Mass Effect 2 Morning Launch - EB Albert Street, Brisbane

Game Event from Cormac - Thursday, 01 January 1970 @ 10:00am

I haven't actually been to a product launch since Tool released 10,000 Days. Much as that was a few years ago now, I think I would still say that gamers are friendlier and cleaner than metal fans. As if to prove my point there were a few smug alternative kids waiting outside the neighbouring record store throwing comments at the line like "don't you people have jobs to go to?" Which was only strange because this is seven in the morning, the store they were wanting to be seen in front of doesn't open for like 2 hours. It was all I could do not to say "GTFO my lawn ya noobs."

Anyway, EB tried something different with this launch, releasing a bit before usual trading hours rather than midnight the night before. I'd heard various rumours behind this from random late night city punters causing trouble to lack of a turn out to make it worth while. The reason I was given however was a simple "for the sake of trying something new." Which is no bad thing. Once I got used to the thought of setting my alarm to "sparrow fart" this seemed like a good idea. After a midnight launch I may have played for a few hours before crashing. If I now play until about the same time that's a good eighteen hours of game-play. That thought makes my organs sting a little but it may well happen.

Nobody dressed up for the occasion, which is probably appropriate as one of the event features was having your photo taken and being digitally befriended by game characters Gillette style. I had a thought this would mean I'd end up with a photo of myself dressed casually between a few aliens. Then I could have made a funny caption like "My space armour is in the wash" or something. In actuality, they digitally grafted my head onto an empty spacesuit between a few of the revealed characters. It makes my head look pretty tiny, almost as though I'm from some unrevealed space colony that got a bit too inbred and now the alliance fleet politely ignores us. Plus the whole process took about 45 minutes of waiting in lines. I'll post it to the forums once the electric postman sobers up.

Freebies were good and abundant. Energy drinks were particularly welcome even though it was probably the DJ that was keeping me awake more than anything. I have a feeling the staff members will be living on donuts and gum for a while.

A recent press release from Bioware boasted some pretty rave reviews. Actually most of it could be summarised as "you know that game we released? Apparently it’s pretty good. Just saying…"

So hopefully we can expect something pretty special. Personally I haven't been this excited about a game since Fallout 3.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I may be gone for a while.