Wii: Release and Photos!
After performing arts auditions were done (more on that some time later this week, but it was all good), I went back to my apartment. Then took the bus to the Pour House and met doomisland from SA for pre-release food and drink. However, I'm an idiot and forgot that doomisland isn't 21 yet and that the place was crowded as hell. So we went to Applebees at the Pru for dinner.
At around 11:30 we walked over to the GameStop. When we got there, we had a nice Wii Pre-order reunion:
There were people there, but no lines and a playful atmosphere. This was far from being a PS3 launch. The GameStop was locked, but the three staff members were preparing for us to get our systems and cleaning up the store. I greeted everyone with 'Happy Wii-day!' and talked about how happy this wasn't a PS3 launch. As we were talking, we thought about playing a prank on the GameStop people and 'just browse' when they let us in. That got fizzled out...
At about 11:40p, a security guard showed up and starting talking to us. He started to be firm about not having a launch 'like the other game system' and we quickly told him this will be completely different. Everyone here had a system with their name on it and we intend to go home and play it. The problems you got with the PS3 were all about money.
Then the guard started to pull a dick move and accuse one of the guys as being drunk and threatened to remove him from the premises. It ended up being just authority talk, but it changed the mood to a downturn. He then banged on the door of the GameStop demanding to be let in. The manager didn't want to deal with the security guard, but had to let him in. A few other guards started to show up as well, some of them entering the store. But after they talked to the manager, they were more relaxed and stood a good distance away from us. They were there 'because of the other game system problems', but thankfully the manager calmed them and told them this would be different.
About then, John (my student worker) showed up with some of his friends. They didn't reserve a system but wanted to see the what was going on and see if they could get a remote. Sadly, the manager already told us that there weren't any other spare accessories and they didn't even have Classic Controllers arrive yet. I was considering getting a second nunchuck, but that wasn't going to happen.
At about 11:50pm, one of the GameStop people came out and told us we would be let in 5 at a time and we got into a line. I was behind doomisland and in the second set of 5s. Then 12:00 came and the first group got in. The first person to walk out, doomisland started clapping and then everyone did.
Then it was our group's turn. I had paid for everything already, so my intention was to just pick everything up. I ordered the Wii system and one WiiMote. I had already picked up the games last Thursday, so I was ready to go. They gave me shit for not getting Zelda, but I figure someone has to play the other games first. I asked about the nunchuck and told they didn't have any. Then he asked if I wanted some Wii Points. I asked what the deal was about the Points + WiiMote deal and if there was any truth to it. No one knew, so I put in
for 2000 points.
As I walked out, John and his friends were cheering me on. I took the system out of the box and held it above my head as if I won the Stanley Cup. I showed them some the WiiPoints and WiiMote packages as well. Then I put the accessories in my backpack and we all walked to the front of the Pru. I took a Taxi home. I didn't feel very comfortable walking and taking public transportation with a console released 10 minutes prior. As the driver drove me, we talked about the Wii, PS3, and Macs. I got home, rushed to my apartment, and started my opening new toy ritual, taking photos along the way.
I'm not going to put every photo I have on this post, so please view the full gallery of images. I took the time to break down each step of the processes and unpacking everything. Also tried to use objects to show size.
Yes, very Apple. I think it has become an aesthetic of 'we focus on simply but powerful user interface design'.
#1 has most of the accessories, documentation, and WiiSports
#2 had the system itself, the main vertical mount, and the PSU
Clockwise from upper-left:
Nintendo Power Ad; Wii Channels manual in French, Spanish, English; System Manual; Extended Warranty Info; Quick Setup; WiiSports case/CD
Sensor bar; Sensor bar accessories; WiiMote;
The Nunchuck;
CW from Top-Left: PSU; Wii System; WiiMote; A/V RCA Cords;
This post is too long, so I'll cut short of my actual gameplay. But I leave with one more photo. The one thing I really love about my apartment is my view. From my window, I can see the Boston skyline and the most MIT buildings. Like this:
Yes, that's the Triforce from Zelda. I'm sorry it's a shitty photo, but here's a better one.
