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Polygon: "Don't Pre-Order Dishonored 2!" (Because there will be no pre-release review
- Thread starter NeoRaider
- Start date
Sword Of Doom
Member
But general word of mouth and impressions from the community would be a factor right?
That's basically what I do to. If it is in a series I really like, I pre order it. I'm one of the few who doesn't notice frame drops (unless they're really bad) or screen tearing, so performance is rarely an issue for me. Hell, I'm a big fan of Bethesda's RPGs, so that should tell you something.
I'm not reading polygon's article - but the statement from Bethesda suggests waiting to purchase if you wait are waiting for reviews first. Which is exactly what you should be doing in the first place unless you are happy with the refund time period limits of something like Steam
No, and I think that that undermines their message but that's happened before. Singling out one particular thing that really has nothing to do with the greater concern that they're trying to address doesn't really have a great look to it.
I can guarantee you similar discounts exist immediately after launch in every case.
Kelegacy
XBOX - RECORD ME LOVING DOWN MY WOMAN GOOD
You can get the same discount NOT preordering as well at Amazon or Best Buy.I get a 20% discount for preordering games. What do I get from Polygon, pie charts?
I think pretty much everyone in the industry advises not to preorder. Giant Bomb is one example. I couldn't agree more. But hey, a fool and his money.
Read the article. It is not about taste. It is about review copies not getting into the hands of reviewers in time to inform consumers about the state of the game. I fail to understand how you can be so mad at them warning consumers about these issues. Some of you are really being childish and arrogant.
Wuthering_Heights
Banned
Yep. They are throwing a fit because they're not getting a review copy early.
petethepanda
Member
Not sure why the thread title doesn't just match the article's title, this seems to steer the conversation toward the usual irrational Polygon hate.
Anyway, I'm torn on this. From a purely business perspective, if Doom proved that it doesn't make a difference for the vast majority of consumers, there's not really a reason for them to not do this, I guess. But clearly it sucks as an Informed Consumer.
Anyway, I'm torn on this. From a purely business perspective, if Doom proved that it doesn't make a difference for the vast majority of consumers, there's not really a reason for them to not do this, I guess. But clearly it sucks as an Informed Consumer.
CrichtonKicks
Member
D2 was mentioned once by Polygon. The other mention is the quote of the Bethesda PR. Skyrim is mentioned more including a discussion of the current Youtube streams.
Sword Of Doom
Member
I get a 20% discount for preordering games. What do I get from Polygon, pie charts?
I find the pushback funny. It's good advice, no matter how much you want to shit on polygon
And the 20% discount will still be there
Nobody is getting a review copy early. That's the whole point. It isn't just Polygon talking about this.
TheSpoiler
Member
That's nice but I don't have to wait. And once again I can just refund or return so why should I wait?
PensivePen
Member
None of you are going to make me cancel my Yakuza 0 preorder no matter how much you complain about it.
Unfortunately your guarantee doesn't match up with reality.
Completely agree with this.I can't stand people who tell others what to do.
A limited physical release.
Preloading digital releases.
No money down.
Standard return policies and cancellations.
I understand where they are coming from, getting all the traffic from hyped up people is nicer then getting nearly no buzz when most people have already played the game themselves or just took a look at steam reviews.
Just another thing where media outlets have to focus on higher quality pieces or have to be OK with writing half-assed "early reviews" to get some attention.
Just another thing where media outlets have to focus on higher quality pieces or have to be OK with writing half-assed "early reviews" to get some attention.
For every DOOM 2016, there's ten Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyrics
Love your avatar picture. I'm sure your unbiased in any way towards this series.
That's more accurate.
Yet they they still happily rely on those outlets for preview coverage to build hype. Here's the current review quotes on Dishonored 2's Steam page:
They want to market games up until release using the vague positivity of previews of an unfinished product, but not critical assessment that actually helps consumers make their purchasing decisions. It's shady, no matter your personal stance on preordering.
I pre-order the special editions. Usually because they can and do sell out. Without restock. Destiny Ghost edition comes to mind. As does that PSVR bundle package - though it will get restocked eventually, I still got it on day one. There was also a certain edition of Last Of Us that sold out and now goes for quite a bit of money on eBay. I'll never agree with the stance of telling people not to pre-order games. I'll never agree to the stance of telling people how to spend their money. Any review site would be writing much of the same article because those reviews are their cash cows. News is regurgitated and every site has the story whatever it may be, but reviews are their unique offering to the public. It gets them the clicks and the hits and that goes a long way, especially on the higher profile games.
And I don't even know if that matters, really, cause even in a time when sites get games weeks in advance, you've always got someone who goes against the tide of everyone else. And sure, you could say it's due to their genuine opinion of the game, but in a sea of 9/10's, more people will click on the lone 6/10 to see what went wrong. I don't pay attention to reviews anymore. And there's a VERY select few YouTubers I'll watch (hey there ACG!). For me, if I'm on the fence about a game I go to redbox or find a thread on a forum (hey there GAF!) and see what people are saying.
