A wave of "Madden" mania came over local fans today as they went shopping in the wee hours of the morning to get their hands on the latest edition of their favourite video game.
The mega-selling Electronic Arts football video game is celebrating its 20th anniversary edition, the longest-running franchise of any sports video games, and the biggest buzz.
Circuit City's Newark, Del., store was open at 6 a.m. as Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders welcomed shoppers.
Up until 8 a.m., the cheerleaders judged customers' "end zone dances." And from noon to 3 p.m., gamers participated in a "Madden NFL 09" gaming tournament.
Seven GameStop stores in Chester County reopened at 10 p.m. Monday, one hour after closing. GameStop sold the "Madden NFL 09" video game Monday but only gave customers a receipt. Between 12:01 and 1 this morning, those customers came back and were handed their games.
Jon Trivuno, who works at the Brandywine Square GameStop in East Caln, said the store had sold about 200 games by the early afternoon Monday.
"It's people who have followed it since it came out," Trivuno said.
The store had planned to play a "Madden" demo from 10 to midnight Monday to make the event more fun for the crowd, Trivuno said.
Likewise, GameStop in Whiteland Towne Center in West Whiteland reopened at 10 p.m.
"'Madden' is always big," said Alex, a store employee who did not want to disclose his last name.
If customers had to wait until midnight to purchase the game, "we probably wouldn't get out of here until 3," Alex said.
With popular games like "Madden" and "Halo," there is usually a big turnout, Alex said
The employee said the store was planning to have pizza and drinks from 10 to midnight to keep customers happy.
The West Whiteland and East Caln stores were among 3,000 GameStop locations to host "Madden Mania."
Wal-Mart Super Center in the West Sadsbury Commons was ready with extra floor staff and cashiers at 12:01 a.m.
Department manager Brenda Moran made sure of it.
"I e-mailed my overnight manger and told her to be prepared with an extra cashier and extra person to hand out the games," Moran said.
"Madden" is generally the biggest video game launch of the year, Moran said.
Headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, GameStop launched "Madden NFL 09" with tournaments, tailgate events and a variety of contests. The company operates 5,453 retail stores in 16 countries worldwide.
Target, which has been open at midnight for past "Madde"n launches, did not do so today, said Joshua Thomas, corporate spokesman at the chain's Minneapolis headquarters.
Source: Daily Local News