Pre-Ordering Games, or: How The Bad Practices of the Gaming Industry Are Winning

[PJ Boy]

Only game I ever preordered was Super Smash Bros. Brawl roughly nine full months in advance. The reason why I did that was to avoid the inevitable "Out of Stock" problem with Gamestop, and I *really* wanted the game.

On just the notion of preordering with extra game content is rather bullstuff. It's just dumb and promotes bad business practice.

[Ad Bot]

[Awdax]

forget the pre-orders that give you extra stuff. It screws over the people who want to wait before they buy it, and they miss out on content that should have been in the game.

But pre-orders in general, it's practically the same as putting $60 aside and not touching it until you go and buy the game. With the added convenience that it will be delivered to you the day of release, or a copy is held at your local store.

[Marcem]

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And his tagline is the Cynical Brit. He markets his opinion as that of an overly cynical starfish.

i have to disagree, I may be cynical, but I don't judge games on their options menu.

[PJ Boy]

i have to disagree, I may be cynical, but I don't judge games on their options menu.

It's a first impression. The options menu is a big part of that. Plus, would you rather have an options menu like Borderlands 2 or Dark Souls?

[tikitai]

the only moment ive regretted preordering a game was brink, and since then i actually inform myself a lot before preording a game

[Marcem]

It's a first impression. The options menu is a big part of that. Plus, would you rather have an options menu like Borderlands 2 or Dark Souls?

i enjoyed Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD.

[Jairo]

pre-order bonuses should be removed from steam
why would I want to pre-order a game and get content for it if I don't even know if it's good?

[Blastdown]

i pre-order games i already know i'll like and want (most recent example is animal crossing 3DS).
bonus content means nothing to me, no incentive there, though a nice $10 discount for pre-ordering won't get a complaint out of me

i've never bought a game because of its flashy bonus content and never will

[Zeblote]

I only preordered portal 2 because everyone knew it was gonna be good.
Yes, I wasted 40 loving dollas. Could have gotten it for $10 on some sale 2 months later D=

[Comatose]

I very rarely pre-order anything.

When I'm looking at a Triple A title, I usually refer to the publisher, developer, and track records of both parties. From there I base my purchase on whether or not I'd be getting the money's worth out of the product.

I will often pre-order soon after seeing gameplay footage and getting a glimpse at the game engine. Occasionally I'll evaluate multiple times before making a final decision. This may seem very hasty judgement, but I look at the mechanics and gameplay of the game, not the story or the graphics or any other stuff like that. For example, I pre-ordered Black Ops II after reviewing screenshots, seeing gameplay, and just genuinely finding it looked like a fun game to play. I don't have to like a game's story. Hell, if Bubsy 3D actually had good mechanics I would play it.

Like other people, I will also pre-order games that I actually want. If I know well in advance that a game is coming out and it's been a long time coming, forget what other people say I'm getting my hands on that stuff.

I don't favor pre-order bonuses. They give those that had money an unfair advantage, and loyal consumers who waited for a general consensus to be left in the dust. No, go forget yourself. I don't care if you have a stupid 360 noscope super gold plated .50 caliber exclusive sniper rifle with fifteen bayonets because I actually bought the game afterwards to play it not to have an unfair advantage over every other player. Even if you don't pre-order, you don't deserve to be treated like stuff by the community and you CERTAINLY don't deserve to be treated like stuff from the developer, either. I am sick and tired of developers loving over customers and favoring those who shelled out 60 bucks a week earlier than everybody else by giving them exclusive weapons, double XP days, and other non-cosmetic items.

I especially hate when developers  take essential game mechanics out of the game and make them pre-order bonuses. Take Metro: Last Light as an example. You're telling me that I have to pre-order to play the game in Ranger mode? The very same Ranger mode that was in the predecessor? That is not only bullstuff, but you are removing a game mechanic THAT WAS IN THE PREVIOUS GAME, MIND YOU in order to milk a couple more bucks out of the consumer.

I'm done. Maybe I'll write a little more later.

[Katamari007]

I've only preordered Skyrim, L4D2, and Borderlands 2

[Harm94]

The only game I preordered was Brink and that wasn't very good. I had some fun with it, but it had little replayability. I still wait for reviews, but now I hesitate more on what I spend. Once the company has your money you are irrelevent to them and will use your money to make lousy stuff.
see:
EA
Activision
Sega

[Fredulus]

OP is mad cause he lacks tf2 hats he could only have obtained from a preorder bonus

[Nymph]

Kinda a bump I guess,

Anyway, I've recently preordered a game with extra content, I but I paid more so its like a donation for the game to become better i guess. I'm tired and its hard for me to make a point but I try :c

[psychomutt]

i've never pre-ordered anything.

i like the anticipation or something. waiting to buy a game.