Pre-orders. They’re what the marketing side of gaming uses to measure how well a game is going to do. They feed off of them, like some sort of gaming succubus or siren – tempting gamers with incentives, to coax them out of their money before games are even available. The gaming industry lives on pre-orders. Pity then that consumers seem to be wising up. It seems that pre-order numbers are dropping.
In the UK, it looks like the number of people who pre-order has dropped dramatically.
According to MCV UK, “20 per cent of UK gamers say they are either pre-ordering fewer titles, or have stopped pre-ordering altogether.”
That’s significant, as the UK has traditionally been the territory with the highest number of pre-orders in Europe. It’s not just the UK though; according to the same site, “For UK, France, Germany and Spain combined, 12 per cent of gamers (10.3m) have either stopped or reduced the number of titles they have pre-ordered.”
The reasons cited include consumers wanting to spend money on other goods, and people waiting for prices to come down. And honestly, it’s about time. Unless you know there are logistical issues, or genuine limited editions, there’s no good reason to pre-order games unless you appreciate the dangling carrot that publishers perpetually wave – but that practice just breeds more of it. More content gets locked out, available only to those who pre-order. More DLC. More season passes.
Gamers have probably also had their fill of games that launch broken – the number of games that have launched in near unplayable states this generation is frankly appalling, and it’s a situation that’s only made worse by the myriad, multi-gigabyte patches that flood through post-release. Is it really worth playing a broken game for that extra suit of armour, or a shiny metal case?
There are likely other reasons too – like PlayStation Plus and Xbox’s Games for Gold. Why pre-order the latest games, when they’ll eventually be given for “free”? Steam’s perpetual sales have also fostered a class of gamer who prefers to wait.
Yes, there will always be people who need to be part of the zeitgeist, who need to play a game on or around release date – but you don’t need to pre-order to do that. Wait to see if a game really is good before spending your hard earned money.
Last Updated: April 23, 2015
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
April 23, 2015 at 15:02
The Problem is that more and more games are being pushed out, without being finished properly, and why the hell do I have to pay 800 Randela’s for a Game that is Broken when I get it?
There are some exceptions though, but mostly I have stopped pre-ordering any games, till after they are out, and the first wave of Updates are out
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 23, 2015 at 15:03
Wait a year, yes, you miss out a bit on the hype and excitement, but you score in the long run
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
April 23, 2015 at 15:05
I have reduced it down to about 1 a year now (Shadow of Mordor last FY, Witcher 3 now)
I am so disappointed in the MK X and GTA:V that I’m starting to think about doing just that, Finally clear my Steam Backlog, and get the games on the sales at the End of the Year
Spathi
April 23, 2015 at 15:15
What’s wrong with MK and Gta?
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:17
I want to know this as well
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
April 23, 2015 at 15:49
In MK, I am getting random Freezes of the Game, during fights…
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 15:51
internet or game related freezes?
AND ouch,
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
April 23, 2015 at 16:05
game related freezes… Get to the top of the tower, busy with the end boss, and BAM…hangs the game, or busy with story mode… BAM
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 16:06
kak one, truly. Hate that type of thing. Very, very frustrating, to limit your already limited actual game time. Good luck in solving
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
April 23, 2015 at 16:06
uninstall game, and use disc as coaster
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 16:09
Eish
Nikola
April 23, 2015 at 16:21
just get an console;)
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
April 23, 2015 at 16:22
Soon Soon, waiting for stock .. then gooi some employee disc
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
April 23, 2015 at 16:23
on the other hand Darryn
the new-gen consoles are not worth it to me just yet.. want some decent games out first..
Jonathan C Dickinson
April 23, 2015 at 16:17
GTA Online is a really solid title IMO (can’t comment on single player as I haven’t played it at all). A few bugs here and there (which I’m sure will be fixed), ridiculously long loading screens but it’s honestly the most fun I’ve had in a game in years. Maybe the single player is horrible? I dunno.
Maybe that’s a result of trying to ignore hype bubbles. It took some serious convincing and port reports for me to even consider buying the game.
Spathi
April 23, 2015 at 16:25
I played it on PS3 and absolutely loved it, single player only though. I think the “disappointment” he is referring to is directed towards the fact that the games still have lots of “bumps” to even out though, and I thought he had a problem with the gameplay itself and wanted to know what was bad about it.
