I reserved mine at the same place as you, as did FoulBreed and Oculus. Rapture reserved his at the Jones Valley store next to Target. Your idea is sound, but IMO the juice isn't worth the squeezin'.

Well, I figured it'd be nice to wait around with a bunch of THXers for the midnight release.

And late September will probably produce some reasonable weather (asumming a midnight release). It'd be fun to have everyone together, but I don't think you'll have much luck getting others to reverse course and change their pre-order location. Don't misunderstand, that'd be great, but I doubt many will do it.

At very least this may encourage others who haven't pre-ordered to do so at a central location and join the party!

I for one have not pre-ordered a copy. That location is close to my house so I may try to stop by in the next week or so to reserve a copy.

Rev

I'm with rap at Jones Valley.

I am at the gamestop by targey on Uni as is Sparda. So I will pitch a tent for you and me, mintz.

I'll walk down to Waffle House and get you some Coffee.

Some hot coffee...

...and me, and FoulBreed, and Oculus, and possibly Reverend

No, just me and Jdogg.

Anyone reserve there copy at the EB Games in Concord Mall? Or am I going stag?

where is the love? i want some coffee.

I don't think many of us have explored the New Jersey EB/GS locations, so you may indeed be stag from a THX standpoint.

It should be perfect weather for standing outside. Probably very comfortable.

I think it's a pretty good idea to get together at one place. It would be uber cool if someone contacted the Gamestop on Univ and told them who the Hushed Casket is. They might be willing to work with us in exchange for some promotion - especially since we have so many pre-orders there right now.

Perhaps we could make it a big deal. Take some camping gear and maybe a generator. LAN HALO in the parking lot on our LCD's. Do something out of the ordinary that would get some attention.

I have copies of HALO 3 Leg ordered at EB in Jones Valley and Amazon.com.

What am I doing on launch night? Gamestop on Univ doesn't make sense for me since it's so far away. But, if we get something together, then I don't mind making the drive over there if something is going down.

If nothing happens out on Univ and if my internet orders don't show up early, then I am going to look at getting my copy from Wal-mart on midnight. It's just 2 miles from my house.

I'm likin' this idea. We could get some local news coverage on us, and someone could bring a camera so we can make a video for YouTube. The Gamestop guys could get us some stickers and stuff to slap on our Xbox360s/TVs.

I'm willing to be a delegate and explain the situation to the Gamestop manager.

I like the idea of an organized activity. I don't think a LAN is the answer (because of the logistics of generators) but I'm sure a news station would love to come video all the "crazy kids who have nothing better to do than wait outside for a video game." The southern middle aged folk love that kind of story. Makes them feel good about themselves.

Before you present your case to the manager you better have it figured out what we're going to be doing (isn't just waiting for several hours enough?) and what we have to offer him (news exposure, convincing more people to pre-order at his place and attend our little shebang, etc). If we don't have anything to offer him then we're just another group of people waiting outside his store to pickup an item he's already sold to us.

I wonder if it would be worth spending some money on some promotional products like T-Shirts, hats... bumper stickers, or something. I don't know, it was just a thought. Seems like we need to have something to offer to the crazy kids, as well as the store owner. But again, I don't know.

To do that, wouldn't THX first need a logo? We don't even have a logo, do we?

I thought we kinda did. But even if we don't, I am sure these creative individuals could come up with something. I am sure Sign Time would be more than willing to make some banners or something too.

We are the crazy kids.

I am confirmed to be at the University location.

It might not be too hard to get them to let us run a couple extension cords and set 4 Xboxen and 4 TVs. Each person keeping track of his/her own equipment. If we're waiting anyways, might as well have something to do.

About the local news stations.. Reminds me of some grand schemes I had when I was in middle school that never quite worked out as planned. But then again, you never know.

Hell, just for throwing ideas out there's sake:
Make something mobile that you can push up and down letting people in line get in on some 8 player Halo matches while they are waiting in line.

Our logo is at the top left of your screen.

Some of the best logos ever made, aren't symbols at all.. They're words, with some interesting font:
CocaCola
Hersheys
..etc.

A rolling equipment cart with two levels and rubber mats comes to mind. TV on top, Xbox on bottom.

