http://www.ncaaplaymakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/voucher.jpgMonday, July 14, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Briefing: Employees - Part Two
Hipster Douche - 99 out of every 100 GameStop employees. Not a single chance that he's giving it up. He knows the street date and you are but dirt beneath his Chuck Taylors. Better alternatives to dealing with this guy include: self-castration, self-fileting and suicide.
Pretentious Manager - He checks his name tag as many times as he checks to make sure you're not stealing things. Like the Hipster Douche, he knows that he is better than you - but he has the promotion to prove it. Just go mix some Drain-O into your dinner before you deal with this cunt.
Bubbly Girl - Either still in school or fresh out of it. She couldn't be more happy to let you see her bright, shining face. It may be necessary to snap your fingers in front of her face to wake her from a trance if you slip up and use a word with more syllables than the name of the store she works in.
Part-time Associate, Full-Time thug - He doesn't know who you are, what you want or why - and he couldn't possibly care any less. His shift is almost over and he's finna get drunk thanna mufuck.
Bro - Flip-flops. Torn jeans. And his messy hair comes from the frayed-brim cap he's been wearing since 2003. He'd totally love to help you out but he has to ask his manager. Unless you find one with enough arrogance to exercise autonomy, you're shit out of luck, brosephus.
Pretentious Manager - He checks his name tag as many times as he checks to make sure you're not stealing things. Like the Hipster Douche, he knows that he is better than you - but he has the promotion to prove it. Just go mix some Drain-O into your dinner before you deal with this cunt.
Bubbly Girl - Either still in school or fresh out of it. She couldn't be more happy to let you see her bright, shining face. It may be necessary to snap your fingers in front of her face to wake her from a trance if you slip up and use a word with more syllables than the name of the store she works in.
Part-time Associate, Full-Time thug - He doesn't know who you are, what you want or why - and he couldn't possibly care any less. His shift is almost over and he's finna get drunk thanna mufuck.
Bro - Flip-flops. Torn jeans. And his messy hair comes from the frayed-brim cap he's been wearing since 2003. He'd totally love to help you out but he has to ask his manager. Unless you find one with enough arrogance to exercise autonomy, you're shit out of luck, brosephus.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Briefing: Employees - Part One
We've covered the stores you're going to be searching and what makes them good or bad selections for your attempts. But inside the stores themselves is a whole new ballgame. The people you're going to be dealing with will vary by store, though certain types of them tend to be drawn to specific stores. Consider this a bestiary of sorts, like for a first person shooter. You won't have a gun, but some of them will make you wish you did.
Elderly Bastard - They're old, they've been shoved to the back of the store because they smell, and they've hated you since before you pulled into the parking lot. They're typically men and they hold a spite for you that would kill you if you actually read it's depth. The odds of them getting a copy of the game - or a medic if you're choking - for you are not good at all.
Elderly Angel - Conversely, this specimen is almost always a woman. These are the gentler, kinder evolutions of the Elderly bastard. They've renounced their hateful ways frankly because they know that their time is dwindling and they need to impress the man upstairs. If you see one of these creatures walking around the electronics department, you need to approach them quickly before they die. Be polite and respectful and if you can line one of these gems up with a store that has the game in the back then you are golden.
That Guy You Know - Don't be an asshole and get one of your friends fired from his job. If he has the right connections to hook you up and either certainly won't get let go or doesn't care - spectacular.
That Guy You Really Don't Know - Time to swallow your conscience. You remember his face from high school and he knows your name, but you don't know his. Go home, grab your high school yearbook, figure out who he is and go be buddy-buddy with him for a while and if you find out they have early copies, consider it a one night stand. Hit it, quit it, and you'll be downloading your free rosters in no time.
Elderly Bastard - They're old, they've been shoved to the back of the store because they smell, and they've hated you since before you pulled into the parking lot. They're typically men and they hold a spite for you that would kill you if you actually read it's depth. The odds of them getting a copy of the game - or a medic if you're choking - for you are not good at all.
