Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
View
Trending
  • Prime Day Deals
  • Superman
  • Donkey Kong Bananza
  • Switch 2 stock
Recommended reading
Haylee Skye, one of the Fortnite Characters in Chapter 6 Season 3
Fortnite Fortnite Characters locations in Season 3 of Chapter 6
GTA 6 Cal Hampton in a bar by a pool table
Grand Theft Auto Rockstar gives us our best look at the GTA 6 characters yet, from a beer-loving, conspiracy-believing hermit to a rap duo with a "relentless social media presence"
The Outer Worlds 2 Earth agent with rifle
RPGs The Outer Worlds 2 devs have already shown the background I'll be using in this RPG: the Roustabout, a talentless loser who is "not quite sure what happened" to get them here
Donkey Kong Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Games Nintendo Direct narrator jokingly threatens to cut ties with anyone who secures a Switch 2, so Smash Bros director Masahiro Sakurai is trying to erase his memory
Photos of Wizkids Baldur's Gate 3 companion minis
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 companions got official $50 D&D minis, and I am casting Vicious Mockery because what in the Nine Hells is this
Indy explores a cavern beneath Rome in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants
Events & Conferences Everything announced at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto All the GTA 6 characters we know of right now
  1. Games
  2. Action

11 people you'll meet at a midnight launch

Features
By Matt Bradford published 20 November 2013

Which launch line character are you?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The line starts here...

The line starts here...

With the next-generation in full swing, and publishers scheming to separate us from our holiday cash, it's inevitable you'll be tempted to take part in the ancient gamer ritual known as the 'Midnight Launch'. Originating with the release of Grand Theft Troglodyte, back in 50,000 B.C., the practice of queuing for hours to play a game for 20 minutes before passing out has long been a staple of gaming culture. And while some wonder if midnight launches are worth the effort in this brave new age of online retailers, the sheer number of modern gamers at midnight releases indicate they aren't going anywhere soon.

I'm not here to tell you whether or not to join the crowd. That decision is up to you. But if you are planning to line up at your local game store the night before launch day, I can at least prepare you for the people you'll meet...

Photo: NZGamer.com

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
The Long-Hauler

The Long-Hauler

As well as marking the start of the launch line, the Long-Hauler stands (lounges, squats, sleeps) as a monument to fanboy resolve. No wait is too long. No local news station too condescending (see slide #4). They'll happily brave poor weather and snide remarks to see their names etched into gaming history. And while outsiders may mock the Long-Hauler for their monk-like dedication (to an admittedly non-monk cause), they still command a quiet respect from those who line up in their shadow. Long live the Long-Hauler, I say.

Photo: Vice

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
The Condescending Reporter

The Condescending Reporter

And yet, rather than treat a midnight launch with at least a sliver of respect, the Condescending Reporter is often spotted singling out the most awkward gamer in line and (barely) holding back a smirk as they ask them about queuing up for a silly game. Worst yet is the on-air segment, which typically ends with the main anchors farting out something like Don't think you'd ever convince me to stand in line for a video game, how about you Donny? before checking in with weatherman Chip Friendly.

Photo: Curse.com

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
The Bro

The Bro

Locating the Bro is easy. One need only sniff out the skunky aroma of the Bro's favorite body spray, scan the line for their stylishly askew hat, or listen for their poetic words of wisdom (Man, fuck this fucking line... I need a smoke). As the morning approaches, the Bro will make his alpha status all the more clear, through useless acts of defiance against hired security, or mumbled threats about that fucking guy's starting to piss me off. And if you think leaving the line will mean an end to your Bro encounter, you're sure to find them again online...

Photo:The Telegraph

*Bros depicted in image may not actually be Bros. Please don't beat us up.

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
The Regular

The Regular

But is the Regular really so bad? Perhaps it's jealousy that makes the Regular a launch line nuisance. After all, wouldn't we all appreciate an 'in' with the Game Store Soldier? Don't we all wish we had an advantage over the hundreds of others in line, no matter how meaningless? Let's face it, if we knew Carl, we'd totally be asking him to sneak us in through the back.