However, if doing this for PR, original Xboxen will seem strange to the uninformed.

i'm in. i'm savin up for halo 3. almsot got enough for a new 360 cause i got red rings of dEATH! i can't wait to put on my MC helemt. just in time for Halloween! i wnet as 343 guilty spark last year at my frat party.

i hope to get a job a a gamestop on unviversity so maybe i can hook everyone at hushed casket with some discounts. who no? maybe i will be manager by then! lol! i'm workin on my histoy major at uah.

did that last message go thru? this is bamahalo. we should lan some more.

If this is intentionally stupid, then it's hilarious. Otherwise... well it's still hilarious.

At least you aren't an English major... I would be very concerned in that case. :)

There should be a law against this kind of thing...

Dude, you can't wear the helmet. Unless, of course, you have a really small head that's shaped like a game jacket.

Did he not realize we're making fun of him? That's sad...

Extension cords from some local business for the win! I didn't think of that.

So, we get power from the store. Perhaps we back all of our cars (with hatchbacks) up to the curb and play from the curb into our cars? Most hatchbacks would support two setups.

Hey, there you go...

I reserved my copy at GameCrazy, on November 15th, 2001.

Reserved my copy at the University GameStop this weekend.

Sweet. I have class on the night of the 24th until 8:30. I'll come join the party after that (once again, assuming a midnight launch).

I'm very certain they will have a Midnight launch. This same GS had a midnight launch for the newest Madden game, so they'll definitely do it for Halo 3.

So, will a LAN while we wait happen?

I have work that day until about 4 and then class from 5:30 to 8:30, so I'm not in a position to help with this one. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

I'd kinda like to get a feel on whether this is going to happen. I'd love to stand in line with THXers, but if nothing is going to go down, then I might as well just stay near my house. Plus, there is the hassle of switching stores. So what is the plan dealio? Rap, are you still at Jones Valley?

Well, on my lunch break, I wandered into Gamestop on university. I went ahead and switched my pre-order to that store, as well as picked up a 64mb, used memory card. Waiting with company finally won over waiting near home. :)

BTW, on a separate note, the staff at the University GameStop seemed to be much more friendly and knowledgeable than EB at Jones Valley. In fact, while I was there, the manager at GameStop was commenting on how the Jones Valley employees are "idiots". He was on the phone with them telling them so. Evidently, Gamestop sent a game via UPS to EB games for a customer, but the EB employees, for some reason, decided to send it right back. :)

Someone needs to step up and go talk to Gamestop. Tell them what we want to do and ask for some support (like electricity).

I'm still at Jones Valley. I'm not going to switch if nothing major is going down. I'll just get my game at Wal-Mart at midnight and beat HALO 3 while everyone is driving back home.

If something is going down at Univ, then I'll consider transferring my order.

I'm still wondering WHAT we could do. A LAN doesn't seem feasible to me, but I can't think of anything else THX could do to represent.

I'm planning on drinking a thermos of coffee and shooting the bull.

What's the goal? Is it to recruit more mushy minds to our cause? If that's it, we could just make a couple signs and print out some screencaps of the website, and/or hand out flyers to those interested in some community gaming locally. Other than that I don't know what the goal would be.

My goal is to drink some coffee and shoot the bull.

I'm leaning that way as well. I'd have enough fun just hanging out and picking up the game.

We do know someone who works at a sign shop that could possible make some sort of thx.com swag(stickers or something cheap and little) to hand out for a decent price I am sure. And maybe put some sign time website action on there as well. Other than that...I will be bringing a thermos of coffee(though coffee will make you dook with a quickness) to hammer down.

Okay, so I went to Gamestop on my lunch break. I talked to two guys, one of them I think was the manager. I told them that I was with a local gaming community that was interested in hosting some sort of line party on the launch day of Halo 3. I then told them that, while I am but a lowly member, and not a mover and shaker like Midnight or Rap, I wanted to ask them what what they would be willing to do for us. They told me that they are more than happy, in fact, and they were emphatic about this, they want to have a huge party, and would love to have us host one. They said it would be no problem to provide power, and furthermore, and they suggested this to me, they would move stuff around in the store in order to accommodate tables and other LAN equipment. They want to get BAWLS or Buffalo Rock, to sponsor the party and provide drinks or Game Fuel. Gamestop is also hoping to have Bar-B-Q or some other form of food.