Elderly Angel - Conversely, this specimen is almost always a woman. These are the gentler, kinder evolutions of the Elderly bastard. They've renounced their hateful ways frankly because they know that their time is dwindling and they need to impress the man upstairs. If you see one of these creatures walking around the electronics department, you need to approach them quickly before they die. Be polite and respectful and if you can line one of these gems up with a store that has the game in the back then you are golden.
That Guy You Know - Don't be an asshole and get one of your friends fired from his job. If he has the right connections to hook you up and either certainly won't get let go or doesn't care - spectacular.
That Guy You Really Don't Know - Time to swallow your conscience. You remember his face from high school and he knows your name, but you don't know his. Go home, grab your high school yearbook, figure out who he is and go be buddy-buddy with him for a while and if you find out they have early copies, consider it a one night stand. Hit it, quit it, and you'll be downloading your free rosters in no time.
Briefing: Stores
One of the more important and basic fundamentals of hunting for the game is knowing your stores. They each have different characteristics and chances for obtaining the game. Below, you'll find a list of all the stores you should check if possible sorted by a grade for the likelihood of success and some useful information for each one. Note that an A ranking doesn't mean you're going to get it, but that it's the most ripe for you to try.
Grade A Stores - Best chances; These stores have a history of selling early
Independent Stores - Also known as "Mom & Pop Stores", these diamonds in the rough are your best opportunity for getting the game early, but they are few and far between in most parts of the country. If you're fortunate enough to have one in driving distance, check with them at the earliest possible opportunity and find out when they'll have the game and if you can get it that day.
CompUSA - Not long ago, CompUSA was a nationwide chain and for it's final couple of years it served as a hot spot for a lot of NCAA gamers (including myself for NCAA Football 07) to obtain early copies of the game. They're now limited to 15 stores in Florida and then a few scattered stores in Illinois, Texas, North Carolina and Puerto Rico. If one of these is near you, it's a must-check. They've had more reports of early copies sold than any other single outlet.
FYE / Sam Goody - There are other stores like these that go by different names but FYE and Sam Goody are the more prominent of them. They're almost always located in malls and their main focus is music, followed by movies and then video games. They have a "Video Game Specialist" on staff, but this doesn't mean that he knows any more about games than the desk that you're resting your arms on does. My personal story is that I got NCAA Football 06 at FYE a full 8 days before release and while I haven't managed to get it from them early since, all of my other interactions with them lead me to believe that the opportunity is still there.
Grade B Stores - The opportunity is there; Ripe, just not yet harvested.
Sears - Typically located in malls, their focus is so far away from video games that they have someone covering the games that is preoccupied with concerns of people looking at HDTV's and DVD players. The only downfall to this store is that they sometimes get games late. Check with them and if they are getting their delivery early, your odds of them selling it to you are good.
Target - Basically the same boat as Sears, minus the mall and the fact that they have something more of a focus on the video games department. All of my trips to Target during hunting season have resulted in discovering that they had the game (In one case it was actually on the shelf) but they were either told or saw the street date. Over the last couple of years, scattered rumors have popped up about them having it and nearly selling it or perhaps even doing the deed. Worth a try, for sure.
Grade C Stores - Shot in the dark; They either have it and won't sell it, or they'd sell it but don't have it.
Wal*Mart - Basically, if Wal Mart employees were to break off and form their own independent electronics store, we could get the game before it went gold because of how clueless they are. I have personally stood in front of two employees that were trying to figure out if they had it and/or if they'd sell it while signs bearing the release date with the subtext of "STREET DATED PRODUCT" surrounded them. The big problem with Wally World is that their employees are, for the most part, horrified of doing work. If they think they can make you go away by saying "All we have is what's on the shelf." then they'll try it until they're blue in the face. Obviously it's a lie, but these people have to be pressed hard to try and use their brains.
Toys R Us - Don't let the fact that most of them now have dedicated video game departments fool you - few of this section's employees know anything about street dates. I've been told by employees that they frequently get games early, and alot of them told me that when they get the game in they will put it on the shelf. Whether that's true or not, this store's biggest downfall is the frequency with which they get new releases.