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
The Comedian

The Comedian

One can't be too hard on the Comedian, though. Like everyone else, the Comedian is excited for the gaming nirvana ahead and simply seeking a way to kill time that doesn't involve refreshing Facebook every three minutes. From a certain point of view, they're the social glue that keeps the line in good spirits. Thing is, as time marches on, the Comedian's laughs become half-hearted chuckles, and soon their wry observations and oh-so-timely references start to grow stale. Yeah, we know it'd be hilarious if we were all standing out here for the wrong game. You're right, that guy who got the first copy does look like a crackhead Justin Bieber. Now shut up and be miserable like the rest of us!

Photo: Daily Mail

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
The Game Store Soldier

The Game Store Soldier

Launch Soldiers come in multiple varieties. First, there are the sparkly-eyed rookies who embrace the opportunity to show their bosses how well they can handle a horde. Then there are the stoic warriors who know all the stock answers and look minutes away from abandoning their post to walk slowly into the nearest ocean. In each case, the Soldier is a natural target for the Bro, Comedian, or Regular, and everyone else itching to take their boredom out on the nearest sign of authority.

Photo: The Daily Telegraph

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
The Veteran

The Veteran

You can spot the Veteran by their glazed eyes and slouched posture. They're the ones counting the heads in front of them and calculating the time between each step--all the while wondering if they'll even play the game at all when they get home, or if they'd be better off installing the updates and resting up for that 9am video conference. Make no mistake, the Veteran is just as hardcore as anyone else in line. They're just usually the first to question whether waiting another 12-hours--like the rest of the world--was a smarter bet.

Photo: PS3.MMGN.com

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
The Tag-along

The Tag-along

Whether it's out of sheer loyalty or the lack of anything better to do on a Monday night, the Tag-Along is a common sight at a midnight launch. Typically, they're the quieter members of the pack who can be found smiling politely while quietly planning their escape. There are the odd Tag-Alongs, however, who will adopt the role of Comedian and use their captive audience to remind everyone how charmingly out of touch they are with gaming culture and how sticking around to the bitter end with their mate means this guy totally owes me a foot massage when I get home. Odds are you know a Tag-Along. If so, hold them tight and never let go. They're keepers.

Photo: Digital Spy

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
The Reluctant Parent

The Reluctant Parent

Sometimes you'll find the Reluctant Parent in the line asking the Soldier how long the whole mess is going to take. Other times, however, the Reluctant Parent will watch from the comfort of their heated vehicle, occasionally cruising down the line to pick their offspring out from the crowd and yell something incredibly awkward and... "Holy crap, Dad, just shut up! I'll call you when I'm done!"

Photo: Digital Spy

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
The Cosplayer

The Cosplayer

You can spot the Cosplayer... well, you can spot the Cosplayer pretty damn easily. If their costume is really good, they'll be the ones posing for fan pictures and getting interviewed by the Condescending Reporter. If the outfit is bad, well, the Cosplayer will still look 100% more interesting than everyone else. Either way, if you're going to spend a night with complete strangers at (or outside) a vacant set of shops, you might as well have some fun doing it.

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
The Game Rep

The Game Rep

It'd be nice to think that the Game Rep comes to midnight launches because they truly want to interact with fans who are probably Googling their names seconds before pretending to recognize them. In reality, it's more like they drew the short straw at a studio meeting. Regardless of the reasons, the Game Rep usually does an admirable job of looking excited and rewarding attendees with something special for their dedication. Now, enough small talk. Can you sign my hat, shirt, arm, strategy guide, dog bowl, magazine cover...

Photo: Digital Spy

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
And then there's us...

And then there's us...

Want more features about gamer stereotypes? Here's What Type Of Gamer Are You? which is a sort of funny quiz. Oh, and there's this one called What Generation Of Gamer Are You? which is a similar kind of thing. Both are much funnier than this article.

Pictured: Zohaib Ali, launcher elite.

Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
CATEGORIES
Nintendo PlayStation PS4 Xbox Xbox One Platforms
PRODUCTS
Grand Theft Auto V Call of Duty: Ghosts Grand Theft Auto V Wii U
Matt Bradford
Social Links Navigation

Matt Bradford wrote news and features here at GamesRadar+ until 2016. Since then he's gone on to work with the Guinness World Records, acting as writer and researcher for the annual Gamer's Edition series of books, and has worked as an editor, technical writer, and voice actor. Matt is now a freelance journalist and editor, generating copy across a multitude of industries. 

