When is the real Emergence Day?

by Justin Murray { Nov 8th 2006 at 4:55PM }

I just received a disconcerting call from the GameStop automated system. They told me that, due to shipping problems, Gears of War may not be in today. After a quick call, my local shop confirms the bad news.

When I dropped my hard earned $5 (okay, I had credit left over from a trade-in) on a Gears of War preorder, GameStop told me the game would be out on November 7th. What is confusing is why PR materials would list the 12th as the official Emergence Day for a game that GameStop told me to pick up in the store 5 days earlier. A Joystiq insider said that stores were told the street date to sell Gears was the 7th but -- due to distribution problems ranging from UPS to distribution centers -- many stores won't be getting them in as early as expected (Wal-Mart is scheduled to have them tomorrow). The clerk at my local store blamed it on a delay in Memphis.

So, the street date on Gears of War was the 7th, but a confluence of circumstances conspire to leave many of us waiting. This situation, coupled with confusing marketing dates (the game doesn't actually emerge on Emergence Day) and an impressive hype campaign, has left many gamers anxious. Our recommendation: call ahead. Don't be surprised if Gears hasn't emerged at your store just yet.

Tags: 360, Emergence Day, EmergenceDay, Gears, Gears of War, GearsOfWar, GoW, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

John @ Nov 8th 2006 5:05PM

?

Preorder it online and you won't have these kind of problems. Mine shipped yesterday as promised and with two day shipping I'll get it tomorrow.

DeezNuts420 @ Nov 8th 2006 5:03PM

Forgot that I had reserved it at Gamestop when I picked up GRAW, and received the same voice recording earlier today. Luckily I also Pre-Ordered at Circuit City a few months back. I used the coupon from XBOX Mag and received 15% off PLUS I received a free faceplate. Circuit City FTW!!!!!!!

Neoxkc @ Nov 8th 2006 5:04PM

Got mine yesterday. I love it!

Colon D @ Nov 8th 2006 5:04PM

From what I heard from Major Nelson's podcast (if I remember right, at least) the reason Emergence Day is listed as the 12th is, due to the possibility of situations like this, when you should (in theory) be able to go into any store and pick up a copy.

Dizzy @ Nov 8th 2006 5:05PM

the Gamestop I got my copy from had shipping problems for their copies. The store manager actually drove out to the bay area, a 6-8 hour round trip just to get the games to his store. Kudos to him, and I got my copy late last night at about 9pm

defunq @ Nov 8th 2006 5:05PM

AMERICANS
Stop complaining.

Us europeans have to wait until NEXT FRIDAY!

Thank you.

GamerZero @ Nov 8th 2006 5:04PM

That's it....I'm off to the store to get me a real
C.H.A.I.N.S.A.W. gonna carve me up some Sony fanboys
mwahahahahahahaahaaaaaa.......errr.....ahem..
jus' kiddin'!

aegies @ Nov 8th 2006 5:08PM

it's an ebgames and gamestop problem, and while i think most have the regular edition in stock today, those of us who splurged for the collector's edition are getting screwed.

Les Doodis @ Nov 8th 2006 5:11PM

Just got the same call from Gamestop. I just called around and found it at Best Buy. Heart attack narrowly avoided. I've got some sweet co-op action planned after Lost tonight at my place.

jharr @ Nov 8th 2006 5:13PM

I just got a call from Gamestop on my cell phone informing me that Gears of War is going to be delayed due to shipping difficulties. Luckily I called around yesterday and was able to pick up a copy of the game. My buddy talked me into not waiting another day to get it at my local Gamestop and thanks to him I now have it. Let me just say that it is amazing. He and I played co-op from 3:30 to 10:30 and it was a blast. It is an awesome game and I would recommend picking it up once it becomes available everywhere.

azesino @ Nov 8th 2006 5:14PM

walmart is getting it today at midnight, but for some reason Toys R Us have a bunch in stock.

Gavin @ Nov 8th 2006 5:16PM

The big question is: What did you trade in for the Gears preorder?

diskoboy @ Nov 8th 2006 5:15PM

I got it yesterday, as well. Collector's Edition.

