Several gamers patiently wait in line for Grand Theft Auto 5
At exactly midnight Sept. 17, the doors to Guildford mall in Surrey opened, and eager gamers received their copy of Grand Theft Auto 5 as Rockstar Games released the latest instalment in the Grand Theft Auto series. According to a press release by Take-Two Interactive, the game became the largest entertainment launch in history, making $800 million in sales in the first 24 hours.
The lineup at Guildford was one of many across North America, and stretched from EB Games, past the food court and into the parking lot. As early as 10 p.m. more than 50 people had shown up.
Starting at 10:30, people were sent into the mall in small groups. Each person made his or her way to EB Games and would either present a receipt for a pre-order or pay. Each customer was given back a receipt and sent back outside.This process shortened the wait once the doors opened at midnight.
This continued until 11:45. Anyone who arrived after that would pay for the game the usual way.
Most people killed the time by talking about the game, specifically the first thing they would do. Some people were in camping chairs. Some had waited as long six hours.
Everyone had similar reasons for showing up on the night of the launch. For some, such as 22-year-old Robert Campbell, who has played every GRand Theft Auto game, it was an example of dedication. “It’s showing respect. You know, proving you’re a true fan.”
By 11 o’clock the lineup had doubled to more than 100 people crowded into an empty corner of the parking lot. Several employees of EB games struggled to find room for the increasing crowd. When the doors finally opened one thing was for sure, they were in for a long night.
