shipped to retailers, and Microsoft claims over 1.6 million units have been preordered.

Given the staggering amount of hype, many felt they had little choice but to buy Halo 3. For weeks, gamers were beaten over the head by Microsoft's $10 million marketing campaign, which promoted the game with cudgel-like subtlety. Even before launch day, Halo 3 achieved a level of media saturation typically reserved for Hollywood blockbusters, with the likeness of its hero, the Master Chief, appearing on everything from snack chips to NASCAR racers.

Wonder how much actual fuel they used to blow that thing up...

To kick off Halo 3's retail sojourn, Microsoft held four official launch events in Seattle, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City. But Microsoft's PR blitzkrieg could be felt at most of the 10,000-plus midnight sales going on across the country. In San Francisco, the biggest such event was at the EB Games on Powell Street, a block away from the world-famous Union Square. Though the busy thoroughfare--the start of a cable car line--was not closed off, there were two police officers on hand to keep order.

"I have no idea what they're selling in there, some sort of game, I guess," said one San Francisco Police Department officer, keeping an eye on the crowd. "They just paid us to show up and work private security. We're not here on city business or anything."

"Move along, nothing to see here!"

While the flatfoot's vigilance was admirable, it wasn't necessary. Though the line snaked from the entrance on Powell Street around the corner to O'Farrell Street, the 300-plus people queued orderly. The only disruptions came from overaggressive panhandlers from the nearby Tenderloin district and a few members of the media desperate for provocative video footage. One correspondent for a well-known game site displayed his journalistic acumen by chugging several two-liter bottles of Mountain Dew Game Fuel. "Dis is how we do at [site name redacted].com, y'all!!!!!" he screamed, before taking a massive chug of the orange soda and spitting a sticky mouthful all over the crowd.

One person lucky enough not to be sprayed was Daniel Krug. The 18-year-old was the first person in line, having shown up around 5 p.m. that afternoon with two friends there for moral support. In the same sentence, Krug claimed to be a student at the San Francisco Art Institute but then said he was currently taking no classes. "I am gonna play this thing all night and I don't want anything stopping me," proclaimed the gamer, strutting in an army jacket covered in silk-screened Red Hot Chili Peppers logos.

Halo 3: Making hippies enjoy violence since 2007.

A recent transplant to San Francisco, Krug preordered Halo 3 last year when he lived in Los Angeles. So did 22-year-old Dan Regan, who had put down stakes (or, more accurately, a lawn chair) about 100 people behind Krug, near a pub full of baffled European tourists. Regan had arrived right after finishing his shift working the counter at the nearby Apple Store--which he wouldn't be anywhere near on Tuesday.

"I took work off tomorrow, man," Regan crowed. "I've been evangelizing this game pretty hardcore to everyone I work with. We got a whole crew together." But while he is looking forward to Halo 3's four-player online co-op, he plans to dedicate himself to the single-player campaign first. "Once I get it tonight, I am cabbing it straight back to my place on Treasure Island," he said, referring to the man-made land mass which contains some of the last pockets of affordable housing in the Bay Area.

At the back of the line, which rounded the corner from O'Farrell onto the short Cyril Magnin Street, people were less fanatical. Even though he preordered it weeks ago, Aaron Dial, 24, didn't bother showing up to get his copy until 11:30 Monday night, and had no intention of taking Tuesday off. "No sir, I'm gainfully employed at a cubicle job," he said dryly. "But me and a bunch of buddies from Modesto are gonna blitz through the whole thing on legendary this weekend."

Just ahead in line, Robert Lee, 18, revealed he had preordered Halo 3 twice. "I reserved at my parents' place in New York, but then I realized they'd have to mail it to me, and there was no way I was gonna wait," he said. Lee, a freshman at the Academy of Art, said he, too, had obligations the following day. "I'm going to class, but it's a good thing it's gonna be a late one."

The wily disguise Microsoft used to ship Halo 3 out unnoticed.

