It depends on the game and where you live. Smaller communities are less likely to get a lot of niche titles.Arslan Aladeen said:
Why do people pre-order games?
- Thread starter yamy
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Because this.imahobbit4062 said:
Fire Emblem Awakening is sold out in every store in the area, and i have to wait around 2 weeks (which i'm actually fine for, hoping the 3ds XL goes on sale.)
Dead Space 3 is also sold out in at least 2 stores i've gone to (not as worried about that one though)
I pre-order a game when enough details have been released so I know what the game will be like, or if I am excited enough for the game. For example, I pre-ordered Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm the same day that Blizzard announced when it would be released. I also pre-ordered Halo 4 the day after it was announced. I pre-ordered Ni No Kuni when I saw the trailer for the game and how beautiful it would be, and pre-ordered Fire Emblem: Awakening when I saw what the classes and combat system would be like.
So its not like I am pre-ordering blindly, there are times when I pre-order a game and I don't enjoy the game, but there are also times when I go see a movie the first day and don't enjoy it that much. I'm not going to live my life waiting for other people to jump into the experience and tell me what they thought. I want to a slice of pizza as soon as it is out of the oven, I don't want to wait for someone to have a taste and tell me how it is.
I also pre-order because:
- I contribute to the possibility of a midnight release so I can get the game that much sooner
- I get pre-order bonuses like artwork packages, doodads or DLC (like a bunch of guns for Dead Space 3)
- It guarantees me a copy of the game. If I didn't pre-order Fire Emblem: Awakening or Ni No Kuni, I would have been hard pressed to find a copy when the game came out.
I also don't put the whole price of the game down for pre-order, I usually just do $5. When the game is closer to being released and I have more details about it (if I want more details about it) then I can cancel my pre-order, leave it be, or pay the full price of the game then and there so I can just show up and grab my game.
You have nothing to lose when pre-ordering a game.
So its not like I am pre-ordering blindly, there are times when I pre-order a game and I don't enjoy the game, but there are also times when I go see a movie the first day and don't enjoy it that much. I'm not going to live my life waiting for other people to jump into the experience and tell me what they thought. I want to a slice of pizza as soon as it is out of the oven, I don't want to wait for someone to have a taste and tell me how it is.
I also pre-order because:
- I contribute to the possibility of a midnight release so I can get the game that much sooner
- I get pre-order bonuses like artwork packages, doodads or DLC (like a bunch of guns for Dead Space 3)
- It guarantees me a copy of the game. If I didn't pre-order Fire Emblem: Awakening or Ni No Kuni, I would have been hard pressed to find a copy when the game came out.
I also don't put the whole price of the game down for pre-order, I usually just do $5. When the game is closer to being released and I have more details about it (if I want more details about it) then I can cancel my pre-order, leave it be, or pay the full price of the game then and there so I can just show up and grab my game.
You have nothing to lose when pre-ordering a game.
When it comes to collector's editions, it seems you have to pre-order as many retail stores will only order enough to cover the pre-orders. Makes very little sense to me, but there it is.
I have only pre-ordered a few games in my time, and those all came with a nice bonus. The most recent were Borderlands 2 and AC3 at Best Buy, because I received a certificate for $20 after I picked up the game. And since I ordered two copies of Borderlands (one for me, one for my brother-in-law), I essentially received a free game after all the rewards. Otherwise, I have always been able to find a copy of a game I want on release day, and at the right retailers it will often be on sale for the first few days, so I save at least $5.
I have only pre-ordered a few games in my time, and those all came with a nice bonus. The most recent were Borderlands 2 and AC3 at Best Buy, because I received a certificate for $20 after I picked up the game. And since I ordered two copies of Borderlands (one for me, one for my brother-in-law), I essentially received a free game after all the rewards. Otherwise, I have always been able to find a copy of a game I want on release day, and at the right retailers it will often be on sale for the first few days, so I save at least $5.
I used to pre-order games when I was younger because the nearest reliable game store that I could get to on my own was at least an hour or two away by train. Not really worth it just to pick up a copy of a game on release day. I would buy all my new games online so I could shop around and usually the best prices were at Game, who offered double reward points on pre-orders (which was equivalent to a 2% discount), free shipping and the game usually arrived the day before release (weird I know). I also pre-ordered things that I was on the fence about if there was something cool as a pre-order bonus, if it turned out the game was bad I could always keep the shineys and return the game or trade it in.
Now a days I don't really buy anything on release, I'd rather wait a few weeks and enjoy the drop in price as well as some assurance that the game isn't total balls. Most pre-order goodies aren't really that appealing. Having an extra weapon in the game or alternate character skins doesn't do much for me so I'll use the money I save to buy some other games, pies or just throw it at hobos.
Now a days I don't really buy anything on release, I'd rather wait a few weeks and enjoy the drop in price as well as some assurance that the game isn't total balls. Most pre-order goodies aren't really that appealing. Having an extra weapon in the game or alternate character skins doesn't do much for me so I'll use the money I save to buy some other games, pies or just throw it at hobos.
