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Preordering games is dumb

I used to get a lot of collector's editions that I preordered early but eventually realized the "extras" just weren't worth it. I will preorder something every once in a while if it's something I know I'll want or I know will be scarce. I preordered the Collector's edition of Cyberpunk 2077 over a year ago for example. It's not dumb to preorder anything, it's subjective. If you know you want it and will buy it anyway, it hurts nothing to preorder it so you have it in the back of your mind to look forward to.
 

OutRun88

Member
Your point is easily picked up just not agreed with. The fact you used beta-level non ironically says a lot considering my "aggression" got to you.

I'm not sure how you think equity has anything to do with purchasing games considering if you get it the day before, of or after release that money is gone. The sacrifice will always be made, they get the money regardless. A pointless gesture of not preordering but getting it 3 days later means nothing. You were just behind in handing over your money. Which you obviously will.
You keep saying you pick up my point, but then completely prove otherwise as you continue to talk. :messenger_grinning_sweat:
 
It’s for the culture - I long for the days of midnight releases, the excitement that came with it. I agree, pre ordering digital is very dumb, I don’t know why people do it. But for physical release, especially during covid, some physical releases have been scarce and not just collectors editions. Asscreed was sold out on amazon for a while and I had to go to a 2nd GameStop to find it on launch. I also buy collectors editions which is good to have pre orders for.
Most sites don’t actually charge you for a pre order until release day. So from a present value perspective, you’re not losing much pre ordering in March for a release in November. You won’t be charged until November.
 

Quantum253

Member
Some of my rarest CEs could only been obtained by preordering. But those days are kind of gone now. I don't preorder anything now unless it's an absolute day 1. Also, I don't care about any bonuses, but the $10.00 back is nice to put towards something later.
 
You keep saying you pick up my point, but then completely prove otherwise as you continue to talk. :messenger_grinning_sweat:
Oh I get, it's just nothing you're saying is giving any credence to preorders being dumb. All I've got from you is spend money after release for equity even though you'd spend the same amount before.
 

mr.dilya

Banned
All superfluous buying decisions are based on emotional attachment. So yeah it’s dumb, but it’s really a non issue.
 

Quantum253

Member
I long for the days of midnight releases, the excitement that came with it.
Same here. Had some of the best times with friends waiting outside for major game and console launches. At this point, I don't remember which game launch was the last. Probably Halo3 or Wii Launch. For the most part, none of my friends even play games anymore. So they were good memories.
 

OutRun88

Member
Oh I get, it's just nothing you're saying is giving any credence to preorders being dumb. All I've got from you is spend money after release for equity even though you'd spend the same amount before.
You've reiterated that you claim to understand, but follow up with content that suggests you do not.
 

jakinov

Member
Games aren't scarce. You'll easily be able to secure a copy at launch.

Preorder exclusives are scummy and shouldn't be supported.

The game might suck.

Why the hell would you commit, far in advance, to buying a game?

Scarcity is not why people pre-order unless it's for a specific versions. You can't always get a copy of a game at launch. Sometimes demand is higher than expectations.

If the game sucks. Get a refund.

It's a very soft commitment in most cases. If you pre-order at a retail store most retailers refund you 100%, even the deposits are refundable. Xbox, Steam give you 14 days and X playtime to return a purchase. I don't know where Sony and Nintendo are right now.

Advantages of pre-ordering:

  1. Buy now, get it later. I want game XYZ, and I'm sure i'll get it despite reviews, why wait ## months when I can just buy now instead of deferring it to later.
  2. Pre-order incentives such as reduced pricing, Amazon for a while would sell pre-ordered games for ~$15-20 less which was a super good deal for new releases. Best Buy and other major retailers during E3 often give you basically a buy 2 get 1 free pre-order/pre-buy deal.
  3. Pre-order incentives such as in-game items.
 

OutRun88

Member
Make it simple for me then. Maybe I'm just not grasping the high level thinking going on. No sarcasm
You have two people: p1 and p2
You have two points in time: t1 and t2, such that t1 occurs before t2.

p1 and p2 are each given $100.

p1 spends $100 at t1 on a purchase that gives zero return.

At t2, which person is more like to have greater than $100?

Now assume t2 is the release date of a video game, and the thing p1 purchased at t1 was the preorder. Hopefully that clears things up.
 
You have two people: p1 and p2
You have two points in time: t1 and t2, such that t1 occurs before t2.

p1 and p2 are each given $100.

p1 spends $100 at t1 on a purchase that gives zero return.

At t2, which person is more like to have greater than $100?

Now assume t2 is the release date of a video game, and the thing p1 purchased at t1 was the preorder. Hopefully that clears things up.
You have two people: p1 and p2
You have two points in time: t1 and t2, such that t1 occurs before t2.

p1 and p2 are each given $100.

p1 spends $100 at t1 on a purchase that gives zero return.

At t2, which person is more like to have greater than $100?

Now assume t2 is the release date of a video game, and the thing p1 purchased at t1 was the preorder. Hopefully that clears things up.
Neither would have greater than $100 because they both bought the game. Or did p2 fuck off somewhere and isn't part of the buying games at anytime community?

Preorder price and release price are the same by the way, even in this dystopia where they've gone up to $100.
 
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OutRun88

Member
Neither would have greater than $100 because they both bought the game. Or did p2 fuck off somewhere and isn't part of the buying games at anytime community?

Preorder price and release price are the same by the way, even in this dystopia where they've gone up to $100.
At this point I'm going to assume basic finances aren't your forte or you are trolling.

Let me see if I can make it even simpler.

If you have 30 days to make $200, would you be more likely to do that with $100 or $0?
 

elektrokats

Banned
I want statue.

