Pre-Order Bonus Shennanigans

[Something Amyss]

You don't see the difference between day 1 DLC, retailer bonuses, nickle and diming bullshit, and giving away future DLC for free for marketing?

You're arguing semantics.

It's not chunks of the original game 'made' into DLC,

A claim that's rarely true when it's aimed at other developers,

it's not unique retailer bonus bullshit.

Which they did, by the way. Or are you a fan of the double standard?

It's legit, straight up (future) DLC.

It's easy to arbitrarily define DLC as legit, isn't it?

It's "buy now and get X for free!" How is a marketing campaign that ran for MONTHS restrictive?

MORE restrictive. I write assuming a basic grasp of the language including the ability to note and make use of comparative terms like "more" or "less." If you feel this does not include you, I apologise. If not, please note the term and work with it.

Yes, a pre-order only bonus is more restrictive than one that can be redeemed normally after the fact. Please explain how it would be otherwise.

Besides, EA and THQ hardly play their programs close to the vest, so running a campaign for months can't be your real issue here.

 

[Leoofmoon]

I think Pre-orders should be for like a special skin, mostly like what Halo has been doing or a map like the new black ops. but if it is something more like a map or weapons it should be made available later for normal people at a far price. stuff like a new skin or special armor or even stuff like Shepherd's dog robot are ok for people tho just have and no one else.

But stuff like guns, maps, skills, upgrades and such should be a limited deal or never happen.

 

[FoolKiller]

There's no telling if there will be a GOTY edition, nor whether it will include pre-order bonuses.

Borderlands 2 just came out, and although I didn't pre-order it I think the bonus(es) they offered were done perfectly. There was, IIRC, an in-game crate containing unique and scaled weapons that give a small edge to the player at whatever level they choose to open it, but doesn't last more than 3-4 levels on average. This could never be unbalancing as the entire game is about constantly finding new and better loot, meaning their shelf life was limited.

Further, they offer the download of an entirely new, fifth class WHEN it's been developed. Meaning that it was NOT developed alongside the main game (beyond I would expect some basic groundwork) so all developer efforts went into the game (*cough* Javik), and not chipping chunks off to re-sell separately.

Not Day 1 DLC, not different for everyone, not withheld from players who didn't pre-order (who can buy it separately), but simply something extra given freely as a reward to thank those that pre-ordered.

I really want Dishonored, but I hate this bonus scheme they've employed. I wouldn't mind if it was an out-of-game item, like a different T-Shirt, character bust or model, etc. but the in-game differences bug me.

This. This is the reason Borderlands 2 got my 3rd ever pre-order, make it worthwhile while not game breaking, is it really that fine a line for developers who've spent such a long time to know about their games.

See... this is why I hated the Borderlands 2 pre-order. Because you're missing the biggest thing. If you pre-ordered it from BestBuy or Gamestop/EBGames then you get to be in the premiere club and get the new playable class Mechromancer for free when it comes in October. I pre-ordered the game in March at my local shop. What did I get? Nothing. Its not really fair that I will have to pay an additional $15 just to get that.

 

[Leoofmoon]

Giving us "broadened appeal" garbage? Yes.

Oh, please, enough with the "Gaming isn't niche anymore, so it sucks!" bullshit. Or is this the "They don't make games hard like Battletoads for the NES was, gaming sucks now?" bullshit?

See... this is why I hated the Borderlands 2 pre-order. Because you're missing the biggest thing. If you pre-ordered it from BestBuy or Gamestop/EBGames then you get to be in the premiere club and get the new playable class Mechromancer for free when it comes in October. I pre-ordered the game in March at my local shop. What did I get? Nothing. Its not really fair that I will have to pay an additional $15 just to get that.

And you didn't pre-order it from best Buy or Gamestop/EBGames... why? I imagine it was your own choice to support your 'local shop' instead, so you don't really have a soapbox to stand on.

I pre-orders Borderlands 2 because I wanted the pass but to even get that you had to buy it, not to mention Gear of war 3 did this but the pass was like 60 or 70 bucks!

Please any game I know I want the day it comes out I pre-order.

 

[FoolKiller]

Giving us "broadened appeal" garbage? Yes.

Oh, please, enough with the "Gaming isn't niche anymore, so it sucks!" bullshit. Or is this the "They don't make games hard like Battletoads for the NES was, gaming sucks now?" bullshit?

See... this is why I hated the Borderlands 2 pre-order. Because you're missing the biggest thing. If you pre-ordered it from BestBuy or Gamestop/EBGames then you get to be in the premiere club and get the new playable class Mechromancer for free when it comes in October. I pre-ordered the game in March at my local shop. What did I get? Nothing. Its not really fair that I will have to pay an additional $15 just to get that.

And you didn't pre-order it from best Buy or Gamestop/EBGames... why? I imagine it was your own choice to support your 'local shop' instead, so you don't really have a soapbox to stand on.