Grade D Stores - Chances are slim to none. These stores have little interest in games.
K-Mart - The set up is nice - they have clueless employees and a decent (Albeit cluttered) selection of video games. But they're slow on the uptake for new games and couldn't give much more of a damn than they already do. Honestly, it's worth a shot if you want to pray for a miracle, but don't cancel dinner for it.
Best Buy - They have the selection and they get the games early, but their computer systems keep them nice and informed on the release date. Even if they didn't care what the release date was and they had the game in the back, most Best Buy employees just want you to leave them alone so they're sure as hell not going to get it for you.
Circuit City - Same exact reasons as Best Buy, just slightly worse. They are a little slower on new releases and have a somewhat smaller interest in games.
Grade F Stores - No chance in hell; Unless you work there or you have an awesome hookup, forget it.
GameStop/EBGames - Because it's their specialty, they know all about street dates and you're not going to find anyone that will break it for you. Obviously if you work for them or your friend works there, you're probably good to go. Otherwise, these stores are only good for finding out when they have the game in store.
KB Toys - Apparently out of the new video game business, they were never a more than a Grade D even when they were still in it.
Grade A Stores - Best chances; These stores have a history of selling early
Independent Stores - Also known as "Mom & Pop Stores", these diamonds in the rough are your best opportunity for getting the game early, but they are few and far between in most parts of the country. If you're fortunate enough to have one in driving distance, check with them at the earliest possible opportunity and find out when they'll have the game and if you can get it that day.
CompUSA - Not long ago, CompUSA was a nationwide chain and for it's final couple of years it served as a hot spot for a lot of NCAA gamers (including myself for NCAA Football 07) to obtain early copies of the game. They're now limited to 15 stores in Florida and then a few scattered stores in Illinois, Texas, North Carolina and Puerto Rico. If one of these is near you, it's a must-check. They've had more reports of early copies sold than any other single outlet.
FYE / Sam Goody - There are other stores like these that go by different names but FYE and Sam Goody are the more prominent of them. They're almost always located in malls and their main focus is music, followed by movies and then video games. They have a "Video Game Specialist" on staff, but this doesn't mean that he knows any more about games than the desk that you're resting your arms on does. My personal story is that I got NCAA Football 06 at FYE a full 8 days before release and while I haven't managed to get it from them early since, all of my other interactions with them lead me to believe that the opportunity is still there.
Grade B Stores - The opportunity is there; Ripe, just not yet harvested.
Sears - Typically located in malls, their focus is so far away from video games that they have someone covering the games that is preoccupied with concerns of people looking at HDTV's and DVD players. The only downfall to this store is that they sometimes get games late. Check with them and if they are getting their delivery early, your odds of them selling it to you are good.
Target - Basically the same boat as Sears, minus the mall and the fact that they have something more of a focus on the video games department. All of my trips to Target during hunting season have resulted in discovering that they had the game (In one case it was actually on the shelf) but they were either told or saw the street date. Over the last couple of years, scattered rumors have popped up about them having it and nearly selling it or perhaps even doing the deed. Worth a try, for sure.
Grade C Stores - Shot in the dark; They either have it and won't sell it, or they'd sell it but don't have it.
Wal*Mart - Basically, if Wal Mart employees were to break off and form their own independent electronics store, we could get the game before it went gold because of how clueless they are. I have personally stood in front of two employees that were trying to figure out if they had it and/or if they'd sell it while signs bearing the release date with the subtext of "STREET DATED PRODUCT" surrounded them. The big problem with Wally World is that their employees are, for the most part, horrified of doing work. If they think they can make you go away by saying "All we have is what's on the shelf." then they'll try it until they're blue in the face. Obviously it's a lie, but these people have to be pressed hard to try and use their brains.
Toys R Us - Don't let the fact that most of them now have dedicated video game departments fool you - few of this section's employees know anything about street dates. I've been told by employees that they frequently get games early, and alot of them told me that when they get the game in they will put it on the shelf. Whether that's true or not, this store's biggest downfall is the frequency with which they get new releases.
