I am now of the belief that t here is NO rational reason for people to be part of ANY midnight launch buying activity for ANY game.  Here is an example of what I ran into.

I was out in a supermarket after 9pm last night doing a bit of shopping and I had several guys come up to me and ask me if I was going to buy Modern Warfare 2.  I said that I wanted to know why and I couldn't get an answer at all.  This was in a shopping plaza which had a Gamestop, and they went over to the line at Gamestop, after I had left the store.  And yes, I have been looking for reasons to buy the game.  I am also feeling the buzz here that it is a "must get" (it is a compulsion to buy without any rational reason to do so).

Anyone else run into this?  Maybe the next time you see a midnight launch event, and guys in line, go over and ask them why they are doing it.  I believe that probably most people there can't give any rational reasons for waiting in line for a game.

Give it a rest, its the sequel to a game that sold like 12 million on PS360, Got a 94 metascore, is still the second most played XBL game 2 years later, and people loved!

Thats the rationale for buying it. At midnight, maybe not, but day 1 certainly.

To wait in line to get the game at midnight is what I am talking about.  To go out of one's way on a Sunday night, to stay up after midnight.  One would expect that people would have reasons to go and do this.  It isn't why one would buy it the release date or even the first week, or preorder it.  But, it is to wait in line at midnight.  If you preorder it, you don't need to do that.

I did it for Brawl for a simple reason. I really wanted it. it's not very complicated.

the only good thing to come from a midnight line up launch is that you get to play the game sooner for those that are eagerly anticipating it and cant wait any longer.

....and the bad news is that since its night time its easier for you to get jumped and get your game stolen.