Pre-release codes for games

[drakenabarion]

Many games are being bundled with pre-release extra content codes that add new features or give additional bonuses for people who feel the need to order a game weeks in advance.

However, I don't think this is really all that fair. I bought Lost Odyssey a few weeks after it was released to find out that one of the better items for the game is only available if I got back in time and pay the exact same for the game a few weeks earlier. How is that fair?

On the other hand, is there some other way to get the content? Not just for Lost Odyssey, but for any game. I mean, why should I be punished for not pre-ordering when that is not in my purchasing style?

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Is it fair? heck no. But is it a great incentive to pre-order games? Absolutely, because it's hard to convince people to pre-order games at all, unless they really want it to begin with.

I think they should give pre-order content six months down the line, so those who really wanted it pre-ordered, and those who didn't eventually get it.

And because I never said it a few days ago, welcome to The Escapist, we try our best to entertain.

 

[SomeGuyNamedKy]

I kinda like the idea of getting items earlier through pre-orders, as long as it isn't an insanely overpowered item. That way, people with the new item have it early while not rendering the game unbalanced.

 

[Subzerowings]

I hate having to miss out on items if I don't pre-order. I'll still buy the game, but I'm low on cash at the moment so I won't be able to afford it. Pre release codes are fine by me, at least you won't miss out on anything exept playing the game a bit early.

 

[drakenabarion]

And because I never said it a few days ago, welcome to The Escapist, we try our best to entertain.

Thanks for the welcome. I'll try not to troll too much

(I'm usually too lazy to troll anyway )

 

[Nincompoop]

It's a marketing strategy. If they can persuade the mass to pre-order a whole buncha copies before it is released, those people will already have spent the money on it if it turns out not to be a good game. It's a way of getting around bad reviews, so they can sell as much as they can before the public gets an opinion.

Like the cat-person mentioned above, releasing it 6 months later or summeh' would be a neat idea.

Addendum; In other words, before Yahtzee gets his hands on the game =P.

 

[dark_taint92]

well halo 3: odst has pre release content. you get sgt johnson. Which to me is an awesome reason to preorder it just to have the wise cracking jack ass to play as. but sadly this isnt for me i dont preorder games unless i desperatly want it really or want a collectors edition of it.
all pre relese codes are a way to get more people to buy the game new so the publishers make more money off it in the first couple of weeks

 

[Katana314]

To me, if I see that sort of pre-release incentive, I can be pretty sure of how much money is going into marketing vs the actual game. Usually tells me I shouldn't be buying it.