Gears Of War 3 Midnight Launch Plans Kick Off In New York City

September 20. Eight days from now, or one week from tomorrow. That's when Epic Games' Gears of War 3 finally arrives, the first huge video game launch of the 2011 holiday season. As you might've expected, Microsoft has some plans to celebrate the release, with festivities to be centered around a big party in New York City's Times Square.

The fun starts at 8pm on Monday, September 19, with an event at the Best Buy Theater where fans will be able to get their hands on Gears 3 before its official midnight release. The event's Facebook page confirms that the event will continue until 1am, with tournaments (and prizes) as well as regular, old hands-on gameplay ongoing until the end.

A scavenger hunt -- details coming to gearsofwar.com later this week -- will offer fans the chance to win copies of the game, swag and VIP access to the event, which includes preferred seating for a Big Sean performance and a meet-and-greet session with members of the dev team.

Fans in other parts of the world have their own launch events and midnight sales to look forward to as well, but the focus next Monday night will be on the proceedings in New York City.

Here is a list of all of the midnight launch locations and their festivities. 

• United States:
  • New York: Best Buy Theater, 1515 Broadway (at 44th St.), New York, NY 10036
    • Date & Time: Monday, Sept. 19, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. EDT
  •    Microsoft Stores
    
    • Los Angeles: Westfield Century City
      
      • Giveaways to the first 100 people in line
    • Bellevue, WA: Bellevue Square Mall
      • Special appearance by Microsoft Studios Corporate Vice President Phil Spencer
      • Giveaways to the first 100 people in line
      • Marcus Fenix statue available for photo opportunities
  •  Additional locations: Scottsdale, AZ; San Diego, CA; Oak Brook, IL; Costa Mesa, CA; Santa Clara, CA; Lone Tree, CO; Houston, TX; Mission Viejo, CA; Atlanta, GA
    • Giveaways to the first 100 people in line
  •  For more information on Microsoft Stores, visit: www.microsoftstore.com
• United Kingdom:
  • GAME Flagship launch at Oxford Street, London
    • Giveaways throughout the evening.
  • Over 400 GAME and gamestation stores nationwide
• Mexico:
  • Blockbuster, Gamers, and Gameplanet will host launch events at over 60 locations in Mexico. 
• Canada
  • Toronto, Bay and Dundas / 65 Dundas Street West,  Toronto, ON, M5G 2C3
  • Vancouver, Cambie / Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2T7
    • Beginning at 9:00 p.m.:
    • Horde Mode gameplay experience
    • “Gears of War 3” swag giveaways
    • LG Partnership with 3D gaming
    • Green Screen: take your picture in a “Gears of War 3” scene
  • Other Canada locations:
    • 94 EB Games/GameStop stores
    •  20 Best Buy locations
    • 60 Future Shop
• Singapore
  • Funan Digitalife Mall - 8pm to 12 midnight.
    •   “Gears of War” survivor kit for all Limited Edition game and console pre-order customers; giveaways, demos, and appearances by the Women of Gears.
• Australia
  • EB Games
  • EB Games will host midnight launch events at 73 locations across Australia, including their launch headquarters at MacArthur Square Mall

And there you have it. Are you going to be attending one of the many Gears of War 3 midnight launch locations? What are you most excited about when it comes to Gears 3?