This would be a huge, and I mean HUGE party, guys. We are talking 200+ people standing outside of Gamestop, based on what they told me. This would be a huge shot in the arm for THX, if indeed we decide to do this. I am sure that Sign Time could produce some very nice promotional material. In fact, this would be so huge, that i wonder, are we ready to undertake such a challenge? Is this something we want to commit to? I am all for it, I think we can. But what do y'all think? I'd like to help any way I can.

If we wanted to, we could even have a setup indoors and outdoors. Four, good sized, TVs with some sort of mobile setup outside, and four TVs with xboxes indoors. It would have to be split-screen. But I think we couold do this. These Gamestop guys seem to be very interested and excited about doing something. Even if we didn't LAN, we could definitely promote THX somehow.

Now, what Gamestop wants from us is for us to send a couple of representatives, preferably two responsible leaders of THX (i.e. not me), with a formal proposal of what we want to do. It sounded like there world not be much of a problem getting it approved, the question is simply submitting the idea formally.

So, what do y'all think?

Slayer,
Thanks for making contact. Here are my thoughts.

1. What you're describing is way too hairy for a LAN. How are that many people going to take turns? Who's equipment will it be? I doubt the store is going to donate 8 360s and monitors, so will it be our stuff? Not mine--not with 200 strangers taking turns. What game would it be? You also have to remember that not everybody is accustomed to lanning. Some people will sit down and not know what to do. Nobody will know what team they're on. It'll be like watching old people f%$# in the middle of a riot.

2. Something other than a LAN has merit. I think a simple gathering, some small door prizes, and some food is a great idea. Essentially, they would provide the door prizes and the food, and we'll provide about 30 gamers that will be purchasing the game and other items from their store, and maybe some type of promotional gear (assuming the THX name is on it)

3. Who'd like to watch all of the H1/H2 cutscenes in hidef (on a disc in the Legendary edition) while we're there? They can't sell the game before midnight, but can they show the extras footage?

I don't really want to take lead on this, but I will help plan it in a limited capacity.

I guess your right. I didn't really think about all those details. I guess the only way it would work is by only have stuff set up indoors, so people that make it inside can play. But even that would be complicated, I guess. That sucks, 'cause it would be fun!

Still, lets do something promotional. One reason I wish we could LAN is because I want them to get a taste of what we do. But I guess they will have to come to a LAN for that. So really, we need to make sure that we promote the activities that we do. We need to promote the logo "We don't play Halo. We LAN Halo!", that would be great on say: T-Shirts, hats... vinyl skins, vinyl bumper stickers. Stuff like that.

I have been told that BAWLS will sponsor LANs and other events if you notify them about it. Someone told me they will supply banners and everything. The guy that told me is really heavy into Machinema, and has hosted festival style parties, so I think he is a trustworthy source. I'm going to look into this and see if they will promote THX as well somehow.

If we are not going to LAN, I feel a lot more inclined to take a more proactive role in heading this up. I can help make calls and make things happen. I just need to know what.

I think CompUSA carries BAWLS, and there is a CompUSA location next to the Gamestop. Assuming, of course, that BAWLS doesn't want to send us some free cases.

I have a suggestion. Thanks for talking to Gamestop Slayer. If it's the same guys I'm thinking of, they're a pretty good group of guys.

Maybe we need to think "Tech Conference". This whole thing reminds me of a tech conference display booth. Table, with a single monitor/TV and a promotional video displaying some H1 or other gameplay, HushedCasket website, Poster or two behind us, some handout flyers for those interested. It's a formula that's pretty much laid out there already. Only thing to do is follow through.

Your right, a LAN probably wouldn't work.

BAWLS would mail cases of the drinks to us. In this case, they'd mail them to Gamestop. We could get BAWLS to send us drinks to our LAN parties. Other companies will send products as well (peripherals, other drinks, etc.). It's just a hassle to go through that process. And sometimes there's a minimum number of attendees requirement.