At around 11:30 we walked over to the GameStop. When we got there, we had a nice Wii Pre-order reunion:
There were people there, but no lines and a playful atmosphere. This was far from being a PS3 launch. The GameStop was locked, but the three staff members were preparing for us to get our systems and cleaning up the store. I greeted everyone with 'Happy Wii-day!' and talked about how happy this wasn't a PS3 launch. As we were talking, we thought about playing a prank on the GameStop people and 'just browse' when they let us in. That got fizzled out...
At about 11:40p, a security guard showed up and starting talking to us. He started to be firm about not having a launch 'like the other game system' and we quickly told him this will be completely different. Everyone here had a system with their name on it and we intend to go home and play it. The problems you got with the PS3 were all about money.
Then the guard started to pull a dick move and accuse one of the guys as being drunk and threatened to remove him from the premises. It ended up being just authority talk, but it changed the mood to a downturn. He then banged on the door of the GameStop demanding to be let in. The manager didn't want to deal with the security guard, but had to let him in. A few other guards started to show up as well, some of them entering the store. But after they talked to the manager, they were more relaxed and stood a good distance away from us. They were there 'because of the other game system problems', but thankfully the manager calmed them and told them this would be different.
About then, John (my student worker) showed up with some of his friends. They didn't reserve a system but wanted to see the what was going on and see if they could get a remote. Sadly, the manager already told us that there weren't any other spare accessories and they didn't even have Classic Controllers arrive yet. I was considering getting a second nunchuck, but that wasn't going to happen.
At about 11:50pm, one of the GameStop people came out and told us we would be let in 5 at a time and we got into a line. I was behind doomisland and in the second set of 5s. Then 12:00 came and the first group got in. The first person to walk out, doomisland started clapping and then everyone did.
Then it was our group's turn. I had paid for everything already, so my intention was to just pick everything up. I ordered the Wii system and one WiiMote. I had already picked up the games last Thursday, so I was ready to go. They gave me shit for not getting Zelda, but I figure someone has to play the other games first. I asked about the nunchuck and told they didn't have any. Then he asked if I wanted some Wii Points. I asked what the deal was about the Points + WiiMote deal and if there was any truth to it. No one knew, so I put in
for 2000 points.
As I walked out, John and his friends were cheering me on. I took the system out of the box and held it above my head as if I won the Stanley Cup. I showed them some the WiiPoints and WiiMote packages as well. Then I put the accessories in my backpack and we all walked to the front of the Pru. I took a Taxi home. I didn't feel very comfortable walking and taking public transportation with a console released 10 minutes prior. As the driver drove me, we talked about the Wii, PS3, and Macs. I got home, rushed to my apartment, and started my opening new toy ritual, taking photos along the way.
I'm not going to put every photo I have on this post, so please view the full gallery of images. I took the time to break down each step of the processes and unpacking everything. Also tried to use objects to show size.
Yes, very Apple. I think it has become an aesthetic of 'we focus on simply but powerful user interface design'.
#1 has most of the accessories, documentation, and WiiSports
#2 had the system itself, the main vertical mount, and the PSU
Clockwise from upper-left:
Nintendo Power Ad; Wii Channels manual in French, Spanish, English; System Manual; Extended Warranty Info; Quick Setup; WiiSports case/CD
Sensor bar; Sensor bar accessories; WiiMote;
The Nunchuck;
CW from Top-Left: PSU; Wii System; WiiMote; A/V RCA Cords;
This post is too long, so I'll cut short of my actual gameplay. But I leave with one more photo. The one thing I really love about my apartment is my view. From my window, I can see the Boston skyline and the most MIT buildings. Like this:
Yes, that's the Triforce from Zelda. I'm sorry it's a shitty photo, but here's a better one.