GAME Midnight Launches
Okay, not the post I was expecting to do as my first gaming post, also I was getting ready for bed. I think this was expected but still sad. I have so many fond memories of going into GAME when I was younger. So, for this post, I am not going to talk about how much debt they’re in etc. I will share a few short stories of a great place I used to go to, which I called home.
I remember this store being built as a wee one. I remember buying my first ever console from here, which was a PS2. Does anyone remember the crazy trade-in deals they did? I think I remember trade-in 4 games and get GTA: San Andreas for 99p. What a game that was!
It was like a home to me, and when I got a job and hit 18, my best time was the Call of Duty Midnight launches. I attended many of them, but the best had to be the COD ones. I remember how the stores would be kitted in army gear and netting, sometimes hired actors or even got actual army guys in. It got so mental the army would set up a mini recruitment base outside of the shop.
I think the best COD one had to be the first Black Ops. 8th November 2010. It was me and my brother doing midnight launch. We queued up for hours, and we started to talk to someone in the queue, and they were army vets. I love listening to army stories and we were shown a youtube video of a stunt they did and it got them into a lot of trouble, but it was great fun to hear the story. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Iy6_X0NSY)
Another memory was not quiet about the midnight launch but was an early opening with my dad for the Wii. We woke up about 3am and we walked about 4 miles as there were no taxis available and no buses then. We spent a good amount of time talking along the way and having a laugh. It was a time I will always remember, it was more the time of just me and my dad which makes it a fond memory and how he supported me with my hobby. To get up at 3am and walk such a long distance, to then wait for the store to open I think it opened at 5am. It’s a memory that I’ll cherish forever.
Game Saved From Admin Event
I wish I had kept the pictures for then. I loved my store in Wigan. After they were saved from admin the first time in 2012, my local store did late night lock-ins. This was to celebrate being saved from admin but also to thank their loyal customers for their support. They did comps, did a backstage pass. I remember the first lock-in they did, they knew me by name and my blog, so I got a special pass to play every game I wanted. I cannot remember the games I picked but I was in heaven. The staff were amazing, the managers were amazing, it was just a great team and you knew they all got along.
This is what I loved about this community at the time, sure you had rivalry with consoles and the pc players never really showed up as they were just pompous tools who pre-ordered it from steam. But when it came to COD launches, those rivalries were put to one side. There was no animosity between anyone. The employees at Game and customers were a celebration.
I’m not sure if this store will be rescued, and I doubt it, but all I want to say to GAME, and if any of the guys who worked there come across this post. Thank You for the memories and how much work you put into making so many midnight launches so memorable.
Thank you.
goes and sits crying in the shower
