The Midnight Launch Experience: A Laid-Back Affair

As I stood outside my local EB Games store, surrounded by the dim glow of neon signs and the quiet hum of anticipation, I couldn't help but feel that this midnight launch was going to be a bit more subdued than the others. Every week it seems like the games companies try to get their content out before the holidays, and as a result, these launches have become a staple of my unbox therapy routine. But tonight, with Assassin's Creed and Saints Row III taking center stage, I wasn't expecting a crowd that would make the Modern Warfare or Battlefield launches look like a rave.

As I took a closer look around, I was right. There were only a handful of people waiting in line, no more than half a dozen individuals who seemed to be the only ones brave (or foolhardy) enough to venture out into the chill of the night for a chance at some exclusive early access content. And yet, despite the lack of excitement, I was still excited - after all, it's not every day that I get to unbox new games and share my reactions with the world. The Saints Row Edition Platinum pack had been a particular draw for me, coming as it did with a coveted headset that EB Games would be unable to secure in time.

But for now, at least, that wasn't an issue - Best Buy was kindly holding the keys to this limited edition, and I had a plan to swing by tomorrow and snag it. In the meantime, I was stuck with just Assassin's Creed and Saints Row III, which, as you can imagine, is no small consolation. The Halo combo pack was another bonus that might just tempt me in - though, at first glance, the prospect of picking up yet another bundle deal seemed less than thrilling.

Still, there was something to be said for having a clear plan, and knowing exactly what I wanted from this particular launch. And besides, as any seasoned unboxer knows, it's not just about getting your hands on new content - it's also about the experience itself: the quiet camaraderie of fellow gamers huddled together in anticipation, the tense excitement of waiting to see how things will play out. Tonight, with its more subdued atmosphere and smaller-than-usual crowd, this launch was taking on a distinctly relaxed air.

Of course, as anyone who's spent much time at midnight launches can attest, there are downsides to all this: endless hours spent standing outside in the cold or heat, waiting for your name to be called - not exactly the most thrilling prospect. And yet, despite the occasional grumble about long lines and poor store management, I have to admit that I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. There's something special about being part of a larger community of gamers who are all there for one reason: to see what new stuff is going to come out.

And so, as I settled in for the long haul ahead, with my trusty beef jerky and Vitamin Water by my side - the secret to maintaining energy and hydration on these extended stints - I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. What would tonight's unboxing reveal? Would it be a sleeper hit or something more mainstream? Only time (and my YouTube channel) would tell.

For now, though, as I settled in for the long night ahead, one thing was clear: this launch might not have had all the fanfare of its bigger, flashier counterparts. But that didn't matter - because when it comes to unboxing, there's no such thing as "too little."

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhat's up guys Lou here I'm out here at another midnight launch it seems like these things go on every week well they have actually gone on every week here in November all the games companies are trying to get their content out before the holidays and I'm out here for Assassin's Creed as well as Saints Row III and some Halo combo pack that I don't think I'm going to pick up and um the other thing I want to mention is that the Saints Row Edition there's a special edition called the Platinum pack and it comes with the headset well my EB Games up here as well as the game uh stops up here are not going to be carrying that Platinum pack so I got to pick that up tomorrow from Best Buy so tonight it looks like it's just going to be Assassin's Creed and uh to be honest with you guys this particular launch uh looks a lot less busy than the other launches I've been to recently the Modern Warfare launch comes to mind as well as the battlefield launch this one is more laid-back more subdued there are a few people in the store there's nobody lined up out front here I'll give you guys a quick look so as you can see I'll give you a zoom in there's really nobody out front although they have let maybe half a dozen people inside so like six people but there are a few cars lined up as you can see over here so some people care but it ain't it ain't a Call of Duty game you know you know that those games just got a crazy following as you guys know and um these ones are you know not not as big at least not for now but uh it's unbox therapy so of course I'm going to be here uh the last thing I want to talk about is my tip I got a tip for all you people who come out here to these midnight launches I've got a special meal a special meal that I like to bring along on these things first and foremost beef jerky you got to have the beef jerky for the protein energy and then also of course Vitamin Water you got to stay hydrated this is a tough gig being out here staking out these midnight releases as you guys know so uh that's my tip anyway guys until the unboxings until the content is up on the channel uh I'll see you around later guyswhat's up guys Lou here I'm out here at another midnight launch it seems like these things go on every week well they have actually gone on every week here in November all the games companies are trying to get their content out before the holidays and I'm out here for Assassin's Creed as well as Saints Row III and some Halo combo pack that I don't think I'm going to pick up and um the other thing I want to mention is that the Saints Row Edition there's a special edition called the Platinum pack and it comes with the headset well my EB Games up here as well as the game uh stops up here are not going to be carrying that Platinum pack so I got to pick that up tomorrow from Best Buy so tonight it looks like it's just going to be Assassin's Creed and uh to be honest with you guys this particular launch uh looks a lot less busy than the other launches I've been to recently the Modern Warfare launch comes to mind as well as the battlefield launch this one is more laid-back more subdued there are a few people in the store there's nobody lined up out front here I'll give you guys a quick look so as you can see I'll give you a zoom in there's really nobody out front although they have let maybe half a dozen people inside so like six people but there are a few cars lined up as you can see over here so some people care but it ain't it ain't a Call of Duty game you know you know that those games just got a crazy following as you guys know and um these ones are you know not not as big at least not for now but uh it's unbox therapy so of course I'm going to be here uh the last thing I want to talk about is my tip I got a tip for all you people who come out here to these midnight launches I've got a special meal a special meal that I like to bring along on these things first and foremost beef jerky you got to have the beef jerky for the protein energy and then also of course Vitamin Water you got to stay hydrated this is a tough gig being out here staking out these midnight releases as you guys know so uh that's my tip anyway guys until the unboxings until the content is up on the channel uh I'll see you around later guys\n"