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Preordering games...good idea?

Euphoric | April 13, 2008 | Blog | PC Playstation 3 Misc 
As a counter point of a recent blog outlining why preordering games is a waste of time, this new blog was published countering with pro preordering sentiments. Take a look at both sides of the arguement and decide which is the right option for you.
Recently, my cohort Jeremy wrote an article about how pre-ordering games is “a waste of time.” We here at The Exploding Barrel encourage healthy debate, and as someone who frequently pre-orders his video games, I thought it would be an oportune time to chime in and present my take on the matter. Jeremy has voiced the opinion of the casual gamer… now let’s hear the other, hardcore side of the coin.
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  • 1 thumbs!
    Euphoric | April 14, 2008
    I only ever preorder when I know it'll sell out or there is a worthwhile bonus given for preordering. Otherwise I just wait and get it at my own convenience.
  • 2 thumbs!
    InnerDemon | April 14, 2008
    I think preordering games is really good, especially if you want to make sure you get your game as soon as possible.

    Now standing outside for a day or two waiting for a midnight release is a waste of time IMO. Walk in at 11 O'clock and get it. There is more than likely going to be one there for you if you preordered it.
    • 1 thumbs!
      Storm | April 14, 2008
      Agreed. It's like making a reservation at a restaurant rather than going there and waiting 2-3 hours for a seat.

      I pre-order the big hits usually if there's a limited edition. Like with MGS4, my most recent pre-order, worth the bonus disc and such.
  • 2 thumbs!
    DragoniteBallZ | April 14, 2008
    I preorder but not a year ahead of time. I wait till 1 month before to see who is offering the best perks to come with their preorder. Assuming a store out there is.
  • 1 thumbs!
    Jaw Breaker | April 14, 2008
    i only pre-order "big" games, like GTA, Brawl, ect. if they are giving something away with a pre-order it just makes me that much happier
    • 0 thumbs!
      DragoniteBallZ | April 14, 2008
      Same! I always preordered GTA. Next game I plan to preorder is Gears of War 2.
  • 1 thumbs!
    jmac353 | April 14, 2008
    Preordering games now is not necessary. It used to be but gaming has become such a mainstream thing it's easy to come across even the biggest games on launch day.

    As said here, it's only worth pre-ordering if you're just a complete whore for that game or want to get some kind of preorder bonus. For instance, the last two games I've preordered were Metal Gear Solid 3 and 4 LE.
    • 0 thumbs!
      Final Blade | April 14, 2008
      The only games i usually pre-order is DMC, GTA, MGS and Final Fantasy games. Only cause they are great franchises. But other than that, i just wait and get them.
  • 1 thumbs!
    Akira_EX | April 14, 2008
    The largest benefit for preorders are better felt on the development/publisher side rather than the customer side.

    Preorders gauge interest, and simply put, the more preorders a retailers receive, the more copies of that game that retailer will order. Ordering the big games, while it will guarantee you a copy on release, isn't really worth it. You're better off preordering your favorite niche or lesser known title, because it will get the game a little more exposure, and support the developers more, because they'll sell more units because the retailer has to cover their preorders and then some extra copies to sell as in-stock new product.
  • 0 thumbs!
    StabWound | April 14, 2008
    I never preorder and I always get the games on day 1.
    • 0 thumbs!
      theundertakergonzo | April 14, 2008
      Well sometimes you can get unlucky and they don't have it in stock, though it considers all where you live and how many other people live around you. Your lucky .
      • 0 thumbs!
        Gamesta100 | April 15, 2008
        Like Kingdom Hearts 2 here.KH2 sold out amazingly fast here (a few hours) and I had to wait for months before new stock came in.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Twisted | April 14, 2008
    It may be a waste of time, but it's better then missing out on the game, and I do it so that I can pay for it beforehand, or else I'll spend all my money on something else.
  • 0 thumbs!
    MrSponget | April 14, 2008
    I like to put all my money down on a game months before it comes out just so I don't have to pay tax on it. It's big here in New Jersey. In addition, it's better safe than sorry. If you want a popular game and you don't preorder there's a chance you'll miss out. Also, the game stores around here only order unpopular games based on the amount of preorders. If only 2 people preorder an unpopular game then the store only orders two copies.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Atsumi | April 14, 2008
    I've preordered a few games in my time. I just like the ease of knowing it's going to be there for me.

    The only time I really NEEDED it was for Halo 2 and the Xbox 360.
  • 0 thumbs!
    J Bro | April 14, 2008
    I don't preorder games. Its not that its bad, but I would just get it when I feel like it. It does not have to be on the first day. Hell, not even the same month. I will just pick it up when I feel like it. Giving credit card information and such over the Internet just does not fit right with me.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Sadistic | April 14, 2008
    I only pre order GTA or games i know that will sell out.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Seproth | April 14, 2008
    I preorder game's I'm sure I want...It's nice to pay for it in advance.

    Then when it comes out you just walk in and pick it up. End of transaction.
  • 0 thumbs!
    huntyr | April 14, 2008
    If I'm going to buy a game, I'll usually pre-order it since pre-orders come with extra goodies and since I'm getting the game anyhow...
  • 0 thumbs!
    tekmosis | April 14, 2008
    The only time I'll preorder a game is when the game is in high demand and comes with some sort of goodies. A bonus DVD only just doesn't cut it for me. Preorders / Collectors editions such as the Warhammer Online CE I just had to preorder. One, because you automatically get into the Open Beta and look at all the shaweet loot you get.
  • 0 thumbs!
    bk man | April 15, 2008
    I find it better, how can it be bad? oh joy, the game just got sold out beacuse i pre ordered it! Yay!
  • 0 thumbs!
    Gamesta100 | April 15, 2008
    I rarely pre-order games.The only reason I even pre-ordered GTA4 was because while I was in EB Games, I heard one of the people working there tell some guy that if he didn't pre-order the game he would probably miss out.

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