But while the excitement was palpable outside the EB store, inside the atmosphere was tense. Stressed-out managers tried to coordinate with two separate external marketing firms--one riling up the crowd outside with free Game Fuel samples, another handing out Halo 3 shirts and posters inside. As the managers tried to regulate the flow of people entering the store to pay off their preorders and then join the line, the half-dozen clerks looked on wearily, sporting looks of resigned disbelief that they were working at 11:45 on a Monday night.

"We've got about 500 preorders here alone," said one clerk. "They've had the games back there for at least a week all locked up, and we got plenty after the preorders go." When questioned about the actual number of copies of Halo 3 in the store, assistant manager Leo Zheng, 28, tensed up like a deer in headlights. "Uh, we can't give out that sort of information--company policy," he said, dissembling, as though such a disclosure would make his store the target of a well-organized robbery.

As the hour of midnight approached, the least flustered of the four EB managers on hand began rolling out large boxes stamped "Made in China." At about 11:50 p.m., the boxes were unsealed, and numerous copies of the regular and scratch-prone limited editions of Halo 3 piled up behind the counter. After the strategy guides were heaped on either side of the register, the legendary editions of the game were unpacked.

"Look for Krug in this week's SFPD Police Blotter!"

As the clock struck midnight, the first of the huge black boxes containing a legendary edition was handed over the counter to Krug, who by this point was sporting a Game Fuel T-shirt and a dazed smile. "YEAAAAH!" he screamed, posing for press pictures, before running out through the swelling crowd, holding the game over his head. With his two friends in tow, he took off whooping, running toward Market Street. As Krug's frame faded into the darkness, one bystander turned to another and caustically commented, "That guy is going to get so mugged tonight."

491 Comments

  • RoC1909

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 8:04 pm PT

    "Of course. Let's take off a day to play a video game". I love the priorities of people. If I was the manager of these people, let the firings begin.

  • kingrich06

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 4:49 am PT

    I wonder how many "Sick Days" were used up that tuesday.

  • HunterX-54

    Posted Sep 27, 2007 3:34 pm PT

    "As Krug's frame faded into the darkness, one bystander turned to another and caustically commented, "That guy is going to get so mugged tonight.""

    hilarious hahaha

  • Azhar85 posted Sep 27, 2007 11:34 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Azhar85

    Posted Sep 27, 2007 11:34 am PT (hide)

    This game is a piece of crap...it's only overrated by gamespot...it's not interesting at all...the gameplay is commonly like normal FPS outhere except for the next gen graphic...i'll prefer Timeshift or Bioshock rather than this....

  • pooladden

    Posted Sep 27, 2007 8:23 am PT

    TheoleDominion1 Nappan- You forgot about Mass Effect, Lost Oddyeesy, and COD4...lol. It's gonna be weird shopping for games when there's a decent game to buy EVERY two or three steps you take...lol..I'm gonna feel like a kid in a candy store

    same i cant wait for this holiday

  • TheoleDominion1

    Posted Sep 27, 2007 2:29 am PT

    Nappan- You forgot about Mass Effect, Lost Oddyeesy, and COD4...lol. It's gonna be weird shopping for games when there's a decent game to buy EVERY two or three steps you take...lol..I'm gonna feel like a kid in a candy store.

  • nappan

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 9:00 pm PT

    "Pete5506 This game is so good"

    I think it's too bad that the hype is getting so much of the news space, when Pete5506 is right. Halo 3 is a really good game. It's not the greatest game of all time, but it's a c**pload of fun to play and the multiplayer matchup games will help keep griefers out of the mix. With games like Eternal Sonata, TF2, Persona 3, and Bioshock already out, and Assassin's creed and MGS4, PGR4, Ace Combat 6 (I get a little aroused just thinking about that...) the story should be about how just two years into the new console generation Fall of '07 - Spring of '08 is going to be wallto wall great games!

