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[Freedom = $1.05]

i'm not miffed the beta was a beta. If they had 'hey sign up for the SFV beta put your name on this list' and the entire thing exploded that'd be totally cool. It's where it starts interacting with people actually putting down money beforehand that it gets kinda weird.

well, if you were at all curious as to trying the beta for free you could always put a handful of dollars down at the local gamestop or preorder through amazon and cancel your preorder not even 5 minutes later. There were plenty of ways to get the beta without having to put the full cost of the game down. I didnt pay a penny for it myself, for example.

It's just a false premise. a beta is a beta, and people feeling entitled to play a preview version of a game comes off as weird to me. there's constant moaning about how betas aren't betas anymore and just marketed as such and when we get an actual beta people raise their pitchforks because the beta doesn't work.

In the end, your $60 is going to the retail copy of the game. The beta stuff is just a bonus. meh. I couldn't play after trying for 5 minutes and just found something else to do.

 

[Basileus777]

It's just a false premise. a beta is a beta, and people feeling entitled to play a preview version of a game comes off as weird to me. there's constant moaning about how betas aren't betas anymore and just marketed as such and when we get an actual beta people raise their pitchforks because the beta doesn't work.

In the end, your $60 is going to the retail copy of the game. The beta stuff is just a bonus. meh. I couldn't play after trying for 5 minutes and just found something else to do.

It's not entitlement when Capcom is using the beta as a promotional bonus to drive pre-orders. If Capcom had a closed beta without a paywall then these complaints wouldn't have much validity, but that's not what they did. You can't offer a product as an paid incentive and then expect immunity from criticism when it doesn't function.

Betas are betas and that's why they shouldn't be monetized.

 

[darthsontin]

Great podcast this week. I don't see any major electronics companies getting into the traditional market per se, but I could see a company like Samsung, LG, or Google creating a device that embraces a converging of VR, traditional console, and low-end Android boxes in the future.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

It's not entitlement when Capcom is using the beta as a promotional bonus to drive pre-orders. If Capcom had a closed beta without a paywall then these complaints wouldn't have much validity, but that's not what they did. You can't offer a product as an paid incentive and then expect immunity from criticism when it doesn't function.

Betas are betas and that's why they shouldn't be monetized.

But you could play it for free? Sure, it wasn't made as easy as a signup to do so but, again, it cost me nothing to download the beta. And had I paid $60 for it i still wouldn't be upset. They promised 3 betas and 3 betas are coming.

If you want to argue that they handled the communication aspect of this failed beta poorly i'd agree with you. I disagree with the notion that people should be mad over this. If this was day one of the launch of the game then by all means rip them a new one. But it was a beta that collapsed for whatever reason and they're going to make people who want their 3 beta experiences whole. So the only thing that was lost was the 5-10 minutes any sane person would've spent trying to log in until they realized it wasn't going to work, followed by the occasion check up online to see if the thing was actually going to happen.

The outrage over something being busted that had a good chance of being busted just comes off as silly to me.

 

[RE_Player]

It's not entitlement when Capcom is using the beta as a promotional bonus to drive pre-orders. If Capcom had a closed beta without a paywall then these complaints wouldn't have much validity, but that's not what they did. You can't offer a product as an paid incentive and then expect immunity from criticism when it doesn't function.

Betas are betas and that's why they shouldn't be monetized.

If you had to pay a separate charge to gain access to the beta that would be Capcom monetizing. The beta access is their bonus for pre-ordering the game. Also technically the bonus is for access to a beta, there is no guarantees the quality or state of said betas. Capcom is handling this right anyway in saying there will be other beta periods in the future.

With all the shit that happens to consumers in this day and age I'm just somewhat baffled people would take issue with this case.

 

[m_shortpants]

I'm not really all that mad about the beta, mainly because they've clearly stated by now that they will conduct it again in full. Sure, would have been nice if everything worked, but again we'll be getting it later.

I also think the Bombcast needs to do a correction segment like the beastcast. It's kind of crazy how they sometimes talk about things without really knowing about it. Case in point the ranked matchmaking in Rocket League. 2v2 works, and Psyonix said clearly that 3v3 and all that other stuff is coming later. Thanks to Jason with Google for correcting them.

Finally, they really missed a good pun. When they were talking about Rocket League Dan said "I'm a striker!"

Jason should have said "No, that's me"

 

[Das Ace]

Clicking games are the future, man.

Just give me a scrolling series of integers and a single polygon to click on and I'll have my desert island game.

