Yes, you have been able to for a long time now. I have only done it once, about a year ago. Based on that experience, I'm sure the line at the pick-up will be worse than picking a copy up off the shelf and heading for the registers. That's assuming they have enough copies.

I meant online PRE-orders. Since when do they do that?

True enough. I hate doing in store pick-up. It takes three times as long and half the time I have to go and get the shit off the shelf myself. Really solid system in place right there.

Has anyone else seen the reserved parking spaces for online pick-ups? There is no way they get enough online orders to justify those. I park there anyway.

I made it through three levels of Halo last night. I stopped when I reached The Silent Cartographer. Man I haven't played Halo 1 since likes 2003. It was just like riding a bicycle though. I flew threw those first 3 levels on Heroic.

I may regret my pre-oder at Best Buy. I never pre-order games, I just thought I'd take advantage of the $5 1600 point card deal.

The 1600 point deal was tempting and I would have done it as well if our Best buy was going to be open at midnight.

Looks like Wal Mart (ugh) wins here though.

I'm a little worried about gamestop having my copy of halo 3. I just preordered on Saturday. The guy assured me they would have enough copies though.

I wouldn't be too worried about it. I did the same thing with Halo 2 and had no problem getting my copy.

Halo 2 tonight! 9pm EST! Who is in?

I would but I don't own Halo 2 anymore, and my gold subscription has expired.

I think my Gold subscription is still valid for another few days (until I pick up a twelve-month card, that is), so I'm in for H2 tonight. I've been meaning to play to get some practice in for next week anyway.

Gamertag is in the sig. I'll be on at 9.

i did the online order and over night shipping. the fact that i don't have to deal with fat 12 year old rude kids and parents and the great teenager tards makes the wait and extra cost of overnight shipping all worth it.

Let us know when it arrives. That sounds like a tempting plan for Halo 4.

Okay, I saw some of the ads for this on YouthTube this morning and all I have to say is that.. Microsoft, Bungie, whoever was in charge of these ads have managed to take the crown from Square-Enix as the Champions of Pretension. Are the games this spellbindingly self-important or is it just the advertisements?

I kinda like the ads. I assume you mean the ones on XBL now with the diorama stuff?

I thought the ads were cool. Beats the pants off the "cinematics+game footage+logo=video game commercial" we usually get.

to the commercials.

I thought the commercials were cool. I'd love to see the diorama in person. Somebody (or somebodies) put a lot of work into it.

Anyone for some Halo 2 later?

Did you not see any of the launch PS3 commercials?

I have to agree with Draven, they are unique in an otherwise stale area of marketing. I like 'em.

My Halo 3 preorder receipt just cured my cancer.

That diorama looks amazing and while I would love to see it if they took it on tour there is no possible way it would be displayed anywhere near me.

Odd, I woke up this morning to the smell of coffee and found my Halo receipt making me breakfast!

Eh, seeing how defensive everybody has gotten I think they've confused my statement with "The ads suck." They are unique and well made, I just think they're pretentious, ie: I'd expect a fourth commercial to be a black screen with the text "Halo 3 is the most important video game of all time. Signed, Microsoft." for thrity seconds. And I mainly stated that only to ask if the games had that same air of self-importance, as I have been meaning to play them.. but if that's what they're about, I can easily skip them.

The games haven't so much been like that. The third one, however, i think will be just because it is the end of the main storyline. They have had a bit of an "epic" feel with a great score but if you only play the games and don't get into the backstory through the books and stuff then they really won't hook you with an epic story.

Also, i know a number of people dislike the Flood, but i really dig them as a character in the story. I hope we see more forms of the Flood in H3.

edit: I think your idea for a 4th Msoft commercial would also be really funny and work. It would be different enough i would dig it.

Thanks for the info, miyu.