For those getting a 360 on launch (or shortly thereafter)

SoMisss2000 · Post by **SoMisss2000** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 9:05 pm

Zeppo wrote:C'mon, no one has any idea about this lottery they are supposedly doing at Walmarts and Best Buys? I have absolutely no idea what that means. Could I show up at 5 to midnight, and have just as good a chance to get a machine as a guy who's been sitting there for 6 hrs?

I've never experienced any kind of lottery for this type of thing (movie tickets, etc.), so I don't know what the best plan would be. My idea was to swing by the BB and see what the line looked like, and if it was too big, head to the Walmart and hope for good luck. But now, I don't know what the plan should be.

Anyone have a clue about this kind of lottery thing?

Zep, I think that's BS. By all accounts, more stores like BB and walmart are doing the ticket thing. You get a ticket when they start handing them out, you are guaranteed a 360. Should try to find out what time they will hand out tickets.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 9:14 pm

SoMisss2000 wrote:
Zeppo wrote:C'mon, no one has any idea about this lottery they are supposedly doing at Walmarts and Best Buys? I have absolutely no idea what that means. Could I show up at 5 to midnight, and have just as good a chance to get a machine as a guy who's been sitting there for 6 hrs?

I've never experienced any kind of lottery for this type of thing (movie tickets, etc.), so I don't know what the best plan would be. My idea was to swing by the BB and see what the line looked like, and if it was too big, head to the Walmart and hope for good luck. But now, I don't know what the plan should be.

Anyone have a clue about this kind of lottery thing?
Zep, I think that's BS. By all accounts, more stores like BB and walmart are doing the ticket thing. You get a ticket when they start handing them out, you are guaranteed a 360. Should try to find out what time they will hand out tickets.

Yeah well, that's not a lottery system. That's first come first server. That's a lot better than just passing out tickets and the calling out numbers.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 9:29 pm

The Best Buy ad in the paper today had an advertisement for buy any two 360 games and get the DVD, Batman Begins free. Thought it was a pretty good movie.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 10:26 pm

I read over at the cheapassgamer forums today that Best Buy is giving away Xbox 360 preview dvds that come with a coupon book. Some stores are giving them out now, but I guess they aren't supposed to be available in all stores until Tuesday. In addition to the dvd with the Xbox 360 game previews, the coupons are $10 off any game $29.99 and over, and $10 off any accessory $29.99 and over. Sounds like it would be worth going there and grabbing a few of them to take care of all your game purchases and extra controllers.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:18 am

I am starting to regret that I didn't pre-order. I had just hoped to get one for Christmas, and of course it looks like the systems will be much scarcer than originally expected. I am hoping they will be available again by January.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:25 am

it will be hilarious when you can find these on shelves in 3 weeks.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:57 am

I swung by Best Buy this morning on my way to work and there were already a few people in line outside the store, 16 hours before the midnight release.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:15 pm

I swung by Best Buy this morning on my way to work and there were already a few people in line outside the store, 16 hours before the midnight release.

WOW, what a bunch of LOSERS!! I'm so glad i'm just going to be outside of my local GameStop at 11:00 at night on a Monday, at 34 years old, in my warm winter hat and feetie pajamas with the twenty four unemployed crack dealers who also pre-ordered their systems.........wait a minute.........

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:16 pm

HipE wrote:I swung by Best Buy this morning on my way to work and there were already a few people in line outside the store, 16 hours before the midnight release.

Thanks, Hip, you obliterated the tiny amount of indecision I had about whether I should head out to Coral Ridge tonight

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:38 pm

Brando70 wrote:
HipE wrote:I swung by Best Buy this morning on my way to work and there were already a few people in line outside the store, 16 hours before the midnight release.
Thanks, Hip, you obliterated the tiny amount of indecision I had about whether I should head out to Coral Ridge tonight

A few people did the same thing there for the PS2 release, yet you could have still gotten in line two hours before the store opened and been fine. I'm heading there after work today, around 5 or so, I'll post and let you know what the line is like then. For all I know, it will still be those same three people there.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:46 pm

HipE wrote:
Brando70 wrote:
HipE wrote:I swung by Best Buy this morning on my way to work and there were already a few people in line outside the store, 16 hours before the midnight release.
Thanks, Hip, you obliterated the tiny amount of indecision I had about whether I should head out to Coral Ridge tonight
A few people did the same thing there for the PS2 release, yet you could have still gotten in line two hours before the store opened and been fine. I'm heading there after work today, around 5 or so, I'll post and let you know what the line is like then. For all I know, it will still be those same three people there.

