So this might seem like a really dumb question to some, but I have no clue. I got a call from gamestop last night saying my gamestop I preordered Gears at is having a midnight release and be there at 10. Now does that mean they are giving you your game at 10 or we are having a bunch of things going on (ex. giving away prizes)? Ive only been to one midnight release (GTAIV) and I had work late and didn't get there til like 1130 and they were already giving out the games. So I am really clueless on this haha!!!!

It means the earliest you can arrive there to stand in line is at 10 PM. They still give you the game at 12

Yeah the last midnight I went to was Reach and it was the same deal, get there at 10. I believe when I went in early, I paid in full and they marked the receipt or something. Then when 12 came, the first 2/3 of the line had already paid in full and that sped things up. I'ts a decent system. But NO, you won't be walking out at 10:05 with your game.

On a side note, I saw a kid that works at my local Gamestop and he told me that for the MW3 midnight, they are gonna have some military guys there handing out dog tags or some shit. I later realized that this is probably a great recruiting tool. I can hear it now, "So you like the M-16 in the game huh, well how would like to shoot the real deal son?" The exact demographic, it's a perfect strategy. I don't know if that's what they are really gonna be doing but I wouldn't be surprised one bit.

There are a few things to note about GameStop midnight releases. In this case, the doors will be opening at 10 pm. The game will not be sold until 12pm. However, for large midnight releases the store will often do promotions and give aways in the time leading up to midnight. In addition, many stores use a "pre-ringing" process so that people who show up earlier and pre-ring are the first to get their games come midnight. Even if you don't want to hang around, it's usually advisable to show up around 10 pm, get your "raffle" numbers and pre-ring then come back around 11:30p. 

Can't you just come at 12:05am and purchase the game, without waiting in line, and without a preorder?

Lol, yeah if there are only 3 other people there. Or you can try and face the wrath of a couple hundred angry dude bros.

What gamestop does it open the doors at 10pm so you can finish paying your purchase of Gears of War, then you go back outside and wait in line.

This way when they fully open at Midnight you just walk in with a 'marketed (paid in full)' receipt and just grab the game without having to hold up the line and pay.

Some of the gamestops will have Tournaments, but they will all close just before midnight because the Cash Registers have to reload for the new work day.

If they have some copies left over you can but you have to wait until everyone with a pre-order is through.