Yes, I do. The point is that the bonuses aren't for people who pre-order the game. It was for people who pre-order the game in a specific store. Gearbox even said that it was for people who pre-order. It only came out later that it was restricted.

When you learn to read and pay attention to the topic, feel free to come back. Otherwise don't bother.

 

[Dandark]

I hate pre-ordering. I don't know why but I just don't like pre ordering, I have nothing against people doing it but I usaully prefer to wait for it to come out and then buy it on the day or sometime in the 2 weeks after that so it annoys me when there are big pre order bonuses. Usaully I don't care because it will just be a little something extra and I would probably rather skip putting the code in anyway but it still urks me.

Giving different bonuses to different stores is one of the things about them that urk me the most, I know they pay to get the unique bonuses but it's annoying as hell for the consumer who does pre order.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

Hitman Absolution is trying something a little different. They released a standalone game, along the lines of a demo, but not quite. Same engine, same 47, but not the same levels as the main game. Pre-ordering unlocks access to the "demo" as it were, and completing it unlocks a weapon or something in the main game, on release.

Gotta give IO credit for a little creativity there. Still, I'm nor preordering it as the trailers are a little off-putting. I'd rather wait for some reviews.

I don't think i've preordered anything this year.

 

[zumbledum]

So rather than rewarding their customers, what is in effect happening is that not a single pre-order customer will be able to play the game with everything from the outset, short of buying four copies. Steam I should note, includes no pre-order bonuses whatsoever. Personally, I hate the fact that I might buy one of these and will then regret not having the other shinies. Perhaps a different one suits my style more, or I want to replay the game with a different build. It's infurating that there's no edition which simply includes everything from Day 1.

And of course the pirated version will have all the bonus's unlocked for you, punish people for paying . thats a great idea guys im sure it wont in any way bite you on the ass /facepalm.

 

[I-Protest-I]

There's no telling if there will be a GOTY edition, nor whether it will include pre-order bonuses.

Borderlands 2 just came out, and although I didn't pre-order it I think the bonus(es) they offered were done perfectly. There was, IIRC, an in-game crate containing unique and scaled weapons that give a small edge to the player at whatever level they choose to open it, but doesn't last more than 3-4 levels on average. This could never be unbalancing as the entire game is about constantly finding new and better loot, meaning their shelf life was limited.

Further, they offer the download of an entirely new, fifth class WHEN it's been developed. Meaning that it was NOT developed alongside the main game (beyond I would expect some basic groundwork) so all developer efforts went into the game (*cough* Javik), and not chipping chunks off to re-sell separately.

Not Day 1 DLC, not different for everyone, not withheld from players who didn't pre-order (who can buy it separately), but simply something extra given freely as a reward to thank those that pre-ordered.

I really want Dishonored, but I hate this bonus scheme they've employed. I wouldn't mind if it was an out-of-game item, like a different T-Shirt, character bust or model, etc. but the in-game differences bug me.

This. This is the reason Borderlands 2 got my 3rd ever pre-order, make it worthwhile while not game breaking, is it really that fine a line for developers who've spent such a long time to know about their games.

See... this is why I hated the Borderlands 2 pre-order. Because you're missing the biggest thing. If you pre-ordered it from BestBuy or Gamestop/EBGames then you get to be in the premiere club and get the new playable class Mechromancer for free when it comes in October. I pre-ordered the game in March at my local shop. What did I get? Nothing. Its not really fair that I will have to pay an additional $15 just to get that.

Can you not cancel for free? And why pre-order so early? Not being snarky just curious.

 

[FoolKiller]

This. This is the reason Borderlands 2 got my 3rd ever pre-order, make it worthwhile while not game breaking, is it really that fine a line for developers who've spent such a long time to know about their games.

See... this is why I hated the Borderlands 2 pre-order. Because you're missing the biggest thing. If you pre-ordered it from BestBuy or Gamestop/EBGames then you get to be in the premiere club and get the new playable class Mechromancer for free when it comes in October. I pre-ordered the game in March at my local shop. What did I get? Nothing. Its not really fair that I will have to pay an additional $15 just to get that.

Can you not cancel for free? And why pre-order so early? Not being snarky just curious.

That's not the point. The point is that they advertised it as a bonus for pre-ordering and then later, in fine print, there were conditions to the pre-order. The whole point (which many people seem to be missing) is that the developer/publisher shouldn't punish a paying customer by trying to force them to shop at a certain store.

 

[Darmy647]

A friend of mine pre-ordered the game at gamestop the other day, Dishonered i mean, for one god damn reason. Tarrot cards. He's thinking of just giving the game to me.

 

[BBboy20]

THe only justifable exclusive DLC may as well be anything representing the store you bought from.

Seriously, somebody explain to me why we don't have our avatars wearing a "I got my game at what store and all I got was this lousy t-shirt"?

Seriously, I haven't seen something like that since Vice City.