4Ur1NsOCNIY106yKFAuRzbaApaK9WBkMuPLnm0BQhoM.jpg
 

TwiztidElf

Member
There used to be a reason for pre-ordering.
Obscure, niche weeb stuff that only had a limited print run.
It seems these type of games don't even make it to retail anymore. They're either internet orders or digital only.
 
At this point I'm going to assume basic finances aren't your forte or you are trolling.

Let me see if I can make it even simpler.

If you have 30 days to make $200, would you be more likely to do that with $100 or $0?
How is any of this relevant to preordering something you are definitely buying? I pre bought it, meaning I had the money. If I dont preorder and get it at release, guess what I had the money. My basic finance literacy tells me I need this much money for this game, do I spend it now or wait for release. Bills do, might wanna wait. Got some extra walking around money, just buy it now and play immediately on release. How are we talking finance for a game?

Next you'll be telling me I can't retire because I got a year of PS+ and who knows if I'll make it that long. Gotta think of my nonexistent kids college fund.
 

Relativ9

Member
I mean yes but 99% of all consumers are suffer from a condition known to scientists as "dumbassness" so I'm afraid things will never change.
 

borborygmus

Member
How is any of this relevant to preordering something you are definitely buying? I pre bought it, meaning I had the money. If I dont preorder and get it at release, guess what I had the money. My basic finance literacy tells me I need this much money for this game, do I spend it now or wait for release. Bills do, might wanna wait. Got some extra walking around money, just buy it now and play immediately on release. How are we talking finance for a game?

Next you'll be telling me I can't retire because I got a year of PS+ and who knows if I'll make it that long. Gotta think of my nonexistent kids college fund.

He's right academically but time value of money just doesn't apply in practice, unless you can think of a way to turn a profit on $100 in a month. Finance and economics overestimate market efficiency.
 
He's right academically but time value of money just doesn't apply in practice, unless you can think of a way to turn a profit on $100 in a month. Finance and economics overestimate market efficiency.
I'm not even arguing against that. I'm talking preordering a game that drops in value regardless. I just wanna game. We are talking games right?
 
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Moogle11

Banned
I know my tastes, mostly play AAA games—many of which are sequels to things I loved--so I’m rarely disappointed with games I buy. I like to play day one so it’s nice to either have the digital preloaded or have release day delivery since I hate going to phsycial stores.

Anything that’s not a game I’m very confident I’ll enjoy I wait for reviews. I’ve also shifted back to more buying physical and selling on eBay or Amazon when I’m done, so even if I don’t like something I’m not out that much money anyway.
 

borborygmus

Member
I'm not even arguing against that. I'm talking preordering a game that drops in value regardless. I just wanna game. We are talking games right?

His point was in theory you should be able to invest your $100 and gain a profit by the time the game is out, then buy it for $100, so in that sense it's stupid or irrational to preorder. Except reality does not reflect the theory, unless you can find some 1-month maturity treasury bonds or some other opportunity.

Why is this thread becoming academic. :/
 
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His point was in theory you should be able to invest your $100 and gain a profit by the time the game is out, then buy it for $100, so in that sense it's stupid or irrational to preorder. Except reality does not reflect the theory, unless you can find some 1-month maturity treasury bonds or some other opportunity.

Why is this thread becoming academic. :/
That's my thing. I'm buying a game for $100. Preorder or not I will be spending $100. That money was never being invested. That money could have come from a duplex I own.

Buying games in general is dumb. what is this life?
 
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D

Deleted member 801069

Unconfirmed Member
No adult I know doesn't have to make sacrifices between happiness and responsibility. Even the wealthy ones. Must be nice being lonely. 😉
Your friends sound lame then tbh

Edit: lol just read your other posts in this thread, chill out bro it’s just video games
 
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Griffon

Member
I preorder PC games on CDKeys because it's much cheaper (had Doom Eternal preorder for like 30€).
There's indeed an element of risk that the games might not turn out to be good, but it's offset by the great prices that wont be beaten for a long time after release.

Now, preordering on console or steam store at full price, that I don't get.
 
S

SLoWMoTIoN

Unconfirmed Member
I pre ordered Metroid Prime 4/ Bayo 3 just to see how many times it will be delayed.
 

GymWolf

Member
For consoles if you are not convinced you can usually move your money into another game when you preorder in physics shops and some shops do a discount if you preorder.

If there is no discount then yeah, preorder is pretty useless.

On pc, preorders made like a couple of months before in some cd key sites usually means a lower price compared to buying the same key at launch.
 
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Camreezie

Member
The thing is you cant even payoff preorders for physical editions on websites beforehand so that calls it into question even more
 

TGO

Hype Train conductor. Works harder than it steams.
I pre-order sequels to highly anticipated games or games I know will be worth playing day one.
A Steelbook may tempt me too if I have a high interest for the game, everything else I wait for sales
I've always done this since before there was pre-order incentives.
There's nothing stupid about it, moaning about people pre-ordering is dumb
 

OutRun88

Member
His point was in theory you should be able to invest your $100 and gain a profit by the time the game is out, then buy it for $100, so in that sense it's stupid or irrational to preorder. Except reality does not reflect the theory, unless you can find some 1-month maturity treasury bonds or some other opportunity.

Why is this thread becoming academic. :/
Thanks for understanding my point, which he clearly cannot. I wasn’t trying to make claim to massive gains, but had to use those values to make clear the broader idea: A penny saved is a penny earned.
 
I only buy physical games, and my local store doesn't always get THAT many copies of new games on release day. So I usually pre-order to be safe, and always if I want a limited edition steelbook or something since they pretty much always sell out.

I don't need to pay until I pick the game up anyway so I don't have anything to lose by pre-ordering 🤷‍♂️
 
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