 

[KingKong]

Alright I'm pretty sure Jeff not playing Rocket League in favor of a clicker game proves he doesnt like videogames

 

[LiK]

Anyone know the specific box Jeff mentioned he got to store his games? He said it's from the Container Store.

 

[wenis]

Alright I'm pretty sure Jeff not playing Rocket League in favor of a clicker game proves he doesnt like videogames

Eh, I don't like playing with strangers either. Strangers suck at video games and my friends are pretty great and fun to play with.

 

[Barry Burton]

Amazing OP for an amazing game!

Also Jasoncast makes for best Bombcast.

 

[rafaelr]

can´t wait for "Us vs. Them, Pt.II"!
sounds like both teams seem to have gotten some practice in (except Jeff...), should be exciting to watch!

 

[Jintor]

But you could play it for free? Sure, it wasn't made as easy as a signup to do so but, again, it cost me nothing to download the beta. And had I paid $60 for it i still wouldn't be upset. They promised 3 betas and 3 betas are coming.

If you want to argue that they handled the communication aspect of this failed beta poorly i'd agree with you. I disagree with the notion that people should be mad over this. If this was day one of the launch of the game then by all means rip them a new one. But it was a beta that collapsed for whatever reason and they're going to make people who want their 3 beta experiences whole. So the only thing that was lost was the 5-10 minutes any sane person would've spent trying to log in until they realized it wasn't going to work, followed by the occasion check up online to see if the thing was actually going to happen.

The outrage over something being busted that had a good chance of being busted just comes off as silly to me.

I don't think the bombcast came across as mad as you seem to imply. If anything Jeff and Brad just seemed to treat it as another in a long line of "Betas" becoming deeply tied marketing tools for video games.

But I want to point out that just because you got around paying for it doesn't take away from its intended purpose to make people pay for it. If I got charged $15 for a hotdog but I managed to scab one for free it's still an overpriced hotdog.

If you had to pay a separate charge to gain access to the beta that would be Capcom monetizing. The beta access is their bonus for pre-ordering the game. Also technically the bonus is for access to a beta, there is no guarantees the quality or state of said betas. Capcom is handling this right anyway in saying there will be other beta periods in the future.

With all the shit that happens to consumers in this day and age I'm just somewhat baffled people would take issue with this case.

I suppose it's not direct monetisation but it's tied directly to pre-orders, i.e. spending money. And if you want to get technical, do you think all the marketing material is like "Play our beta which will probably break like a stick when you touch it?". Nah, the marketing is "play our functional beta and have fun! It'll be like a demo!" (because that's what betas have become). If you want to sell a thing as a thing, then it seems only fair that that thing be the thing you've sold it as. I'm not saying Capcom is entirely at fault here, obviously they're doing the right thing with saying it's not using up beta periods etc; it's just a larger sigh at the wider use of betas, pre-alphas, early access etc. to drive/fund game development before a finished product is out the door.

Also come on man, all problems matter, big and small.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Your nipples bleed cause of chafing and sweat

 

[Fleet_of_Foot]

Your nipples bleed cause of chafing and sweat

Right. Which is why I've been using bandaids and/or Body Glide for the past couple months, and when it cools off, I shouldn't have to anymore. Less sweating in the fall and winter. I can't wait.

Leaving your nipples unprotected for a very sweaty run is a mistake you won't make twice. Excruciating pain as soon as you step into the shower.

It was funny to hear this discussion this morning on my run, as I was wearing bandaids on my nipples.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

I don't think the bombcast came across as mad as you seem to imply. If anything Jeff and Brad just seemed to treat it as another in a long line of "Betas" becoming deeply tied marketing tools for video games.

But I want to point out that just because you got around paying for it doesn't take away from its intended purpose to make people pay for it. If I got charged $15 for a hotdog but I managed to scab one for free it's still an overpriced hotdog.

the mad part is more about the reaction from most of the community and less about the crew's disappointment.

And yeah, the hotdog analogy doesn't work here. If i preordered this hot dog and was promised 3 samples of it from here till it's done, and one of the samples got messed up but i'm still getting three of them, well, then they're keeping their word and i'm going to get what was promised to me. Whether I paid for the samples or not, i'm going to have the chance to get those 3 samples that was promised.

Again, people are getting upset over something silly.

 

[Jintor]

the mad part is more about the reaction from most of the community and less about the crew's disappointment.

