Lich King terrorises Oxford Street

Thousands of people of all ages queuing in the freezing cold for hours on end can only mean one thing: It's time for another World of Warcraft expansion. Last night saw the release of World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King, and there were 16,000 midnight launches of one sort or another...

Thousands of people of all ages queuing in the freezing cold for hours on end can only mean one thing: It's time for another World of Warcraft expansion.

Last night saw the release of World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King, and there were 16,000 midnight launches of one sort or another across Europe and the world--including a disco-dancing spectacular in San Francisco--and London was no exception, though it was a decidedly more traditional affair. HMV's flagship Oxford street store once again played host to the UK's main launch event, with fans turning out in the thousands.

Numbers seemed likely to dwarf those who turned out for 2007's Burning Crusade launch at the same store; though official figures haven't yet been released, the queue stretching right the way around the store was longer before the store opened than it had been for last year's event and showed no signs of dissipating even after doors opened, as more fans arrived shortly after midnight.

The event was hosted by Paul Sams, Blizzard's chief operating officer, who whipped the crowd into something of a frenzy shortly before midnight with traditional shout-outs to Horde and Alliance players in the baying mob. As a true-blood troll, this reporter was disappointed that the Alliance cheer was louder, but so it goes.

Sams wasn't the only high-profile Blizzard presence there; Lee Sparks, an associate producer on World of Warcraft, was also in-store to sign copies of the game alongside Sams once the tills opened.

Some of the thousands of people queuing said that they had been there for up to 36 hours. One of the two people at the front of the queue, Scott Hamshere from Bromley, was so overcome at the excitement, he actually passed out shortly after walking through the doors.

Check below for our full gallery of photos from the event, and make sure to check out Start/Select on Monday for our full video feature on the launch.







26 Comments

  • darkspirit138

    Posted Dec 8, 2008 3:20 pm PT

    Just wondering if we would have World War III if someone destroyed Blizzard. The Nation of the Lich King vs every1 else.

    Nuclear bombs vs dragons!

  • darkspirit138

    Posted Dec 8, 2008 3:15 pm PT

    i can't help but agree with impl0sion. It seems to be like some sort of 'get your free Playstation 3 night' to me.

  • impl0sion

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 10:24 am PT

    is it just me or has it become more of an obsession than a game?

  • pharos

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 6:45 am PT

    looks more like a bdsm fair, all those chains and leather.
    but i'm glad people make the effort to dress up, at least then it secures their place in the video game addict hall of fame

  • Hoodlym_UK

    Posted Nov 16, 2008 9:03 am PT

    I love these London lines, the people there are crazy, it was abit nippy that night too if I remember.

  • mikewalsh69

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 8:09 am PT

    wow omg. this is a bit insane. fair enough if its a great game but i've read that people are taking time off work to play it. does anyone else not think thats a bit excessive?

  • fabz_95

    Posted Nov 14, 2008 8:41 am PT

    Haha those pictures look great.

  • tidyspidey

    Posted Nov 14, 2008 3:12 am PT

    I can't believe that guy passed out.... from excitement..... about a game(!)

    I couldn't pass out from excitement if the entire set of Playboy bunnies were stood in front of me in their birthday suits. I might gasp, but I wouldn't pass out.

    What a loser!

  • Media_Mind

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 9:11 pm PT

    Like the two hot chicks photo!!

  • Linexip

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 1:54 pm PT

    And i am sad about ppl who actualy are "mature"enough to whine about ppl who were there.Jealous?i cant find any other reason,maybe dumb ...but i hope not.Wow is good game,and until you arent killing real ppl "for a lich king" its nice to see event like this!

  • 0678

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 1:30 pm PT

    whilst the dedication is admirable in an odd sort of dogmatic way its a bit sad that people actually waited more then 2 days in a line for a game of all things. oh well what ever does it for em hope they enjoy it.

  • twiglet015

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 1:25 pm PT

    Some people are incredibly sad

  • Samfisher_1

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 1:03 pm PT

    Lmfao! LONG LIVE THE LICH KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  • xxThyLordxx

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 12:37 pm PT

    and to the guy who passed out, deserves it. queuing for a game? that is sad, immature and dumb.

  • xxThyLordxx

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 12:35 pm PT

    anybody who queues for a game, console, film or any other media is a really sad person. always remember, everything new will eventually get old.

  • GamesMaster08

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 12:04 pm PT

    lmao amagine that waiting in line for 36hours then passing out lmfao xD

  • Generalmojo

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 11:59 am PT

    HAHA
    some1 actually passed out!!
    LMFAO!!!!!!

  • Tom1243

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 11:12 am PT

    Blizzard have Surpassed themselves, this expansion is phenomenal!

  • xatman911

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 10:18 am PT

    I would love to be in the Lich king armour....

  • Evolution-X0

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 7:46 am PT

    lmao

  • MariusSE

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 7:03 am PT

    I can't really tell which look worst, these guys or the equally obsessive Star Trek fans.

  • SamiRDuran

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 5:31 am PT

    world of wacraft's popularity cannot be matched.

  • slimtrix

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 5:30 am PT

    Gotta feel sorry for the guy who passed out, waiting all that time at the front, Bet they send him some freebies though

  • Bozanimal

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 5:30 am PT

    WoW cosplay, ahoy!

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