Gamer's Guide to Black Friday

Black Friday

"Black Friday" was originally so named because of the heavy traffic on that day, although most contemporary uses of the term refer instead to it as the beginning of the period in which retailers are in the black (i.e., turning a profit).

[via Wikipedia]

With every year that goes by, the Black Friday hype machine continues to grow exponentially.  It's you against the soccer mom's, and trust me...  you need every advantage over those vixens!  These moms were once the girls that started school yard fights where no rules applied - biting, scratching, eye gouging... etc...    

The competition is tough as nails, and you can throw all the rules of society and law out the window.

You have to have a plan, a back up plan, and a back up to the back up plan...

Black Friday Organization Structure

The first order of business is deciding if you want to go it alone on Black Friday or assemble a team.  Here are the pro's and con's to these various individual and team structures...

• Lone Wolf

  

  • Definition:  The Black Friday 'lone wolf' is a single individual who goes it alone on Black Friday.  Like a Halo Swordsman, you could give a damn about teamwork!
  • Alias:  Ninja, Rambo, Halo Swordsman, Splinter Cell
  • Favorite Quote:  Who cares if there is no 'I' in 'TEAM'!
  • Recommended Equipment:  Warm clothes and a Nintendo DS
  • Advantages:  You da man
  • Disadvantages:  Lack of contact/intelligence could make or break your mission soldier

   

• Team

  

  • Definition:  The Black Friday 'Team' consists of more than one (1) individual working together to collaborate on Black Friday.  Proper planning and communication is critical to divide and conquer the amazing deals out there. 
  • Alias:  Zero Company, Counter Strike
  • Favorite Quote:  'I love it when a plan comes together'
  • Recommended Equipment: 
    • Bluetooth Headset:  Annoy the hell out of soccer moms by wearing your bluetooth cell phone headset at all times.  Constant communication is key, soldier!
    • Camouflage pants:   might freak people out a bit, but screw it! 
  • Advantages:  Divide and conquer
  • Disadvantages: 
    • Fog of war, friendly fire, etc... 
    • You may be waiting in line for something you don't want.

• Central Command & Control

  

  • Definition:  The Black Friday 'Central Command & Control' takes the 'Team' structure to the next level.  One member typically stays at home to collect Black Friday intelligence and shop all of the online deals, while the other members fan out and shop the brick and mortar stores.  Communication is typically through the central command member.
  • Alias:  Hub & Spoke, Taxi Cab Service, KGB
  • Favorite Quote: 
    • Soldier:  'They have just run out of the HD DVD player vouchers five soccer moms ahead of me'
    • Central Command:  'Abort the mission, repeat... Abort!'
  • Recommended Equipment:
    • Brick and Mortar Soldier:
      • Two Bluetooth Headsets: because you are a bad ass...
      • Portable GPS:  why not?
    • Central Command:
      • High performance PC with high speed connection
      • Phone with caller id, call waiting and three way conference call (probably the only time you will ever use these local phone company 'bundled' features).
  • Advantages:  Online and Brick and Mortar Deals are all covered
  • Disadvantages:  If Central Command goes down, you may end up with lost Splinter Cells...

General Black Friday Tips

After you have decided what organization structure works for you, here are a few pretty straight forward tips to optimize your day:

• Start Early
  • You know this drill...  Like a console launch, the early bird gets the worm.  BestBuy and Walmart are typically slammed early these days (3:00 a.m.).  Don't be the person that drives up, sees the long line and then drives back home pissed off.
• Money
  • It takes money to snag all of these good deals.  First, make sure you have plenty of credit available on your credit cards.  If cash is your thing, make sure to have more than enough available.  Black Friday only comes around once a year, and if you have regrets, you can always return items.  If carrying cash, make sure to get a hidden money belt.  Criminals and thieves have been known to target shoppers during this time, so be prepared.
• Dress Warm
  • Don't be the moron with a wind breaker in sub 50 degree weather.  The soccer moms feed off of this stuff...
• Make Friends
  • When you are not confiding with your team members or central command via your kick ass bluetooth headset(s), strike up a casual and friendly conversation with your fellow line standers.  You might need them to hold your place in line if your Starbuck's Venti Mocha reminds you that your kids need to be dropped off at the pool.
• Strength in Street Knowledge
  • Make sure to get the Thanksgiving newspaper complete with all of the coupons/etc... In addition, check all of the Black Friday deal sites out there to help in organizing your battle plan. 

    If you find any deals, or have a live report from the field, by all means please submit it (log in, then hit the big 'submit deals' button).  Our comprehensive Black Friday list will be updated hourly as the deals stream in...

     

Good Luck from your buddies at the Gamerdeals.net Network!

The great recession of 2009 has certainly changed consumer and gamer buying habits.  Deep discounts and deals are now being offered on some of the most anticipated holiday titles even before release...

