Walk into any GameStop and you will defiantly see posters advertising a future games to preorder. Anytime you buy something the sales person will most likely ask “and would you like to preorder _____?” What are the real advantages to preordering your video games?
Most importantly it does guarantee that you get a copy of the game. Duhhhh.
What about special or limited edition versions of games? This is where preordering comes in real handy. Popular games like Modern Warfare, Bioshock 2, and Assassin’s Creed all had special editions of their game. Pay extra, get extra.
Now if you are a big fan of a certain game, I highly recommend you check out the different versions that will be released. I then recommend that you preorder it. Sure you might find this version sitting on a Best Buy shelf months after the release, but why take the chance?
The other thing that preorders are good for is free stuff! Posters, action figures, or in game downloads. Perks that are worth putting the $5 down on a preorder. Do your homework when you go to preorder a new game. Which stores are offering the best free stuff? What kinds of exclusives is each store offering? Can you get the game at Midnight? If it’s a game you love, it will be worth the wait.
[digg=http://digg.com/xbox/Preorder_Perks_Aesthetically_Pleezin]
March 2nd, 2010 on 12:05 pm
I assure you that preorder bonuses are not guaranteed. Typically the only guarantee is getting the game.
For example I preordered Metroid Prime Trilogy at Gamestop which had a preorder bonus poster. I never got my poster.
Also preordered Darksiders from Gamestop which had a preorder bonus of in-game Harvester Scythe. Well that preorder bonus was available to anyone who bought the game. So it really wasn’t a preorder bonus after all.
I sometimes think preorder bonuses are shady selling tactics because if you read the fine print (while supplies last) it could mean anything. For all you know, they may only ship 5 bonus items to a store even though that store may have 20+ preorders on file.
March 2nd, 2010 on 12:09 pm
Good points! All the more reason for gamers to to their homework and read the fine print.
March 2nd, 2010 on 4:20 pm
Some preorder offers are great, but mainly for in game stuff. Sure posters and stuff are cool but I’d rather get a gun before everyone else can to give myself an advantage over everyone.
I recently picked up Darksiders, it was on sale for $40 at GameStop. I found a code in my game and thought nothing of it until I looked up what the code was for online and because I have a code I am getting a free copy of Red Faction: Guerilla from THQ. SICK. So even though I grabbed a game long after it’s release date there was still a perk for picking it up. My FREE game should be here in 2 weeks. Sometimes it can be good to wait.
March 10th, 2010 on 1:48 pm
Gil wrote: “For all you know, they may only ship 5 bonus items to a store even though that store may have 20+ preorders on file.”
Also, while GameStop corporate frowns upon the practice, store employees are known to keep pre-order bonuses for themselves.