  • DmanWar007

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 6:14 pm PT

    Don't get me wrong i think the halo series is a gret series and i have halo 1 and 2 for the pc and i know halo 3 will come out for the pc also wich i can't wait for but im not goin gto stand in line for it i can just order it online and have it over nighted to me no big deal so u have to pay to have it shiped but almost every game that is going to b comeing out on the xbox 360 will make its way on to the pc so i see no need in buying an xbox 360 thats all im going to say for the rest of this

  • punkdudemm69

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 5:55 pm PT

    well you see according to this site its a 10 million marketing campaign, while on the first day and according to homer its a 170 million profit, seems like a good idea to me

  • monteiro2361

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 5:36 pm PT

    enoslives7 must not have played the game its the 2nd best game ive ecer played only behind halo 2

  • Pete5506

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 5:09 pm PT

    This game is so good

  • enoslives7 posted Sep 26, 2007 4:50 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    enoslives7

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 4:50 pm PT (hide)

    Wow, micro$oft only had to spend 3.6 billion on advertising for a return of 1.7 million. I like how micro$oft just throws billions ato promote a mediorcre game. And people wonder why micro$oft stock is in the toilet. Half-life is a much better series than halo anyways, and they did'nt have to force it down peoples throats.

  • Timesplitt

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 3:46 pm PT

    did anyone buy the halo 3 console? pile of ugly trash i think it is, that will sell just because of the hype!!

  • Homerj

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 2:55 pm PT

    Major Nelson just confirmed:
    $170 million in sales in the US alone.

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 2:28 pm PT

    Halo 3 rules!

  • SkankForCrack

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 12:43 pm PT

    How are you going to compare a 3rd Person Stealth Action game to a FPS? Hype wise sure.. but I mean honestly? Who let the dogs out? Woof Woof.

  • Homerj

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 12:27 pm PT

    @Yuck_Too
    Sony had best hope MGS4 lives up to its hype, because with their instal base and their attach rate, it will have to do so in spades to even break 1 million in sales.

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 12:13 pm PT

    --DmanWar007 --
    So you don't think Halo is worth anything but MGS4 is going to be so much better?

    6 months then we can compare them but really theway it stands right now Halo did stand up to the hype put on it...I doubt MGS4 will do the same.

  • somewutstrange

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:51 am PT

    *Properly* i know i spelled it wrong.

  • somewutstrange

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:49 am PT

    I agree with cryingfoot. talking to gamers are cool most of the time and i guess standing in line is ok, but why can't you use correct grammer? It's horrible to think that a gamer who reads dialogue in games and other kinds of word actions at the bottom of the screen can't even proplerly structure a sentence. I know using verbs and adjectives can be complicated but you gotta get over it. You may be better in the fact that you don't have to wait on a line or anything but i'll take the crown in the subject of correct grammer. I WIN! Convo over new topic.

    so ... who's stoked about Assassins Creed?

  • cryingfoot

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:29 am PT

    Nappan and Nikefreak ... Wow.
    I speak french and i really wish i wrote like u do.
    To say something " without read all the post " i must ad that i didn't make the line for Halo 3, but the best thing " in my view " is that when u do so, u meet people that really enjoy games like u do and u can exchange on games u own and what u have experience. It's just cool to talk to gamers... " majority of the times ".
    It's like in a theatre, u are not alone and u feel part of something others feel in the same time. Probably stupid i know, but what the heck...

  • nikefreak

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:18 am PT

    petervaht - I give up. I succumb to your superior logic.

    ::throws keyboard in trash, gives up on life:: lmao

  • petervaht posted Sep 26, 2007 11:16 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    petervaht

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:16 am PT (hide)

    consumerism at its best, the game offers NO innovation, yet people wait in lines for it, I think ppl just like the social aspect of waiting in line.

  • nappan

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:13 am PT

    We can agree on that... DmanWar007 just sucked the air and life out of the thread.

  • nikefreak

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:09 am PT

    lol... After all that, and then a post like Dmans lmfao... ::shakes head::

    EDIT - sigh... Heres one nappan - Does that mean because *Dman and yourself share the same view about waiting in line for a game, I can also generalize you both as being the same type of person? Nope. Does the fact we are on Gamespot, mean others can generalize us as all nerds and geeks? Nope. Now please, get over it lol.. Just because there are some crazies in every bunch, doesnt mean the entire bunch is the same.

