Almost six years have passed since "Halo: Combat Evolved" was released for Microsoft's Xbox by Bungie Studios, but the Halo frenzy is still going strong.
Today, gamers everywhere are buying copies of "Halo 3," ready to resume the battle against "the Flood" once more.
"I could really be a nerd and tell you why I'm excited," said Molly Flynn, a UF graduate student. Flynn preordered a copy of the game and has been anxiously "counting down the hours" to release.
Although she won't be camping out again like she did for the release of "Halo 2," a friend has already set up a projector to turn the wall into a cinematic event for upcoming battles.
"That looks pretty appealing," Flynn said. "I have a test on Wednesday, but I'm afraid that might get the shaft," she said.
Michael Prisciandaro, manager of the Best Buy located on Archer Road, wouldn't disclose how many copies of the game the store had stocked for release.
Prisciandaro said the store had a considerable amount and was preparing the store for customers, which included setting a cash register aside exclusively to check out the game.
He expects mostly college students to be purchasing the game today but has seen everyone asking about it in the weeks leading up to the release.
At Gamestop in The Oaks Mall, manager Michael Standridge said that they had close to 200 pre-orders for their midnight sale.
"People have been calling off the hook, asking us what's going on. Every five minutes we're answering the phone," he said.
The midnight release for "Halo 2" was a success, he said. It's the following week after the release that's demanding.
"People would show up and say, 'Hey, where's my Halo? Where's my Halo?'" he said. This time, he expects no different.
"It's going to be heavier today and tomorrow, but probably next week as well, as the casual gamers start coming," he said.
