EB Games hosted a midnight launch party for the hotly anticipated Battlefield 3 in Lower Hutt last night, and we were there. Expecting great things - after attending previous launches run by the team - we were not disappointed.
Sure, it was wet and windy, but if anything that only added to the drama. After all, the EB guys had gone all-out for this one, partnering once again with Army-surplus suppliers Comrades, and the guys from Capital Team Airsoft (CTA) were there - complete with combat fatigues - to add an air of authenticity to proceedings.
Take a look at what went down...
The EB guys, dressed in Army fatigues, kill some of the time leading up to the midnight release, while gamers mill about in preparation for the main event
One of the CTA guys, resplendent in his (rather serious-looking) kit. We're 99.99% sure that gun's not real but, dangerous or not, we don't want that guy pointing at us.
This guy, on the other hand, looks a little out of his depth...
... just kidding! D:
If not for the shelves of games in the background, you'd swear you were looking at a couple of fresh recruits! Maybe not, but it's a damn good effort, anyway.
How good is this guy? If it wasn't so cold and wet, I'd totally think I had been transported into the middle of desert storm.
The gear you need! But are they referring to the guns or the games in the background?
Clearly an amateur, this one; hiding behind a barrel? My jacketed parabellum's are going to cut through that like a hot knife through butter!
Everyone gathers up for a briefing - operation Release Battlefield 3 At Midnight is about to kick off
Mike, nearly lost in the crowd, gives the mission briefing. We'd tell you what he said, but then we'd have to kill you.
Ok, ok, what he said was "go outside" - so they did, as evidenced by this photo.
Oh Wellington! Is Wonderful! We've got the wind, the rain, and the Phoenix (that chap there in the center)!
Uh oh... looks like some of the "talent" have gone rogue... the chap in the middle started making threatening gestures and mumbled stuff that, while in Russian, sounded like bad news...
The GIs, true to form, looked non-plussed. "We can take you", they suggested by body language alone
The first to buy the game enter the shop but what's this?! The insurgents are blocking their passage! It's war, in Lower Hutt!
Out of nowhere, the good guys turn up and rescue the shoppers from what can only be described as certain doom. Or a well staged stunt. Either way, it was awesome.
One of the first to buy the game escapes into the night, clutching his hard-won copy in his hands.
Did you go along to a midnight release? Have you picked up the game this morning? Let us know in the comments!
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14COMMENTS (17)
Good stuff Lower Hutt! Nice to see stuff like this outside of Auckland!
The launch was mean as ! Got an exam today but who needs study when you have BF3?
once again an amazing night! thanks to all those who attended, and once again to Alan for doc*menting it all!
whole reason I work in a game shop is for launches like this
whole reason I work in a game shop is for launches like this
Awesome stuff guys! Couldn’t get to the midnight launch but happy to say that when I finally got to the store at about 6pm, there were some very tired staff still decked out in their army kit … troopers for sure! …
EA promised PS3 users that BF 1943 would ship with BF3, another lie and I believe false advertising too.. I smell a lawsuit on the way. Oh well enjoy their spyware in Origin as EA snoop around your hard drive and observe what you do on your computer all day. Agreeing to Origin's Terms of service effectively gives EA permission to track all manner of bizarre information about your computing habits, and sell them to third parties.
Valve's Steam service also does some of these things when you use it. However, the trick is that Steam allows users to opt out of any and all such practices. Origin has no such opt-out feature, and in fact states that you cannot use the service at all unless you agree to their terms.
Valve's Steam service also does some of these things when you use it. However, the trick is that Steam allows users to opt out of any and all such practices. Origin has no such opt-out feature, and in fact states that you cannot use the service at all unless you agree to their terms.
28 October 2011, 10:18 AM
Reply to Killjoy
EA promised PS3 users that BF 1943 would ship with BF3, another lie and I believe false advertising too.. I smell a lawsuit on the way. Oh well enjoy their spyware in Origin as EA snoop around your hard drive and observe what you do on your computer all day. Agreeing to Origin's Terms of service effectively gives EA permission to track all manner of bizarre information about your computing habits, and sell them to third parties.
Valve's Steam service also does some of these things when you use it. However, the trick is that Steam allows users to opt out of any and all such practices. Origin has no such opt-out feature, and in fact states that you cannot use the service at all unless you agree to their terms.
