To preorder or not to preorder....that is the question

**Alundil** · 02-06-12, 10:30 AM

This is an open question to all gamers or all genres.

Setup: I can recall, fondly, when game developers used to release actual demos of their upcoming titles. These were separate in scope, methods, distinction and build from the beta(s) that the developers might run. This was a great thing for all consumers as it allowed you to "try before you buy." Most of these demos might have been released a little before the "gold" title hit retail chains. They were generally either the first level or two of the game in the case of FPS/RTS or they might be time limited in the cases of MMO/RPG offerings. These were generally the same patch level or build level of the gold release so they weren't betas and gave the consumer enough of a taste of the complete product to justify the $$ expenditure.

Fast-forward to 2010 or so (I might be off on the year that this really took hold but it's the year that I recall most poignantly at this point), and we no longer see true demos of titles. In fact, I can't recall the last "demo" of a software title offered by a large developer/publisher in any genre (if I've missed some please let me know). Instead, developers (and I really think this is more the publishers) are offering almost unfettered access to "Open Betas" of their products. A couple real issues with this are: 1) Most of the people participating in the "beta" think it's a demo and aren't acting as beta testers - this results in far less valuable feedback to the developers than a smaller, more disciplined beta test and 2) Allows the publisher to hype the title(s) without regard to features/issues that might be discovered as their response is "It's a beta, we're working on it, we're aware and it'll get patched post release" etc etc - which history has shown very rarely occurs 3) The NDA requested by the developer/publisher is often ignored and violated resulting in a weakened perception of NDA agreements in general.

With the recent number of "AAA" releases that we've seen over the last 1-2 years all noticeably missing a demo and the consumer having wide BETA access, the next underhanded move is to entice consumers to preorder an upcoming title in order to get early "Beta/Demo" access to that same (or a separate upcoming) title. This artificially inflates the publishers' sales numbers and consumer interest and lends questionable statistics to the marketability of the titles.

Case in point: Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Medal of Honor, Battlefield 3 (all heavily dependent on beta access, preorder for additional beta access, and preorders for "extra stuff"). All three of these titles suffered from the lack of a true beta (and the alpha and open beta for BF3 was the only beta it received to my knowledge - no formal beta testing company involved on that one at all afaik).
Now we see Tera, a title I am interested in, offering something for preorder. I think that Blizzard is as well for Diablo III.

I am not mad at these developers or publishers. Disappointed would be a more appropriate word, in that they are abusing the loyalty and goodwill of their customers in order to take "short cuts" to the sole benefit of themselves (to include stock holders). It's legal and seems to be becoming the norm but it is disheartening because in the long run no one, not we the consumer or they the developer/publisher, is well served by this. It damages good will, reduced consumer loyalty and eventually erodes trust in the developers and publishers.

So the poll question revolves around preorders. Will you, or won't you, preorder software (games in particular) in the future?

**QuickLightning** · 02-06-12, 11:39 AM

I generally don't preorder since you can find games in stores on release day pretty easily... That being said, I have never been disappointed with a Blizzard or Valve release and would gladly preorder from them if they had some nice bonuses or discounts.

I will almost definitely preorder Diablo 3 if there is any benefit to doing so. If not, I will just pick it up the day of.

**loki2158** · 02-06-12, 11:42 AM

I have only pre-ordered one game in my life and that was BF3. In any other circumstance I tend to be cautious and wait to hear more on the game before purchasing. In this instance I wanted to get the most for my money and the addition of the Physical Warfare pack and Back to Karkand DLC sweetened the pot just enough to hook me. Add to it a number of friends getting it and I couldn't resist. But after DICEs blatant lies about the game and continued lack of implementing important game functions (VOIP anyone?) I can say I will never pre-order from them again. Trust is a major factor in pre-ordering.

Currently I am in the D3 beta and it has me sold that the game will be good. It plays very similar to the old Diablo games while including a few new design features I feel will help the game grow. It's a good strategy to get the word out about your game, but we as testers/reviewers just have to make sure we look past the shiny gloss and see the game/program for what it really is. With that said, I don't know if I will really pre-order it. With no benefit to having it early other than bragging rights I may just let it sit until enough friends hound me about it or I catch a lucky sale some where.

**Toker** · 02-06-12, 11:50 AM

I'm excited for Diablo 3 as well, but what do you guys think the buying items with real life money will do to the game? Kinda sounds pretty shitty IMO. Am I correct in assuming the hardcore mode wont have these type of transactions where everyone can just buy their gear?

**QuickLightning** · 02-06-12, 11:55 AM

Hardcore mode wont have it, and you can just not use it if you don't personally like it. It wont be any different than Diablo 2 was really, except for the fact that there is a legitimate option now. There were tons of external sites selling gear.

**Toker** · 02-06-12, 11:57 AM

Sure, I get that, but now it's just that much easier for Timmy to grab Daddy's card and gear up.

HARDCORE it is!

**QuickLightning** · 02-06-12, 11:59 AM

I might be joining you in hardcore. We'll have to see how difficult the game is at Inferno before I make that jump though.

I remember losing many characters in hardcore D2 from a sudden lag spike... Oh man was it frustrating but that REALLY gets your blood pumping when you can lose months of character building in one bad teleport.

**Toker** · 02-06-12, 12:02 PM

Yea, I always admired the high level hardcore dudes I saw. As long as they add another cow level, I'll be happy... LOL

**Warprosper** · 02-06-12, 12:11 PM

With things like digital download it's kind of pointless to pre-order anything unless there are added perks..

For consoles I typically just stop somewhere after work and pick up a copy..

**maximusboomus** · 02-06-12, 12:20 PM

I've pre-purchased 2 games - BF3 and Deus Ex 3 - Honestly unless there's significant savings I don't think I will anymore... When BF2143 / BF4 comes out I'll wait for a while most likely and go all quicklightning on its ass prior to buying.