And yeah, the hotdog analogy doesn't work here. If i preordered this hot dog and was promised 3 samples of it from here till it's done, and one of the samples got messed up but i'm still getting three of them, well, then they're keeping their word and i'm going to get what was promised to me. Whether I paid for the samples or not, i'm going to have the chance to get those 3 samples that was promised.

Again, people are getting upset over something silly.

you just changed what people are supposedly mad about tho. Wasn't your point originally that people could get around paying for beta access?

I mean, sure, maybe you wouldn't be mad. You didn't pay for the hotdog. But other peeps paid for the hotdog. They put their cash down sight unseen. Even if they get samplers later, they're not getting samples now.

Sure, caveat emptor, betas are betas, etc, etc. But they're not marketed as such. They're essentially marketed as early acce- wait, that term's already been hijacked. Well, call them demos. You might 'technically' be promised "beta access with no guarantee that this will even work at all", sure. But that's not what they're selling, is it? They're selling this promise of a working game demo out the gate. And then they retreat behind the excuse when shit turns bad.

It's not shitstorm-level bullshit, sure. But it's just another brick in the wall of consumers eating it.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

you just changed what people are supposedly mad about tho. Wasn't your point originally that people could get around paying for beta access?

I mean, sure, maybe you wouldn't be mad. You didn't pay for the hotdog. But other peeps paid for the hotdog. They put their cash down sight unseen. Even if they get samplers later, they're not getting samples now.

but they're getting it. so what's the argument then? that they didn't get it when they thought they would get it?

that just sounds like a bunch of children shouting that daddy didn't take them out to get ice cream when he promised. It's coming, kids, sorry for the delay just having some car troubles

If money is exchanged for something you should expect it to get fulfilled with no compromise. This is not unreasonable. This is how the normal working world works.

but money didn't have to be exchanged and they haven't backed away from their promise.

 

[Antiwhippy]

If money is exchanged for something you should expect it to get fulfilled with no compromise. This is not unreasonable. This is how the normal working world works.

 

[Jintor]

but they're getting it. so what's the argument then? that they didn't get it when they thought they would get it?

that just sounds like a bunch of children shouting that daddy didn't take them out to get ice cream when he promised. It's coming, kids, sorry for the delay just having some car troubles

it's a question of what people are sold and what they're putting down money for now. I emphaise the putting down money thing. If it was a free demo for anyone to pick up - like i've said - no-one would give a shit.

comparing consumers to children is dumb bro. it's not childish to expect a thing you're sold.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

it's a question of what people are sold and what they're putting down money for now. I emphaise the putting down money thing. If it was a free demo for anyone to pick up - like i've said - no-one would give a shit.

comparing consumers to children is dumb bro. it's not childish to expect a thing you're sold.

You weren't sold a beta. If you were you would have to pay more then the price of the video game you pre-ordered. You paid for a video game and got beta access as a bonus incentive.

 

[Antiwhippy]

Seriously, are the children paying the adult money with the promise of ice cream?

You weren't sold a beta. If you were you would have to pay more then the price of the video game you pre-ordered. You paid for a video game and got beta access as a bonus incentive.

No, once they've promised beta access for pre orders they are selling the game and the beta access together. There's no functional difference at all.

 

[Alucrid]

Only smart people like me who preorder on psn really "put money down"

 

[Kusagari]

I mean lets be real. The entire basis of the pre order bonus beta is companies hoping those who would otherwise have waited forgetting to cancel their pre orders.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

Seriously, are the children playing the adult money with the promise of ice cream?

the idea i was getting at is that it's coming. It didn't come when they wanted it to come but it's coming. and cut me some slack, i was coming off a conversation about preordering hotdogs hah.

Clearly some folks find this bothersome. That sucks that some folks parted with $60 and are still going to get 3 betas, or that some people parted with nothing and still getting 3 betas. Nothing was taken from you and all that was promised is still on the way. So, again, i can understand being angry about the poor communication from capcom when things were on fire. But regardless of whether you paid for the beta access or not, it's still coming. Nothing was taken from anyone in regards to trying SFV early.

So yeah, being upset or mad over it doesn't seem to be a productive way to spend your time. and if you don't like the practice of "paid" betas then don't feed into them by preordering.

 

[Jintor]

You weren't sold a beta. If you were you would have to pay more then the price of the video game you pre-ordered. You paid for a video game and got beta access as a bonus incentive.

the use as a bonus incentive is akin to selling beta access. Okay it doesn't map perfectly 100%. But if you're going to use it as an incentive to put down money - if you have to exchange money in order to get into the beta - if you're paying for beta access - what is that but selling it?

