Is pre-ordering worth?

I've never pre-ordered/pre-purchased a game but I know, if you do, you get a gift when the game comes. I was wondering if the gift/bonus you get was worth paying more and in advance?

If you're looking to snag a limited edition of a game then hell yes, cuz internet scalpers are quick to click and are the lowest form of low. Some editions are extremely exclusive and if you don't pony up in full months in advance are impossible to attain for msrp. Otherwise, regarding standard issue games, usually no.

If you really like the game then yup, it's worth it w/ or w/out the extra. Also just like dr_vancouver said you can buy it then re-sell it to hardcore collectors.

Limited Editions of games, yes. I did it with Witcher 3 because of that sweet statue. Standard editions then not really worth it.

I mean i can understand it when you get a nice collectible like you guys said. But for example, my friend preordered Tekken 7 and just got one more playable character, which we could've gotten anyway by buying the DLC later. If I remember correctly, with the Dead Space preorder you just got a weapon earlier in the game than usual. Can you even get collectibles by preordering or is that only for Collector's Editions?

Well if you already know that you are going to buy the game and you want whatever bonuses that come with the pre-order then sure, why not.

@tonylogan007: Of course not. It makes you a sucker.

If the corporations can get you to defend your pre order...then they've really got you. There's never a shortage of suckers. And if you are a sucker, it doesn't make you a bad person...it just means you don't mind getting taken advantage of.

Almost never worth it. It's a trick.

Most people buy digital nowadays anyway so there's not gonna be a shortage unless it's a collector's edition. You just end up feeling like a sucker if the game is bad.

I honestly can't think of a single time when the pre-order bonuses have been worth it.

@tonylogan007: Only pre-order games I really want to play at release and as convenient and swiftly as possible.

My job makes having a casual day waiting in shops or overly waiting for post date launch downloads a time waster/ chore. When it could have already removed that time investment with a pre-order. When I factor in time and money earned, it's not exactly a con.

Most I find against pre-orders either only purchase faulty games with heavy bugs day one so are spiteful, or cheap and insist to purchase second hand games years down the line. Which removes the purpose of wanting a game sooner than later.

I will wait for GotY editions, or patched versions for most games that I'm sceptical about, sure. But ones I want day one, and am very excited for, have no regrets, and Monster Hunter: World is next on that list!

Depends on the game. If you KNOW you will like the game, pre-ordering might be worth it for some in-game gear or bonus. If the game sucks, you're screwed. I got screwed over on Mass Effect Andromeda. I still regret that one.

depends if you like the franchise and the person developing it. For the most part I research all the games I am about to buy with a combination of beta footage, press coverage, and early-release reviews and tidbits like that. If it sounds good--like a sequel feels like the original game, but better, or along those lines--then yes it's worth a pre-purchase.

Only pre-order I regret in the last few years is Battlefront 1; the Star Wars title got me, not so much the gameplay footage and stuff. And I went all-in on that one, too, got that 120 dollar Gold Edition or whatever. What a let down.

But honestly, I don't buy collector's editions (limited supply, in other words) and I only buy digital, there is literally no reason for me to pre-order these days except for the rare "play it a day early" offer, and even that is not worth it.

pre-orders are not really commitments at brick and mortar shops. Plenty of times I've preordered something I was interested in for potential bonuses, to qualify for a beta, or just because "why not", which cost me all of a $5 advance, only to never buy the game, get my $5 back and spend it on something else.

I wouldn't pay the full amount up front unless I knew what I was getting, but even then, those same shops will reimburse you if you never actually pick up the game. Just make sure the pre-order is refundable and wait to see some impressions before you actually pick the game up. Even if you preorder, you don't have to actually pick it up the first day.

Pre-ordering doesn't seem necessary unless you are talking a low availability special edition or a regular game that will include something worthy unavailable only through PO-ing. Many games will still include the cosmetics or whatever enhancements were included.

@RSM-HQ: I've never actually thought about pre-ordering until I've seen Monster Hunter World! Really believe it will be worth it.

Anyways, I thought pre-ordering costs like $30 more (and I think for my friend that really was the case with Tekken) so I'll probably pre-order some games I know I will play. I really have high hopes for MHW

@tonylogan007: Unless I'm grabbing a collectors edition, a pre-order has never cost more. Pay the same as the launch price of any game.

Pre-orders benefit is simply a guarantee order for day one access. Sometimes pre-orders also come before launch date, which is cool in my opinion.

@Enragedhydra:I get what you mean, I also like to see what reviewers and other people say about a game before buying it. The only reason I would prefer to get the game right after it comes out is if I want to play multiplayer so I can get in on the fun before and if the community gets toxic.

@RSM-HQ: I didn't know pre-orders cost the same. In that case, I'm all for pre-ordering games you know you want to play.