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 15:25
Excluding W3, the last game I preordered was Borderlands 2. Since then I generally buy a year or so later. It’s been reviewed, it’s been patched, all DLC is out, that’s been reviewed too, and it’s cheaper. Works for me but I mostly buy SP games, for MP orientated gamers it could be different.
WitWolfy
April 24, 2015 at 08:32
GTA V’s PS4 port totally disappointed me. Many trophies didnt unlock while playing the game, and some of those activities took me hours to complete as well! It’s as if they never even took the effort to look into it after fans like myself brought it to their attention… Bastards…
Admiral Chief asked for this
April 23, 2015 at 15:03
Of course they are, people finally got wise and bitten too many times. Just look at the last while how many day one disasters there were (DOD)
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 15:04
…
ReaperOfSquirrels
April 23, 2015 at 15:09
http://rs1img.memecdn.com/wait-good-point_fb_1144675.jpg
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:17
Yeah, the mere thought of Trevor doing THAT freaks me out
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 15:18
Really? The mere thought of Trevor alone is usually enough to freak people out. O_o
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:18
I never want to encounter him alone!
Weanerdog
April 23, 2015 at 15:27
No sense of adventure. Trevs a great guy.
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:27
I’ll leave him all to you then 🙂
Weanerdog
April 23, 2015 at 15:44
I’ll take any friends I can get.
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 15:27
He’s not nearly as bad as people say… If you are prepared for his apperance that is http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/wonkalumps/goonies7.gif
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:28
Oh, so he kinda looks like you, cool, I’m used to that at least.
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 15:29
If there was an international lame scale, that comment would be at the top 😛 I expect more from you!
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:31
If there was such a scale, you’d be the author?
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 15:38
And that comment would be number 2…
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:41
Ok mr expert
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 15:42
Even your writing has taken a hit! What has happened?!
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:43
Dealing with filth and bile today, apologies for not being on top form
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 15:44
I haven’t seen Ryanza today (too soon?!)
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:44
OI
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 16:17
I see your ban hammer was effective. Not one swear word.
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 15:48
Look, this is like an arms race between two coutries. Each step goes higher and further, till each is carrying two mini-guns, on the arms of Arnie look-alikes.
While I do not agree fully with Ryanza, this type of comment, while amusing, seems to be causing the person some level of pain. Ours not to reason why.
Make of this as you will.
Nayraz
April 23, 2015 at 16:03
I have always asked that the trolling shit to not happen under my comments. So them doing it here and away from my comments, I’m fine with that.
But for some time now, there has been a active mission to troll my comments. When I make a comment now a days, the replies will always be, I’m stupid, I’m a troll, I don’t know shit, I’m a this and I’m a that. Nothing about the topic. No sort of discussion. They are out to troll me. End of point.
They encourage each other to troll me. It’s funny to them. It’s not funny to me. But it’s Ryanza and gives a fuck about Ryanza and him wanting the trolling to stop under his comments. No one. It means troll more. And I’m over it.
level of pain lol. small amount of respect. Seeing as I don’t do this shit to them. No.
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 15:55
Um. Kids? Hope it is not the kids? That is bad, as I am finding out more and more rapidly
(Do you have kids? I seem to recall you mentioning like 2 or something long ago)
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:57
No, issues with comments and personal issues that will not be mentioned here
(as for the child question, I have a 6yo daughter)
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 16:00
so metaphorical.
I think the correct word, although is very, very strong is vitriol
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 16:00
Aye, that, I’ve even got a moerse headache of this whole day as well
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 16:01
swap places? I am swamped with work. and typing here…. Hmmm.
Edit* no to the swap, the town mouse, country mouse story is all too true.
Just means an even later night tonight. Letters and documents do not write themselves. I have tried. trust me on this.
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 15:36
I thought it was… “marvelous”. *run*
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 15:38
BWAHAHAH!
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 15:22
I’m never alone. I’m always watching.
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 15:22
Yes, precisely. That’s what freaks people out.
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 15:26
That’s their problem, not mine.
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 15:27
Well, it might just become your problem when that one person actually likes it.
http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131118214124/degrassi/images/c/ca/Drianca_reaction.gif
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 15:28
Laave JJ alone, he’s not here to defend himself.
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 15:29
Hmmm. So JJ is your homie?
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Laave
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 15:29
HHAHAHAHAHAH!
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:30
I got a message from him a short while ago, will post soon!
Harley_Quinn
April 24, 2015 at 08:32
Stopped doing that a long time ago.