 

[Antiwhippy]

the idea i was getting at is that it's coming. It didn't come when they wanted it to come but it's coming. and cut me some slack, i was coming off a conversation about preordering hotdogs hah.

Clearly some folks find this bothersome. That sucks that some folks parted with $60 and are still going to get 3 betas, or that some people parted with nothing and still getting 3 betas. Nothing was taken from you and all that was promised is still on the way. So, again, i can understand being angry about the poor communication from capcom when things were on fire. But regardless of whether you paid for the beta access or not, it's still coming. Nothing was taken from anyone in regards to trying SFV early.

So yeah, being upset or mad over it doesn't seem to be a productive way to spend your time. and if you don't like the practice of paid betas then don't feed into them by preordering.

I didn't preorder, but I don't consider people expressing that this kind of practice sucks as unproductive. The industry is filled with publishers not fulfilling what they're selling it's not really unreasonable for there to be backlash.

 

[zeshakag]

I think a disclaimer could have helped with all this. Just like a "Hey this preorder lets you access the beta when it works, but the don't assume the beta is guaranteed to work since we're still trying to finish the game."

This would work for a company who just wants to reward those who preorder with a neat thing. But then again I don't think Capcom could really do that, as GB mentioned, because this really is tied into their marketing of the game and such a disclaimer could lower preorders..

 

[Jintor]

i kind of want to seize on the unproductive phrase and make the grandiose claim that all effort expended must now until forever be productive

produce

PRODUCE

YOU'RE NOT PRODUCING HARD ENOUGH

 

[Zen_Arcade]

the use as a bonus incentive is akin to selling beta access. Okay it doesn't map perfectly 100%. But if you're going to use it as an incentive to put down money - if you have to exchange money in order to get into the beta - if you're paying for beta access - what is that but selling it?

Giving it to you for free because you purchased something else related to it?

I'm going to a baseball game this weekend where they're giving away bobble heads. They don't charge me extra for the bobble head. That's why it's called a giveaway. By your logic I'm paying for a bobble head because the only way to get it is to buy a ticket to the baseball game. But the reality of the situation is that I paid for a ticket to the game, and I am going to get the bobble head for free for going to the game.

I didn't preorder, but I don't consider people expressing that this kind of practice sucks as unproductive. The industry is filled with publishers not fulfilling what they're selling it's not really unreasonable for there to be backlash.

But they are. They've already said there will still be three beta periods where players should be able to play without these types of issues. It's not like they're saying "That's your first beta period, two more to go!"

The beta acted like a beta, went down, and Capcom is going to make up for it by rescheduling the first period that people can play the game.

 

[Massa]

the use as a bonus incentive is akin to selling beta access. Okay it doesn't map perfectly 100%. But if you're going to use it as an incentive to put down money - if you have to exchange money in order to get into the beta - if you're paying for beta access - what is that but selling it?

It's an incentive to pre-order the game, not put down money. Just pre-order the game from a sane retailer that doesn't ask for money to do a pre-order.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

I didn't preorder, but I don't consider people expressing that this kind of practice sucks as unproductive. The industry is filled with publishers not fulfilling what they're selling it's not really unreasonable for there to be backlash.

dont get me wrong, the practice is not something i support. It's the part where the beta broke and capcom is still fulfilling their promise yet people are still mad about the beta being broken where I feel like folks should just breathe into a paper bag and settle down.

the practice of making people jump through preorder hoops to play a beta does suck, whether you can find ways to get the key for free or not. it's the part where people are mad even as they're losing nothing in regards to capcom's promises that i'm puzzled over.

 

[Curufinwe]

If money is exchanged for something you should expect it to get fulfilled with no compromise. This is not unreasonable. This is how the normal working world works.

Things people pay for get delayed all the time in the normal working world.

 

[Jintor]

Giving it to you for free because you purchased something else related to it?

I'm going to a baseball game this weekend where they're giving away bobble heads. They don't charge me extra for the bobble head. That's why it's called a giveaway. By your logic I'm paying for a bobble head because the only way to get it is to buy a ticket to the baseball game. But the reality of the situation is that I paid for a ticket to the game, and I am going to get the bobble head for free for going to the game.

you're paying for a bobblehead and the game. The fact that you value the bobblehead less than the game is immaterial, because that's what you're paying for.