^^^EA promised PS3 users that BF 1943 would ship with BF3, another lie and I believe false advertising too.. I smell a lawsuit on the way. Oh well enjoy their spyware in Origin as EA snoop around your hard drive and observe what you do on your computer all day. Agreeing to Origin's Terms of service effectively gives EA permission to track all manner of bizarre information about your computing habits, and sell them to third parties.
Valve's Steam service also does some of these things when you use it. However, the trick is that Steam allows users to opt out of any and all such practices. Origin has no such opt-out feature, and in fact states that you cannot use the service at all unless you agree to their terms.
name is accurate
lol I know it may seem that way but I don't mean to bring anyone down but the facts I stated are all accurate, don't blame me if you find EA's deceptive lies and forced spyware depressing.
29 October 2011, 10:09 AM
Reply to Killjoy
lol I know it may seem that way but I don't mean to bring anyone down but the facts I stated are all accurate, don't blame me if you find EA's deceptive lies and forced spyware depressing.
out dated info for the most part, EA's origin T7C's have changed many time since the issues you mention were first raised....you may wanna read themlol I know it may seem that way but I don't mean to bring anyone down but the facts I stated are all accurate, don't blame me if you find EA's deceptive lies and forced spyware depressing.
as for 1943....that was pulled back in sept. about the same time they announced PS3 having 1st release of bf3's DLC packs. besides that, i bought BF3 to play BF3...not 1943
29 October 2011, 06:36 PM
Reply to ghostofgallipoli
out dated info for the most part, EA's origin T7C's have changed many time since the issues you mention were first raised....you may wanna read them
as for 1943....that was pulled back in sept. about the same time they announced PS3 having 1st release of bf3's DLC packs. besides that, i bought BF3 to play BF3...not 1943
lies EVERYTHING I stated is true while everything you stated is basically meaningless, so they made a few updates to Origin big deal - that doesn't change the fact EA still sell all the info they collect on you.out dated info for the most part, EA's origin T7C's have changed many time since the issues you mention were first raised....you may wanna read them
as for 1943....that was pulled back in sept. about the same time they announced PS3 having 1st release of bf3's DLC packs. besides that, i bought BF3 to play BF3...not 1943
So what if the pulling of 1943 was announced a month ago? What does when it was announced have to do with anything? The fact is they lied about it being on the BF3 disc for PS3 owners & replaced it with a pitiful week early release where gamers could BUY DLC 1 week early. They shouldn't make a promise they can't keep while forcing gamers to use spyware, but thats EA for you..
30 October 2011, 07:13 AM
Reply to Killjoy
lies EVERYTHING I stated is true while everything you stated is basically meaningless, so they made a few updates to Origin big deal - that doesn't change the fact EA still sell all the info they collect on you.
So what if the pulling of 1943 was announced a month ago? What does when it was announced have to do with anything? The fact is they lied about it being on the BF3 disc for PS3 owners & replaced it with a pitiful week early release where gamers could BUY DLC 1 week early. They shouldn't make a promise they can't keep while forcing gamers to use spyware, but thats EA for you..
Have to say, you're starting to sound like a fanboy hater right about now. Santa not come through with your two games for the price of one?lies EVERYTHING I stated is true while everything you stated is basically meaningless, so they made a few updates to Origin big deal - that doesn't change the fact EA still sell all the info they collect on you.
So what if the pulling of 1943 was announced a month ago? What does when it was announced have to do with anything? The fact is they lied about it being on the BF3 disc for PS3 owners & replaced it with a pitiful week early release where gamers could BUY DLC 1 week early. They shouldn't make a promise they can't keep while forcing gamers to use spyware, but thats EA for you..
Get over yourself. Pretty sure this article was celebrating the efforts of a local store in New Zealand … by which you seem to have completely lost?
Sounds like you probably don’t meet the age or maturity levels to play BF3 anyways …
31 October 2011, 12:44 PM
Reply to Solid-Snake
Have to say, you're starting to sound like a fanboy hater right about now. Santa not come through with your two games for the price of one?
Get over yourself. Pretty sure this article was celebrating the efforts of a local store in New Zealand … by which you seem to have completely lost?