@ Everyone else:

Why wouldn't a LAN work? I think you guys are afraid of the large number of people that would be there. Well, obviously this is a niche event with a generous offer from Gamestop and a generous offer from THX. This isn't a public service. This is a privileged event. No one is expecting a local gaming group to hold a LAN in a parking lot or in a store for over 200 people. Not everyone is going to get accommodated. The more people that get accommodated, the more resources that are needed to be poured into the event. There's only so much THX can do.

I think there needs to be a way to curb the 200+ number to well under 50. Perhaps charging some fee will discourage some people from playing. Hey, you've got to pay to play.

200+ people can't fit inside Gamestop. Maybe those that pay get to go inside.

Maybe those that don't pay stay outside. Outside, we could use projectors to display stuff up on the storefronts. Perhaps display the H3 exclusive content like Midnight was suggesting.

Next, why would anyone "join up" to THX if we weren't doing anything out of the ordinary there? Why would we be there in the first place? To expand our community? If we really want to expand our community by going to this event, then I think we need to do something a little more out of the ordinary.

Else, I can imagine myself sitting on the curb and some other geek walking up to me asking me to join up to his website. Well, I'm not going to go to your website. Put a flyer or business card in my hand and I might go to the website in a few weeks after I find the business card while cleaning out my car.

But if I saw people LAN'ing HALO, then I'd be interested. I like to LAN HALO. I like people who can grasp the technology of a LAN party.

Isn't that the type of people we want joining our community anyway?

@ Slayer: Way to step up. I really don't want to take the lead on this. However, I'm willing to help plan.

BTW: If we don't do a LAN event, I probably won't be there. A 60+ minute drive and fighting with 200+ people isn't something I want to do at 12:00AM in the morning. Especially when Jones Valley will be a 30-min round trip. Especially when my local Wal-mart will be a 10-minute round trip. Some kind of LAN event would draw me out there though. I'd come early and stay late.

I dunno. Maybe I can be persuaded to come stand with you guys.

I'm in the same boat as Rap. Owens Xroads Walmart is looking better all the time, even though I have a pre-order at EB in Jones Valley. I'm always looking for reasons to steer clear of Wally-world, but a 1+ hour wait with nothing to show for it but a few fliers and a bottle of game fuel isn't going to do it for me.

This would need to be something out of the ordinary. If someone can make that happen, I could be persuaded to move my pre-order.

Slayer, I do know one of the workers at the gamestop on University drive, we used to lan halo down in the uah game room. His name is Trent and hes a really nice guy, so just throwing that out there if you need some help. But I am thinking that a huge lan would be a massive undertaking...but not a small "booth" as Oculus said might be the ticket. I am in the thinking mode right now as to what else could happen that night.

I'd be happy to help you take the lead on this, Slayer.

200 people?? How many people have pre-orders for this game at that Gamestop? How many of those people are willing to make the midnight release?

I'm thinking something smaller than a LAN. Maybe a small competition?

How about this: there would be maybe four Xbox/Monitor kiosks set up. Everyone who wants to participate in a 2v2 competition in Halo and/or Halo 2 would sign a piece of paper. Everyone waits in line, and when it's time for a team to play, they are called to go inside and play. The winners would win a case of Bawls and whatever swag the GameStop guys have.

There would be a Halo and a Halo 2 competition.

There would also be a grill with some burgers and hot dogs grilling by the line that you could buy.

I think it's small, reasonable, and is kind of a LAN. There's no other way I think you could have dozens upon dozens of people play an orderly Halo LAN in the few hours they would wait before midnight.

And of course there would be THX propaganda everywhere, we'd have writeups of the event on our front page, etc.

whatever we decide to do. Just let me know.

I am currently speaking with the Falwells about making THX promotional material. Hubcap and I are going to try to come up with ideas. Hubcap mentioned a THX decal, not necessarily a skin, that could go on an xbox. It would be much less expensive and we could get more of them. Informational fliers may turn out to be our best bet.

