Deus Ex Mankind Divided Pre-Order Program Takes Crowdfunding Approach

[Atmos Duality]

Well, at least that confirms my suspicions of Squeenix being desperate for another hit video game. (and quick liquid revenue)

Schemes like this aren't new (first post nailed it; Enemy Unknown pulled the same thing), though whether or not that's a sad indictment of the state of gaming, I'm unsure.

As long as the core game isn't being butchered to hell, I don't really care.
...Actually I don't care either way because I'm extremely wary of pre-orders on principle.

 

[Atmos Duality]

I think the real problem is setting precedent and escalation. give an inch and take a mile.

Yes, I suppose it is...the industry didn't exactly learn its lesson after the Oblivion Horse Armor fiasco in 2006.

 

[CaitSeith]

While a tiered pre-order system is rather odd, I think the rewards they've chosen is really quite fair.
The in game stuff is all guaranteed at tier 1, while tiers 2-4 is like the stuff they'd normally chuck into the deluxe edition.
The 4 day early access (assuming they reach that goal), not worried as someone who doesn't pre-order, Deus Ex is usually a tough game to spoil and I know how to avoid them if I care. Also means a mass of people are doing a test-run for me, so by the time it officially releases there'll probably be a nice day-1 patch out to fix a bunch of bugs.

Really? I find pretty shady that there is no disclosure of the required pre-orders or how close they are to unlock the tier. They have absolute control of which tiers will be unlocked (no obligation required) and I don't trust they will do it in a fair way.

 

[Sonicron]

I noticed this crap yesterday on Steam and just got livid. How in the actual fuck do you justify pushing this insane pre-order bullshit by telling people their reward for parting with their money on sheer trust will be the withholding of content?!! Digital goods are infinitely reproducable, there's no fucking reason for not handing out all the rewards of all the unlocked tiers to all the people who pre-order the game.
If the new Deus Ex turns out to be of high quality I'll surely buy it, especially seeing how I loved its predecessor, but the anti-consumer dickbaggery on display with this wretched scheme is utterly shitting appalling. Fuck you for taking the piss like this, Square Enix! If there were any way to support the devs while stiffing you, I'd do it in a heart beat.

 

[sniddy_v1legacy]

What so we say to pre-order culture like this

Not today

 

[Joe Gamer]

While I understand Square's position here as:
You choose the upgrades you want but you can't get them all.
You don't need them all.
Having them all or not wont significantly impact your enjoyment of the game.
Fuck you pay us.

Logically they have a point, slightly altered starting equipment is probably not actually a big deal but they should know by now that there is a group of hardcore gamers who are compulsively driven to get EVERYTHING. They don't have a choice, it's in their DNA, and those gamers are usually among the loudest and most dedicated in the world. You do yourself no favors by alienating them over a preorder gimmick. You say you want to give us a choice, well give it to us, let us pick in game which pack we want, that way you are adding replay value as well.

An extra mission is inexcusable, locking away gameplay content behind a preorder paywall is a surefire way to piss everyone off and the four day head start also serves no purpose other than irritating gamers. Whatever preorders you gain in the short term is worthless compared to the long term consumer dissatisfaction that you are engendering with this nonsense. Bad business.