Buying games on release

[Iwata]

I've found that it is increasingly a bad idea to buy games on release.

this is mostly due to two reasons:

1- Post-launch DLC. Most games these days are made with DLC in mind. Now, the merits or demerits of DLC are another topic altogether, but I've found that with some companies in particular, it is NEVER a good idea to buy a game when it's released. Why? Because it will soon be flooded with DLC, and in most cases, a compilation pack will be released later on with all the content and for half the price. Recent examples are Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3, Dead Island and others, and of course, the entirety of Capcom's library.

2- Price drops. This is, I think, the main reason. When games are released, they're priced insanely high. I used to not mind paying that, but then I realized that most games had a 30%/50% drop in price within the first three months of release. And then another 30% drop in the months after that. Hell, I've seen games drop 50% in price less than a month after coming out! Maybe it's because I have an enormous backlog that keeps me entertained while I wait for other games to drop in price, but it seems like a waste of money to get games on release, when simple patience will save you quite a great deal.

Your own perspective on this?

 

[DoPo]

I don't buy at launch or even soon after. I usually wait for a price drop. Hey, I don't really need to play a game urgently, nao! so I don't feel rushed. And, hey, I also get to see if people like it or not, too.

 

[LooK iTz Jinjo]

In this discussion, people seem to forget that when it comes to a multiplayer games it's better to buy on release. Not only is the community going to be larger but you'll also be on par with everyone else in terms of knowing the maps and unlocks. Nothing worse than jumping on a game 6 months later and no being able to get a kill because everyone else has been guns than you.

 

[DoPo]

In this discussion, people seem to forget that when it comes to a multiplayer games it's better to buy on release. Not only is the community going to be larger but you'll also be on par with everyone else in terms of knowing the maps and unlocks. Nothing worse than jumping on a game 6 months later and no being able to get a kill because everyone else has been guns than you.

Umm, I don't go for multiplayer games? The latest more heavily MP game I played (OK, two of them) were Torchlight 2 and Path of Exile. TL 2 I played LAN with a friend and then SP. I actually haven't played online at all, to be honest. PoE, admittedly, I tried out when the open beta went out. I played it with the same friend as before probably...till about middway between before you get to the second settlement. Then I started a second character SP and rejoined my friend (who also had a new char) when we both had about an hour and a half of play before we got to the second settlement. The entire point was just to test out how it feels, not to be competitive or anything.

So, again, why would I care when I start playing a game?

 

[LooK iTz Jinjo]

Snip.

So, again, why would I care when I start playing a game?

Implying that my entire comment was directed at you and only you. I'm not saying you should go and buy every game day 1, hell I barely play any multiplayer game myself these days, I merely raised a valid point as to why it is sometimes desirable to purchase a game day 1. Just because you "don't go for multiplayer games" doesn't mean that no one else does.

 

[DoPo]

Snip.

So, again, why would I care when I start playing a game?

Implying that my entire comment was directed at you and only you. I'm not saying you should go and buy every game day 1, hell I barely play any multiplayer game myself these days, I merely raised a valid point as to why it is sometimes desirable to purchase a game day 1. Just because you "don't go for multiplayer games" doesn't mean that no one else does.

The question was how we do stuff not how we think everybody should do it. I'm sure if anybody is into those, or has other reasons to get games on release - then they'll come up and say so. Why I, or anybody else, needs to speak up for them is beyond me.

 

[daveman247]

Eh depends really. I only buy games on release that I am 100% sure i will enjoy ^_^ Any hint of doubt and I will wait. Also, handily games in the UK usually release a few days after the US so I will get to see whether it is worth it or not. Last minute preorder cancels and that.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

In respond to the OT questions:

1. I could careless about DLC, until it has already been released and it is available after I have completed a game. If I want more, then I'll chip in for some extra content. I have yet to purchase/pre-order a game solely for bragging rights to DLC. If I'm going to purchase a title and desire to play it at launch, then I'll pre-order it, just to be sure that I have a copy in the waiting.

2. If I want to play a game at launch, I will buy it. Seriously though, if games get anymore expensive, I will definitely wait for the price to go down. I believe that if the new Gen of consoles will require more than $60 a game, then I will wait until the price goes down and purchase it then. This way, if enough people buy it later, they will see that they can't get away with charging so much for a title. Unless, of course, the COD, Madden, NBA, MLB, and FIFA fans don't f*** it up for everyone.

 

[Lilani]

For me it's about voting with my wallet. I don't mind buying games on release or even pre-ordering games from Valve because I know the product I'm going to get is quality, and they treat me right as a customer. So I do my part to give them their vital sales numbers, and I enjoy my great game. On the other hand, I waited six months to buy ME3, because I don't like EA's business practices and I didn't want to reward them for that. I'll be buying and possibly preordering the new game from the makers of Bastion, and the same thing goes with the Double Fine adventure game. I like those guys and I want to see them do well.

 

[Tom_green_day]

Only ever bought on release twice- Black Ops 2 and Skyrim. Both worth it. I'll preorder stuff like Fallout 4 and Mass Effect 4 but only because through repeated awesomeness I trust these franchises and developers.

 

[Maximum Bert]

Used to always buy day 1 now I hardly ever do DLC along with less of my time to play games has effectively made me buy later and ofc I also get the game cheaper then anyway.

Some games I wait a few months for others I am content to wait a few years until its real cheap (ME3 and Skyrim are two I am content to wait a long time for) and others I never end up getting because I find I no longer care.

With multiplayer games I usually find either no one is playing anymore or I get owned but thats ok I prefer offline multiplayer most of the time anyway.

These days I have to be really looking forward to a game to get it near release.

 

[Arqus_Zed]

My view on buying games on release coincides mainly with that of the OP.

Worst of all are the season passes.
If a game gets a season pass, my reaction is as follows: "Screw it, I'll just buy the GOTY edition a year from now for half the price."

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

I don't buy very many games at launch, and the games I don't buy I wait to see if it's any good.

Now, the games I do buy are the ones I'm excited for and want to play right away. I did that with Borderlands 2, and I don't regret that choice. I honestly don't care about DLC because I want to see what the game on the disk is offering me and if it's worth buying the DLC. If I'm not impressed then I don't bother, and I love the game then DLC is an added bonus and I will buy it when I'm good and ready. Last time I checked I didn't see a developer or publisher with a gun to my head and demand that I buy it right away.

As for the last bit, that's more towards a game that I'm not sure about. If I hear good things then I will wait until it's cheaper and then buy it.

The main reason I buy at launch is because is because I want to support the game and I want it to do well since the first few weeks (or less? I don't really remember) are important to a game's success. If it does well then we might get to see more of it. An example? Beyond Good and Evil. It didn't sell well when it came out and that game is amazing, where's the sequel? Hell if I know.

 

[amuasyeas]

I don't anymore, it's like playing Russian roulette, only with 5 bullets in. I'd wait for a sale, but only if I got a decent look at the game beforehand. That or I just go back to playing Sid Meier's Pirates!