Midnight launch event: The Freezing Crusade
by Barb Dybwad 
Jan 16th 2007 at 12:49AM
We braved the elements here in Ithaca, NY to join with our WoW-besotted brethren and sistren (sistren? it's a word now.) for our local launch event, and while the expansion is installing (disc 3 of 4!) we're updating you on our launch experience. Check after the break for what went down.
One solid sheet of ice. Burning Crusade better hurry up in this piece!
Living up to the Blizzard name.
I get excited at the turnout until I remember that most of these people are here for the movies.
The Burning Crusade gauntlet.
A little PSP action in line.
These could be the guys who pwned you last night in WSG.
The line starts building behind me.
Now, with more line. Almost time!
Door opens! Who let the nerds in?!
We're in ur mallz, buyin' ur expansions!
Dead arcade. The darkened mall is kinda creepy in that "best hide and seek evar" kind of way.
EB Games local #4083, reprazent!
Holding the line back in fear of the inevitable WoW-loving riotous revolt. Almost there!
Extra-heavy on the Blizzard merch.
Sensing a trend...
Success!
How was your launch?
Filed under: Events, Expansions, The Burning Crusade, Features
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Psyclerk Jan 16th 2007 1:20AM
I will be getting my copy later, but my brother decided to get his tonight. He was first to get one from his local Wal-Mart. A while later, I got to spend 20 minutes on the phone with him and a few minutes remote managing his router so he could download the BC's first patch. Yup...patched right out of the box. Joy.
Tetelestia Jan 16th 2007 1:21AM
Installing as I type. Im logged off near the portal, ready to go.
Sockninja Jan 16th 2007 1:22AM
4 cds... 4 *CDS*?! cmon... Dvds exist blizz... sheesh...
GamerJunkie Jan 16th 2007 1:22AM
Looks like guys with no sex life.
Becca Jan 16th 2007 1:34AM
My boyfriend and I headed off to our local GameStop at about 11:45 and already there was a HUGE line. I participated in the World of Warcraft costume contest (dressed as a Murloc!)...but since I was the only one in costume, I won by default!
In the end, I got The Burning Crusade, lots of "grlrlgrlrlglg" noises from the other people in line, and a $25 GameStop gift card! Not too shabby!
Tryst Jan 16th 2007 2:22AM
I hate living on the west coast! It's only 10:45 here!
Ben Jan 16th 2007 2:00AM
I walked into Walmart at 11:50. I walked out at 12:15, TBC in hand. No preorder, no ridiculous lines, no ridiculous cold. Patching as we speak.
Thijz Jan 16th 2007 2:12AM
I am getting it in about half an hour, the stores didn't open at midnight here in The Netherlands so i had to wait till this morning. The shops open one hour earlier though :)
Nasteratu Jan 16th 2007 2:17AM
Here in Rochester NY the local gamestop & EB in the mall were packed, me and my buddy arrived 11:00 and the line was pretty small then, it soon grew in a snake around the mall, and this was only for gamestop, the line seemed smaller but still formidable at the EB down the hall. A lot of serious wowers out there tonight braving the weather, had a good chat with some guys in line about the usual wow related crap, good times were had, plenty of copies around.
Pengwnmastr Jan 16th 2007 2:22AM
lucky u stood inside i just got home and its *looking at temp* 4.5 WITH WIND!!!!!!
Mir Jan 16th 2007 2:41AM
"Freezing Crusade" also describes the situation outside the Dark Portal last night quite well... the insane amount of people brought my gfx card to its knees :P
Dibbes Jan 16th 2007 10:50AM
There are some that have to work the other day, like me. :s
That and the fact that no shop in The Netherlands is going to open at Midnight for this.
With that in mind i ordered it online. Should be in the mail when i come home this afternoon.
First thing to do: Install, patch, tell my girlfriend to bring diner upstairs tonight and start playing.
Michael Jan 16th 2007 4:11AM
Sunnyvale, Ca. (Heart of Silicon Valley) Yeah, midnight came fast - but only because I was in Strat. Baron went down right at the stroke of midnight - I scrambled to my local EBGames to pickup my pre-order.
Over 120 people were in line before me - and I showed up at 12:04am. It's funny watching WHO plays this game. There's the usual cast of fan-boy characters - but a few grandmas and b-boy miscreants as well.
There seemed to be a healthy amount of TBC copies - but non pre-orders were turned away. No biggy - Fry's down the street had 4500 copies to sell - and the Blizz boys were there to sign a copy.
I got mine - done installing waiting on that damned downloader to finish.
jFk Jan 16th 2007 7:10AM
Guys in corridor looks like waiting for operation... "Where is my medicine" :)
Sylythn Jan 16th 2007 9:50AM
At least you guys got to wait inside. I got to freeze my ass off at the event near my place - 20 degrees and snowing in Buffalo.
I was hoping there'd be some kind of event or party - but the "event" was nothing more than showing up an hour early to get a number and freezing while waiting outside the store.