Launch camping tips

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 16th 2006 at 8:00AM }

The "sexless, insecure virgin nerds" over at Gaming Out Loud posted some tips on waiting in a launch line and staying warm. Given their tag line, they should know all about being alone and trying to stay warm. Poor guys. We like their ideas, with some addendums.

Tip #1: Dress the part -- They recommend if you're camping overnight for a game console, you're clearly a nerd and you must dress for the occasion. If your threads don't feature a 1UP mushroom or the Contra code, then you should go home. We recommend dressing for your climate.
Tip #2: Make friends with those at the front -- They recommend getting to know the guy at the front because they have all the information. We say the guy at the front is probably so delirious from waiting you can trust no words leaving those lips, especially if he follows Tip #5.
Tip #3: Bring a handheld system -- They say bring a handheld system, we say bring a handheld system.
Tip #4: Don't be yourself; make yourself seem intriguing! -- They say, "Let's face it; you're standing in front of an EB games at 2AM on a Saturday night waiting for the Wii. You suck at life. However, those in line don't know that yet. They think you're just like them; dedicated fans that just by freak accident happened to have the weekend free for the 245th week in a row." We got nothing to say here.
Tip #5: Turn Away as Many People as You Can -- AMEN!
Tip #6: It's Okay to Get Violent like it's GTA3 -- They say nerd fight. We say that we already fear what will happen when 80 percent of the lines are told they aren't getting a launch unit.
Tip #7: Be Gracious in Victory OR Defeat -- They say, "The most important thing to always remember is that no matter what, you MUST get a console on day one or else your validity as a true gamer will be questioned. If you don't get a launch PS3, all respect is lost for you." We say, have you looked at the launch lineup for the PS3? Sometimes it's best to run away and spend your cash another day.

Tags: camping out, CampingOut, launch, ps3, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kn1ves @ Nov 16th 2006 8:15AM

Tip #8 If you came late and know for certain that you're not getting a console after waiting for hours/days. Sell your spot in the line to some sucker.

http://illusivedesigns.net/kn1ves

DH @ Nov 16th 2006 8:35AM

Listen to this story. I go to retailer in New York and setup camp. Theres a big ass tent there of some freshmen college kids who say they have 9, ok. Im #10, go to bed that night(Tues.) Wake up in the morning, talk to and see that only two guys are in the tent(Wheres the other 7?) I ask how many in your party? "11." WTF?? Long story short these guys were claiming 11 but only two at a time would be there. The would litterally dissapear the whole night and through noon the next day and expected their spot to be held. Long story a little shorter its a huge argument and after complaining to the store director that I am freezing my butt off while 80% of their group is going to work or school that he needs to do something or a fight is going to break out. He takes a list of whos there and I become #4 in line. 2 min later he comes back out, says hes trashing the list because it would be like him preordering and if he has only 2 and 10 names then people would be pissed. So he tells us to hash it out or the cops will clear everyone away. We work it out that I am #10. An hour later the manager comes out and says he has 9. #$!@. I pack up and just about to get in my car the manager comes up to me covert style and says he knows where I am coming from about the line and what he is doing is just whoever is in line at the door, not whos been camped out, will get the 9 vouchers. He said if I am #1 at the door I get the first one regarless of them being there the whole week. So it might turn out to be a brawl fest because 9 guys are going to be pissed when I get the first ticket. I'll have a good nights sleep tonight, go there at 4am while they are sleeping all partied out and I will stand as close to the front as possile. Wish me luck.

Warp @ Nov 16th 2006 9:03AM

it's so ridiculous to wait outside the shop when you can order your console and stay home !
hopefully, here in France it's considered as a "trouble à l'ordre public" and it can be punished by laws

all thoses nerds are really deserving the image of videogames

Gabriel @ Nov 16th 2006 9:07AM

DH: Good luck, man!

For tip #5, why do you tell people to "turn away". They would be behind you, so what does it matter?

Pig @ Nov 16th 2006 9:14AM

i'm with ya DH. F those people. SAme shit happened to me at the 360 launch. Had 2-3 people all standing out a bestbuy for days. I jumped in the back of the line. As people keep showing up the line doesnt get any longer behind me, it only gets wider. I'm pissed but i'm just one guy. Some other group standing there asks how may people are in their group at the front and the dude says 35 or so. Keep in mind there are at least 50 people behind the 2 guys sitting in the front and there were only 2 guys reporting in for that group. needless to say the voices start getting raised when the question comes of who is actually in line and that its complete BS that they are trying to hold the line for 30+ people who aren't there and havent been there for the last 12-20 hours according to him. Then everyone gets pissed off and at that time the timed lights in the best buy parking lot turn off. It felt like a prison movie. I left and moved onto target only to get left one person back from getting a 360. I found out later that the cops were called to that best buy and some people were escorted away. Launch day sucks. Get a pre-order and save yourself the headache.

