Image via Complex Original
When a blockbuster video game is released, it's often done to much fanfare and pizzaz. People line up for hours and at times days, waiting for the strike of midnight to get their hands on $60 game that they will come up with any reason to stay in the crib to play through feverishly. Depending on the title, celebrities sometimes make their way out to cop their favorites like Justin Bieber did with Halo Reach in 2010 or Christina Aguilera with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in 2011.
But even without the celebrity element, huge video game releases bring out crowds by the hundreds and with that, an ecclectic mix of personalities ranging from entertaining to downright insane. People in costumes of their favorite characters queue up along with grouches and know-it-alls for a common goal and that's chance to score a copy as soon as the clock strikes twelve.
Tonight, fans of the notorious Grand Theft Auto series will be out in full force waiting in line to get their hands on the latest release Grand Theft Auto V which promises to be another revolution the open world genre. Judging by what we've saw so far, it very well is but we're still anxious to find out how it will be received by its hardcore fans and those new to the game.
If you happen to be one of those fans battling the elements for a copy of Grand Theft Auto V, this piece is for you. Veterans will be able to identify with these 10 Types of People You Meet at a Midnight Video Game Release but if you're new to the launch environment, brace yourselves and be sure to make space on your mobile phone for the hilarity that's waiting.
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10. Happy campers
You can easily identify this gamer by the folding chair, sleeping bag and backpack full of junk food. Since the game was first announced, the Happy Camper has made it their life mission to be the first in line to hand over the dough for a new release. Someone filled with this amount of consumer passion will spend days or even weeks posted by the side window of the video game store uploading endless photos of themselves in the same spot to Instagram. Where the Happy Camper works or goes to school is a mystery but you can bet your store credit that they have enough money for the game and accessories.
9. Over the top cosplayers
There's a good chance you'll run into someone so into the video game about to be released that they show up to the launch decked out as their favorite character. No matter the season, a dedicated cosplayer will dedicate themselves to hours of sweat or freezing cold just to let everyone in line know how much they love the game. Just hang out at the next launch of a big game and you're sure to see Super Mario, Halo's Master Chief or any BioShock character. We've yet to see someone cosplay James Harden at a basketball video game launch but hey, there's still time for NBA Live 14.
8. Swag Masters
This gamer's entire wardrobe is made up of promotional gear from video game companies. While promo swag from video game titles are often the pick for a long night out, waiting for a video game to drop, it's the more exclusive gear that really excites the Swag Master. Remember those Playstation 2 Nike AF1s from back in the day? The SM snagged a pair and is wearing them right now in all their scuffed and creased glory.
7. Video Game Snobs
Although the information age has its advantages with social media and millions of blogs, one of the drawbacks is the spawning of gamers who assume the role of an all-knowing scholar of everything video game related. How much or little they actually do know means nothing when it comes time for them to put you on to every minute detail of information you never cared about. All you have to do is mention that you like a video game and out comes the anectodes on how they had drinks with so-and-so developer and about all the early demos of games they got to play. There's nothing wrong with sharing exciting stories about your experiences but bring it down a few notches, you're not royalty and we're not peasants clamoring for your gaming crumbs.
6. The Hot Gamer Girl(s)
Nothing can bring about a wave of silence like an attractive woman walking into the line of a video game launch. It doesn't even matter if she has a horn growing out of her forehead, in fact, a horn would probably be the ice breaking conversation starter for a few of the brave guys. The rest will sink into themselves with a few "dude, she's so hot" mutters and hungry stares. Contrary to conventional thinking, this isn't a dangerous situation for the woman at all. Most of the dudes would probably pass out if she spoke to them anyway.
5. Hecklers
Midnight video game releases are like magnets to douchebags looking for people to channel their insecurities onto. While everyone is in line having a good time, here comes one or more hecklers with a mouthful of overused, corny nerd jokes and too much time on their hands. Fine, we're all a bunch of asexual shut-ins, we get it, the gag never gets old.
4. Crazy people
One of the funniest moments of waiting on a line for a new game to be released is the crazy wanderer who like most loonies is attracted to crowds. Without hesitation, the person's crazy will pour out with requests for everything from money to directions to the moon. Of course there will be one or two people who will be more than happy to join in on the circus until the guy breaks out into a song and dance number from The Sound of Music.
3. Drunken clubbers
There's about 20 minutes left before the video game releases and here stumbles a guy with his shirt open or a woman barefoot, holding her shoes in her hands, so drunk they're speaking what sounds like another language. They've just left a bar and are on the hunt for more action. Luckily there is a line of people waiting for what looks like a good time and it is, but only for the people in the line. Everyone's new inebriated friend waxes nonsensically for the next 10 to 15 minutes to the delight of waiting crowd. With a pocketful of hope, everyone in line will witness drunky's dance moves or even better, lack of singing ability. Drunks don't usually last long in lines they don't care about but they make the wait so much more bearable.
2. Bragging rich kids
Rich kids (or adults) love to stand on line and talk about the multitude of super duper, ultra limited edition versions of video games that non of us can afford. If they weren't at risk of getting robbed and thrown in a dumpster, they'd have their Call of Duty: Black Ops II radio controlled drone with them in line just to show everyone else how much of a baller they are.
1. Emo gamers
As excited as everyone is to get their hands on the latest hyped release, there is always one or two gamers in line who hate everything. These Debbie and Donnie Downers will pull out every random quote from a random video game blog in effort to justify why the game they're standing in line for sucks. It's never about enjoying the title, the focus will always be on what the developers did wrong and why the publisher doesn't know what they're doing. Most people just nod and let the saddies ramble as they bad talk the same video game they're soon about to pay for.