It started in Australia and worked its way through Asia and Europe. As the clocks struck midnight and July 26 became July 27, hordes of gamers were parting with their cash for the long-anticipated release of StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty.

In London, the fans were queuing around the block at the Oxford Street store of Game to get their hands on Blizzard's massively popular sci-fi strategy game. Furnished with goodie bags and cupcakes, the predominantly male audience waited patiently in the humid summer night.

With a countdown to match new year's eve, led by Mike Ryder, the tills opened, goods were purchased and covers and posters were signed by Ryder and software engineer Carl Chimes. The joys of geekdom.