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NHL 10 Midnight Launch at Yonge & Dundas Future Shop

Josh Salem — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:14:05 +0000

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Where do Toronto Film Fest buffs, WWE RAW fanatics, free concert goers, and Maple Leaf hopefuls converge at 11:59PM on a Monday? Why Future Shop at Yonge and Dundas in down town Toronto for the midnight release of EA Sports’ NHL 10, hosted by Xbox Canada of course!

AndPOP was in tow to witness the launch of what may very well be this year’s best hockey title. In a town that loves their hockey hundreds lined up early, a pick-up street hockey game was going on across the street, and anticipation was high for the clock to strike midnight.

Fans lining up outside Future Shop. Sorry about the poor picture quality.

At the event which took place both in Toronto as well as Vancouver Hockey stars were present to offer photo ops and autographs to fans waiting (Trevor Linden in Vancouver and Wendel Clark & Ian White in Toronto). As well, the Xbox Canada crew gave out t-shirts, lanyards, and one lucky hockey fan even walked away with an Xbox 360 Elite unit! Game stations were available for all to try out the newest NHL title and in my little time spent watching this station, I saw hockey fans, TIFF fans, concert goers, and Wrestling fans go at it complete with smack talk on the side of Yonge street.

NHL 10 producer, Sean Ramjagsingh was available for questions, and to ensure everyone would love the thrill of hockey of course.

While there, I got a chance to speak with the producer of NHL 10 Sean Ramjagsingh who filled me in on a couple of the new features in this year’s title. “This year we really tried to capture the emotion and intensity of NHL hockey, the importance of solid tough guys and really make them important, just like in real life. ” (Yes, I took that as the fighting and hitting are getting major boosts this year around) Sean also discussed the new features such as first person fighting (what I am most excited for), post whistle play, interactive and intense crowds, and the new board play feature, “you can pin guys against the board defensively or offensively, dump the puck in and be really strong against the boards, team mates will come in and support you. really changing the gameplay” says Sean, as well, with over 150 goalie animations, the revamping of the goalie specifically will really give gamers new intensity levels to deal with, especially playing online in leagues and tournaments.

Adam, the first purchaser of NHL 10 in Toronto. While you read this and wait for stores to open on the 15th, he will already be dekeing, fighting, and scoring hat tricks.

As the line proceeded into Future Shop at midnight, eager fans (as well as some passer byers) faces lit up as they stood on the escalator to be met at the top with employees welcoming and handing fans copies of the title. I was able to speak and get a photo with Adam, the first purchaser of NHL 10 to walk out of Future Shop with the game in hand and while I didn’t want to keep him from playing the game he eagerly waited for, I couldn’t help but feel the same sense of urgency to rush home and pop this bad boy into my Xbox 360. After seeing people play the game, and speaking with Mr. Ramjagsingh, I rushed home, but like any responsible reporter, work first play second. Once this writeup is over, I’m heading straight to the Xbox for some NHL 10 goodness. Well, would you look at that? writeup is over! HOCKEY TIME! (stay tuned for a full review in the near future).

NHL ’10 Crashes the Party Sept. 14 Across Canada

Brett Caron — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:07:51 +0000

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Are you excited for EA Sports NHL 10? If you’re Canadian, probably. The #1 selling console game in Canada has it’s launch parties in Toronto and Vancouver Monday, September 14. The Toronto party will be at the Yonge and Dundas Future Shop with Wendel Clark and Ian White (of Maple Leafs fame) from 9pm to 11:45pm, and in Vancouver’s Granville and Robson Future Shop with Trevor Linden of the Canucks. The Future Shop locations will be open until 1am, so check it out if you’re not too busy… and on a Monday night, what’s your excuse?

Cheers!

Launch Party For World of Warcraft At Future Shop Stores

andPOP Staff — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:33:05 +0000

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On Wednesday, November 12, Future Shop stores across Canada will be open at 11:59 p.m. for the release of World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King.

Players attending the midnight launch event will be able to purchase a copy of the limited Collector’s Edition of World of Warcraft, which features a 208-page image book, a behind-the-scenes DVD and the official CD soundtrack. Those who purchase the gift on the night of the launch will also receive a free World of Warcraft hat.

The event will also feature a costume contest for those dressed up as World of Warcraft characters.

Future Shop To Host Gears of War 2 Launch Party

andPOP Staff — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:07:11 +0000

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On Thursday, November 6, Future Shop stores across Canada will be open at 11:59 p.m. for the release of the Gears of War 2 game. Stores in Quebec and Sudbury will be open at 8 a.m. on November 7.

Gear of War 2 plays on the Xbox 360 console. The game supports the Xbox Live feature, giving players access to new maps, weapons and maps. With Xbox Live, Gear of War 2 players can drop in and out of the co-opt campagin at any time.

Gears of War 2 is currently available by pre-order in-store and online. Because the game is rated M for Mature, it will only be sold to those over the 17 and ID will be checked at purchase and pick-up.

Future Shop Introduces Used Game Program

andPOP Staff — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:23:37 +0000

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After a three month pilot project in Calgary stores, Future Shop has decided to release a used gaming section to its stores across Canada. The used gaming program is currently available in 55 stores in Canada, and plans to have the program in place in the majority of stores in 2009. Customers will be able to trade-in used videos games for a Future Shop gift card.

“Since launching the used gaming pilot program in Calgary in the spring, word spread quickly and our customers from coast to coast were asking when they would have the trade-in at their Future Shop stores,” said Michelle Grawe, Director Merchandising, Future Shop in a press release from the company. “While the traditional male gamer continues to be the most common, we’re seeing more females, including Moms, trading-in used games, proving that gaming is becoming more and more a part of pop-culture and transcending all demographics.”

Future Shop will be accepting used games for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. The trade-in value of the game will be determined by each Future Shop’s Trade-in Station. All of the used games will be tested, cleaned and re-packaged in ‘like new’ condition for customers.