Admiral Chief
April 24, 2015 at 11:40
Stopped thinking of Trevor? That is a sound strategy!
PointMan
April 23, 2015 at 15:06
I only pre-order games from BT and that’s only because they don’t require you to put down any cash unless it’s a collectors edition. That way I know there is a copy waiting for me for a few days if the game turns out to be in one piece. Also the small discount you get for pre-ordering is welcome.
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
April 23, 2015 at 15:08
BT is the Best man. buy all of my physical copies there
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 15:10
There’s hope yet…. Until the yearly recycables comes through again.
Hammersteyn
April 23, 2015 at 15:30
Actually I’m wrong, I preorder games I really really want because I get 10% discount on the games from BT plus I get more on the games I trade in on preorders than I would any other day. So yeah, busted!
Gavin Mannion
April 23, 2015 at 15:19
Pre-Orders are a cancer in the industry. Once they get enough pre-orders the game is going to be pushed out whether it’s done or not as they can guarantee profitability.
It’s also great getting all those pre-orders n before those annoying game reviews crop up and tell everyone how shit the game is.
Don’t pre-order games… EVER
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:20
“Pre-Orders are a cancer in the industry.”
^This
PointMan
April 23, 2015 at 15:26
You should change your profile pick, you are enabling pre-orders….
http://www.takealot.com/deus-ex-mankind-divided-pc/PLID36958909
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:27
Oh shush you, DX is going to be awesome!
(jokes aside, weird that they are taking pre-orders for that already, I mean, it was only an awesome trailer, no gameplay or anything has been shown yet)
Spathi
April 23, 2015 at 15:32
That’s exactly when the pre-orders are the highest though. 😛
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:33
I believe the hype about that game. When DX;HR was announced I was on the choo choo train every day, got the game day1, and was very thankful!
DX, the exception to the rule!
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 16:19
Look at the face on the cover. that does not look like Jensen. I want Adam.
Reidroc
April 23, 2015 at 15:21
Well the last few times I preordered it was about 2 days before the games were released and the reviews had already come out. I would never preorder weeks or months ahead of time. Although lately they have that annoying review embargo until release so then I had to wait until after that.
Nikola
April 23, 2015 at 16:33
Don’t support pre-orders…. Too soon;)
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
April 23, 2015 at 18:56
I don’t know about this. When I buy a title, a lot of the time it’s not just the game I’m buying. It’s also about supporting developers. So often I’ll pre-order a CA title (time and time again) no matter how it goes, because I want CA to have my money to keep making the games I love. And no matter how good/bad it is, I always want to play it on release day because it is a franchise I absolutely adore. Even the worst Total War game is better than 75% of my library.
I pretty much only pre-order Total War and Borderlands titles now and have never been disappointed.
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 15:19
There’s absolutely no reason to preorder a digital copy of a game. None. There is no scarcity. Any preorder content is always released at a later date anyway. It’s not surprising people are spending less on games either, times are tough & games are entertainment, not a necessity. R600 is a bit more than 2 weeks worth of petrol for me.
That’s not even taking into account their unknown quality. Physical editions if you want the stuff that comes with them, sure. Otherwise it’s just not worth it. How many preordered Evolve, and look how well that turned out for them.
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:20
FINALLY MY PETROL IS LESS THAN YOURS!
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 15:21
That’s what she said. 😉
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 15:21
XD
RinceThis
April 23, 2015 at 15:25
zeitgeist, this is Geoff’s favourite word today. Apparently watching a movie at the cinema means you are jumping on the zeitgeist too *RUNS
PoisonedBelial
April 23, 2015 at 15:28
Pre-Orders cause terrible pain to The Great Illuminaartjie…
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 15:28
I think there has been a short sighted view of pre-orders from the industry and a real lack of understanding of the sophistication level of the average gamer. In other words, the average gamer is sick of getting fed shit and is now, through gaming companies own actions, forced to be more astute.
Also, read Gavins comment
Blood Emperor Trevor
April 23, 2015 at 15:34
There was a very interesting article I read a looooooooong time ago about how game publishers were slowly being filled up with people from the movie industry, which was why there was such a focus on preorders and day one sales; just like in the movie industry everything revolves around opening week because ticket sales taper off relatively quickly. Similarly they’re trying to recoup their investment in making the game in one fell swoop without recognising they sell games over a much longer time period.
