Think Tank | November 13th, 2011 by Staggs
Discussing with a few friends, as we wait patiently in line with an upwards of 200 gamers for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to begin selling, I began to wonder when exactly the midnight release phenomena started to go mainstream. The midnight release of Modern Warfare 3 was unique – they deployed some extra security measures to manage all of the people that were supposed to get the game that night, an estimated 9 million gamers started playing.
Some gamers couldn’t wait, though. Deploying like the special forces, several criminals deployed gas and the use of deadly force to perform a truck heist carrying over 6,000 copies of the game, a loot valued over $3 million in goods (read the whole report). There were also others who managed to get early release copies of the game and had the chance to begin playing online to get a leg up on most other gamers – at the risk of being found out and having their online multiplayer accounts banned. These guys really don’t seem to mind the risks involved in being able to play a video game early.
For those who could wait until midnight were lined up outside of game retailers, the most prominent one likely being Gamestop. They handed out MW3-branded wristbands to be sure they were letting in people who had already paid for the game and to get people out of the store, and back home in the most efficient way possible. It was the first such tactic that I had encountered at any midnight release, and I can say it worked well.
Midnight releases are no new phenomena, though. Where exactly did it begin? For one, any product that has a high risk of selling out on the first day will have people thinking ahead and taking action to lock-in their much wanted product. This can involve staying in line at a store, or if that isn’t an option, to pay absurd prices for (likely) illicitly-obtained products. This doesn’t just go for games, either. Huge name-brand products, many of which made by Apple and Nike, have lines awaiting to pay top dollar to be among the first to hold their new products. Popular, limited release of Nike shoes form some of the biggest lines, along with Apple fans who need to be the first to obtain their latest gadget. Most of which, can wind up being sold for exceptionally high prices on sites like eBay – especially if the product sells out everywhere.
The earliest event in the gaming industry that had this happen may have been the release of the Xbox 360, with the PS3 following shortly after. Both products suffered from short supply. Anyone that was able to get one early, either used it, or sold it online for close to twice what they paid for it. From here on, this early release culture has evolved to buying individual games, though the risk of them selling out is practically non-existent. I don’t believe anyone had any trouble getting the new MW3 if they did not attend the midnight release. Many of those who can wait, probably bought the game online anyway, which seems to be fairly immune to selling out. (Has anyone ever seen a game sold out online?)
News of these limited products are spread quickly through the internet. Friends get together and form a sort of tailgate, drink energy drinks, meet new people, and have a good time. For as long as any risk of selling-out, high anticipation, and friendly competition exists, there will be a ton of midnight releases for any particular reason. It is a lot of fun for a group of friends, and can quickly become a tradition for regularly released games like MW3.
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Think Tank | September 10th, 2010 by Staggs
You come here because we filter out lame, noisy products, movies, and whatnot, and we only give you whats worthy of your limited attention. No, you don’t have time to look at fifty different cell phones to figure out the garbage from the elite. Call it high standards, which I certainly have here at WhatsLeet.com. I like to pass on those high standards to the readers who come at a pace they can deal with, and feel comfortable reading about the very limited amount of things to look at and enjoy.
Which brings me to the reason why we have been so quiet for the past month and a half. Nothing has been worthy of a mention here. The innovation, and new ideas have hardly been flowing from the people who make this stuff. I am not impressed, and neither should you consumers be.
Even I dislike constant mentions of Apple, however I must say that company has been very consistent at keeping its audience very in-tuned and on their knees, though showing minimal innovation. They have earned their right to run with their fantastic “retina display”, but thats it.
As far as movies are concerned, stay out of the theater. I’m not even close to thinking about spending any money, anytime soon to promote Hollywood. Oh well.
Stay tuned, and rest assured that I will keep you updated as soon as something worthy comes across. In the meantime, take a look at the new Apple iPod Touch, which is the iPhone without the phone. It is very pricey.
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Features | July 28th, 2010 by Staggs
Every once and a while a video game is launched that seems so different, it is a must have. Limbo is exactly this with its unique style and mysterious gameplay. Set in black and grey, along with stark sounds and gloomy foliage, Limbo gives players an atmosphere of uncertainty not knowing what lurks beyond the deep shadows.
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Gadgets | May 25th, 2010 by Staggs
The last place to have Internet readily available wherever you are is that car that you have. But now, given you have enough money, you can get the new 2011 Audi A8 with a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot that can connect anything from your laptop to an iPad, up to eight devices wirelessly. The device works by connecting a cellphone SIM card into the car or by connecting the phone wirelessly via Bluetooth. The device will then be able to use the cellphone service to give the wireless Internet connectivity. Other products that allow this sort of connectivity require their own data connection plan, but because it is connecting to the cellphone or SIM card directly, there is no need to have another charge added to your phone bill.
The 2011 Audi A8 is the first car to offer a factory installed wireless Internet device. While the function is optional, I’m sure that plenty of the people buying this car will opt to have it. Audi tends to stay at the forefront of technology and as more people sign up for data packages for their cellphones this is a great way to give people what they want. Once a user has connected, the device can serve wireless Internet at speeds of up to 7.2 mbps that is WAP2 encrypted. The wireless transmitter is located at the top of the car near the antenna. You think this is cool, what else is this car packing…
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Think Tank | April 28th, 2010 by Staggs
The Internet is no longer a collection of “webs” and pages. It is now an increasingly complex information system, and many large web sites are finding that the only way to go is to become interconnected, and intertwine webs with each other. Facebook, which is nearing a monopoly of social browsing, is attempting to connect other webs to itself. So far, it is already working with other near-monopolies, like Microsoft, in its endeavor to spread its reach.
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News | April 5th, 2010 by Staggs
The Apple iPad has officially launched this past weekend: it is now available to be purchased at all retail Apple stores and through the online Apple store. For those who want to utilize the 3G version, you will have to wait a bit longer, as it appears that they are still only available for pre-order, expecting to be filled in late April.
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Think Tank | March 24th, 2010 by Staggs
Have you heard of Foursquare? Some of us have, and some have not. If you have not heard of this service, listen up, a lot of people are talking about it lately.
Foursquare is a mobile web service, which is already racking up over 500,000 users, that lets people find their friends depending on where they are. Users can broadcast their current location via mobile phone and check-in at known places, such as the local Starbucks. Once the user does that, their friends can see it and choose to meet you there, or “Shout” you a message (maybe asking why you are there), etc. — you basically tell your friends where you are. If you are thinking it is Twitter-esque, it is… sort of.
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Gadgets | March 15th, 2010 by Staggs
I have been weary about mentioning the iPad, for various reasons, until now. My perception on the matter is that the iPad is a hyped up, unimaginative device that only hardcore Apple followers will be willing to throw down money for. I still feel this way and believe that the product will be left unappreciated, and rejected by many consumers. Apple should have put more thinking caps on when developing this device. However, one aspect of the iPad that does deserve applause is its application abilities. Without applications, the iPad would just be a sitting duck. With the success of iPhone apps, there is now a great market for new and better apps to come along with the iPad.
If you are not aware, the iPad will natively run every iPhone application that is currently in the iTunes App Store. You will not have to wait for the publishers of your favorite application to churn out a special iPad version, it will just work. Nothing could be more simple. And to that, your favorite application developers are probably already working on new, more exciting applications that will use everything the iPad has to offer to its users.
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