Halo Hysteria

Whether it was the countless commercials for the game, the Slurpee created after the game at 7-Eleven, or the new Mountain Dew flavor "Game Fuel" made for the occasion, it was nearly impossible to avoid the hysteria surrounding the recent release of Halo 3 for X-Box 360 on September 25.

It was one of the most highly anticipated game releases among videogame fans. Halo 3's following rides the great success of the first two Halo games and the ability to play both single or multiplayer with friends. Halo 2 became incredibly popular once people began playing it online where they had many opponents to battle.

The excitement for Halo 3 officially began in December 2006 when a teaser commercial aired and a preview of the game became available for purchase at Halo3.com.

Only a select few of the many fanatics that tried to buy the preview of the game were able to do so on December 4.

Gamers had the opportunity to purchase Crackdown, a shooter game released in spring of 2007, instead just to play the sample of Halo 3 included in the game.

Preordering for public began back in January. Despite this preparedness, there was still an all-out rush for the game at midnight on the day of release.

"As soon as I heard that I could preorder this game in January, I came here and put money down," said Ben George, a videogame enthusiast waiting anxiously at a local game store. "And now I am just waiting so I can play it all night."

People began lining up outside of stores to get their game as early as 5:15 p.m. the night before. Some stores chose to hand out numbers to gamers waiting on line around 9 p.m. Those who received numbers could in some instances pay for the game and then go home before returning for the midnight payoff.

According to an anonymous source at a local game store, there were enough games for everyone who preordered but a very limited amount otherwise.

"There is no doubt that people bought X-Box 360s just for this game," added the storeowner. "I definitely would not be open past midnight if it wasn't a big deal."

Yet, not all UB students are taking part in the virtual world hysteria.

"I just don't get the story," said Philip Tang, a senior business major.

Tang stated that he enjoyed playing Halo 2 multiplayer against his friends, but does not have any interest in playing Halo 3 at all.

The game is sold in three different packages. The Legendary Edition costs $129.99 and includes a collectible life-size Halo Helmet. The Limited Edition, sold out on the 25th at many different video game retailers, costs $69.99 and comes in a special case with a limited edition DVD. The Standard Edition, the game and nothing else, goes for $59.99.

So if dear friends disappear in the night and fail reappear for class, and their dorm room starts smelling of Red Bull and sweat, there is a simple explanation for their actions: Halo 3.