Pariah
April 23, 2015 at 15:38
Especially with digital stores, there is no such thing as a shelf life. Just make the games great, and you could potentially meet demand until there is no more internet. People will come, people will try, people will buy. No need to worry about logistics, distribution, or stock.
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 15:45
Hmm, interesting.
James Anderton
April 23, 2015 at 15:32
Oh please let pre-orders just die out. Please, pretty, pretty please.
Joe Black
April 23, 2015 at 15:40
Good
Greylingad
April 23, 2015 at 15:43
Aah, Pre-orders…You see, pre ordering anything is supposed to not earn you a benefit, it is merely there to secure a sale, pre order a car and what do you get extra? Nothing, not a thing Naaaadaaaa, why? Firstly, because you can’t suddenly alter the engine and just add 27 cylinders, and secondly because it’s a physical entity, whereas a game can be manipulated with patches and various other little useless things, Devolve for instance. And then there is the way that we as gamers get dragged into it… Hey this DLC was only planned many moons after the game was finalised, which was about two years before release, but don’t worry, we didn’t plan on bringing it out at an expensive price…. It’s simply ridiculous…
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:44
LOL @ 27 cylinders
James Anderton
April 23, 2015 at 15:53
I’m very much against pre-orders unless its a physical collectors edition (I have both Diablo 3 Collectors).
That being said, if Valve ever decided to announce Half Life 3…
http://i.imgur.com/UOoCO3Y.gif
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:54
Imagine if they ship an ACTUAL crowbar
James Anderton
April 23, 2015 at 15:55
All the money. Just, all of it.
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:56
OR A HEV MK6!!!
Greylingad
April 23, 2015 at 15:57
Good Lord! can you imagine!?
Admiral Chief
April 23, 2015 at 15:59
Duuuude, I’d wear it each day!
Greylingad
April 24, 2015 at 09:14
I would wear it every day, but I’m sure it’ll get annoying when changing baby nappies, repeatedly hearing the phrase, ” Hazardous material detected, approach with caution”
James Anderton
April 23, 2015 at 15:59
http://cdn.alltheragefaces.com/img/faces/large/sweet-jesus-l.png
Brady miaau
April 23, 2015 at 15:51
AND, no pictures or videos of trains. Those magic trains are what they (you know, them) are using to try get us to pre-order.
Like sites posting a new Mortal Wombat X article every day or twice a day about some small element or screenshot. This was doled out by the marketing machine of Wombat X, in order to try and fuel the magic train.
DragonSpirit009
April 23, 2015 at 16:04
I don’t think I’ve ever pre-ordered anything… I don’t think I’ve even ordered anything in my life XD
Mostly because I don’t have the right card, don’t know where and don’t have any money to begin with
Wyzak
April 23, 2015 at 16:28
I call it charlie testing – testing your product on paying customers.
CAE9872
April 23, 2015 at 17:04
Well I certainly am one those – have stopped pre-ordering anything since 2014 disasters! Bloodborne came close; but gave it a quick thought, remembered 2014, moved on.
Suom
April 23, 2015 at 21:31
I understand how US Gamers would slow it with the pre-order since compared to other regions the US pre-order bonuses are just crap (and extra skin here, a cool-looking weapon there, and almost nothing else good really), but I suppose the whole gaming world is finally waking up to the fact that most of what is offered as bonus content is less about functionality and cool RL merch and more about status/devotion symbols. TBF, the pre-order bonuses that don’t require you paying over market price are okay and all, and in some cases pre-ordering also may determine the potential popularity and success of a game so much so that developers will decide to make more of it. But on a whole, it’s a “pay more, get less than what you thought” situation.
chimera_85
April 24, 2015 at 08:35
The “incentives” are usually so miniscule it’s rather pointless like with Dragon Age Inquisition, armour that will be old after 3 hours of playing haha.
oVg
April 24, 2015 at 09:18
GOOOOOOD!!! All it did was make the quality of games go to shit. YOU DONT PAY YOUR FUCKING PLUMBER BEFORE HE FIXES THE BOG or bugger all will get done.
Only gamers pay for shit does not exist and when it does, its broken. silly buggers.
RUNS…
Francois Knoetze
April 24, 2015 at 10:38
The only game I have preordered in a while is the Witcher 3. I want that game and the New Batman so badly!? otherwise the part where games are broken at launch is unacceptable and it actually made me not order or play Assassins Creed Unity at all(suffering from AC fatigue quite a bit and have played all the games up until Unity)