    *Opps, Didnt mean to use foul language, meant to say his name lol...

  • DmanWar007

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:07 am PT

    I think i have seen a lot beeter of games out this year than Halo 3 Bio Shock being one of them and i know that the ps3 is behind in sales right now but in 08 ps3 is goig to have a big turn with mgs4 comeing out and grat tursmo 5 comeing out wich will look much better that halo3 so i don't see what people see in halo 3 and ways but if thats what people want to do than more power to them but im not ever waiting in line for any game thats just me

  • nappan

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:04 am PT

    Ok... here's a new tactic. Nikefreak: replace "predisposes" with "can reflect" and yes, you have one idea I believe. I am insisting on it, because... it's what I believe. Sorry you didn't just magically change that view. As for what you came to gamespot to do... relax. RELAX. The english lesson was free, so even if you didn't come here for it, you got it. (that is a little joke btw...). As for spamming, I guess that's one way to try and end a debate, but it's not necessary, since your incredibly rigid rhetoric did the job already.


    P.S. Did you actually look at the picture on the article and READ the last paragraph? I realize changing your mind is futile, but I find that reading your posts then looking at the pic and the last paragraph of the article is fuuuuuunny.

  • nikefreak

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:58 am PT

    nappan - You are now being a hypocrite. You tell me, about having a genuine exchange of ideas, when you are relentlessly trying to tell me that how a person enjoys themselves predisposes their intelligence? You are trying to tell me, think how I think, or you are stupid, basically.

    I find that I learn alot from people, all the time. Sometimes I even learn how to have more fun, by letting go of my own judgements and simply just experience something for what it is. You are the type of person who can find an argument for anything, but specifically excel in promoting a negative view of the world. I suggest you do tire now, because we both will get smacked for spamming a comment section about off topic crap. Because I never will agree to the crass assumptions you make on people, nor did I come to GAMESPOT to be taught an english lesson. You want to stereotype people, I say that is wrong for a multitude of reasons. Thats the way it will stand, and not much will change that - which makes me more sorry for you, than wish to continue the discussion.

  • nappan

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:50 am PT

    "Nikefreak: I say to each his own, and enjoy it too..."

    Yeah I get that, and it's why I said your argument was relentlessly egalitarian. I generally agree too, but then, it doesn't stop me from expressing my opinion of what causes people to enjoy a given activity. As for the rest of your post, it's just so much of the same, and it's gotten boring. If you need to have a nice pointless rhetorical debate I suggest you do so with a friend who is similarly inclined. You'll find that you teach and learn more once you get that need out of your system and proceed to have a genuine exchange of ideas, even if you don't agree with them and they don't appeal to you. After all, for all of your condemnation of judging a crowd at a given event, you're ignoring not only some basic facts, but also a meaningful argument that a notion (predisposed as it may be) can be correct.

    P.S. A cynic is someone who expects the worst outcome, and the worst from people. Believing a negative trait exists in a given population may or may not be right, but that alone is not cynicism.

  • nikefreak

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:37 am PT

    Nappan - Its not. Thats because I choose to rise above cynicism, and see things for what they are. Instead of standing in the back, making up overtly generalized characterizations about people because of the way they are enjoying themselves, I say to each his own, and enjoy it too. Just because you "may" find a "hillbilly hoedown" going on at the monster truck rally, doesnt mean you should or can generalize all that way. To do so, only clouds your own view of the world, and limits yourself to your own predisposed views. Why is that so difficult for you to understand? You are making your own Catch-22, and will suffer for it in the long run, as you wont even be able to enjoy yourself because you are so caught up judging others.

    And as for the patience bit, why must you argue this. Look, there is one thing about being patient, and another about letting life pass you by and calling it patience. Its called being a cynic, someone who is overtly pessimistic about everything and would rather sit and criticize instead of join in and just enjoy life. Spin that.

    gg

    EDIT - And since you now feel the need to attack me for using a "nonexistant" word, fine. Remove assumptuous and replace with presumptuous then? I am sorry that I am not the most gramatically inclined person, however I try to convey myself clearly, excuse me for not being up to your level, sir. Just another example of my exact point in your argument.

