News
World of Warcraft: The Midnight Launch of Cataclysm
- 12/9/2010 2:01:07 AM -
World of Warcraft : Cataclysm, the expansion to the evergreen MMO that keeps agoraphobes in their chairs was released to retail at midnight. We were on hand at Greenstone Mall where there was not one, or even two – but three midnight launches for the game.
The stores in question; BT Games, Exclus1ve books and Look & Listen were open to give gamers the digital fix they craved…once the clock had struck midnight, of course.
National gaming retailer BT Games unsurprisingly had the largest turn-out, proving that World of Warcraft players do occasionally brave the outdoors. No pomp or ceremony, just eager gamers queued up, patiently awaiting their pre-ordered copies. Standard fare for most midnight launches, really.
Report : World of Warcraft : Cataclysm Midnight Launches BT Lazygamer
Exclus1ve books tried to do it a little differently; they tried keeping patrons entertained throughout. Consoles were set up for patient punters to while away their boredom, including a Guitar Hero competition. Snacks were available, spot prizes were handed out – and those that came through had a good time. The fine folk at Exclus1ve assured me that this, their first midnight launch would pave the way to bigger, better ones in future.
Report : World of Warcraft : Cataclysm Midnight Launches Winner Lazygamer
GH competition winner Wesley Boone, who nabbed a Warriors of Rock Bundle
And though the turnout wasn’t as great as expected, it was infinitely larger than the crowd outside the Look & Listen.
Report : World of Warcraft : Cataclysm Midnight Launches LL Lazygamer
Unfortunately (for me, at least) I failed to see a single pointy-eared, scantily-dressed blood elf. Where were the cosplayers? If you’re nerd enough to wait out midnight for a game, you should be willing to drape on a bit of red cloth and faux pointy ears!
According to BTGames, they collectively sold over 2000 copies of the game at their midnight launches – which means about 2000 skipped work or school today. Are you one of them?