Grade D Stores - Chances are slim to none. These stores have little interest in games.
K-Mart - The set up is nice - they have clueless employees and a decent (Albeit cluttered) selection of video games. But they're slow on the uptake for new games and couldn't give much more of a damn than they already do. Honestly, it's worth a shot if you want to pray for a miracle, but don't cancel dinner for it.
Best Buy - They have the selection and they get the games early, but their computer systems keep them nice and informed on the release date. Even if they didn't care what the release date was and they had the game in the back, most Best Buy employees just want you to leave them alone so they're sure as hell not going to get it for you.
Circuit City - Same exact reasons as Best Buy, just slightly worse. They are a little slower on new releases and have a somewhat smaller interest in games.
Grade F Stores - No chance in hell; Unless you work there or you have an awesome hookup, forget it.
GameStop/EBGames - Because it's their specialty, they know all about street dates and you're not going to find anyone that will break it for you. Obviously if you work for them or your friend works there, you're probably good to go. Otherwise, these stores are only good for finding out when they have the game in store.
KB Toys - Apparently out of the new video game business, they were never a more than a Grade D even when they were still in it.
The Quest Is On
I had originally given up on this idea because it appeared that the community didn't care much about getting the game early anymore. This was very wrong.
The time that the copies are plunking down into the backrooms of retailers all over the country is now. We have one week until release, but considering that PastaPadre has rosters available right now, there is absolutely no reason to wait if you can help it.
Beginning with several huge updates tonight, I'll be covering the nationwide hunt on this blog with a blotter for all reports of early finds from all the prominent forums, as well as all the information you'll need for your own search. Please comment if you like an update or if you have any info to contribute.
I have copius amounts of alcohol, my wife is distracted with Halo 3 and hopefully one week from now, some of us will already be knee-deep in our dynasties.
Keep checking back tonight, I've got plenty coming.
The time that the copies are plunking down into the backrooms of retailers all over the country is now. We have one week until release, but considering that PastaPadre has rosters available right now, there is absolutely no reason to wait if you can help it.
Beginning with several huge updates tonight, I'll be covering the nationwide hunt on this blog with a blotter for all reports of early finds from all the prominent forums, as well as all the information you'll need for your own search. Please comment if you like an update or if you have any info to contribute.
I have copius amounts of alcohol, my wife is distracted with Halo 3 and hopefully one week from now, some of us will already be knee-deep in our dynasties.
Keep checking back tonight, I've got plenty coming.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Scouting
I know it looks like I'm not doing anything, but I swear I've been getting everything prepped.
I'm going to be doing reconnaissance work with a bunch of stores and I'll be posting the information I get from them. After that I'll be delving into profiling all the stores and people you'll be interacting with on this Quest.
I'm going to be doing reconnaissance work with a bunch of stores and I'll be posting the information I get from them. After that I'll be delving into profiling all the stores and people you'll be interacting with on this Quest.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Buckle Up
I haven't forgotten about this endeavour, the time is simply slow in coming. I believe that today we are going to reach the peak of the information we're going to recieve. There is a hands-on event going on in Orlando for NCAA , Head Coach and Madden. It looks to me to be a good way to kick-off the next flow of info for Head Coach and Madden and to put a bow-tie on NCAA before they settle in for the last tweaks.
As such, just as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, the hands on previews will become basically useless. (We know more about the game at this point this year than we've ever known before release day)
I'm in the middle of (A double whopper value meal) getting everything sorted to begin briefing you on the information you will need on each store and person you may encounter to ensure success.
So for today - enjoy the outpour of information coming from the community day and we'll be knee deep in early copies before you know it.
As such, just as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, the hands on previews will become basically useless. (We know more about the game at this point this year than we've ever known before release day)
I'm in the middle of (A double whopper value meal) getting everything sorted to begin briefing you on the information you will need on each store and person you may encounter to ensure success.
So for today - enjoy the outpour of information coming from the community day and we'll be knee deep in early copies before you know it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)