"With just 11 days until the North American launch of the next generation of Microsoft's gaming console, Xbox 360 fever has fully descended upon us, including everything from golden tickets in Hershey bars to swank lounges, tribal gathering-like launch parties, and nagging worries over shortages.

Burning Xbox?
According to an online post, "The Xbox 360 Launch event will take place at an as yet-unnamed location in the middle of the desert in CA. There will be thousands of gamers there from around the world, celebrating the launch of Xbox 360. There will be copious Xbox 360 systems set up with high-def monitors, surround sound, the works … Microsoft is calling it 'Burning Man Meets E3.'"

(Green and) Golden Tickets
Leaked camera phone pictures of Wal-Mart stores readying their outlets for the launch madhouse at midnight on No. 22 show instructions about taking tight inventory, the Xbox 360 Experience Disk, and the "golden" launch tickets.

"Employees have been instructed to distribute numbered tickets (as many as the store has of 360 units) starting at 10:00 PM on the 21st. The tickets are divided into two sets (green and silver), in order to differentiate between the core and premium bundles. Rumor has it, a few tickets will be hidden in select Hershey bar wrappers."" [more]