So, are you keeping it or selling it Hip? Just curious why you're standing in line since I thought you said earlier that you weren't even going to keep it.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 2:11 pm

My bet is HipE is going to sell his pre-order and try to score one at Best Buy for his own.

When I scored my PS2 at launch at Wal-Mart I showed up around 10:00 and there were only 5 or 6 people there. The majority of people showed up between 11 and 12 (ended up being 50 people and they had 35 PS2's).

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 2:39 pm

Actually, I am going to Best Buy to try to get one of those free 360 preview dvds with the coupons in it, not wait in line for a 360. I drove to the mall this morning just to park there and catch the bus to work, that is why I went by Best Buy this morning and will be there again after work.

I think I will probably just keep my 360 I have preordered at EB, it doesn't seem worth it to sell it now to make 200 bucks. I originally preordered it with the intention of keeping it, not selling it, and I think I would end up feeling guilty taking one away from someone else who really wants one just to make money off of it. Plus, I bought my HDTV back in May at the same time I preordered with the intention of using the tv for gaming with the 360. I just wish I was more excited about the launch titles, I probably should have stayed away from the Madden impressions thread at OS before the launch.

What do you guys think will be the most popular XBL titles with the DSP crew? I'm planning on starting a yearly membership again, no more of the two month trial ones. I'd like to pick up at least one launch title that would be very popular around here for online play. One nice thing about the lack of games coming out in the next few months is people are going to be forced to stick with these titles for awhile and not move on to the next big thing in two weeks. I'm guessing COD2 and PGR3 will probably be the biggest games here, although I'm personally more interested in PDZ.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 2:43 pm

PGR would be my bet Hip.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:08 pm

I'm sure both CoD and PGR will be popular, but if I were betting I'd think PGR would gt the top slot.

I have PGR, CoD, and Gun waiting at home. I think PGR will be the first one I pop into the system to welcome myself to the latest next-generation. How about some of you others, of the games that you bought, what will be the first one you play?

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:20 pm

Gurantsu wrote:I'm sure both CoD and PGR will be popular, but if I were betting I'd think PGR would gt the top slot.

I have PGR, CoD, and Gun waiting at home. I think PGR will be the first one I pop into the system to welcome myself to the latest next-generation. How about some of you others, of the games that you bought, what will be the first one you play?

The first thing I'm going to pop into my 360 is actually Halo 2, just to say hello to it. Then Madden, then NBA2K6, and then I'm going to settle down and play COD2 from beginning to end. That's the plan, anyway.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:29 pm

NHL2k6, then NBA2k6, then CoD2.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:48 pm

Leebo33 wrote:My bet is HipE is going to sell his pre-order and try to score one at Best Buy for his own.

When I scored my PS2 at launch at Wal-Mart I showed up around 10:00 and there were only 5 or 6 people there. The majority of people showed up between 11 and 12 (ended up being 50 people and they had 35 PS2's).

I just left my Wal MArt and they had 24 chairs set up in the front of the store. If you are one of the 24 in the chairs at midnight, then you get a 360. At 1:30, all 24 chairs were filled. This is going to be crazy.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:52 pm

Gurantsu wrote:I'm sure both CoD and PGR will be popular, but if I were betting I'd think PGR would gt the top slot.

I have PGR, CoD, and Gun waiting at home. I think PGR will be the first one I pop into the system to welcome myself to the latest next-generation. How about some of you others, of the games that you bought, what will be the first one you play?

I'm probably going to pop in Madden first, then PGR3. Then Call of Duty, Perfect Dark and finally Kameo. I may pick up Gun or Condemned when I get my system in the morning.

Add me to your friend's list as I should be online all morning.

Gamertag - Badgun

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:41 pm

Badgun wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:My bet is HipE is going to sell his pre-order and try to score one at Best Buy for his own.

When I scored my PS2 at launch at Wal-Mart I showed up around 10:00 and there were only 5 or 6 people there. The majority of people showed up between 11 and 12 (ended up being 50 people and they had 35 PS2's).
I just left my Wal MArt and they had 24 chairs set up in the front of the store. If you are one of the 24 in the chairs at midnight, then you get a 360. At 1:30, all 24 chairs were filled. This is going to be crazy.

