Pre oder and get free release date shipping via amazon. Wake up at 11 AM on launch day, open my door, get my package, rub the new game case softly on my nipbles, then play it.

Because I preordered from an online retailer instead of a physical store, I'm going to have to skip the midnight launch followed by the all night gaming session. I'm also working on release day, so it'll likely get delivered while I'm there. So now what I plan to do is get myself a bucket of chicken on the way home, eat it, then open up my CE, read the artbook, manual and all that jazz, then finally boot up the game as I tuck into whatever dessert I happen to have. Considering baaking some sweetrolls for the occasion!

I'll open the box and just take in the artwork on the disc cover and game manual (if there is any), then, after I start the installation process, I will examine the contents of the box and read the manual. If i finish reading the manual and still have time left on the install, I read the back of the box and examine the screen shots. If there is still time after that, I start cleaning my room. It's just something that feels right.

Only been to one midnight launch before, but it was an experience I look forward to again. It'll be awesome to see who else in town is a big TES fan.

Don't really have much in the way of tradition. For console games, I just look at them and anolyze and stuff. For PC games, I typically smell it. Don't know why, I just like the smell of new games. <.< And then I read the manual (if there is one) while it's installing/downloading/updating. Then I play it.

Actually I'm breaking tradition for Skyrim.

My video game purchasing tradition is usually:
1) Wait two weeks after the game has come out.
2) Read reviews on game.
3) Ask on a forum what other people think of the game, and find out what games it may be similar to.
4) Go to YouTube and take a look at the game play.
5) If after doing 1 thru 4 I still have an interest in the game, buy it.

For Skyrim ..... I've already paid for it

I usually read the manual while I'm installing the game.