Perhaps a combination of a kiosk (definitely a good idea) and a miniature LAN (possibly a good idea) would be a good thing. It's true that only so many people will be inside, so if we monitor it closely, I perhaps it could work. We should ask Gamestop if they are willing to donate boxes as well.

I actually heard the guys that work at Gamestop throw out the number 300... but that is a little hard for me to believe. Although they were going on and on about how large of a gaming community Huntsville has... yet they had never heard of THX. :) Honestly, I am surprised at how big of a secret THX is in Huntsville. I would think more people would know about it.

I am pretty busy right now. I have more than a full load of school, when I'm working about 35 hours a week. I am going out of town this weekend, and then leaving again next weekend until the 19th... so then I will have to make up all the school I miss. So, I have quite a bit on my plate, but I will do what I can to make this happen.

I am excited, this could be a very big event for THX.

No need to bear the load yourself, I can help with the planning and whatnot if you need it.

Im at Jones Valley

I really don't know if I have time to do this, as much as I might like to. Mintz or someone else may have to help me out here.

Tomorrow I am going to try go by Gamestop again and discuss with them this kiosk idea. I think a kiosk with some really nice THX promotional banners, fliers detailing THX's community and events, as well as a large LCD TV playing Halo videos, would be the way to go. I am also going to talk with the Falwells some more about things they might be able to help out with.

I think Gamestop might be able to help us more than we realize. We'll see how it goes.

Couldn't do it today, how about Friday?

Oh, sorry Mintz, I wasn't planning on having anyone with me today. It's all good.

I went by Gamestop again today to get some more info. I told them that we were hesitant to do a LAN with 200+ people. BTW, he said that there are over 500 pre-orders there... WOW! So anyway, I asked them if they had a bunch of regular Xboxes around. He said they had tons of them. I asked if they would be willing to provide them, and he said I needed to speak with Tim, the manager, about that. I also mentioned the Kiosk idea, to which he also said I needed to speak with Tim.

The guy told me to come back tomorrow (Thursday) morning, because the manager will be there. So, I was hoping that at least one other THX representative would be willing to go with me. Sometime before noon? Anyone? Perhaps an older individual who looks and sounds like they know what they are talking about. I know y'all are working... I just happen to be off tomorrow, but I could really use the backup. Maybe someone could take an early lunch break? ...please. :)

Again, we will also need to present something formally. I am going to try to write down some informal notes tonight, to help me stay on track tomorrow. I want to give a good presentation of THX and make us look good. Any help would be most welcome.

Okay, so I guess I will be going alone... if I go at all.

I could make it during lunch (11:15), but the morning is out for me. Those guys would probably even recognize my face (which is sad, I know).

Let me know. If someone is already going, then I'll leave you too it.

So a kiosk with possibly 4 xboxen, hand out tickets to LAN, a grill with hotdogs/burgers you can buy, and a bit of promotional material is the plan right?

Slayer, I am simply unable to go. Sorry. You are more than capable of handling it.

It's up to you, Mike. I am about to leave now to head out to Decatur. I should be back in time to meet you there at 11:15 if you want to do that. I would more than welcome your presence, however, I understand if you cannot make it. I will plan on bein at Gamestop at 11:15.

I haven't had time to write anything up... but I think it'll be okay.

My number is in the THX phone list, call me if you need to.

We have a phone list? I guess I forgot about that.

I've got to go there anyways to reduce my pre-order from 1 legendary copy to 1 special edition and 1 regular. I plan on getting another 360 this month.

I'll see you there. We don't need anything written, just a good idea of what we want so they aren't dictating everything.

This has seriously been a horrible day for me. Sorry I couldn't make it in time, Mike.

I did speak with the manager at Gamestop. I told him that we had pretty much come to the conclusion that we simply want to have a kiosk, where we can hand out fliers and free swag. He said he didn't think there would be any problem with this. I also told him that we had reconsidered the whole LAN idea, unless it is indoors and limited in scale. He agreed, but said that he would be willing to supply two TVs and Xboxes, along with Halo or Halo 2. So we could do some 2v2 or 4v4 split screened. The only thing he seemed to question was the idea of playing the extras from Halo 3. This would obviously mean opening a Halo 3 box... which might be bad for Gamestop. Never the less, he said he would talk to his boss about it.