Sounds like you probably don’t meet the age or maturity levels to play BF3 anyways …
lol I sound like a fanboy hater because I simply state some facts about how EA lies and forces all their customers to use spyware? You sound like your riding EA's d!ck too hard while choosing to ignore the many negative things about this joke of company.Have to say, you're starting to sound like a fanboy hater right about now. Santa not come through with your two games for the price of one?
Get over yourself. Pretty sure this article was celebrating the efforts of a local store in New Zealand … by which you seem to have completely lost?
Sounds like you probably don’t meet the age or maturity levels to play BF3 anyways …
I think BF3 looks amazing & have no problem with anyone who chooses to enjoy this game, but to insult me simply because I let others know the truth about what EA have done is just plain moronic and make you look like the only fanboy here.
Go ahead and enjoy your spyware and keep on supporting game companies that continuously lie and deceive the public, I swear the gaming community has some of the stupidest people on earth.. your testiment to that statement for sure
31 October 2011, 07:19 PM
Reply to Killjoy
lol I sound like a fanboy hater because I simply state some facts about how EA lies and forces all their customers to use spyware? You sound like your riding EA's d!ck too hard while choosing to ignore the many negative things about this joke of company.
I think BF3 looks amazing & have no problem with anyone who chooses to enjoy this game, but to insult me simply because I let others know the truth about what EA have done is just plain moronic and make you look like the only fanboy here.
Go ahead and enjoy your spyware and keep on supporting game companies that continuously lie and deceive the public, I swear the gaming community has some of the stupidest people on earth.. your testiment to that statement for sure
from back in AUGUST;lol I sound like a fanboy hater because I simply state some facts about how EA lies and forces all their customers to use spyware? You sound like your riding EA's d!ck too hard while choosing to ignore the many negative things about this joke of company.
I think BF3 looks amazing & have no problem with anyone who chooses to enjoy this game, but to insult me simply because I let others know the truth about what EA have done is just plain moronic and make you look like the only fanboy here.
Go ahead and enjoy your spyware and keep on supporting game companies that continuously lie and deceive the public, I swear the gaming community has some of the stupidest people on earth.. your testiment to that statement for sure
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/battlefield-3/news/6331203/ea-changes-origin-eula
"Publisher removes marketing language from online store's license agreement, pledges to never sell personal information or install spyware on customers' machines."
1 November 2011, 07:34 AM
Reply to ghostofgallipoli
from back in AUGUST;
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/battlefield-3/news/6331203/ea-changes-origin-eula
"Publisher removes marketing language from online store's license agreement, pledges to never sell personal information or install spyware on customers' machines."
Current policy.from back in AUGUST;
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/battlefield-3/news/6331203/ea-changes-origin-eula
"Publisher removes marketing language from online store's license agreement, pledges to never sell personal information or install spyware on customers' machines."
http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/eula/US/en/ORIGIN/
Read section 2.
If you're OK with that, that's your choice. I'm not, and until it's changed I will not be installing Origin.
This really isn't the best place for this, feel free to post in the forums if you want to continue discussing.
1 November 2011, 03:11 PM
Reply to OriginalSin
Current policy.
http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/eula/US/en/ORIGIN/
Read section 2.
If you're OK with that, that's your choice. I'm not, and until it's changed I will not be installing Origin.
This really isn't the best place for this, feel free to post in the forums if you want to continue discussing.
To be fair, Steam has a similar clause (section 7):Current policy.
http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/eula/US/en/ORIGIN/
Read section 2.
If you're OK with that, that's your choice. I'm not, and until it's changed I will not be installing Origin.
This really isn't the best place for this, feel free to post in the forums if you want to continue discussing.
http://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/
But yeah, odd place to have this discussion :)
And I rest my case. Surely only a true fanboy would ‘defend’ their comments so passionately. I mean “riding EA’s d!ck” … really, is that the best you could come up with?
I’m pretty sure that this article, and I now think I’m repeating myself, is a celebration of the efforts of a game store here in New Zealand – nothing to do with EA or Origin.
And yet, your comments, not prompted by any comments before them I have to say, dives into EA’s spyware and their desire to tap into your hard drive by, what was that again? … oh yeah … “tracking all manner of bizarre information about your computing habits”.
I’m pretty sure this is optional right?