Some places got thiers yesterday and decided to put them out. Alot of places got them today. The gamestop I bought mine at was literally just getting them. The FedEx guy was sill there, and I watched them open the box. Best buy had tons of them when I swung buy today to buy a DVD.

And to add insult to injury - I didn't reserve a copy. I just walked in and picked it up.

SuperAfroBoy @ Nov 8th 2006 5:16PM

I just walked into futureshop today, and picked up the collectors editition, no pre orders or anything. And there was PLENTY of them on the shelf.

Ashley Bennett @ Nov 8th 2006 5:16PM

Emergence day is the big day on Live when everyone is supposed to be playing online for prizes. Putting it on the 12th was to give people time to practice I guess. Plus, more people can dedicated a Sunday to gaming over a Tuesday.

Keeko_ca @ Nov 8th 2006 5:17PM

Canada reporting...

In Calgary...just picked it up at FutureShop of whom just released it today. I got lucky...the game sold out in front of my eyes.

lolersticks @ Nov 8th 2006 5:18PM

I find this hilarious, because my local GameCrazy has over one hundred copies. ONE HUNDRED COPIES! They have these waist-high shelves on the rear wall behind the glass counters, and each shelf is about four feet wide. There were TWO WHOLE ROWS full of Gears of War.

You have to understand, Lewiston, ID is a retirement community, yet we still had the HIGHEST number of Xbox 360 preorders in the Northwest (yes, we beat Seattle, Olympia, Portland, Boise, Spokane, etc). The central office actually allocated more than the standard 50 360 units because of the high number of preorders. (it could have something to do with the fact that we're 30 minutes away from Moscow, which is a university city, and that Moscow doesn't have any game stores besides a Hastings)

Still, 100+ copies of GoW is crazy, especially considering the fact that big-city stores are running out, and we have plenty of extra. I picked up my copy today at about 2:00 PST, and there was still more than 3/4 of the games left. Yet Guitar Hero II sold out within hours. It weird

Drew @ Nov 8th 2006 5:19PM

I just stopped by my local gamestop and they got the standard box in but the collectors edition was still in Memphis. They said they should have the collectors edition in tomorrow and had sold out of the regular edition.
My local target had both in but refused to break the "street date" of Nov 9th. I would of been enraged but they had a playable PS3 (how easily amused I am).

machrc @ Nov 8th 2006 5:20PM

Picked it up at ebgames yesterday..

they asked me if I pre-ordered but there was enough to go around the whole store.

they also picked it up from their supplier at 'round 6:30pm and sold it at seven til closing.

Im glad I waited in line to play coupla hours before most gamers get their clamy hands on it.

a must buy.. it will def hold you off a little longer til halo tre

Jake G @ Nov 8th 2006 5:22PM

Well, My Local Gamestop here in Rochester Minnesota (not New York... hasn't anyone heard of the mayo clinic!?) and the collectors edition was delayed... so I was like f*ck it, ill get the standard edition... cause I thought to myself, its not like im actually going to watch the DVD... or look and the Artbook... so why spend the money for a tin case that doesn't fit on my rack :-p

Great game, i love Epic and everything they have done. Thanks Epic! :D

but seriously, other GameStops are having the SAME problem. Thats just too funny.

misasfasise @ Nov 9th 2006 1:55PM

Street date was the 12th, but gamestop got to sell it as soon as the recieved it. The shipment went out ON the 7th; for everyone else it's the 12th.

superhookie @ Nov 8th 2006 5:22PM

just played it...awesome...died 4 times in the first 17 minutes.

