As some of you may know, I was greatly anticipating Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, not because of the new camera (so far, I actually find it a bit disorienting) or the online gameplay (I have yet to play a match but, thanks to Mr. LeFeuvre, I could if I wanted to!) but because of the third disc, available only in the limited edition of the game. This third disc, Existence, compiles all of the cut-scenes from the game and weaves a film from of the scripted content. It sounded like a bold experiment and I was terribly interested to see how it would play out.

I placed my pre-order for the limited edition about two or three weeks prior to the game's release at my local Gamestop, even calling ahead to make sure that they were still taking pre-orders, since a number of big online sites had ceased taking pre-orders. However, when I arrived and plunked down my $5 advance, they couldn't find the limited edition in the computer system. Nonetheless, I was assured that there would be a copy waiting for me upon release.

Of course that's when I turned to Unitdaisy and told her 'I know I'm gonna get screwed by this.'

March 15th rolls around and we hit up Gamestop before heading out for a nice evening of live entertainment. Surprisingly, she recognizes one of the clerks behind the counter and we start chatting while waiting for his boss fill the pre-order. Unitdaisy mentions that we're going to watch the Subsistence movie this weekend, and he nods and tells us he just nabbed his copy of the Limited Edition. His boss finishes with the prior customers and gives us the whole 'WelcometoGamestop whereyoucanpre-orderKingdomHearts2andanXbox360backinstockinApril HowmayIhelpyou?' spiel. 'One copy of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Limited Edition!' I say, pre-order receipt in-hand. He hesistates slightly before murmuring 'See, there's a bit of a problem...'

I was informed that there was an SKU-snafu that occured where the two editions were offered as one or something. I honestly wasn't paying that much attention to the specific details of the error, as his words were muffled by the sound of eBay auction prices ratcheting out of control in my head. They had received three copies of the limited edition, two went to pre-orders placed well over a month ago and the third ... well, our acquaintance, the clerk, had nabbed it as he had apparently fallen prey to the same SKU mix-up. I can't say that I blame him; if I were in his shoes I would have kept it for myself too.

Through this situation the boss was very accommodating. He even called a few other stores and was very apologetic about the ordeal, but I knew it was hopeless. I begrudgingly purchased the normal edition and we were about to leave when the clerk offered to let us borrow the third disc. Now, to clarify, we really don't know him and he really doesn't know us, which is why he asked for a bit of collateral before handing it over to us, but the sentiment was still very much appreciated. We did take him up on the offer and left the store feeling very thankful that he was so kind and trusting to let two strangers take this valuable disc of his (the Limited Edition is now commanding ~$100 on eBay) so that they may enjoy it.

Of course we did watch and return it to him in the condition lent to us (well, minus the packing wrap). But moments of kindness like that are few and far between in a big city like Chicago, and it's nice to know that sometimes gamers are willing to help out other gamers, even if they're strangers. And thanks to his efforts, I'll soon be able to post my thoughts on Kojima's conceptual 'Watch MGS3' experiment!

My thanks go out to him one last time, although I think he's probably sick of hearing it by now!