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General discussionPre-order bonuses in games(20 posts)(20 posts)
(20 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted February 20, 2015
This topic is both a discussion topic and contains a question. First, I think the current culture of offering pre-order bonuses is unfair. If a person is not able to pay BEFORE the game is released then they might miss on some content or advantages (like powerful in-game items, etc.). I have nothing against meaningful expansions, but people should have access to the same game on the day it's released. Some amazing RPGs have been available for pre-order (namely Divinity: Original Sin and Might and Magic X: Legacy), but I don't remember if they offered any bonuses for pre-ordering. Currently Pillars of Eternity offers two in-game items. I'm considering pre-ordering the Royal Edition.

I would love to hear people's opinions on pre-order bonuses and how they affect gaming as a whole. And if someone could enlighten me on Divinity: Original Sin and Might and Magic X: Legacy it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Posted February 20, 2015
The bonuses are basically incentives to buy on impulse, without knowing too much about what the game's problems will be. Very few preview videos, no reviews, etc. They're basically baiting you so that you won't make an informed opinion.

And that's true whether the game is good or not. Unfortunately, if I'm buying on day one for the same price as the pre-order dude and I'm getting less, the game becomes a 50% off proposition later, if I ever start caring about it again. If you take me for an idiot, I probably won't want to play your game. Looks like Witcher 3 is following the same route, and that makes me sad.

It's a trend, it's common, I don't like it. And that's true whether you can buy the extra content later or not. If I'm a second-tier customer because I'm careful and responsible, screw yourself.
Posted February 20, 2015
On the fence on this one.

On the one hand it's a way the devs can say thanks for the trust expressed by paying for something that isn't even finished.
On the other hand - well it really depends on the bonus. If it's something that seriously alters the game depending if you have it not (like some über-powered item or additional meaningful content adding to the game experience) I would say no - everyone should have the right to the same game, regardless of when they put the money on the table.
But this leaves only rather useless "prestige" items or customization options (another hair color/-cut...).
Posted February 20, 2015
Yeah,it's a con....
Posted February 20, 2015
I've gotten game guides for free by preordering and I'm cool with that because I could always go buy it if I didn't preorder; point being, nothing was totally cut off from me by not preordering. As for getting "more" of a game by preorder I'm gonna have to give a big thumbs down.
Posted February 20, 2015
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toxicTom: On the one hand it's a way the devs can say thanks for the trust expressed by paying for something that isn't even finished.
They can also say thanks by making the game cheaper, like CDPR did with The Witcher 3. :P
Posted February 20, 2015
It's funny the digital crap given for pre-orders now.

I remember back when Zelda: Wind Waker was coming to GameCube, the $10 pre-order granted an instant copy of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Master Quest, which is probably worth a small fortune now.

If they're going to give pre-order incentive, give some older games in the series/from developer, not some item or thing that just disappears into digital ether after the pre-order is over.
Posted February 20, 2015
I get it, but I don't like the practice.
It's especially bad when it is reflected in-game that you didn't pre-order or are missing DLC.
Like in D:OS where you get this prompt that allows you to get extra stuff if you backed the Kickstarter.
And I think the new Shadowrun was also getting some extras that they claim non-backers will never see.
Posted February 20, 2015
OP should distinguish between Pre-order Bonus vs. Pre-order Exclusive
Posted February 21, 2015
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thuey: OP should distinguish between Pre-order Bonus vs. Pre-order Exclusive
Can you explain the difference? I always thought that if it is advertised as a bonus it's exclusive to pre-ordering because there isn't another way to get it and people who buy the game on release date or after don't have access to that content.
Posted February 21, 2015
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thuey: OP should distinguish between Pre-order Bonus vs. Pre-order Exclusive
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SummonerYuna: Can you explain the difference? I always thought that if it is advertised as a bonus it's exclusive to pre-ordering because there isn't another way to get it and people who buy the game on release date or after don't have access to that content.
An exclusive is just that, exclusive to the preorder with no way to get it later.
A bonus will have some way to get it later, though most likely at a higher price.

How they're advertised is a different matter (and I'd wager that PR people frequently use one term despite the other being what actually happens), but both kinds exist.
Post edited February 21, 2015 by Maighstir
Posted February 21, 2015
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SummonerYuna: This topic is both a discussion topic and contains a question. First, I think the current culture of offering pre-order bonuses is unfair. If a person is not able to pay BEFORE the game is released then they might miss on some content or advantages (like powerful in-game items, etc.). I have nothing against meaningful expansions, but people should have access to the same game on the day it's released. Some amazing RPGs have been available for pre-order (namely Divinity: Original Sin and Might and Magic X: Legacy), but I don't remember if they offered any bonuses for pre-ordering. Currently Pillars of Eternity offers two in-game items. I'm considering pre-ordering the Royal Edition.

I would love to hear people's opinions on pre-order bonuses and how they affect gaming as a whole. And if someone could enlighten me on Divinity: Original Sin and Might and Magic X: Legacy it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Pre-ordering is a kind of insanity.

Overall, you will gain absolutely nothing, meanwhile you have paid in advance for a product that does not exist.

Personally , I cannot believe the practice ever took off. It never ceases to amaze me.

Gamers eh? they will swallow any shit you feed them.
Posted February 21, 2015
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lazydog: [...] Gamers eh? they will swallow any shit you feed them.
What was this new internet lingo again? Ah yes,

Quoted For Truth!

Every gamer who pre ordered a game just deserves the broken mess he is getting in the end. Oh and once I achieve world domination I will put those people who did pre order in special torture camps to serve as an example and get the general populace in line.
Posted February 21, 2015
Honestly I don't have a problem with pre-order bonuses. Well... for the most part.

Cosmetic, sure that's great. The artists need something to do after their done their job and it's the programers turn. But anything else such as extra quest missions, over powered weapons/gear or even boosts are horrible.

Specifically the boosts are really dumb because chances are they are getting the game before quite a few of the consumers so they will be like double the level by the majority of people get in. And overpowered weapons and armor in rpg's at the beginning is so stupid, I'm looking at you kingdom of amular...
Posted February 21, 2015
It doesn't bother me about the exclusives; you get what you pay for (as always) but the practice itself is dubious and prone to abuse and when money is involved, abuse is expected. This industry rely too much on hype.
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionPre-order bonuses in games(20 posts)(20 posts)
(20 posts)