Here is a quick rundown of the current deal highlights that every gamer should know about...

Buy 2, Get 1 Free - Spend $80, Get $40

This weekend kicked off with another Buy Two Get a Third Game Free offer courtesy of BestBuy. 

 

 

 

As usual, Amazon responded with their Spend $80, Get a $40 Credit Promo.

Either way, it is all goodness for you...

Check it out:

• Amazon - Spend $80, Get a $40 Credit Promo 
• BestBuy - Buy Two Get a Third Game Free

Pre-order Deals:

Walmart and Amazon are in an all out price war on books, video games, and other items right now... 

 

 

Pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 at Amazon or Walmart and get a $20 credit/gift card!

Check it out:  Amazon - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

---

Finally, pre-order Assassin's Creed II (PS3/Xbox 360) for $50.99 (using the promo code below) and get a free $10 Amazon credit as well!

Steps:

• Click here: Amazon - Assassins Creed II
• Use promo code AMZNACII for $5 off your order

 

Amazon is back again with one of their all day gold box events! 

On Friday, August 28, 2009, Video Games items will be featured in the Amazon.com Gold Box. The identities of each deal will be revealed one at a time.

Gold Box Deal of the Day:

• The Sims 3 - $29.98 (40% Off) - Still in Stock!

Lightning Deals:

• 9:00 am EST - Take the challenge w/ this Wii video game
• 12:00 pm EST - Fore!
• 2:00 pm EST - Who needs pre-season, Get on the gridiron Now!
• 5:00 pm EST - Grab your Wii Nunchuk and get Active w/ this game
• 8:00 pm EST - Take to the Ski Hills w/ this action packed Wii game
• 11:00 pm EST - Go Long!...  virtually w/ this video game

Check it out: Amazon All Video Game Gold Box 

Final Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Cover Art Revealed!

While the original cover art was leaked on twitter by none other than Robert Bowling (known as fourzerotwo), we were still greeted with the following images on all retail sites:

Amazon has been taking pre-orders on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for some time now.  Today, they updated the regular edition image for all three platforms (PC, PS3, and Xbox 360).

The highly anticipated Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is set to release on November 10, 2009!

Also, Amazon is still offering a free $10 credit on pre-orders (all editions)...

Check it out:  Amazon - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Gamefly Top Queued!

For the week of June 24, 2009, Ghostbusters takes the top spot on the cross-platform Gamefly Top Ten 'Most Queued' list.  Following close behind is Prototype (PS3, Xbox 360).  Punch-out!! is at the top of the Nintendo Wii Queue as well...

Queue up the complete Gamefly Top 10 most requested lists:

Most Popular Games Cross-Platform:

Xbox 360 Most Popular Games:

PlayStation 3 Most Popular Games:

Nintendo Wii Most Popular Games:

PlayStation 2 Most Popular Games:

Nintendo DS Most Popular Games:

PlayStation Portable Most Popular Games:

Xbox Most Popular Games:

GameCube Most Popular Games:

Game Boy Advance Most Popular Games:

FYI...

Looks like another all video game Gold Box Event is kicking off soon.

This one is dedicated to the Playstation 3....  and all it's homies...

Deals kick off Monday, June 22...   more details to come...

Check it out:  Amazon Gold Box

Gamefly Top Queued!

For the week of May 28, 2009, Prototype takes the top spot on the cross-platform Gamefly Top Ten 'Most Queued' list.  Following close behind is Infamous (PS3).  Punch-out!! is at the top of the Nintendo Wii Queue as well...

Queue up the complete Gamefly Top 10 most requested lists:

Most Popular Games Cross-Platform:

Xbox 360 Most Popular Games:

PlayStation 3 Most Popular Games:

Nintendo Wii Most Popular Games:

PlayStation 2 Most Popular Games:

Nintendo DS Most Popular Games:

PlayStation Portable Most Popular Games:

Xbox Most Popular Games:

GameCube Most Popular Games:

Game Boy Advance Most Popular Games:

PATIENCE PAYS OFF!

Whether you passed on paying full retail, or have arrived to the party late, welcome to 'The Price Drop'.

This week we have a few noteworthy video game price drops to report.

To kick things off we have a universal price drop on Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3/Xbox 360) to $39.99 from $59.99.  The game scored an incredible 94 on Megacritic.  Obviously this is a highly recommended title, and would provide good filler until Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 drops later this year.

Temporary Price Drops:

Amazon has a few temporary price drops running through May 27th. 

First off is MadWorld and The House of the Dead: Overkill for the Wii.  Both are available for $29.97 (save $20).  MadWorld scored 81, while The House of the Dead: Overkill scored 78 on Megacritic.

For the PC, we have Empire: Total War.  This Sega game is discounted to $34.97 (save $15).  Empire: Total War has a universal acclaim score of 90 on Megacritic.