I gave them our web address, and also my and Oculus' (hope that was okay) cell number. The reason I chose Oculus' cell is because the manager knew his name. The manager said that he would probably call one of us and nail down specifics later. We will still need to submit something formal, I think.

Summary/What do we do now?:

Now that we have informally ironed out what we want, and Gamestop will probably approve no problem, we need to begin seriously coming up with handouts and other promotional items. I intend to contact the Falwells today and let them know the situation. They can hopefully come up with some decals or bumper stickers and a couple of banners to promote our kiosk. Someone else needs to design a very nice looking handout that will promote THX. I think this handout should contain the following:

1. A quick summary of the origin and description of THX.
2. A summary of events that THX participates in and organizes, such as LANs, cookouts, poker nights, XBL nights, etc.
3. An area promoting hushedcasket.com and it's features. Also mentioning the various websites THX has been cited on and participated in.
4. This flier needs to be flashy and professional looking. I think just about anyone here could come up with something nice, but Mintz or rapture may be particularly suited for this task.

I think we will be able to handle a small 2v2 or 4v4 LAN, especially if the equipment is provided. The combination of all these things would, I think, make for a respectable representation of THX. What do y'all think?

I have stated this summary so that someone else can pick up where I am leaving off. I am leaving tomorrow and will be gone until the 17th. So I will be unable to do anything between now and then.

With that, I say see y'all next Monday. Hope this works out! I turn this over to someone else, for the time being at least.

but currently I am scheduled through the night that night and the night after. If you guys need any work done outside of the actually event, I would be more than happy to help. In my experience things go a lot smoother if you allot one job per person, breaking up the flier, equipment, transportation, and such to each individual who can. I know every good organization wants shirts: shirts come easier when you use white on colored. the rest can be handled through printing companies I know you have here. the flier may need to come a lot sooner then later because of how long I have seen it take to get a good amount of material (unless its just a xerox).

lol, maybe I seem like a busybody, but like I have said before: I come from a similar site with similar aims. its possible, you just need to have the right amount of willpower. by no means am I trying to dictate what needs to be done.

PS: What I would like to know is if I should reserve a copy with regards to one being available for me at said time?

I just wanted to make it clear. I am not picking up this task.
Why? Because I haven't volunteered, and because I don't care. I said I would help talk with the guy, not coordinate the whole thing.

If someone wants to do it, man up. Otherwise, when gamestop calls me, I'm going to tell him we aren't doing it anymore.

I'll man up. Would you still be willing to help if they want someone else to talk to?

Currently Playing: Bioshock

It looks like Wal-Mart will be having a midnight launch complete with "HALO 3 check out lanes".

http://halo3.tma-walmart.com/?adid=1500000000000003256770&dest=123948

I'm 90% sure I'll be getting my copy of H3 from Wal-Mart.

They did this same thing for the midnight release of Harry Potter. Lines went fast, got out fast. I'm currently 50/50. While everyone is still waiting in line, you'll be at home playing H3. Right now, I have lost all interest in doing anything special at Gamestop so it's a real possibility I might be hitting a WM close to me as well.

Well, there goes my interest in doing something at Gamestop as well.

Ah well, we'll have fun shootin' the breeze while we wait.

Currently Playing: CoD4 Beta, Bioshock

If the whole operation's successfulness hinges on one or two people's interest, then the idea was a flop to begin with.

Conserve your brain's glucose for other more worthwhile tasks.

The biggest reason why I didn't want to do Gamestop was the drive (30+ min). Now that they've got 500 pre-orders, I don't want to fight the people. Of course, a small percentage of the pre-orders will be out there. I'll guess that 100 gamers will be out there.

I'm unsure if I'll even play the game at midnight. I may just wake up at 5 or 6am, hit Wally World, grab some McDonalds, and start gaming. I haven't though this through yet.

I think what you guys have going is a good idea. Just because Wal-mart offers a fast line isn't reason to stop.

If an organized H1 LAN party was going down out there, I'd most likely attend.

I will be at the gamestop with camera, chair, and beverage.

