It’s always tough saying goodbye to something that’s been part of your life for years. Something that’s given you immeasurable joy. It’s a lot easier to do so when it has a new, better replacement. It’s even better when you can celebrate the moment with strangers and friends alike. This is how a small group of South Africans said goodbye to Gears of War 2 and brought in Gears of War 3 this Gearsmas Eve or New Gears Eve… Names – where applicable – have been changed to protect the undignified.
A few early arrivals hit a local ‘restaurant’ to partake in some ‘farewell to Gears of War 2; hello to Gears of War 3’ drinks. These included some familiar South African gamers (if you frequent the South African Xbox 360 Forums) and yours truly – the only real celebrity of the evening…
As midnight closed in around 40 Gears fans (well we assume they’re fans, otherwise they’re bloody idiots) descended on BT Games Cape Gate branch for the Gears of War 3 midnight launch – one of four South African BT Games branches that were official Microsoft launch stores. Unfortunately, that did not mean much more than snacks (which some appeared to take advantage of more than others… ) and some prizes. While we were hoping to be entertained by an Anya (or for some, a Marcus) look-a-like there was a console allowing those more eager than others to embarrass themselves in some split-screen multiplayer, Horde (2.0) and Beast.
Of course, the inevitable clock-watching kicked in. And after being in the store for what seemed like hours… it was still only 10:40pm. Hours appeared to pass again… and it was 11.10pm. Something had to be done. Someone was going to ask it: “Can’t we have the game early? We won’t tell anyone.” But the hardened BT Games shop assistants stood their ground and I went off to sulk for the next 50 minutes.
And then it happened. In a flurry of controlled chaos – which may have ended a lot worse if someone had actually brought a replica Lancer with them – it was midnight and the games were being tucked under arms (gently of course, it is like a new born baby) and rushed home.
As the first few thousand South Africans arrived home and booted up their consoles to “try it, but only for an hour”, they were faced with tearing off the packaging, (some) were installing it, others were busy with the (thankfully small) update and we’d assume a few strange ones were simply staring at the box, which contained their new best friend for the next few years.
And let me say, it was worth it. Hello Gears of War 3… my new best friend.
For more pictures from the launch check out our Facebook page here.
