The first thing you do when you start a new game.

[mechanixis]

I literally spend 1-2 hours in the character appearance editor. And if at any point in the first two hours of gameplay I decide I'm displeased with how my character looks, I start a new game.

 

[sean.A7x]

I just play the game until i get a feel of it

 

[delet]

I watch the entirety of the opening credits and such. It's like my ritual to always sit through the credits of a game after I beat it (Unless the game just sucked.)

I do this as well. It is throwback to the days where their was a bonus for waiting such as a new cutscene or added content for the next playthrough unlocked. I was always afraid that if i skipped the credits they would not give me those things, DOn't know for sure whether any games actualy punished you in this way.

Well, the first Assassins Creed was the worst with end-game credits. Far too long, damned boring music, and the only way to get one of the achievements was to sit through it all and stare at a wall.

I think I started this ritual with Prince of Persia Sands of Time, which gave me a very catchy song to listen to.

 

[Apocalypse Tank]

1.Go to the settings
-max sensitivity
-max brightness
-put on all subtitle options

2. Read the manual while the game loads

 

[hero21b]

In ME2 the first thing I did was whip out a sniper rifle and check if the 'drunk guy with a rifle' aiming mechanic was still there (it's not)

Yay, I hated that with a passion. The first thing I do is check out the control configurations, to make sure I know what I'm doing.

 

[Weaver]

I go to the option menus to see what's in there and to adjust graphics options.

 

[Wolfram23]

I used to read the manual cover to cover, generally before playing or if I can't wait, then before bed... until manuals started to be complete useless crap. Starcraft still has my favorite manual of all time, followed by Homeworld.

Considering I've moved from PC to PS3 this last year, I just hope right in and start gaming, but yea on PC I used to fiddle with graphics (go max, tune down if lagging) and of course check controls.

 

[RanD00M]

Adjust all settings.
Then I play it.

 

[XMark]

If there's any kind of character customization option, especially a full-fledged face generator, I spend a really long time there. Depending on the mood I either:
- Try to make someone who looks as much like me as possible (best match so far was in Oblivion)
- Try to make someone who looks like a friend of mine as much as possible (did one of a friend of mine in UFC Undisputed which was totally spot on)
- Try to make a famous person or character (I got Barack Obama and Luigi Mario as playable UFC fighters as well lol)
- Try to make the most attractive female character possible (best so far = Mass Effect, something pretty close to default female Shepard)
- Try to make the most disturbing-looking character possible (Demon's souls - bald completely white-skinned female character with dark rings around her eyes, looks creepy as hell)

 

[BENZOOKA]

I cant remember any rituals, but I bet there are some.

 

[ERadical]

I quick save. As soon as the opening cinematic finishes.
IF i can't quick save then i aim down sights to see what it looks like or scroll through the inventory

 

[Rickyvantof]

Check the options.

 

[SonicKoala]

Check what the trophies are.......

 

[The Austin]

Spend 3 hours in character customization to find that my person looks noting like me, only to start a new game and do it again until I get it right. Which I never do.

 

[Black Rabt]

I usually try to read the manual and drive home at the same time. Then finish reading it and start the game.

 

[snow]

When I boot up a game for the first time... I usually ***** to myself about how game developers are so full of themselves that they need to make little cinematic logos that I CAN'T FOR THE LOVE OF CHEESE FREAK'N SKIP!!!

Anyone ever annoyed by that? They have to have 10 little logos of their departments and sometimes the guy down the street who let them borrow their stapler that one time, and not even have the decency to give you the ability to skip through it?

I'm not even mentioning the fact that I have to go through this little scenario every time I start the game up... Oops wait..

Good example here since I just started up Bioshock.. How 2K needs to flash the 2K logo in like 12 different shades of redonkulous before you get to the main title for example..

 

[Burningsok]

I watch the beginning credits, and if guns are involved; ill shoot off some rounds and reload them just to see how good the sound effects are. Idk why but the sound of a gun firing and then reloading just makes me feel empowered

 

[phanatic314]

When I get a new game, I turn down all the lights and turn up the speakers to watch the opening cutscene to get into it and try to immerse myself in the game. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...

 

[Randomologist]

Screw around until learn how to play it.

Basically, this. If the camera controls need changing, change them.

If its an RTS, I'll usually go straight into a Skirmish battle against some easy players, capture their stuff and see what I can do with the available units.

 

[icekiller453]

Play the first level.

Duh.

Well I play the SECOND level first!

Edit: Okay, what I really do is (If its on my PC) pray it doesn't crash I just wasted $50, and if its on a console I watch the game intro then start.