Halo is probably the biggest gaming franchise ever

This entry chronicles the launch of a little game called Halo 3 in Wellington, and why it has lead me to believe that its the biggest, most well known game franchise ever in the video game industry. First, a brief description of the Halo franchise, if you've never heard of it. Long story short, its a first person shooter. The first one was revolutionary, the next one, not so much and they were both, in my opinion, fairly good but the NOT best games ever. At 12.01am this morning, the third, and likely final installment was released and I was there at EB games to get the game exactly on launch time and here's when it starts to get interesting

I got out around 10.30, figured that it wouldn't hurt being a bit early. Got in front of my local EB games at around 10.40, EB's door was still firmly shut and already there were a group of people just hogging for space in front of the store. I decided to lay low and and sat at a nearby bus stop. As the clock ticks closer to 11, more and more people came so I had to get myself there lest I wanna be the last one to get the game, not that I mind anyway since Halo isn't really the top game in my list, but I just cant wait to get my hands on the collectors item inside the pack I pre-ordered.

santa sent me a present...

11p.m, EB's doors were open. I was greeted by familiar faces and all customers were then given tickets indicating their number to get the game based on who got inside the store first. I was number 19 since I gave those true Halo junkies the previlege of getting it first (or maybe because I was too small to push myself in first). There 1 whole hour before the staff can give us our games so I just chat with a guy or two to kill time. Around that time, more people keep on coming. More so than I ever imagined. I spoke to Dave, the manager, "wow, lookit the crowd. Halo is as big as the PS3". His answer, "Are you kidding me, its bigger. Remember the PS# launch, there was only you me and him." while pointing at another staff jokingly. Then, things start to get a little bit crazy. The press came. Yes, THE PRESS. I can understand them coming for a console launch like the PS3 (they never did come for the 360 launch) but for A SINGLE GAME?? This is just insane!!

The news was supposedly going to be aired on morning news but I kinda missed that. And then theres this guys who interviews people for some radio station. He was very annoying by the way. Shortly after, NZ's official gaming organization, aptly named NZ Gamer came and offered everybody hot chocolate. Ok, this is the first time I've received such treatment for buying a game.

At 10 to, we were all requested to get out of the store and form a queue and that was when I realized the actual number. It was more than 60, which makes it more than the amount of people who were there for the 360 and PS3 launch combined. Halo is definitely BIG. So big that some people have come to hate it. A guy, most likely a PS fanboy screamed from far away, "HALO SUCK!!! %#%$#%@$@" and spew a lot more of those rubbish. We paid no mind and at 12 we all got what we came for. In numerical orders of course.

The story doesn't end there though. On my way home I walked pass a couple and the guy, seeing me carry the huge box which was Halo said as he walked pass by me, "thats some serious s**t you got there bro". And then I walked pass a group of kids (whatever were they doing at midnight there anyways??) and their face was in awe and said, "dude...you got a halo 3..." with a tone you matches their expression. That is just how popular the game really is. Honestly, I think that the Halo franchise has transended games, becoming a big name which is on par, if not bigger than any big Holywood movie. I rest my case, and finally I present and up close look of the collector's item I got for buying the legendary edition at a premium price.

a limited edition individually numbered (550989) collecters item. just look at the detail...