I and a buddy preordered ours at the same GameStop as well...playing it all night :)

BB and I will be at the University Gamestop with a thermos of coffee and chairs, with the objective of shooting the bull. Since when have we needed a better reason than that to get together? I'd rather celebrate the release of the biggest game in history with friends than get it faster at Wal-Mart. I know I am taking off work on Tuesday anyway, so sleep isn't important to me.

In 10 years, would you have rather been at Gamestop with 12 THX'ers and fellow gamers or at Wal-Mart so you got home an hour sooner?

+1

I still vividly remember chilling (freezing, more like) in front of Best Buy on Nov '06 for a new TV with FB, JDogg, and Hubcap. Good times.

Currently Playing: CoD4 Beta, Bioshock

I too will be at the university gamestop chillin with the THX peeps. What time do you think will be an appropriate time to get there?

This is just my opinion on the matter and should be taken as such
http://hushedcasket.com

BB and I will get there about 8:30

I can preorder it now, I've got some stuff I can turn in for credit, and get that extra 20% towards H3. I can also make the launch that night, *if* mintz wants to leave early enough to pick me up :). Get there around 8 or so, trade my stuff in, then get in line :). Won't have a chair or anything, but I've got no issues sitting on the ground. Plus if we do anything, I'd be happy to do any speaking needed :).

DJ

...oh well, there goes that. BTW, Oculus, I didn't expect you to pick up the task, I just couldn't think of a better number to give the guy... anyway, hope that wasn't really bad. I figured Mintz would take up the job after I left, but it doesn't matter now anyway.

I will call Gamestop or run by and make sure that they know we are not doing it.

On a utterly unrelated note, I had an awesome cruise vacation! ...now I am completely tired and worn out.

You like candy?

Yeah, my enthusiasm just kinda drained. I don't think THX is the "recruiting" type of clan anyway. If someone from Huntsville isn't savvy enough to use the internet and find hushedcasket.com, do we really want them to be a part of us anyway?

No big deal

Apparently Mintz has a date or something that Monday night and won't even be in town, so while I can afford the game, I have no way to or from the Gamestop on University. If anyone is going and would like to swing by and pick me up/drop me off I'd be ever so grateful. I live about 2-3 miles away from the Gamestop, and can *possibly* get a ride there, depending on roommates.

DJ

Mintz has a date? On a Monday night? Not even JDogg has dates on Monday nights and he's the father of many nations.

I was cleaning some gunk from my electrical socket when I had a huge shock, when I came to I had an... epiph-ery. :) I just realized that I will be able to be there around 8:30pm. At first I thought it would be 9:30pm, and if it was Tuesday night then it would be, but I forgot that it is actually Monday night.

You like candy?

Honestly don't know man, he said I wouldn't understand, so I didn't push. All I know is that I am now rideless for Monday night :\. Maybe slayer will be nice enough :).

DJ

I'm at Calhoun until 8:15 for classes. Where are you?

Okay, I have the dope on how Gamestop is doing their pre-order pick ups. They will close at 9:00pm as usual. At 10pm they will re-open and tell everyone to come in and pay off any amounts they owe on their copy of Halo 3, and to buy any accessories they desire at this time. They will close again at 11pm, I think. At 12am they will start allow two people at a time into the store to grab their copy of the game. Hopefully everyone will have paid for their copies in full, so there will be little wait. The manager said that they had 200 people come to pick up NCAA 08 when it was released, and it took about 20-30 minutes for everyone to get their copy using this method.

I am going to try and get in before they close at 9pm and pay for my copy and also pick up some kind of accessory.

I kinda like their SPNKR controller and disc case.

You like candy?

That's good info, Slayer. I bet the system works well.

I'm planning to go by this weekend and apply some trade in credit and pay off the preorder.

I live near the 565/Jordan intersection.

DJ

I got ten bucks for trading in my Halo 2 multiplayer map pack disc! I repeat: I got ten dollars for maps that are available for free online, and videos that are available for free online.

That surprised me.

That's some good info. I'll have to run over there to do the same in a bit.

----

There are 10 kinds of people in the world. Those who understand binary and those who don't.

Someone should contact a local news station to get some coverage of this. The benefits to the news station should be obvious.