BTW DH stands for D---Head right? And good luck to all those campers. May your ebay auctions prove a fruitless attempt at making a quick buck. To all those who actually want a PS3 remember, elbows and knees have no give. Aim directly at a nose, stomach or groin and earn your rite to play the next-gen (albeit a year late). GL to all

Tucker @ Nov 16th 2006 10:01AM

Why on the green earth would HUNDREDS of people camp out like that when there can't be a damned person on the planet who thinks a store will receive more than a few units? I can see DH's situation - he thought he was number 10 or whatever. Even 50 people with a glimmer of hope I can fathom, but people in that NYC line must be out of their minds - obviously at this point they're doing it solely for the "everyone else is doing it and I clearly don't care about my job"-factor.

BklynKid @ Nov 16th 2006 10:09AM

Oh god yes, I saw a whole row of tents in front of circuit city last night going home.

What a bunch of losers...

Mike @ Nov 16th 2006 10:16AM

Damn dude, good luck to #2

When I waited to preorder Wii at TRU, the guys at the front of the lines were like alpha-nerd assholes. They tried to tell me everything was spoken for except elmos, and showed us a list of everyone in line and what they were getting. The funny part was the list was mostly "guy in red shirt who wouldn't give me his name-ps3". My friend ended up throwing his list into the parking lot and we waited it out and I was like 11 out of 20 Wiis. So I say fuck the people in front.

By the way, TRU Chicago on Western Ave received 78 Wiis and they only did 20 preorders. Hope that helps someone!

Rory @ Nov 16th 2006 10:23AM

Another funny pretty prolly true list from JoyStiq

My fav. is of course #4

I have a question, how do they deal with people that breaks the lines, and suppose someone comes in fromt of you when your sleeping?
How do the stores ensure fairness? if that even matters to them

Andy J @ Nov 16th 2006 10:58AM

I hope no one is waiting for PS3.
I went to play wii yesterday and when I got bored of watching others I decided to play the PS3 cause no one was playing it. Motor Storm I think it was..

It CRASHED as I was playing it. Screen completely froze. Manager had to reset the system. $600 for a system to CRASH?

good luck with all that, lol!

james @ Nov 16th 2006 11:08AM

I was out shopping at Meijer (like Wal-Mart, but awesome) last night when a voice came over the speaker, "Attention Meijer shoppers, the line for the PS3 will now form at the photo lab. Please do not hurt anyone or you will be asked to leave." Freakin awesome. I go check it out and 30+ people must have lined up. I bet the store gets 7 systems.

I cant wait to go back tonight and screw with those guys.

Batzarro @ Nov 16th 2006 11:58AM

Here's some "camping advise": leave your dignity and common sense at home. When some none believer tells you it'll probably be available later, with no hassle, spit on their face! You must have Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Madden, and this is the Only system that'll do it.(Usheathes sword) FOR THE BLUERAY!(Clashes)

No, sarcasm aside, Ps3 must have some awesome launch games, for me to line up at long lines ang get it. It doesn't. I won't. Time'll will tell if I get it later. But that's why God invented "Crash Test Dummies": to test the situations and scenarios... SAFELY AT HOME! MWAHAHAHAHAHHA!

thbhouse @ Nov 16th 2006 12:06PM

I'm 12th in line at a circuit city for a PS3, they got twenty of the 60gb versions!!!!!! Here's a tip, for PS3 release get there yesterday morning. lol.

GL to all the campers!

Fernando @ Nov 16th 2006 12:14PM

I fell so so happy, cause I have a preorder since October in Toys R Us... just waiting =(

TB @ Nov 16th 2006 1:12PM

We say, have you looked at the launch lineup for the PS3? Sometimes it's best to run away and spend your cash another day. --AMEN

scott @ Nov 16th 2006 1:29PM

"We say, have you looked at the launch lineup for the PS3? Sometimes it's best to run away and spend your cash another day."

Smartest thing any game blog has said in a long time. /respec to joystiq. Thank you.

Todd @ Nov 16th 2006 1:45PM

I just checked my local Wal-Mart at lunch. There is nobody waiting around for a PS3. I asked where is the line for the PS3. The response was "If you want to start one, you'll be in first place". Going to go back after I get off work at 8 and see what's the deal. They are working on setting up the display case right now with several games out for the Wii as well as the PS3.

Small town, 24 hour Wal-Mart FTW!