Is Pre-Ordering Games Really A Bad Thing?

Over the last few years more and more gamers have taken to boycotting pre-orders and telling other players to do the same. At some point you have to ask: is pre-ordering a game really a bad thing?

[ziggurcat]

it's not a bad thing at all.

[Razzer]

It is a choice so of course it isn't bad.

[SegaGamer]

Bad isn't the word I would use, stupid is more accurate. Too many times I have seen games released in a state that needs multiple patches. So often it feels like I am paying to beta test a game.

I was so disappointed at the re-release of Shenmue 1 and 2, it was the first game I had pre-ordered in years, and it was a mess. It was impossible to actually complete the game 100% until it got patched. One of the arcade games was broken and another didn't give out prizes once you met the requirements. The training moves were completely bugged too. No matter how much you trained your moves, they would always reset if you saved and reloaded your game. The only way they wouldn't reset is if you progressed the story. Most of the issues are sorted now, but it took months after release until it got to the point where it was in a condition where I could recommend it.

This has become the norm now, games are getting released in such a messy state that it's not worth buying a game until months after it's release.

[Kaii]

You could say the same about any game though, Black Ops 4 was (okayish) at launch, until they butchered It up after the reviews were delivered.
You could play the beta of most games and get that "ugh" feeling, In the UK I normally preorder safe games so I can get them delivered 1-2 days before launch, they're mostly SP though.

Looking at the new modern warfare announcement, Free dlc and cross-play between all platforms, We all know something else has to be going on, why? because we don't get shit for free =) I'm assuming they must have some big drop offs when It comes to season passes, Is the idea to get people to stay through the products lifestyle while they throw microtransactions In our faces? probably

Fallout 76 Being broken upon release, Refund option should be mailed to all consumers who purchased said product, It's not funny, Its fraud & Sony should do more for the consumer (As a platform)

[cfc83]

Not really. I would say though that there are certain games from certain publishers you should wait on, and see how it is first.

[JBryant0619]

Not a bad thing though i wish review embargos would lift earlier since most of them currently lift the day before the game comes out or the day of. That being said, sometimes you do have to preorder certain games since they get a limited release.

[thatguyhayat]

Depends who its from

[kayoss]

Its only bad when you regret doing it after the game turns out to be a piece of dung.

[CrimsonWing69]

No it's not, and you're free to do whatever the hell you want with your money. I have always been irked by people who tell other people not to pre-order a game because somehow magically not pre-ordering a game makes it a better game.

That is the biggest crock of sh*t. I pre-order so I don't miss out on collector's editions or pre-order bonuses. So, fly that flag!

[sprinterboy]

The pre order bonuses which are shite you mean

[rainslacker]

No. If you want the game, and you know you're going to buy it, there is no reason to wait. Not everyone is adamant about waiting for reviews, and for me, I can often tell if I'd like a game long before reviews drop. I am rarely wrong on my choices, but I can usually find good things about most games anyways.

I dont think it's really necessary to preorder games nowadays, except for some which may not get much inventory through regular channels, which accounts for some of the niche games.

[sprinterboy]

There is no need to pre order apart from the pre download release date. The bonus stuff it comes with are generally shite

[meep316]

It’s a great way to waste money, but there are some games I preorder without worry. Like death stranding, I want to play it no matter what anyone else thinks of it.

[Chaosdreams]

Short answer:
It's bad.

Long answer:
It's a decision. The decision should be based on a level of research and recent history of the provider. Is the dev/publishers trust worthy? How much does the cost matter? Is the game as advertised? How badly do I want this?

Some devs have a good track record, so a pre-order can be appealing for the extra goodies. Others bait and switch and cause damage to the industry (think of every single fad that's occurred, from season passes to incomplete games to mt's in AAA games).

Common sense dictates to wait since a lot of games have some steep discounts weeks/months later. If you've got a game backlog anyhow. If you're comfortable/confident your pre-order is a smart purchase go for it.

Your decision might burn you, but you'll learn.

[Goldenarmz]

I feel pre ordering is unnecessary these days. (outside of the bonuses you get) but its not like the PS2/XBOX days where some games would be sold out for weeks. (i remember when WWF games were hard to find) but now, no matter the title, you will see the shelves lined with em.

[Antnee534]

Not at all if you do it through a brick and mortar store. The procedure is put 5 dollars on a game if you change your mind before release get that money back. Its a simple process that people are stupid enough to blow way out of proportion.

[AK91]

Depends of who the publisher is.