  • nappan

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:33 am PT

    Nikefreak, you're a little too wrapped up in your own egalitarian argument to pay attention to some basic and measurable realties. I thought the NASCAR dad political example was such a reality, and further hoped that the monster truck rally example would conjure images of hillbilly horrors that would pacify your need to endlessly spin syntax for the sake of equivocation, not communication.

    If you really can't understand that, while taken as a single moment there may be an element of patience in the act of waiting in line, as part of a larger reality in which a single day allows you to get the same product without the same midnight vigil, then you probably are not up to having this debate. I think it's more likely however, that you think this is some kind of win or lose rhetorical debate, that frankly, is getting very boring. The little "social/anti-social" nonesense followed by the concept of bonding with American Idol contestants in a meaningful way is LAUGHABLE. No one should be so desperate to look right online as you are now. Stop trying to argue so hard, relax, read what we both wrote, if you still genuinely disagree write something based in the subject matter, not the syntax or pure rhetoric. Your relentlessly sophomoric posts are wearing down my will to respond, I'll grant you that much, but simply babbling until someone gives up on you gets you nowhere unless you're still playing the "loud kid" in your highschool debate club.

    P.S. If you ARE going to make a rhetorical argument only, using nonexistant words like "assumptuous" give you away instantly.

  • jknight5422

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:32 am PT

    I had the game pre-ordered about 2 days before release. I never finished Halo 2 campaign, so to help get up to speed on the single player game, I put it on easy mode & I'm breezing right through it as fast as possible to see the story line unfold & prepare for the primary campaign of Halo 3. I would never stand in line for a game, but it's nice to see people dedicated to the system & game, coming out as a community & enjoying themselves. Perhaps if I were younger, I'd want to do the same thing.

  • nikefreak

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:30 am PT

    Yuck - See, thats probably why I feel a bit different... I started with Halo 1 PC, then later moved to Halo 1 and 2 on XBOX, so I was already used to Halo 1 PCs vehicles and such. Plus, there were *SO* many mods for Halo 1 PC multiplayer, specially my favorite, the "Heavy Weapon Whores" servers Bloodgulch was my fav on there, with added teleports to the sky-fortress, mountains on the sides, etc. It made Bloodgulch SOO much more fun Had some great times on there

  • SkankForCrack

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:25 am PT

    David Hasslehoff is the man though.

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:21 am PT

    Personally I didn't like Halo on PC as much...the vehicles in particular just didn't feel the same...but we still played that at work all the time.

    But there is just something about sitting on the couch chatting and playing Halo with surround sound and the big screen that I prefer.

    Now Unreal, Quake, Wolf...those are best on PC.

  • nikefreak

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:20 am PT

    There is, just as much so as your argument that there isnt. You are arguing a self-defeating argument, that people who WAIT in lines for their favorite game to finally become available, are not exactly that - being patient. I mean, I dont see how you expect to spin that? Patience does not equate to cynical, which is what you sound. And while you think that you can find better things to do than waiting at a Gamestop, what would that be? Going to a bar and buying a different product while talking to people there? ... Going to a baseball game, buying a ticket, and enjoying the game with others? They are all social events, I guess you are anti-social then, otherwise that doesnt make any sense.

    Really, it isnt. People who like singing for example, enjoy American Idol for what it delivers, random people aspiring to be a star, trying to show their talents off. Then, when watching said shows, you develope "bonds" to particular people who you like, and want to see succeed. And again, what does it matter? You go from one thing to the next, stating that because they dont share your view, they are "low on intelligence", but wait - not all, just most people. Again, you sound like nothing more than a cynic who wants to belittle others who dont share their view, and provide very assumptuous analogies to support your claims, when in reality its all horse dung.

    I am still waiting for you to specify why you think one social event is better over another, or, why people who participate in various social events are lacking on intelligence or some other mutant human? Or is it JUST those events you dont share enjoyment for?

