FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers usually aren’t willing to sacrifice sleep, but more than 200 soldiers and their family members surrendered a few hours for the midnight release of "Call of Duty: Ghosts," Nov. 5.
The GameStop located in the Clear Creek Post Exchange was anything but a ghost town as a line of anxious gamers waited hours for the much anticipated release. However, the video game store made the wait a little easier with raffles, food, and the popular GameTruck, which has been coming to major releases like this one for several years.
The mobile gaming center held a tournament before the official release which allowed some of the avid gamers a chance to show off their skills.
"We were playing since 10 p.m.," said Pvt. Jonathan Francisco with 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, the first-place winner of the tournament. "It was pretty close and it came down to kill-death ratio."
For one soldier, working the graveyard shift has its benefits for the midnight release of the game.
"Having to work late kind of bites, but the fact that I'm already here and working, I can come pick it up on a break, which makes it easy," said Sgt. Randy Serrault, a signal support noncommissioned officer with 3rd Brigade’s Engineer Battalion, 1st Cav. Div.
Some gamers like Heath Mitchum have showcased their devotion to the series by participating in every midnight release held on post.
"I haven't missed one since I moved back to Fort Hood," said Mitchum, who plans to play all day and night. "I'm here to get my first copy so I can get back home and play."
The game release is the tenth main installment in the “Call of Duty” series.