I've never preordered a game. There's never been a 'bonus' that has struck me as so amazing it made me feel like I'd be missing out if I didn't preorder. Usually it's just some stupid skin or insignificant unlock.

What would get me to preorder? A significant discount would probably get me to lock in my order. If I could get a $60 game at launch for, say, $45 if I preordered, not only would I buy more games at launch but I'd always preorder. Some quality bonus content could get me to preorder. Not "an 'exclusive' bonus mission" that's pretty much exactly like all the other missions in the game, but something on the scale of what most developers off as DLC. Like Undead Nightmare for Red Dead Redemption or any one of the DLCs for Borderlands 2 or a couple Elusive Target missions for Hitman. And it would have to be something they never sold after the fact, a true exclusive; not limited, because anyone who wants it should be able to get it, but it should only be available to those who preorder.

A pink glitter skin for my gun or a Target logo skin for my Titan is never going to make me preorder.

@thedarklinglord: some games you can get cheaper. For example.

New games for $49.99 on newegg.

No. I only do it if I know I'm buying day one anyway... might as well get a little something extra in that case.

Games that are known to be on a limited print run. Such as Nintendo, Atlus, small Japanese developers, etc. Are to be considered for pre-orders to assure you get a copy.

Nowadays with digital becoming more standard. And physical copies not retaining the value they used to. That isn't as much of an issue for standard copies. But still very present if you want limited editions.

Generally, i don’t consider preordering to be worth it. With that being said, earlier this evening i saw an option on amazon to pre-order “shadow of the colossus” for $32. I thought the price looked good, so i did it.

The only time I pre-order is it if comes with limited edition physical merch (like figurines, art books, etc) or gives me access to the game ahead of others.

I think it can be worth it, depending on the price. I got a €5 discount by preordering Dragonball FighterZ from my local toy store, which worked out at €45, where preordering in Gamestop was €65 and the digital preorder was €70.

My main two reasons for preorders are limited editions that are usually sold out before they launch and because my retailer doesn't care about street dates. Which is why you find some threads of me answering questions of games before they officially released (like Mario & Rabbits or Odyssey)

Are games usually more expensive when you preorder digital? Or was that just the case this once?

@tonylogan007: I'm not sure. It might just have been the case with this one. Usually the prices are about even.

I never take a standard pre-order, but sometimes I buy the season pass if I think the game will have good DLCs

I sometimes pre-order games waaay in advance, and then forget about them completely, so they surprise me when they get delivered.

Well no unless you dont know what you are getting

Depend on the game

Definitely

Sometimes they give you something for pre-ordering.

Depends what the gift is. injustice 2 was definitely worth the pre-order

I don't think you have to pre-order these day because of availability. Most of it is all about being downloaded online anyway. It's all about the bonuses you get. I still think there is a LOT of risk to pre-ordering though

Nope. Unless you talking about a collectors edition like Zelda for instance, then probably would be since they tend to sell out quick.

The last game I pre-ordered was ME: Andromeda.

Never again.

I will never pre-order another game until I hear how it plays from readers, Andromeda was the last time I will get burned from impatience.

If the cost isn't too much for what your getting I usually preorder when i'm actually excited for a new game but if you aren't sure about it or it's a first edition I would wait until it comes out to maybe get some feedback on it so you don't throw away money on a game you end up not liking (as was my situation with Tom Clancy's The Division).

I think preordering games can be worth it especially when you are like me and you live miles away from any shop that sells games. The ability to pay for them on amazon a few months earlier and then have them waiting for me when I come home from work is nice an efficient since I don't really like buying games digitally.

I can settle my overall opinion towards pre-ordering in simple words.

Not saying no.

I get it, you followed a game publisher for a long time and there newest title is scheduled to release next month! Of course why wouldn't you put down 5-60$ to show you are eager towards there brand new AAA game! But wait the game released and the backlash is awful! There isn't anyone online! Even the very own game publisher announces they are going to end there focus on the game impact from such a band landing. Now you have the fact of buying a game early just to see your money slip away to a puddle of mud. Now the question ponders your mind...

Should I have waited?

-Pirate

I think I'd only be willing to buy early access if the game is a sequel of a game that I loved and I know will come out. So basically only AAA studios and not even every AAA studio. For example, BioWare is making Anthem and apparently they ran into some problems since the game is postponed, but you almost be certain that the game will come out because they made four Mass Effects and their publisher is EA (however much hated but they give them all the resources they need). Now if the game will be good that's another question since they never made an MMO, but let's say they made another Mass Effect. Maybe that's also a bad example so I'll just stop lol

The quality of the bonus varies depending on the game. But, if it's a game you wanted to pick up around release anyways, why not? You get a little extra and your ensured a copy.