I second that. It would be nice to at least have some well spoken THX'ers interviewed. We could be on the 10 O'clock news. That would be very beneficial, with little effort involved.

You like candy?

I have contacted News channel 19, WAAY-31 News, and The Huntsville Times about Halo 3's release at Gamestop and THX's participation in it. I gave them my cell number and THX's URL in case they wish to contact us.

Whether or not anything will comes to fruition is another story altogether. :)

You like candy?

Very nice, Slayer. Way to step up.

I suppose I'm missing the point. What exactly was THX's 'participation' in the H3 release at gamestop other than sitting on our behinds, waiting for the doors to open.

I admire the enthusiasm, but I'm not yet sure what I should be enthused about. So far I've heard a lot of big plans, but no follow-through or commitment.

btw: I've contacted Fox News about THX's participation in the COD4 beta tonight at 8:30pm CST.

We are participating in standing in line. We are participating in Gamestop's party that they are putting on. We aren't doing anything special, but the fact that we exist and are waiting in line for the release of this "video game" is something I think they would cover. Heck, they covered LotR, and Star Wars releases, and interviewed those geeks. I believe they did some stuff on Halo 2 when it came out too. Why woudln't they come see these geeks and interview them as well?

It's just a chance for us to get some free advertising locally. They may come, they may not. I'm not going to worry about whether they are going to show up or not. All I did was throw the idea out to them.

This is what I sent them:

"I am sending this message to notify _______ of a news item you may be interested in covering.

As some of you may know, Halo 3 is being released September 25th (Tuesday). You may also know that Halo 3 is set to break sales records that are currently held by Halo 2. It is easily the most anticipated game release in history.

Huntsville has a large gamer community, and Halo 3's release is a big deal. Gamestop on University Drive alone has over 500 pre-orders. It is believed that there will be at least half that number waiting in line on Monday night. Gamestop is planning on having a party with food and drinks provided.

Huntsville happens to be home to one of the oldest and most popular gaming communities out there. The Hushed Casket, which was started at UAH in 2002 shortly after the release of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, has been a home for Halo fans, as well as gamers in general for five years now. Today the Hushed Casket is a thriving community of gamers, playing together and publishing news and stories that have appeared in major media properties like Newsweek, G4TV, USA Today, and MSNBC.

The Hushed Casket, also known as THX, will be heavily represented by members at the University Gamestop on the evening of the 24th.

I believe _______ may be very interested in covering this story because of its impact on the Huntsville community. The wait will begin in earnest at 9:00pm on Monday the 24th at the Gamestop on University Drive. It will end shortly after midnight, on the 25th after all the participants have received their highly anticipated prize.

My name is Andrew Webber, I am a member of the THX community in Huntsville. If you are interested in talking to any of us, my cell number is _______. Our community's website is www.hushedcasket.com.

I look forward to speaking with you."

You like candy?

triple shit, that's good prose, Andy

Oc, I don't think Slayer is saying "come look at what we're doing" but "come look at what we're participating in." It may be news worthy, who knows.

Very well. So what do you plan on saying to them on tv? I mean, by "well spoken THX'ers" I'm assuming you mean yourself right? ;)

"Well, uh, um... uh, we kinda... uh, play halo a lot. I mean, we don't play halo... we, uh, we LAN it! Yeah. So go check us out. We're really fun... and uh, ticklish!"

Heck no! :)

Seriously, I'll cross that bridge when and if I get to it.

You like candy?

ROFL!

Very well spoken, Andy. They'd be foolish not to cover it.

How about contacting the local newspaper as well? ;)

...I did. :)

You like candy?

Channel 31 news just called me. They didn't say they were for sure going to be there, but they did say they are collecting information about it. I think they are speaking with Gamestop. Anyway, I gave him the low down. I think they will probably show.

You like candy?

"Tonight hundreds of Valley gamers turned out to their local Gamestop to play Nintendo..err...Playstation...err...to wait..on..a..play..xbox, yeah, xbox game called...just roll the tape."

Check the thread I just posted to see how Channel 19 is planning on perverting this. Dan, do you have an info?

"Tonight at 10 PM: Video Game Addiction"