It’s not particularly easy to get motivated for a night out when it’s cold, wet and the skies are so ominous with its shocking intent that the only real appealing option is going to bed. But, we do what we do and head to the Rygersdal Sports Club in Rondebosch because a party was promised. Cue images of a Rio Carnival – which are quickly dashed by the crash of thunder. Oh yeah. It’s the Prototype 2 Launch Party. Looks like the weather is setting the perfect tone for the slightly dark action game…
Deftly negotiating the hoodie wearing gangs loitering outside the venue and the slightly worryingly heavily armed private military contractor acting as security* I found sanctuary in the “warm” confines of the venue. If I had any worries of being in the wrong place, these were quickly dispelled by the Prototype 2 branding along the walls – and by the entry of Alex Mercer. However, unlike that moment when your mom tried to convince you that Santa’s not your dad dressed up, I knew better.
Easily getting the welcomes out of the way, I don’t think anyone (least of all Glenn from 2upGamers) was expecting the infection of Prototype 2 to have the effect it would on the rest of the evening. Continued attempts to connect with the sister event – hosted by JHBGamers – in Rosebank could not get off the ground. Conspiracy theorists started rumours of a Red Zone in Gauteng. Others claimed it was jealousy because we had Alex Mercer and, well, they did not. I just thought that someone hadn’t paid their electricity bill and Eskom had cut the power. Strangely, we’ve not heard from anybody in Johannesburg this morning. If anyone is out there still, let us know you’re OK. We worry about you…
The fact is that the Cape Town gaming community are a real bunch of soldiers, so we carried on with the business at hand – eating hotdogs, playing the game and talking. Lots of talking. With some man hugs thrown in. Teary farewells ensued as the night drew to a close – until we all realised that next week we can do some of this all again at 2upGamers 5th Round. Hooray. Talk about spreading the infection.
Thanks to all the good people behind the scenes who made the first event of this kind happen. To Megarom, 2upGamers and JHBGamers, let’s do a few more soon shall we. They can only keep getting better.
Finally, we would’ve loved to have covered both events, but r0gue (Zombie) and his wife (Mrs. r0gue Zombie) are expecting their second child today, so understandably he had to be on standby in case of on early arrival. To them both, I would like to wish them all the best – from myself, my Mrs. Zombie and the zombie community.
[Edit: As we were preparing to go live with this article it was announced that the new baby daughter had arrived healthy and well. Congratulations to the r0gue Zombie family.]
For more pictures from the event, check out our Facebook page.
*A bunch of wannabe Alex Mercer’s and James Heller’s and a Blackwatch soldier…