  • nappan

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:12 am PT

    Nikefreak: I didn't exactly demonize every last person who waited in line for a game, but the fact is that after waiting the years for it, there is nothing patient about a midnight vigil. If that is your idea of a good time, so be it, but I can think of better things to do at midnight than waiting at a gamestop.

    As for characterizing some people who wait with baited breath for **** tv shows, I think that generalization is spot on. It may not be popular to make a statement about a group of people based on what makes them giggle, but it can be true. Am I saying that literally everyone who enjoys American Idol is a fool? No. I am saying that plenty of people who do are running low on intelligence, or a sense of quality entertainment.


    If you really think you can't pick an event or the like and make sweeping judgements about the spectators then look at soap opera demographics and the products advertised during them. Look at the crowd at a NASCAR event (and the concept of the NASCAR dad and their political views)... or god help you, look at the crowd at a monster truck rally. Yes Virginia, there IS such a thing as sweeping generalizations being more than just reactionary bunk. As long as you understand that they are never 100% correct, they can be fine guides in a large population. That may not be a popular idea in a world of equivocation and "safe speech", but it still holds.

  • nikefreak

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:08 am PT

    Donut - I agree with you on that 100%. I was a huge fan of Halo 1 PC, logging many, many, many hours playing that game online (For those who dont know, Halo 1 PC had multiplayer for up to 16 people like Halo 2 for XBOX, also some people dont realize that Halo 1 PC did in fact have the flame thrower, so Halo 3 isnt really its debut).. Halo 2 for the XBOX, while fun and all, didnt give me the same replayability as Halo 1 PC, and just ... didnt capture me like Halo 1... But Halo 3, does in fact bring back more of the "feel" from Halo 1 that I liked, mixed with some good of Halo 2, and then sprinkled some tasty goodness on top of that to make quite a great game imho. I have just been overly impressed with both single player and multi, both offering so much to sink your teeth into, and endless amounts of fun

  • nikefreak

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:00 am PT

    nappan - Really, people just wanted to play their favorite game as soon as they can. And as for you considering "smart and patient" to be "better", I would say we fall into that characterization. People who are "smart", find a good store to wait "patiently" at, for what we want. I for example went with Gamestop, who did the pay for your preorder at 9pm, then come back at Midnight to just pick up your copy, and as such, the line went incredibly fast, even with me being about 50ish in line, I was in and out in less than 20 minutes. So in reality, people such as myself WERE being "smart and patient", and it paid off.

    EDIT - Not to mention, characterizing people who enjoy "American Idol" for example, as ignorant (which is exactly what you inferred) is quite silly, and in all reality calls more into question about your own intelligence rather than theirs. Lastly, the people who were in line, werent some crazy fanboys frothing at the mouth. They were ordinary guys, girls, kids, adults, all just like you and me, all excited for the game they have waited for. People were talking and enjoying themselves, again, something that people "above it" (such as yourself) seem to think isnt the case. No freezing our jewels off, no fights. Just people happy to get their game, and I dont see the problem with that.

  • nappan

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 9:47 am PT

    "SkankForCrack: People do what they want to do some people wait 3 months for a new season of American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance, other's wait in line. It doesn't make you a better or worse person for doing it."

    Yeah, it does. I consider "smart and patient" to be "better", and to be really blunt pining for a show like the ones you mentioned calls "smart" into question. As for patient, waiting 3 months because it simply isn't available doesn't really denote a personal expenditure now does it? Besides, my description of my own particular approach was simply a contrast to the insanity of waiting in line for hours at midnight.

    Is it judgemental or harsh to assume that people who do that or people that pine for American Idol are running on low wattage... sure. Is it always the case? No. Will you find more fruitcakes per capita in those groups than the average population? Probably.
    "SkankForCrack: But good job Nappan it's a shame noone cares."

    Ok, granted, except for that one guy who bothered to respond to the post . Also, this is a place to, you know... post. It's just what you have the option of doing, usually without being overally concerned about who cares. This is the internet after all, not the floor of the senate and I think MOST of us keep that perspective.