Doesn't Steam allow you to pre-load the titles? Pre-ordering then would allow you to be playig it right away, without waiting 900 hours to download it.yamy said:
Also, as long as you still get pre-order bonuses and the like, pre-orders will happen. Logical or otherwise.
1) Some games give you bonuses and usually a 10% off or so.
2) If you know that you are likely going to buy the game early on anyways based on the quality of a prequel/gameplay videos. IE Metro 2033 was great therefore having seen gameplay videos it is unlikely that Metro Last Light will fall short of that metric(Also ranger mode is the only way to play and I can't believe they are holding it hostage.) It makes great sense and everyone profits by it.
You just have to be a smart consumer. For example the Dragon Age 2 controversy with regards to the art direction, graphics, gameplay changes made preordering a bad idea because the game was moving far away from the original. Preordering Aliens: Colonial Marines was a bad idea because Aliens vs Predator was a piece of junk(especially sad considering how great AVP2 was.)
If previous games from the series look good, gameplay looks good, there aren't many negative gaming news stories on it, and you like the idea personally then go ahead and preorder; otherwise you should wait.
2) If you know that you are likely going to buy the game early on anyways based on the quality of a prequel/gameplay videos. IE Metro 2033 was great therefore having seen gameplay videos it is unlikely that Metro Last Light will fall short of that metric(Also ranger mode is the only way to play and I can't believe they are holding it hostage.) It makes great sense and everyone profits by it.
You just have to be a smart consumer. For example the Dragon Age 2 controversy with regards to the art direction, graphics, gameplay changes made preordering a bad idea because the game was moving far away from the original. Preordering Aliens: Colonial Marines was a bad idea because Aliens vs Predator was a piece of junk(especially sad considering how great AVP2 was.)
If previous games from the series look good, gameplay looks good, there aren't many negative gaming news stories on it, and you like the idea personally then go ahead and preorder; otherwise you should wait.
Yeah, Civ V was a game I legitimately was interested in, already sunk over two dozen hours into it (well, that have been recorded, I often play offline).mohit9206 said:
Honestly, XCOM was a game that I had been following the development of for quite some time, I'd been reading everything they released about it, seen all the interviews, watched all the videos (one that went on for over an hour of them just playing through 2 missions, talking about various things within it). I suppose it's rare to have THAT much insight into a game before release, but from that I knew I would enjoy the game. I prepaid because on top of getting a game I was 99% sure I would love, I also got Civ V (always loved Civilisation, had heard good things about this iteration) and some nice little features within XCOM that would have otherwise been DLC.
Anything else you need to know?
If a game has a Collector's Edition coming out for it I will usually pre-order that if I am really looking forward to the game like Bioshock Infinite and the Ultimate Songbird Edition. If there isn't a Collector's Edition coming out I will wait to pre-order it until I find out what the pre-order bonuses are for the Steam and Retail editions.
How about you take the time to actually listen to an argument instead of simply dismissing it because of its source, or because of how a person points you to an argument? By saying "Oh, it's totalbiscuit, I don't listen to him because his fans are sheep" you're simply engaging in an ad hominem attack. You want to disagree with somebody? Fine, but actually listen to their argument and present counter-arguments.Assassin Xaero said:
By the way, you're completely wrong about what TB had to say about pre-ordering. But that shouldn't come as a surprise, seeing as you didn't even fucking bother to listen.
free STUFF! because stuff is cool
and some times it's because of the prize. and you can bet your arse on that i am gonna pre order the collectors edition of the new batman for example for the cheapest one i can find ANYWHERE (and i do mean anywhere) on this green and blue ball we call 'tellus'
captcha: do want
and some times it's because of the prize. and you can bet your arse on that i am gonna pre order the collectors edition of the new batman for example for the cheapest one i can find ANYWHERE (and i do mean anywhere) on this green and blue ball we call 'tellus'
captcha: do want
I don't know, I suppose people have reasons. Most of which I disagree with personally, but, hey. Let's see anyway.
Preorder bonus: Irrelevant if it doesn't do anything with the game itself, and if it does, I tend to see it as underhanded unless it's purely cosmetic (in which case it falls under irrelevant again). And if it's merchandise, well, I just don't like clutter.
Brand loyalty or "I know I'll like it": Yeah well...this is an iffy one, but I myself lack a crystal ball or any other kind of powers of clairvoyance.
To make sure I get a copy: Made redundant by digital distribution.
"Because I just gotta have it the second it comes out!": Well that's just an unhealthy lack of self-control.
Preorder discount: The only one I could actually get behind, what with my shameless pragmatism and all; but the lack of clairvoyance kind of gets in the way.
No, this isn't an attempt to be edgy and jaded, but I do tend to be the cynic often. Then wonder why I drive people mad with my presence. But what I'm saying is, preorders are something I simply let fly under my radar.
