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.
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
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
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
|
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!
Contest:
9:52 AM on 09.18.2007
| 
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.
....
Meh.. I can agree to that, I guess.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooliganism
Maybe pancreus?
"Panic on the streets of London
Panic on the streets of Birmingham
I wonder to myself
Could life ever be sane again?"
The Smiths
If only my console didn't die last Saturday I might be able to play it...
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.
Noted Jim, that is impressive. Even though Halo depicts violence no worse than your usual FPS.
HYPE HYPE HYPE
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.
As for London banning midnight launches for fear of rioting... Just ridiculous.
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.
"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.
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.
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!
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.
American werewolves at that. Paris has the same problem.