Think we'll see midnight release parties again?

[Kane99]

I remember back when release parties were a thing for video games. I went to a few of the Call of Duty release parties, I think they were for MW2 and Black Ops back in the early 2010s or so. My local gamestop would hold a little party where they'd feed us, give us free stuff, and more. I even remember they would give people the displays and posters as prizes at the end of the party. I think they even gave away a console and games. I never won anything though. :( 

Now days with digital games I don't think we even have release parties. Plus I think Covid stopped it for a good while. Idk, I guess I just miss the release or launch parties they did for new releases. I wish they would do it again, because I'm always down for free food and possibly winning stuff in return for hanging out a while. 

Do you think we'll ever see release parties again? What midnight release parties did you go to? 

[Ravenfreak]

I never really went to any of these parties myself, but I usually don't play many triple A titles. It's a shame that so many people opt to get digital games now so stores don't feel the need to have parties like this anymore though... I'm still a person who prefers to purchase physical games myself, especially of franchises I love. I would say maybe if Rockstar does something to compromise the digital release of GTA VI we might see a release party for that game, but again I bet more people are going to purchase the digital version of the game over the physical version.

[Shortie]

With digital games being as popular as they are now and there being no need to always head out anymore to get a game on release, I would be shocked if we saw another release party again. It's a shame as they were a lot of fun to be involved with and due to digital taking over, they seem to have phased out pretty fast. 

A new release doesn't have the same experience as it used to anymore which is a shame. 

[Kennysplash]

I remember those kind of parties. There would even be like a demo session that is played by chosen members of the audience. This is just to show a snippet of what is to come. But that is no longer valued today since the media show us everything before the games are released. 
 

[Shagger]

I would prefer game companies re-learn how to get a release right because they've clearly forgotten. Once they figure that out, then we can address celebrating it.

Edited December 28, 2023 by Shagger

[Debashis]

Release parties for video games were popular in the past, particularly for big titles like Call Duty. Gamestop would host parties with free food, giveaways, and prizes like displays and posters. With the rise of digital games and the impact of Covid, release parties have become less common. It's uncertain if they will make a comeback, but many gamers miss the fun and excitement of these events.

[Heatman]

No matter how release parties for video games were popular in the past, I have never made out any time to attend any of them. I just never had the time for that sort of things. I'm more interested in the game itself than any parties for its release. 

[JennyorAlice]

I wouldn't have mind seeing a midnight release party for Hogwarts Legacy.  But then again, I probably would have taken vacation time if I had attended one for this game. 

[killamch89]

On 12/28/2023 at 9:23 AM, Shagger said:

I would prefer game companies re-learn how to get a release right because they've clearly forgotten. Once they figure that out, then we can address celebrating it.

I agree - a bug-free release would be nice. Not some half-assed "release" and then one month of daily patches to make the game somewhat playable.

[Shortie]

I remember midnight release parties very well and it is a shame they don't happen anymore since games are now able to be purchased and downloaded digitally. 

It would be nice to see midnight releases back again but I don't believe they would ever be the same. 

[killamch89]

5 hours ago, Shortie said:

I remember midnight release parties very well and it is a shame they don't happen anymore since games are now able to be purchased and downloaded digitally. 

It would be nice to see midnight releases back again but I don't believe they would ever be the same. 

The issue is that most game releases nowadays are extremely disappointing with an unfinished game needing a day one patch just to function on launch date.

[Lens]

10 hours ago, killamch89 said:

The issue is that most game releases nowadays are extremely disappointing with an unfinished game needing a day one patch just to function on launch date.

That's a great point. What I noticed is that the industry's shift to digital releases is what actually changed the landscape. Here is the thing, the midnight launches used to be a real celebration of the game's completion, but now it feels more like we're just getting an incomplete product. Don't you think so?

[HowHammerYou]

With the looming demise of both physical media and places that sell physical games, I severely doubt we'll ever see release parties again.

[Lens]

On 7/16/2024 at 2:18 PM, HowHammerYou said:

With the looming demise of both physical media and places that sell physical games, I severely doubt we'll ever see release parties again.

That's a great point there. The shift to digital gaming and the online stores now has actually definitely changed the way we experience game releases these days.

[Heatman]

On 7/16/2024 at 2:18 PM, HowHammerYou said:

With the looming demise of both physical media and places that sell physical games, I severely doubt we'll ever see release parties again.

This is a reality that I am also coming to acceptance with because once those variables have been eliminated completely, there is no way we are going to see release parties again.