The Rev @ Nov 8th 2006 5:23PM

just came from gamestop and they said tomorrow...so ill be skipping school yet again

shadee12 @ Nov 9th 2006 7:22AM

here in toledo ohio, i waited at best buy for to hours to get me a copy....it was cool tho, i watched some hd sports center, helped a customer with his psp, and met some victims...now im playing this game and im loving it....game tag is shadee12 come and see me...peace

superpac @ Nov 8th 2006 5:27PM

Local Gamestop here had run out of Collector's Editions by the time I got there. So they gave me a regular edition and told me they'd call me when they got the rest of their allotted Coll. Ed. shipment in and would exchange it. Let's see if they really do it. Honestly I don't think I'll be that broken up if I don't get a Collector's Edition.

rob @ Nov 8th 2006 5:29PM

I called every store around me and they said they had shipping issues and will have it tomorrow!!!! what is going on in Phoenix AZ!!!

Prc329 @ Nov 8th 2006 5:31PM

I got my special edition via fedex today from EBgames. It was really special. Someone at Fedex decided to stomp on the package. So my tin was damaged and the game was scratched because it poped out of the case and was sliding around in the tin. So EB did a crappy job packing my game in a envelop and fedex did a crappy job delivering my package.

jharr @ Nov 8th 2006 5:31PM

Rob

I am in Phoenix and got it yesterday at the EBgames in the Arizona Mills Mall. I don't know if there are any left there now though.

techie @ Nov 8th 2006 5:31PM

Picked up the GOW CE version.

Total cost today $16.48

Paid $5.00 for pre-order
Had a $5.00 off coupon
Also a $5.00 reward zone certificate
2 gift cards totaling $45.00
Out of pocket expense, $16.48
And when I pre-ordered, got a GOW tee shirt
and 1600 MS points for $4.99

Mr. Khan @ Nov 8th 2006 5:34PM

Mayhap this is merely a stunt by GameStop/EB Games to promote sales, although i doubt

I still say even launching this game in November was a bad idea for MS (New IP+much hyped rival consoles in same month=less sales overall)

or the complete opposite could be true, and satisfaction with mind-blowing LIVE multiplayer could put people off from Wii & PS3,

I would agree with the sentiment that if you want it GUARANTEED on day 1, the best place to shop is online..

Keeko_ca @ Nov 8th 2006 5:34PM

@ 23 superpac

I got the LE. Honestly, the tin is cool I guess. The book is fine. The DVD is probably NEVER gonna see the light of day from me. I absolutely HATE how they packed the game into a cardboard book with glued on jewel case holder. It's hard to pull out and put back into the tin. Awkward. Annoying when switching games.

Honestly...I'd say the LE isn't 'all that' at all. I'd rather have a plastic case. The tin however...is kinda neat...perhaps worth the extra 10'er.

Mark @ Nov 8th 2006 5:44PM

I pre-ordered my copy on the 6th (no time like the last minute) and went in on the 7th to grab Guitar Hero 2 not expecting to see GOW until the 8th (that shipping date thing). Turns out the manager drove to the airport to pick up the shipment himself so that we could play the game on the release date. I guess some stores work harder than others.

Silentpandaesq @ Nov 8th 2006 5:41PM

Picked mine up yeaterday night at the Gamestop on 86th and Lex in Manhattan. Pre-orders only, collector's edition in stock. Line was 45 people long... My friend got his in Rego Park (Queens, Gamestop, Collectors edition, no problems.

Spore @ Nov 8th 2006 5:42PM

Glad to live in a major metropolis cuz we got our's yesterday no problems (los angeles).

I die a lot in Gears. It's rad!

Robotic House Plant @ Nov 8th 2006 5:44PM

Been checking in with Best Buy off and on since yesterday. They received a shipment this afternoon. Also in was the wireless headset.

Passed by and picked up both.

Eric @ Nov 8th 2006 5:45PM

Just picked up 2 at Target.

Bluesilo @ Nov 8th 2006 5:46PM

1. Long story...I'm in the seekonk,MA area and we didn't get ours in at gamestop..called
Best Buy all sold out...
Target "Try back next week".
Walmart - Last Regular edition some collectors left

Went back to gamestop they said they just got an email saying customers would get $5 off if they waited til tomorrow. Proceeded to cancel preorder. Pain in the ass.

2. While I was there he mentioned they got an email that they will sell the Wii to pre-orders at 12am Sunday Morning, so if anyone else preordered midnight launch seems secured.