As for lying about what was going to be on the disc? …meh … I paid for BF3. If there was a bonus sweet, if not, no dramas really … I paid for BF3 after all.
Apparently, as a moron, I am testament to the gaming community having some of the stupidest people on the earth? … this despite the fact that I have chosen not to download or sign-up for anything that either EA or Origin have asked … but I’m still enjoying BF3? … truly I am a moron.
Apart from accusing you of being a fanboy hater, which I accept was childish on my part, I’ll take your digs at me being a moron, stupid, and (again love this one) “riding EA’s d!ck” as clearly coming from a mature, well balanced member of our community. Bravo my friend, I consider myself told …
I’m pretty sure that this article, and I now think I’m repeating myself, is a celebration of the efforts of a game store here in New Zealand – nothing to do with EA or Origin.
And yet, your comments, not prompted by any comments before them I have to say, dives into EA’s spyware and their desire to tap into your hard drive by, what was that again? … oh yeah … “tracking all manner of bizarre information about your computing habits”.
I’m pretty sure this is optional right?
As for lying about what was going to be on the disc? …meh … I paid for BF3. If there was a bonus sweet, if not, no dramas really … I paid for BF3 after all.
Apparently, as a moron, I am testament to the gaming community having some of the stupidest people on the earth? … this despite the fact that I have chosen not to download or sign-up for anything that either EA or Origin have asked … but I’m still enjoying BF3? … truly I am a moron.
Apart from accusing you of being a fanboy hater, which I accept was childish on my part, I’ll take your digs at me being a moron, stupid, and (again love this one) “riding EA’s d!ck” as clearly coming from a mature, well balanced member of our community. Bravo my friend, I consider myself told …
1 November 2011, 10:07 PM
Reply to Solid-Snake
And I rest my case. Surely only a true fanboy would ‘defend’ their comments so passionately. I mean “riding EA’s d!ck” … really, is that the best you could come up with?
I’m pretty sure that this article, and I now think I’m repeating myself, is a celebration of the efforts of a game store here in New Zealand – nothing to do with EA or Origin.
And yet, your comments, not prompted by any comments before them I have to say, dives into EA’s spyware and their desire to tap into your hard drive by, what was that again? … oh yeah … “tracking all manner of bizarre information about your computing habits”.
I’m pretty sure this is optional right?
As for lying about what was going to be on the disc? …meh … I paid for BF3. If there was a bonus sweet, if not, no dramas really … I paid for BF3 after all.
Apparently, as a moron, I am testament to the gaming community having some of the stupidest people on the earth? … this despite the fact that I have chosen not to download or sign-up for anything that either EA or Origin have asked … but I’m still enjoying BF3? … truly I am a moron.
Apart from accusing you of being a fanboy hater, which I accept was childish on my part, I’ll take your digs at me being a moron, stupid, and (again love this one) “riding EA’s d!ck” as clearly coming from a mature, well balanced member of our community. Bravo my friend, I consider myself told …
Sorry, this comment was for my good friend KillJoy. Thanks for the banter. Always good to get the adrenaline going and 'discussing' gaming matters ...
And I rest my case. Surely only a true fanboy would ‘defend’ their comments so passionately. I mean “riding EA’s d!ck” … really, is that the best you could come up with?
I’m pretty sure that this article, and I now think I’m repeating myself, is a celebration of the efforts of a game store here in New Zealand – nothing to do with EA or Origin.
And yet, your comments, not prompted by any comments before them I have to say, dives into EA’s spyware and their desire to tap into your hard drive by, what was that again? … oh yeah … “tracking all manner of bizarre information about your computing habits”.
I’m pretty sure this is optional right?
As for lying about what was going to be on the disc? …meh … I paid for BF3. If there was a bonus sweet, if not, no dramas really … I paid for BF3 after all.
Apparently, as a moron, I am testament to the gaming community having some of the stupidest people on the earth? … this despite the fact that I have chosen not to download or sign-up for anything that either EA or Origin have asked … but I’m still enjoying BF3? … truly I am a moron.
Apart from accusing you of being a fanboy hater, which I accept was childish on my part, I’ll take your digs at me being a moron, stupid, and (again love this one) “riding EA’s d!ck” as clearly coming from a mature, well balanced member of our community. Bravo my friend, I consider myself told …
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