This article comes off a bit salty, but then again, I'm not all that fond of Kuchera's articles to begin with so maybe I'm the salty one here.
And I don't even know if that matters, really, cause even in a time when sites get games weeks in advance, you've always got someone who goes against the tide of everyone else. And sure, you could say it's due to their genuine opinion of the game, but in a sea of 9/10's, more people will click on the lone 6/10 to see what went wrong. I don't pay attention to reviews anymore. And there's a VERY select few YouTubers I'll watch (hey there ACG!). For me, if I'm on the fence about a game I go to redbox or find a thread on a forum (hey there GAF!) and see what people are saying.
This article comes off a bit salty, but then again, I'm not all that fond of Kuchera's articles to begin with so maybe I'm the salty one here.
broncobuster
Banned
Thanks. Rarely preorder games but Dishonored 2 happened to have a retail PC copy the discount applied to. Might as well wait a bit.
OfTheOverflow
Member
I mean, its sound advice. Don't know how anyone can get the shits with advocating something that game consumers really need to take heed of. Preordering game really isn't consumer friendly, honestly.
Rexatality
Member
Is it a crime to be a fan of a game series nowadays? Besides, all humans are biased in some ways.
Would it make you feel any better if they ban pre-ordering games forever?
I'll click with ad blocker all day, everyday.
Just my two cents. Consumers have kinda pushed this practice in this direction as well.
Most people probably get their info from trailers, twitch and youtube when it comes to games these days. I mean I can't blame a company holding back review copies of their game if there is potential for them to lose money.
It's best for them to send their game to a youtuber or twitch streamer and get exposure that way. Like I'm sure Pewdiepie playing TLG did more for that game than reviews ever could.
Not saying it's right or wrong, but how we got here isn't shocking.
Most people probably get their info from trailers, twitch and youtube when it comes to games these days. I mean I can't blame a company holding back review copies of their game if there is potential for them to lose money.
It's best for them to send their game to a youtuber or twitch streamer and get exposure that way. Like I'm sure Pewdiepie playing TLG did more for that game than reviews ever could.
Not saying it's right or wrong, but how we got here isn't shocking.
Because I also doubt you're playing these games one minute after they launch. Why not wait? Are you that upset about spending 2 minutes to purchase a digital code after launch instead of before?
Mmm, actually it does.
You could preorder Civ 6 for 20% off a month+ ago. You know what you can buy it for now? 20% off. Anecdotal sure, but as a person who checks out game sales I've never not been bombarbed with post launch price wars.
same
Yet they they still happily rely on those outlets for preview coverage to build hype. Here's the current review quotes on Dishonored 2's Steam page:
They want to market games up until release using the vague positivity of previews of an unfinished product, but not critical assessment that actually helps consumers make their purchasing decisions. It's shady, no matter your personal stance on preordering.
And outlets shouldn't give out E3 awards. All these places have been suckered into handing out these endorsements.
These awards and endorsements also give outlets power, so it's a responsibility that should be respected and doled out with actual care and restrictions.
Bethesda's explanation is bullshit and should be called out, but this should not be removed from the context of the negotiation that is already happening.
orthodoxy1095
Banned
No one is getting a review copy dingbat.
Can you find me a copy of Fire Emblem Fates SE for 20% off the original MSRP?
assuming you're talking bout Amazon or BB GCU you don't really need to pre-order to get that discount though.
I still just go with my gut and by gameplay videos, rarely do I say "Well I screwed up here". But I do pay attention to what others are saying as far as any game breaking bugs or performance issues that are missed by reviews sometimes. So yes, community impressions would still be a factor, just not a big one for me.
I fully understand why people choose to have reviews and impressions weigh heavily on their purchases though and do not look down on them at all for it. Games aren't cheap lol
Yet they they still happily rely on those outlets for preview coverage to build hype. Here's the current review quotes on Dishonored 2's Steam page:
You know that's a bit of a trade off, right?
Those outlets go to E3 and hand out those awards, and in turn, during promotion of that game the publishers will use those to hype it up, not only giving the game great promotion but also the site too. It means more pre-orders for the publisher and more clicks/hits for the gaming site.
If you want to see how god awful that practice is...go find the E3 awards for Evolve. Then go find the previews. Then go see how gigantic the turn around was when the game released.
Well, it /is/ their livelihood...
Lionel Richie
Member
Good advice by Polygon, too bad it's only coming because they feel shafted for not being able to deliver an early review. Don't mess with the press!
SkyTurnsRed
Banned
You can walk into Best Buy or buy it on Amazon days after release and still get the 20% off.
Bubba_Sparks
Member
Good advice. I've preordered a handful of times in my life and never found it worthwhile.