  • tbolt_88

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 9:46 am PT

    This game deserves all the hype it got and all its praises cuz after playing it all i can say wow. Halo 3 is simply amazing and the final level in my opinion is the best last level of any game ever..i didnt think it was possible to top Halo 1 and its last level but Bungie did it. In my opinion Halo 3 is the best game ever.

  • SkankForCrack

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 9:34 am PT

    I didn't wait in line either but it's not something im going to go gloat about. People do what they want to do some people wait 3 months for a new season of American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance, other's wait in line. It doesn't make you a better or worse person for doing it. But good job Nappan it's a shame noone cares.

  • DonutTrooper

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 9:33 am PT

    Wow, it is amazing how distorted the haters' views are. They have obviously never played the game itself, and just create biased opinions based on gameplay videos and other haters. Halo 3 is not Halo 2 HD!!! It actually feels more like a grander, longer, deeper, and far more innovative Halo 1. Everything that I hated about Halo 2 compared to Halo 1 is now GONE! Halo 3 is the best of both worlds, and I am enjoying every minute (And I even expected to be let down!).

    PS: To all the haters:
    What do you honestly hope to accomplish? Annonymously yelling...no...sorry...TYPING at people you DON'T know over a game that will probably make more money in a month than you can hope to in your LIFE. How bad*** do you honestly think you feel? Is there an adrenaline rush when you angrily touch keys? I just don't understand it...

  • freakmanultra

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 9:29 am PT

    I had to work that night. Good thing I work at a GameStop! wow I miss all the "yellow" of an EBGames.

  • XanderZane

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 9:23 am PT

    I got to EBGames about 11:50 and there was a line of about 75 people. I went to the back and chilled. Played a little Bomberman on my DS Lite and chatted with some of the people waiting. At 12:00 the doors opened and about 4 people were allowed in at one time. I saw several people coming out of the store with Legendary Halo 3 and the limited edition Halo 3 system. Not sure how many system's got sold that night, but I saw at least 5-6 being carried out to people's cars. Easy prediction here. Halo 3 will sell over 1 million copies in it's 7 day period. XBox 360 will easily surpass the 300K sold mark for Sept.

  • nappan

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 9:15 am PT

    I love Halo, as I do so many games, but I am always baffled by people who wait in line or drool over the release as if it were about to go stale at any moment. Having waited years for a given game or technology (iPhone springs to mind) people seem unable to exercise a modicum of patience when it comes to the moment of aquisition. I preordered Halo3 on amazon months ago, and it arrived today. No muss, no fuss. Guess what? I didn't bleed out or go into septic shock waiting for it, and in fact I'm not going to play it until I finish up my current game (Tales of the Abyss). That's right, having gotten the "hot product" I'm happy to wait and savour the anticipation while I finish a 2 year old PS2 RPG. Furthermore, I may well hit Halo 1 & 2 first. Then, when I DO play H3, it will be all the sweeter for waiting. The bonus of course, is that I didn't have to freeze my nuts off in line with a bunch of mouth breathing pyschopaths clawing at the store window.

  • FLEEBS

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 8:57 am PT

    I was the third person in line at Gamestop in my town. I was out of there by 12:01. I FINISHED THE FIGHT!

  • SkankForCrack

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 8:56 am PT

    You should probably seek some kindof medical attention if this is more then a game to you. I don't want you getting hurt granted the disc has a hole but it's not used for that kindof "entertainment"

  • vahid_xbox_360

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 8:47 am PT

    this is the great HALO 3. this game Suppose to sell very much. HALO 3 is a specific meaning of entertain. this is not only a game .

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Halo 3 Boxshot
Halo 3

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    55 of 59,064
    (down by 5)
    X360 Rank:
    17 of 1,488
    Tracking:
    72,218 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    33,620 Wish It»
  • Users Now Playing:
    17,269
  • Number of Players:

    1-4, 16 Online | Offline Modes: Competitive, Cooperative, Team Oriented | Online Modes: Competitive, Cooperative, Team Oriented

  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. halo 3
    2. halo
    3. bungie
    4. fps
    5. master chief
  • Mature Rating Description

    Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close

Related Games

Site Blogs