Topic: why is everyone preordering?

First of all with preorders I am like the Grinch, I dont like this business model. Recently with sony pushing digital preorders I am really frustrated. Some of you guys do it and we are all massive ps gamers so I would like your opinion. I wont have a go at you I just dont understand why you would do it.

Good question to be honest as I was thinking about this just yesterday when I saw people saying they were preordering the Witcher. It used to serve a purpose as I remember back in the day you'd literally be unable to pick up a copy of a game unless you did preorder. I've had no problem walking into a store and picking up any game on release in the past 10 years at least.

Buuuut I did preorder type-0 and it served two purposes I didn't foresee, firstly I didn't feel obliged to spend any money on any games in the couple of weeks between making the preorder and release. It must have fulfilled that need one has to spend money. So it actually saved me some money and I played my current games a bit more in anticipation. Secondly I was a lot more excited for it.

So, at least for me, it had a weird physiological effect. I appreciate your reasons are sound but I'd suggest maybe giving it a go. It was kinda nice haha.

It is a good question. Makes sense to pre-order if there is some uber 'special' edition. I seem to remember Nino Kuni White Witch limited edition pre-order selling out and then appearing on eBay for twice the money after release.

But on 'ordinary' games I certainly don't do it. I think people are getting more cautious and waiting for post release reviews especially with a lot of titles being shipped unfinished. Pre-orders to my mind simply allow publishers to slip a little on QA cause the sales are guaranteed.

There are practical reasons for preordering games, if like me, you prefer to buy boxed games to digital downloads. I didn't preorder Bloodborne, but decided to buy it on launch day, went into the shop and was asked to come back the next day because they'd already sold out and were waiting for the next shipment. It wasn't a huge inconvenience, but still had to wait one day. Also, the main reason I pick up boxed games is so I can trade them in when I get bored of them. Some shops will give you better trade-in rates if you're preordering a game when you're trading in. Finally, if you get your preordered games delivered, you'll get it in your letterbox day of release, no need to go to the shop.

I think the last time I actually had to order a preordered game to no stock being available in the shops around where I lived at the time was Metal Gear Solid 2.. these days I guess the odd shop might run low but somewhere close by usually has something.

Haha! I don't live in one of Europe's biggest cities I could have searched around, but I like to buy from the same shop because they give good deals to loyal customers.

I've very rarely preordered games. I only really do so for games that I'm really interested in, in a series I like and for the nifty bonuses. The last game I preordered was Tekken Tag Tournament 2, an installment in my favorite fighting franchise that had early access to four characters (Michelle Chang, Angel, Kunimitsu and Normal Ogre, all mostly loved characters), an exclusive stage featuring Snoop Dogg, and a bunch of bikinis for males and females (I preordered before this was announced ). When I actually got the game I got other stuff like a fancy costume for Lili and remixes of the song Snoop Dogg contributed. But the characters and stage were enough for me to preorder.

Digital preorders I don't really understand, and since I don't get my games digital I'll probably never do it. I can understand being sceptical about preorders, so I'd only ever do it for games I like.

Only PS4 game I pre-ordered was FF Type-0, and that'll be the last pre-order I make for the system unless Persona 5 gives out a handjob with every copy.

I've only pre-ordered twice in my life. Pokemon Black 2, and Grim Fandango Remastered.

From customer point of view I have to agree that pre-ordering doesn't make much sense unless there's a super duper limited edition and you really want to be sure you'd get it.
However it makes a big sense from business point of view. Thanks to pre-orders companies can estimate the demand for the game (or item in general) and therefore according to pre-order number prepare a suitable shipments to various retailers. I supose Sony pushing digital pre-orders serves exactly the same purpose.

And as a bonus, pre-ordered games usually arrive a day or two before the actual release so you can start gaming earlier (My Bayonetta 2 copy arrived 2 days before, I was super excited to see it in front of my doors so I suppose that's another factor why people pre-order)

I rarely pre-order but when I do, its generally been for a special/limited edition version. I don't usually pre-order a standard edition - even if I like the look of the pre-order bonuses. The next (and currently the only) game I have on pre-order is Batman: Arkham Knight from Amazon (special edition)

Because it's my money. If I feel it is worth it, I'll get it. I know what games I'd preorder, and studios I would trust by pre-ordering a product. Such studios/Publishers include Atlus, NIS, Bethesda, NetherRealm Studio, and Sony. Once again, it is my opinion to pre-order a product I feel will be complete upon arrival, and will be enjoyable to play.

But why would you preorder over just buying it on the day, or is it just to guarantee a copy? As I mentioned it's pretty easy these days to get a copy of any game on release, so if that's not the case then why bother?

I gave my reasons above why one may want to preorder, so I'm just curious really.

Personally I might preorder games a bit more often to enjoy the anticipation.

As far as preorder physical copies I can see one point behind it and that's to use it as a sort of layaway program. Say for example I go into a store and pressing order Uncharted 4 right now. We'll from now till release day I can go in and put 5 dollars down a paycheck instead of coughing up 60 bucks all at once. I did that with my PS4 I preordered it the day of E3 and until release day I put a little bit down so on release day I only had to pay 20 dollars for it.

As for digital I guess the appeal to preorder in it digitally is if you have to work on release day of a game you want and you just want to get home and play it you can. Same with if you don't want to leave the house.

I only buy Physical copies. Being disabled, I don't get to go out to the shops and therefore if I want the game on the day of release, then I have to pre-order - although you can do that a few days before on standard copies. I tend to not be that bothered about getting games on the day (give or take a day or 2) so I only pre-order those editions that have something extra (like steelbooks, art books, season pass etc) and never pre-order a standard editio More often than not though I just order as and when the price is what I am willing to pay - even if that means waiting for the price to drop. I see no reason pre-ordering a standard edition - most pre-order bonuses are just cosmetic anyway so not overly important to me.

I'm not preorder, I'm the cheap guy who waits for sales and Game of the Year editions with all DLC at a reduced prices... I must not be the only one as they keep making those game of the year editions

Your not wrong, have you recently bought anything on release day or say a week after?

I like to preorder for my favorite franchises that I want to play first day. But my preorders are more like layaway. My store lets me pay as I go till release. Since I'm on a budget it makes it easier to pay over time. Other games I want to play, I can wait till they have sales. I love sales!

Only Kingdom Hearts 2.5 and DOA 5 last round but those were 40 dollar rereleases with lot of content....

Right guys after this thread I have pre ordered mgs phantom pain.

Is it true the games delivered early?