Metal Gear Solid 4 - Midnight Launch Bomb

For the record, I am a videogamer. I play/collect every system that comes out. I'm also not a fan of spending unnecessary money. Which is why I was excited about the release of Metal Gear Solid 4 - Guns of the Patriots on Playstation 3. Finally, an A+ game to justify my purchase of that system. I sure as Hell don't watch enough Blu-Ray discs and the 4 PS3 games I've picked up were average at best. The online service is weak, although the recent overhaul was a step in the right direction.

Everyone keeps saying this is the year of PS3. I hope it gets some decent releases because right now I play more PS2 games on it. But if tonight's lauch 'party' at my local GameStop is any indication, I'd say they are in a bit of trouble.

I've been to many midnight launches over the years at this same GameStop. Its a great way to see some really freaky people. Seriously. I mean it. Freaky people like yours truly. What kind of person stays up til midnight in a parking lot to buy something that will be there the next day?

Anyway, I've been to midnight events like Halo2, Gears of War, Wii pre-order, PS3 Pre-order and Halo 3 launch at this particular GameStop. Every one of those had a loooooonnnngg line of people wating outside. I had not completely decided if I'd be going to the MGS4 midnight launch or not. Work has been busy and I'm beat. But then I got a call from the store manager telling me that there would be... a MGS4 costume contest! Hell ya I was going!

I changed out the batteries in my camera and cleared out the memory stick. I was pumped and ready for some freaky cosplay action!

They said to arrive around 9:30 - 10pm. I didn't get there until 10:30. I knew something was amiss the second I entered the parking lot. The lights at GameStop were on but no one was outside. I said...NO ONE outside the store. I could see about a dozen people inside watching some dude play the game on the store's demo unit.

I figured I must have misunderstood when or where... but no, this was it. I went in and easily made my way to the counter. Paid my ballance and marveled at the... 18 people in the store for the midnight launch of MGS4. Wow. The worst part - not one of those people was wearing a costume! One of the employees said to another that they should get a box out from the back for someone to use as a costume. Nobody was getting the $25 gift certificate prize tonight. I stayed up late for this???

We all stood in silence watching the store employee play through the game. At one point there was a cut scene that was so long that the demo unit he was playing on auto-reset due to inactivity. Everyone groaned. It was painful. The employee asked who wanted to play next. And I could not believe it - NO ONE volunteered. The employee tried to persuade a young Asian kid to play but he just politely declined. The employees behind the counter offered explainations like, "I don't think most people like to be watched when playing games" and "They probably want to experience it for themselves when they get home.' Double-Wow.

Eventually midnight came and I got my little box and left. I was sad to see such a lack of interest in what is supposed to be the Playstation 3's crown jewel. Maybe this was an anomalie? I guess we'll find out when sales figures emerge.