It's an incentive to pre-order the game, not put down money. Just pre-order the game from a sane retailer that doesn't ask for money to do a pre-order.

you'll pay the money when the preorder triggers, right? unless you cancel I guess. more hoop jumping. Ties into that prior comment. It's a solution certainly.



just so you know where i stand, I did not preorder SFV or have any real interest in it. It's just the use of betas as being tied into actually paying for stuff early that I think is weird. (I'm also not so hot on early access etc, but I feel like most of the time that stuff is way more upfront about "Hey yo this shit is WHACK BROKE you sure you want to give us money?")

Things people pay for get delayed all the time in the normal working world.

yeah and usually peeps get mad pissed about it

 

[Antiwhippy]

And it's reasonable for people to be angry if they aren't happy with the delay.

I really don't understand the defense. If the promised service isn't fulfilled it isn't up to the consumer to forgive the company.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

i find it funny that i've been arguing with two people who weren't even part of the whole beta fiasco but are giving it some guff while i did try to participate and have zero hard feelings about it haha

you guys need to stop giving me a hard time!

And it's reasonable for people to be angry if they aren't happy with the delay.

I really don't understand the defense. If the promised service isn't fulfilled it isn't up to the consumer to forgive the company.

it's not a defense or a plea to forgive them, more that it'd be nice it people could be reasonable about it. Neither party has lost anything, why people mad brah?

 

[Jintor]

i can operate from theeeeeoreeeticaaaal grouuuuunds ooOOooOooOoOooO

 

[Jeevesmeister]

The problem is that a beta is essentially a testing platform to work out bugs - when you participate in a beta you are doing labor for a company, first and foremost. Sure, you might get some enjoyment out of playing the game, but its still doing labor for that company. I remember years and years ago in the heyday of PC gaming, especially modding, on all sorts of betas doing signups and crap listing my previous beta experience, etc. - because you were doing a job, helping bring this project to a shippable state, and create profit for the parent company. It's already fucked that they want to charge you money to do work for them, much worse is the fact that the inferior return on this investment you'd be putting in by pre-ordering they can't deliver on. People have a right to be frustrated.

At the end of the day just don't pre-order games. Bar none.

 

[Antiwhippy]

i find it funny that i've been arguing with two people who weren't even part of the whole beta fiasco but are giving it some guff while i did try to participate and have zero hard feelings about it haha

you guys need to stop giving me a hard time!

And you know why I don't preorder anymore? It's because shit like this happens.

 

[giant_frying_pan]

Your nipples bleed cause of chafing and sweat

Right. Which is why I've been using bandaids and/or Body Glide for the past couple months, and when it cools off, I shouldn't have to anymore. Less sweating in the fall and winter. I can't wait.

Leaving your nipples unprotected for a very sweaty run is a mistake you won't make twice. Excruciating pain as soon as you step into the shower.

It was funny to hear this discussion this morning on my run, as I was wearing bandaids on my nipples.

Why don't you wear, a bigger shirt, or an under-shirt or any kind of shirt, that doesn't touch your nips...?

 

[Zen_Arcade]

you're paying for a bobblehead and the game. The fact that you value the bobblehead less than the game is immaterial, because that's what you're paying for.



you'll pay the money when the preorder triggers, right? unless you cancel I guess. more hoop jumping. Ties into that prior comment. It's a solution certainly.



just so you know where i stand, I did not preorder SFV or have any real interest in it. It's just the use of betas as being tied into actually paying for stuff early that I think is weird. (I'm also not so hot on early access etc, but I feel like most of the time that stuff is way more upfront about "Hey yo this shit is WHACK BROKE you sure you want to give us money?")



yeah and usually peeps get mad pissed about it

No, you're not. Unless you completely ignore the idea that you can get something for free I don't see how you could argue otherwise. Just because they promise you something extra doesn't mean you're paying to get it. The charge for the ticket is no more then if I went to a game tonight. Therefore, I'm not paying for the bobble head. If I were paying for it, there would be some premium to the price of the ticket to reflect that.

 

[Jintor]

No, you're not. Unless you completely ignore the idea that you can get something for free I don't see how you could argue otherwise. Just because they promise you something extra doesn't mean you're paying to get it. The charge for the ticket is no more then if I went to a game tonight. Therefore, I'm not paying for the bobble head. If I were paying for it, there would be some premium to the price of the ticket to reflect that.

Money = Game

Money = Game + Bobblehead

Nothing = No game, no bobblehead

the bobblehead might be worth literally nothing, but if you don't give the money, you're not going to get the bobblehead.

qed: you're buying the bobblehead and the game.