See more Nintendo Features
Read more
Haylee Skye, one of the Fortnite Characters in Chapter 6 Season 3
Fortnite Characters locations in Season 3 of Chapter 6
GTA 6 Cal Hampton in a bar by a pool table
Rockstar gives us our best look at the GTA 6 characters yet, from a beer-loving, conspiracy-believing hermit to a rap duo with a "relentless social media presence"
The Outer Worlds 2 Earth agent with rifle
The Outer Worlds 2 devs have already shown the background I'll be using in this RPG: the Roustabout, a talentless loser who is "not quite sure what happened" to get them here
Donkey Kong Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Nintendo Direct narrator jokingly threatens to cut ties with anyone who secures a Switch 2, so Smash Bros director Masahiro Sakurai is trying to erase his memory
Photos of Wizkids Baldur's Gate 3 companion minis
Baldur's Gate 3 companions got official $50 D&D minis, and I am casting Vicious Mockery because what in the Nine Hells is this
Indy explores a cavern beneath Rome in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants
Everything announced at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025
Latest in Action
Death Stranding 2 PS5 screenshot of Sam on a futuristic motorcycle
Death Stranding 2 players reach "breaking point for hating signs" as devious porters place speed boosts in inconvenient places: "I ran over a quokka because of one of those signs... I was devastated"
Star Fox
Nintendo employed "so many incredible people," even a legendary Star Fox and Zelda dev had an "inferiority complex" during his 32-year stay at the company
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Ingenious Tears of the Kingdom player spends 3 glitchy hours bringing Purah, Paya, and a fake Zelda from across the map all for the perfect photo for Link's wall
Death Stranding 2
I'm glad the heatwave is over, because if it wasn't I'd think I hallucinated these weird Death Stranding 2 moments, from dancing dolls to sci-fi directors fighting while making pizza
Hollow Knight
As Hollow Knight: Silksong gets 7 new Steam updates in less than a week, the SKONG community reaches levels of cope hitherto unseen: "The wait is almost over"
Fighting enemies in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition
2 years and one Switch 2 release later, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom hoarders are still celebrating their item duping glitches making it past Nintendo's patches
Latest in Features
Kaizen: A Factory Story key art featuring a production line making a toy electronic
"Make games and die. That's my plan": Coincidence's Zach Barth on making games about making things, a year of teaching, and being in it for the long haul
Cyberpunk Edgerunners
Cyberpunk Edgerunners season 2: Everything we know about CD Projekt Red's anime
David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Skyler Gisondo in Superman
Do I need to watch any movies or TV shows before Superman?
David Corenswet as Superman in James Gunn's Superman
James Gunn's Superman looks like a comics-accurate take on the Man of Steel at last – but will it be enough to revive DC at the box office?
A cropped screenshot from Undertale, showing Frisk and Sans standing in Grillby's in Snowdin.
17 years after it was released, I'm tracing Undertale and Deltarune's origins back to Toby Fox's spooky Earthbound mod
Superman movies ranked: Christopher Reeve as Superman flying through the sky during the 1978 movie Superman.
All the Superman movies ranked from worst to best, ahead of James Gunn's upcoming DC movie
  1. A Gundam style mech in Mecha Break
    1
    Mecha Break review: "This mech battler makes up for lacking customization with a varied roster that lets me live out my Evangelion fantasy"
  2. 2
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  3. 3
    Rematch review: "As with Rocket League, the just-one-more-game pull is magnetic"
  4. 4
    Tron: Catalyst review: "Disc slinging is a thrill in this gorgeous rendition of the series, but I'm let down by a time-loop story that falls flat"
  5. 5
    FBC: Firebreak review: "A disappointingly bland multiplayer FPS that's missing far too much of what made Control special"
  1. A T-rex in Jurassic World Rebirth
    1
    Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber"
  2. 2
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  3. 3
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  4. 4
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  5. 5
    From the World of John Wick: Ballerina review: "Brilliant action, even if the plot gives you a sense of déjà vu"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...