Quantcast


No midnight launch for Halo 3 in London. Council fears Master Chief's power photo

Londoners will be able to go to bed early on September 25th, as it seems their beloved Halo 3 will not launch at midnight as one might expect. A midnight launch is something only the most outstandingly hyped of items get, and it was academic to assume that Master Chief's third outing would receive the same treatment. While 1,000 stores in the UK will open their doors at the magic hour, those in London have been barred from doing the same, as Westminster council fears the amount of eager Halo 3 fans a midnight launch will draw could lead to panic on the streets of London when chaos and riots take hold.

This is being treated as bigger than both the launch of the PlayStation 3 and Harry Potter's last book. Both those products were worthy of midnight launches but did not make the council so afraid as to cancel them. That should be a clear indicator as to just how mad the Halo 3 hype has become. It makes even the law quake in fear. Halo 3 hits the UK on September 26th and will be available in London during normal opening hours that day. I would personally advise people not to make trips to Oxford Street on that day, midnight launch or not. Chances are that there will be chaos regardless of what time the game goes on sale.

I love it. Whether you're a Halo fan or not, one cannot deny what the series is doing for our beloved industry. Nothing is making games look like a bigger deal right now. This is proof to the naysayers that it's not a small, poor industry that can be kicked around anymore, and it's not idle children's entertainment. It's huge and it's crazy. I don't play Halo, but I love what it's doing. Fear the power of the gaming legion, for we are many.








More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com

Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

32 comments | showing # 1 to 32
prev next

Kif 's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:50
Kif
I can't remember the last time we had a midnight launch in Lincoln. The Wii didn't even get one. It was probably the PS2.

I'll buy my copy the next morning though. I love games and all, but fuck staying out till 12 just to buy a video game.
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:51
Snaileb
So you're happy that videogaming is getting serious PR, even if it is halo?


....


Meh.. I can agree to that, I guess.
Cardoweth's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:52
Cardoweth
Yea if I get a game it is usually the day after release, I am lucky if I can stay up past 9 :P.
BluDesign's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:53
BluDesign
You guys invented a word for it, for pete's sake.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooliganism
Tino's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:53
Tino
I'm personally attending my midnight launch over here in the states but I wont be playing this the next day after work sadly. After everyones beaten it several times I assume.
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:54
Snaileb
Kif! Where in Lincoln do you live? The colon?

Maybe pancreus?
nilcam's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:55
nilcam
I see what you did there, Mr. Sterling.

"Panic on the streets of London
Panic on the streets of Birmingham
I wonder to myself
Could life ever be sane again?"

The Smiths
Manic Inc's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:57
Manic Inc
I've preordered mine from a site that always delivs to my house a day before release.

If only my console didn't die last Saturday I might be able to play it...
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:57
Jim Sterling
"So you're happy that videogaming is getting serious PR, even if it is halo?"

I'm sure a ton of us would prefer it to be BioShock getting this attention. But this is just fine. It's not being famous controversially like Rockstar relies on, it's not making headlines for being violent. It's known to the mainstream for just how insanely popular it is, and I think that's very good for the industry.
Kif 's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:58
Kif
Snaileb: The colon. It's a messy town :(
galagabug 's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 09:59
galagabug
so even global launches in london are delayed? man you guys get the shaft!
RICHARD BLOCKER's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:01
RICHARD BLOCKER
I'd like to see some Jackasses like those kids shooting pellet guns at people waiting for the PS3 try to fuck with the mighty gamer throngs and get swarmed.
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:06
Snaileb
I heard they serve good steak, in the colon.

Noted Jim, that is impressive. Even though Halo depicts violence no worse than your usual FPS.

HYPE HYPE HYPE
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:15
AngelsDontBurn
Hahahaha.
Garbz's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:17
Garbz
Mental.

This country sucks.

That said, i'm not affected by this so screw you londoners, i can go get a copy at midnight if i want.

Not that i will.

It's only a game.
dv8withn8's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:24
dv8withn8
What's wrong with Halo being the gaming ambassador to the non gamers of the world? Believe it or not, Halo is a great game with a premise that anyone can relate to. It just seems that now that it's the most recognized gaming brand out there, there's always going to be the contingent that hates it simply because it is so well known. Just like people do with bands who were once underground and then go mainstream.

As for London banning midnight launches for fear of rioting... Just ridiculous.
Mike Maloney's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:31
Mike Maloney
Jim, you don't play Halo...yet.
Lance Cardigan's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:36
Lance Cardigan
There is no midnight release cos they already know how it ends, so there is no real rush...

Jim is right, this release is on par with big blockbuster movies now. Say what you will about halo (i know i do), but our little hobby is getting alot of facetime with the rest of the planet...be happy about it.
brosef's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:53
brosef
Well, look on the bright side Jim. By the time kids get it at midnight here and plug it in, then London stores will be selling it there. Right? That's how times zones work right? Wait let me check...
"gets out chalk" Ok, lets see here. add 5 from Zulu, carry the 11. Look at the baby. look at the baby. Oh wait, I forgot. I suck at math.

I agree with the hype comment. Gamers are movin' on up (Movin' on up. To the East Side ahem, sorry) in the world. I'm just glad I don't have to hear about Madden for another year.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:59
Jim Sterling
Haha, hey Mike, welcome to Destructoid, great to see you here.

And I agree, it's a case of yet. I will eventually pick up Halo 3 and school you mothers, I'm sure.

School you in the art of humiliating Jim Sterling on Halo.
BS3 Owner's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 10:59
BS3 Owner
I was going to purchase a 360 twice but never did.

Instead I got a BS3! Microsofts got me wanting this game, because of their relentless knock you senseless ad campaigns.

I mean good show Halo 3, especially across the pond it seems!
FuriousGeorge's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 11:16
FuriousGeorge
Halo is funded by the Gov't to subliminally make you want to join the army..... real talk
demonelite's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 11:30
demonelite
God dammit this ruins all my launch night plans :(, I hope my local Gamestation is open at midnight.
Velt's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 11:32
Velt
You know Jim, i went to London last month, loved it... incredible expensive, but loved it.

But i have to say that i dont understand whats the thing with night time over there... i mean, do you guys have werewolves or something lurking the streets at night? Because people act like that. Ilumination on the big ben is gone by eleven and the "tube" (that needs some "lube"), closes at midnight.
dv8withn8's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 11:40
dv8withn8
@Velt
American werewolves at that. Paris has the same problem.
DGX Goggles's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 12:05
DGX Goggles
Wow, sucks to be in London.
sonolimy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 12:25
sonolimy
Love the reference to Morrisey {Panic on the streets of London}
FLS119's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 12:31
FLS119
That sucks. No gamer should be denied the right for a midnight launch, regardless of how rioty it could get. Well, that just means that they can sleep in and wait for it the next night, despite me waiting up at GameStop to get mine early. Yah, I don't have a life....
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 13:02
Sharpless
*cue the "Halo is beneath my superior gaming tastes" comments*
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/18/2007 21:22
Bob Muir
At least gamers aren't going batshit insane over Madden or something like that.
The Showerman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/19/2007 17:03
The Showerman
London wide, hmm? Interesting. I know a place in Wood Green having a midnight release. Perhaps its only inner city..
Mr Kryptonite's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/19/2007 17:59
Mr Kryptonite
Even the government quakes and bows to the Mighty Master Chief. Too bad for you guys. No legendary stories of how you and 500 other people raced to the store entrance to get 100 available copies. No nightmares about the fat smelly dude who used his powers of stinkiness to mow you down.
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!