If you get the free thing without the other thing, then yes, it's free. If you get it IF you buy another thing, then you're paying for BOTH the things, just the seller is saying one will cost nothing extra - but you have to buy the other thing. So the one price just covers both.

To put it another way, since the bobblehead is conditionally free on the basis of you buying the other thing, the bobblehead's real cost is that you need to buy the other thing to make it free. Therefore, you're paying for both items, but the cost of the bobblehead is covered under the cost of the other item.

/edit this is really dumb. let's continue

 

[Zen_Arcade]

Money = Game

Money = Game + Bobblehead

Nothing = No game, no bobblehead

the bobblehead might be worth literally nothing, but if you don't give the money, you're not going to get the bobblehead.

qed: you're buying the bobblehead and the game.

I'm giving them money to go to the game, and am getting the bobble head for free. To further prove my point, the bobble head isn't even going to everyone attending the game. You have to be one of the first 25,000 people to show up. Therefore, there is a chance that I could go and get no bobblehead. So someone could pay the same exact price as me, sit next to me at the game, and get no bobble head.

Your logic makes no sense.

 

[tomakasatnav]

Haven't had the chance to listen to all of it yet - do they talk about WWE Terminator video?

 

[RazielCuts]

Alright I'm pretty sure Jeff not playing Rocket League in favor of a clicker game proves he doesnt like videogames

I don't think it was an either-or proposition. I think Jeff just has trouble sticking to playing things for any length of time these days - Witcher 3, Arkham Knight etc. Idle games or games he already knows (Trackmania) are the perfect thing for him, no commitment, jump in/ jump out.

 

[Jintor]

I'm giving them money to go to the game, and am getting the bobble head for free. To further prove my point, the bobble head isn't even going to everyone attending the game. You have to be one of the first 25,000 people to show up. Therefore, there is a chance that I could go and get no bobblehead. So someone could pay the same exact price as me, sit next to me at the game, and get no bobble head.

Your logic makes no sense.

I don't understand your fixation with this question of a price premium. Whether or not they charge extra for the bobblehead is immaterial. The money you exchange for goods covers two items: the price of the game and the bobblehead. That the bobblehead is worthless to you, that someone else only bought the game, that the vendor says "It's free with..." that's all immaterial.

"Free with..." is just vendor talk for "We've agreed that we'll eat the cost of this small item if you pay the bigger price for both of them".

 

[LifEndz]

Your nipples bleed cause of chafing and sweat

That's why my nipples are bleeding? Whew.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

I don't understand your fixation with this question of a price premium. Whether or not they charge extra for the bobblehead is immaterial. The money you exchange for goods covers two items: the price of the game and the bobblehead. That the bobblehead is worthless to you, that someone else only bought the game, that's all immaterial.

"Free with..." is just vendor talk for "We've agreed that we'll eat the cost of this small item if you pay the bigger price for both of them".

No it's not. If it were, everyone in the stadium would be getting a bobblehead. And that isn't the case. It's a free extra for the first 25,000 people who show up. Someone could pay the same exact price as me, sit next to me in the stadium, and not get the bobble head because they showed up late.

There is no bigger price. That was my whole point. If there were a bigger cost, I'd be paying more money for that game then I would if I went to a game tonight, and that isn't the case.

In this case "Free with..." is vendor talk for "We'll eat the cost of this small item in hopes that it incetivizes you to come down and pay the exact same amount of money you would pay any other night."

 

[erawsd]

you'll pay the money when the preorder triggers, right? unless you cancel I guess. more hoop jumping. Ties into that prior comment. It's a solution certainly.

Many online retailers dont charge you until the game ships. So you've got 9 months to cancel, its a hoop but a ridiculously generous one.

just so you know where i stand, I did not preorder SFV or have any real interest in it. It's just the use of betas as being tied into actually paying for stuff early that I think is weird. (I'm also not so hot on early access etc, but I feel like most of the time that stuff is way more upfront about "Hey yo this shit is WHACK BROKE you sure you want to give us money?")

Eh, using anything as an incentive to secure early buys is lame. That said, I know the practice is never going anywhere, so I think I prefer them giving away betas than in game items. At least the beta has some beneficial effect on the game, instead of just making you feel like youre getting less game.

 

[Antiwhippy]

But what if I really want that bobblehead zen? What if that's the only way I can get that bobblehead?