Die-hard Diablo fans form mega long queues outside Funan Digital mall
After 12 years, Diablo fans could hardly wait to finally get their hands on Blizzard's third iteration of the popular demon-battling role-playing game. The anticipation was evident with the long lines seen at the game's official launch in Singapore at Funan Digital Mall by Asiasoft at 3pm today. (Asiasoft is the official distributor of Diablo 3 in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand)
When xinmsn visited the mall at around 1pm, massive queues were already snaking outside and around the building. Most of the crowd was made up of Diablo fans that were collecting their pre-orders of the game. The long queues were organized into 3 parts in order to avoid over-crowding of the area.
Despite the warm weather, Diablo enthusiasts started queuing to collect their pre-ordered games early in the day. Mr. Prakash Ramdas, 25, was seen with his friends near the front of one of the queues after queuing for about more than three hours. He cited his excitement for the release of the game as reason for his willingness to queue so long.
Also seen in the middle of the a queue was 21 year old Moses, who said he was mainly "excited to see how the game's story continues and develops". He pre-ordered the game along with his friends because all of them played the game as well. Mr. Justin Quek, who was waiting in the queue for about 2 hours after a job interview, shared that he was looking forward to the game's "PVP(Player versus player) system".
For some others, the 12 year wait for the game was a tad too long. Also waiting to enter NS, Mr Vernon Loh said that his "excitement has dropped a bit after waiting so long for the game", explaining how he was disappointed with how the rumored launch of the game was constantly pushed back.
Take a look some pictures of the crowd at Diablo 3's official launch event at Funan Digital Mall above.
Excitedly, i headed to funan centre on launch day itself at 12 noon armed with my receipt and pre-order diablo3 card. Upon arrival, was told by the staffs (of Asiasoft presumbly) you have to q outside to get a "registration number".
Upon getting a registration number, you need to queue again (or wait elsewhere including sitting on sidewalks of 2nd, 3rd, 4th floor of funan centre) for your number to be called.
When your number is called, you, check this out, according to the staff's words, "have to produce your NRIC for verification purposes".
I asked: "But Blizzard the company dont need my NRIC number".
He answered: "THis is for verification purposes"
I replied: "But i already got my receipt, my pre-order card and a registration number. Verify what??"
He replied: "We are told to say this lor"
I asked again: "I am collecting one more for my friend and I have his pre-order card and receipt with me".
He replied: "Oh then he needs to give his NRIC number. You can ask him to sms you his NRIC number"
I dont know about you but i find this ridiculous. Asiasoft is definitely skimming and collecting customers information including NRIC numbers most likely for marketing purposes?? As far as i know, Blizzard does not need our personal IDs, if thats the case in USA they gotta provide their social security number tio bo???
Unless this is rated "Mature above 18", then i understand need to verify NRIC. However, this is NOT rated "M".
Whats next? Next time pre-order mee goreng 3 packets also gotta provide NRIC? Wait, its 3 NRIC le.
Come to think of it, it serves several attractive purposes:
1) The personal info including NRIC number collected for marketing purposes is lucrative for Asiasoft and its "joint strategic partners" and there is no opt out clause for customers like us for the company NOT to use this info. ALso, there is no clause stating that Asiasoft will not use this info for other purpose. I dont remember agreeing to this clause when i pay S$75 for my pre-order
2) This double queue and keying in of details and giving NRIC number etc is causing so much delay and jam and while i was there heard so many people complaining "its so stupid". For any other launch events, its produce receipt, preorder card and collect n thats it. Because of this, so much delay has been caused.
jsut like a chinese wedding dinner, the hosts like to stretch the event. Its always good to have pics of queues and how crowded it is to show off "see we the organizers make this event so big and successful" hence useful for other future companies to engage us again as we have such a good track history.
3) Estimated about 15,000 pre orders for SG. Hence today smelly smelly can collect abt at least say 12,000 and above personal infos??
All this smells bad. Launch event by Asiasoft next time of any product? No thank you.
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