Okay, the Gamestop (I know, but the closest Best Buy is an hour away) I pre-ordered from is selling this at midnight. 
 
I called to ask what time I should get there to get the game, and they said 11:30. They said there's going to be a bunch of people, so they said the earlier, the better.
 
But I really don't feel like waiting 30 minutes before the damn event. If I just show up at 12:15 or 12:20, will I be there until 1:00 or something? Are they just saying to get there for more hype? I've been to the Modern Warfare 2 launch at midnight, but that's it. For people who usually do this sort of thing, what's the best plan of action?

" Okay, the Gamestop (I know, but the closest Best Buy is an hour away) I pre-ordered from is selling this at midnight.    I called to ask what time I should get there to get the game, and they said 11:30. They said there's going to be a bunch of people, so they said the earlier, the better.  But I really don't feel like waiting 30 minutes before the damn event. If I just show up at 12:15 or 12:20, will I be there until 1:00 or something? Are they just saying to get there for more hype? I've been to the Modern Warfare 2 launch at midnight, but that's it. For people who usually do this sort of thing, what's the best plan of action? "

Throw a badge around your neck, dress nicely, give everyone the stink-eye, then wade through the crowd like you own Rockstar.

As much as this game looks fucking awesome and has great reviews already, I doubt that there will be much of a fervor for it. My impression is that the hype will not equate to immediate sales. While I doubt it will become a forgotten classic, I think that there will be limited buying at the start, regardless of the fact that it is a Rockstar open world game. I say go at midnight and see how it is. It will probably be fine.

I went to the GH3 midnight launch and it was fairly calm. Maybe like 20 people there. Then again i live out in the suburbs so it's not like im in New York City or LA or anything.

I can't go to mine because of stupid finals.

went to the halo launch and there was about 50 people but he gamestop guys were really fast about checking out people so it went fine

back when halo 2 had the midnight release it was the first ever Gamestop midnight launch in history. It was so unorganized and I did not get home till about 4 AM. I was working the event but still. Now a line huge line takes maybe 15 min. they have it down to a science now.

" I went to the GH3 midnight launch and it was fairly calm. Maybe like 20 people there. Then again i live out in the suburbs so it's not like im in New York City or LA or anything. "

" back when halo 2 had the midnight release it was the first ever Gamestop midnight launch in history. It was so unorganized and I did not get home till about 4 AM. I was working the event but still. Now a line huge line takes maybe 15 min. they have it down to a science now. "

" @JJWeatherman said:

" I went to the GH3 midnight launch and it was fairly calm. Maybe like 20 people there. Then again i live out in the suburbs so it's not like im in New York City or LA or anything. "

I also went to the GH3 midnight launch. Also about 20-25 people there. If this game's midnight launch is like that at all, be prepared for a more.... colorful crowd. "

On MW2 launch night the dudes at my local Gamespot tore through a line of at least 100 people in about 25 minutes. I wouldn't be too worried if I were you; granted for MW2 most people paid in full ahead of time and just showed their receipt, so it went super fast.

Doubt it. It's not like a console release where people line up 12 hours before to make sure they get one; there's not going to be that many people there.

 i hope its a small crowd tonight, i don't wanna wait in line to long

does anyone know if gamestop will have those playing cards? I'd love to get those.

I went to the Fable 2 midnight launch. I got there at 11pm because I didn't know they wouldn't open the doors until the stroke of midnight. It was fairly crowded but I got in and out rather quickly.

HILARIOUS UPDATE: Got there around 11:55, and there was about 80 people in line. Thought I was fucked. But, those suckers in line already paid for the game, so they were all given the game as soon as they walked in. That took about 5 minutes. I got my game about three minutes after.
 
Instead of waiting for an hour, I waited for 10 minutes. I win!
 
BEAR KILLING TIME, SEE YA NEXT MONTH.
 
Double UPDATE: Holy shit, awesome map included with the manual!

" does anyone know if gamestop will have those playing cards? I'd love to get those. "

" @Dynamitekyle said:

" @JJWeatherman said:

" I went to the GH3 midnight launch and it was fairly calm. Maybe like 20 people there. Then again i live out in the suburbs so it's not like im in New York City or LA or anything. "

I also went to the GH3 midnight launch. Also about 20-25 people there. If this game's midnight launch is like that at all, be prepared for a more.... colorful crowd. "

Oh yes. There was a guy that dressed up like Slash with the hat and a wig and everything. I hope there aren't any cowboys at this one, I really really do. Although if there is, I'll take a picture and show you guys tomorrow.  :P "