Preorder bonus: Irrelevant if it doesn't do anything with the game itself, and if it does, I tend to see it as underhanded unless it's purely cosmetic (in which case it falls under irrelevant again). And if it's merchandise, well, I just don't like clutter.
Brand loyalty or "I know I'll like it": Yeah well...this is an iffy one, but I myself lack a crystal ball or any other kind of powers of clairvoyance.
To make sure I get a copy: Made redundant by digital distribution.
"Because I just gotta have it the second it comes out!": Well that's just an unhealthy lack of self-control.
Preorder discount: The only one I could actually get behind, what with my shameless pragmatism and all; but the lack of clairvoyance kind of gets in the way.
No, this isn't an attempt to be edgy and jaded, but I do tend to be the cynic often. Then wonder why I drive people mad with my presence. But what I'm saying is, preorders are something I simply let fly under my radar.
You are right, I shouldn't have said -Every- game released, just more than there should.Capitano Segnaposto said:You are so, so wrong.WickedSkin said:
I can list a good 50 games that were amazing on day one without patches and were perfectly playable. Pre-orders are not destroying the gaming industry. Honestly I can't even figure out how you would come to that conclusion, maybe you are incredibly picky with games in general or hold an unrealistic standard that all games should live by?
Dragon Age 2, L4D2, CoD: MW2 onwards had a decent number of pre-orders. Quite a few were disappointed.
My standards are not unrealistic. I just like things to improve rather then deteriorate. It's not much to ask if someone is asking me for more money.
Dragon Age 2 was pretty crap and never even had a devkit released. Neither did the Mass Effects even though they had every opportunity for a great one. UE.
That alone would've turned crap or good games into brilliant games. I mean if not Bioware, modders, would had turned Dragon Age 2 into a good game. Maybe even a very good one. They all had bugs and glitches that could ruin someone's game(-ing experience).
Pre-orders might well determine a games fate. If not sooner then later anyways (QC and maintenance-wise).
EDIT: Made tiny correction
I have only ever pre-ordered one game and thats been GTAV (for ps3), and only because I want to have some of it paid off by the time of release (at the time of writing 17th September) because around that time of the year I tend to be low on funds, so it can't hurt to have some of it paid off.
As for physical preorder bonuses, I managed to get various collectors editions of games (ex Arkham Asylum, ACIII) a couple of weeks after their release easily enough, and in the case of Arkham Asylum, with a nice little reduction on the price. I'm not sure why but there ya go.
OT: People feel like getting that little bit of extra content, digital or otherwise, or from what I've noticed, simply MUST have the game on release day, especially if its a popular title and they are unable to use digital distribution.
As for physical preorder bonuses, I managed to get various collectors editions of games (ex Arkham Asylum, ACIII) a couple of weeks after their release easily enough, and in the case of Arkham Asylum, with a nice little reduction on the price. I'm not sure why but there ya go.
OT: People feel like getting that little bit of extra content, digital or otherwise, or from what I've noticed, simply MUST have the game on release day, especially if its a popular title and they are unable to use digital distribution.
For the preorder bonuses and exclusive content.
That's the only reason I've ever preordered a game. I'm usually a late adopter and a preowned game buyer, but if it's a title I'm really interested in I'll occasionally preorder it to get the extra stuff.
That is correct. But I would not call myself old. Speaking of old, isn't comic book stores a thing of the past anyway? Charming yes but hardly something doing well by capitalism. Also you needn't be so impatient either.Loonyyy said:Have you, buy any chance, gone to a comic book store or the like? Often, if you want something specific there, you'll have to preorder. Because they need to know to ship it, and they have only limited stock. If you don't preorder, you don't get. Simples. But hey, I'm sure you're an old timer with a valid opinion, right, and not someone making do with asspulls right?WickedSkin said:
Additionally, to preorder a game, requires knowledge of a game. The people preordering are not just casually walking into the story and doing it on a whim. The people who do it are usually well aware of the product, and what they're ordering. So, buying without question is wrong too. Additionally, you can redeem your preorder after the release date, and reviews usually hit before release. So, in every possible way, you're mistaken.
No it doesn't. How would you get such a crazy idea? Anyone can pre-order anything. You can go onto Steam right now and click "Pre-Order" on whatever if you like, I wouldn't recommend it, but I'm thinking you might have done something similar before.
I'll give/tell you this though: I don't mean that EVERYONE does it on impulse alone.
But I do mean that most of those who pre-order does not do it because they want their local comic book store to get it for them. They do it and they are fantastically average. Not a hard-core comic book store supporter.
I'm also far from mistaken in every possible way. You have probably realized this yourself. I'm also sure you've realized you sound like someone who stuffed his head up his bottom and kept the rose tinted spectacles on. Or something.
Captcha: Video tape (a thing of the past like comic book stores)
EDIT: Made some tiny corrections.
Thank you. Glad to hear it.mohit9206 said:i completely agree with youWickedSkin said:
We are pilgrims of common sense in an unholy land. Or somethingrather that sounds dramatic.