My friend just called a Wal-Mart near his house and there are ten people in line.

When I scored my PS2 I drove to a Wal-Mart out in the boondocks where $300 is a week's pay for 90% of the population. Most of the people that were in line with me had the same idea and made the 2 1/2 hour drive from Pittsburgh.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:32 pm

Yeah, there were about 5-6 people in line in front of one of the local best buys. No way in hell I'm getting a system tomorrow. I'm screwed.

blueduke · Post by **blueduke** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:51 pm

Circuit City's website may give you a glimmer of hope, Db.

Edit: after a second glance I see they're only available for in-store pickup.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:52 pm

blueduke wrote:Circuit City's website may give you a glimmer of hope, Db.

How is that possible...it already says it's sold out.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:30 pm

Well, here's my wild goose update:

Did some legwork and scouted out the various outlets I was planning on hitting, to see how many units, what time they open, what the procedure would be, etc.

The Walmart is a disaster. It was hard to find an employee who spoke english, and when I did I was told not only that she didn't know how many units, but also that no one in the store knew anything! I asked about managers, was told, they won't know what you're asking (how many units is what I wanted to know; I was told 'many,' which btw in cultures wihtout writing is generally equal to 'more than 5'). Anyway, they are opening at 6A, but I don't know how many they are getting. There was no line today.

The Target nearby, opening at 8A, is getting - get this - 6 Premiums and 6 Cores. Oy.

The Best Buy near there, which is doing the midnight special, already has a healthy line, in the cold rain no less, numbering upwards of 50 people. Could have been as many as 75 I think, but it's so hard to tell and I wasn't about to physically count all heads. There were a handful of tents set up, so I guess folks have been there a few days. Some guys had no umbrella, one dude didn't even have a rain jacket or a suit jacket, but was standing in the cold rain with his shirt and tie on. Crazy. The store is supposedly getting 150+ Premiums and 75+ Cores, so I may still swing by there tonight at around 10p and take a chance. We'll see.

The Toys R Us right near there is also getting very few, 8 and 2. And the employees are pissed. Remember how Toys R Us coprporate decided last minute to do pre-orders? Well, they just sent the word down that employees cannot buy systems. They are going to have trouble finding kids to open, because those kids are really pissed off now.

The Circuit City, surprisingly to me, told me they will have close to 50 total units. This was not verified, but I think anything over 40 is a good number. They open regularly at 10A, so that may end up being the place if the Target is out of their 6 and 6.

Then there was the other side of strip-mall land, several miles away. This is where the regular BB will be opening at 9A with some 50 total units.

The ace in the hole may be the CompUSA near that 2nd BB, which will only be getting 10 and 2. But they have a firm policy of no employee purchases, and I don't think most folks would even think to check there. They open at 10A and may be my fallback.

I think my plan has evolved to this: Swing by the BB at around 10P and expect bad news, but hey, who knows? Maybe even wait in line for the bad news to be official.

If that's a no-go, I will head back there in the early AM and maybe swing by the Walmart before 6A to scope out the line. If it's more than, say, 20, I will skip it and head to the Target. If the Target has no line, I will be set, even though they are only getting 6 and 6. If it looks like no go at the Target, then it's right down the sidewalk to the CC and wait there.

Problem is, I would love to be able to head to the 2nd BB early AM as well since I know they are getting a good number of units, and then the CompUSA at 8 or 9ish. I hope the CC guy wasn't giving me bad info. If they really are getting 50 units, I think that will be the place to be.

I guess I will know how my chances are at the Target/CC/Toys R Us place early enough to head over to the CompUSA in time.

By now, I am resigned to getting a Core system and paying the extra $$ for the HD, the Component cables, and maybe a wireless controller.

Wish I could 'ditto' myself (anyone read Brin's "Kiln People?") and send a couple whites or greens over to Walmart, and an Ebony to the second BB. Hell, if I did have a dit, he would be in line at the midnight BB right now, melting in the rain!

As to Hipe's question: I am Gameflying CoD just in case that is the default DSP 'big-room' game of choice, but already bought PDZ because I'm presonally more excited about that game. I will be playing Madden online whenever I can get a cheese-free game. And PGR3 is a no-brainer for good, big room DSP fun.

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:40 pm

I will be playing Madden online whenever I can get a cheese-free game

Please look me up. Oh, and good luck 360 hunting.