Trogdor @ Nov 8th 2006 5:47PM

Bestbuy.com is your friend. I went online saw that they had some in stock, went to the location on my lunch break. I got a hunger that will soon be quenched.

Brian @ Nov 8th 2006 6:05PM

My gamestop experience went like this. I pre ordered Gears of War about 5 months ago. So yesterday I get up and get a call from them saying my preorder was in. I am very confused at this point because i thought the 12th was the release date. I call gamestop and sure enough they have it. So I get off work and head to gamestop. I get there and the manager says there all gone. He said that they got 120 early for being the number one store in the reagion and since they got them early the sold the copies first come first serve since it was a day before the street date. He said pre orders would be first come first server tomorrow as well. I asked him what the point of preodering was verses just buying it online. (btw all my friends who bought it online got it). He said he did not like what i was insinuating. So after a few minutes i got my 5 bucks back. I walked over to target and they had it with plenty of copies on the shelf. Last time i deal with gamestop

dvnt @ Nov 8th 2006 5:57PM

I'm in Chicago and all the GameStop/EB's in the area got all versions of the game in around 2 in the afternoon on Tuesday. I picked my copy up that evening and the girl behind the counter said I was lucky since part of their shipment was hijacked. I also put money down on the Legendary Edition of Halo 3. *drool*

Anyway, got to Act 4 last night on casual. Had originally started on Hardcore but figured I should get used to the game a bit before I turn on the punishment. :)

Tim Marman @ Nov 8th 2006 6:31PM

If you're in and around NYC - no EBGames or Gamestop have them in stock (I called a few primary ones, and checked availability online). CompUSA, BestBuy, and Circuit City were all out of stock (or didn't have it yet) as of today.

GameStop/EBGames don't seem to have COD3 either.

My Amazon.com pre-order said it was shipping 11/7, but neither GOW or COD3 shipped as of this afternoon.

BUT (and like I said, only relevant if you're in NYC), J&R has a TON of both Gears of War and Call of Duty 3. I picked up both earlier today and I'm hoping to get a few hours in tonight... I just don't know which to start with :)

jtkelly @ Nov 8th 2006 5:49PM

I just went to the best buy in Mission Valley (San Diego) and they had about ten copies lying there and i just picked it up, if you're having problems in SD, go there.

Sarmstrong @ Nov 8th 2006 5:51PM

Ha!!!.
K-mart here had them on the Self on Nov. 1st.
They also sold a copy to a 9 year old boy.

Austin @ Nov 8th 2006 5:54PM

Got mine from Best Buy earlier today!

Dave @ Nov 8th 2006 5:53PM

My Gamestop in Brooklyn had them today. I'm curious though... was this "Limited Edition" actually limited? I mean, if you look hard enough, you can STILL find copies of the Halo 2 "Collector's Edition."

Ethan @ Nov 8th 2006 6:03PM

Shipping problems at my store. It'll be arriving tomorrow... sigh.

Corey B @ Nov 8th 2006 6:18PM

My wife stopped to pick up my copy while she was over on the other side of town (Olympia, WA) and they offered to give me $5 off to wait to pick it up tomorrow (she politely declined)... the reason? Of the 132 preorders they only received 7 copies of the game (which they had to get from another store) and my wife got the next to last one.

To the 125 that must wait until tomorrow..sorry but feel good in knowing you paid $5 less than I did.

JW @ Nov 8th 2006 6:30PM

I got lucky this morning. I was on my way to the grocery tore around 10:00am and decided to stop by Best Buy to see if they had it. Every other Gamestop, EB, etc... store was either sold out or did not expect any units until the 10th-12th. So, I said what the hay and dropped in. As I walked in I noticed a very large crowd around this one BB employee and became suspicious. I then heard the words "Do you have Gears of War?" Just then, I saw a young gentlemen, an employee, wheeling out a car full of games. It was as if everyone in that store hit the lotto because people started cheering, yelling, etc. In all, they had PLENTY of units for everyone that was there but by the time I got mine, walked over the TV section and back again........ they were all gone! Craziness.