Is Pre-Ordering a Video Game Still a Wise Decision in the Age of Digital Distribution?
To be perfectly honest, my perspective is and forever will be - absolutely no.
Why?
Consumers cannot make an informed choice about the product they are purchasing. The only information available, if any, would be severely limited and subject to change. Consumers are not buying a completed product; instead, they are buying a partial product or a license to play, basing their purchase on assumptions.
Games are now almost exclusively digital only, meaning there is no shortage of product to worry about. However, the pre-order process subverts fair trade by allowing consumers to potentially invest in an unknown product. The result of such a purchase mitigates the need for quality control and accountability, essentially rewarding developers for selling a product that may not meet expectations.
Only consumers lose out with pre-orders. The publisher/developer is getting paid without releasing a product. They only have to market some interesting stuff, make a few promises, and if their materials “look” good, they get paid. This is why the terrible trend surrounding Star Citizen is so concerning.
The Decline of Pre-Ordering
Did it ever make sense? Before digital distribution existed, maybe it did. But now, I don’t see any advantage to you the consumer in pre-ordering a game, even if it isn’t broken.
If you’re in a hurry, you can have a copy as soon as it launches, pre-order or not. Sometimes they throw in a few bonuses like a 10% off DLC free of charge or something like that. Depending on what they throw in, it might make a little more sense if you have your mind set 100% on buying this on launch day, but even that is a very small advantage.
Even with the bonuses, it will soon be a lot cheaper than that cost. The only way pre-ordering makes sense to me is if you see it as an investment in the company making the game. Like Kickstarter. Or like any business investment. You think they have potential, and giving them a little money now might help them get their product out there. This doesn’t make sense if the company is a multi-billion dollar behemoth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the age of digital distribution brings new challenges to the gaming market. Consumers should be cautious when considering pre-orders, as they may not yield the value they expect. While some perks may be tempting, the long-term benefits of waiting for launch are often more significant.
It’s time for consumers to take a more informed approach to purchasing video games. With the wealth of information available, waiting for a game to launch while it is discounted or in digital format can be a smarter and safer choice.