Suburban retailers preparing for 'Halo 3' midnight release

Let the "Halo 3" madness begin.

Fans of the popular video game franchise will be lining up at stores all over the suburbs tonight for the release of the latest - and presumably final - installment of the "Halo" series.

The new game is expected to be one of the year's biggest sellers, and a key arsenal in Microsoft's attempt to influence the entertainment choices of the living room.

It follows the exploits of a genetically altered super soldier called Master Chief as he battles an alien race called the Covenant - a concept that seems to strike a broader pop-culture nerve than in typical video game releases.

Microsoft says it has sold a combined 14.8 million copies of the first and second installments of "Halo" since the original game's release in 2001. The company said "Halo 2" sold $125 million the first day it went on sale in 2004, and they're expecting to top that amount tonight.

Dozens of GameStop retailers will be hosting "Halo 2" tournaments this afternoon, and reopening at midnight to sell and distribute pre-ordered copies of "Halo 3."

Some 24-hour Wal-Mart stores will open a checkout line just for gamers. And one South suburban Best Buy will have a person dressed up as the game's Master Chief character roaming the aisles.

Fans who can't make it to the midnight releases are scouring the Web, posting ads on sites such as Craigslist soliciting for their very own copy of the game.

Rene Baron, manager of the Best Buy store in Downers Grove, said he's expecting a larger turnout for tonight's launch than a similar launch for the "Madden NFL 08" football game last month.

"It could be a little hairy tonight," Baron said.

For more information on the "Halo 3" midnight release launches, see Tuesday's Daily Herald.