Don’t – Preorder a standard edition
I have never understood why people do this. Oh no, but it might sell out! Look, it won’t sell out. Games never sell out, because it’s literally impossible in this day and age for them to sell out. Can’t get a physical copy? There’s a digital copy. Download it! It’s probably cheaper that way anyway.
There are some exceptions to this, like if you have a really sub-par internet connection or whatever, but generally, ordering the base edition of a game is just lunacy. It’s not killing the entire industry, no, but it’s not smart, and it does affect marketing and quality assurance. If you’re so desperate for a physical copy at release, it’s obviously a game you care about; splurge and get a Collector’s Edition. Go on, treat yo’ self.
Do – Preorder to support a developer
It can be argued that this isn’t really preordering, but let’s say it is. I’ll be fair, only some of us do this. This is more of a Kickstarter thing because, considering games like Shovel Knight and the like, they’d struggle to be made otherwise.
Yes, it’s a risk; I’ve been burned by Kickstarter more than once. But when they come through, and you get to play a great game that literally wouldn’t have been made without support of people like you? That’s cool. Plus you usually get a pretty sweet deal, support indie developers, and basically get to be awesome; those warm fuzzies mask the sting of any losses. I recommend it.
Don’t – Preorder an new IP unless you’re 18 million percent sure
I contradict myself a lot, but let me remind you that I preordered Haze. HAZE. And Naughty Bear. And, to my eternal shame, I did that for digital exclusives. I regret these mistakes deeply, and I write all of this to spare you my pain. If you’re not sure about a game, wait for a review. While I admit that my dates can bee sporadic sometimes, we usually have a review up within a day or two of release, and you can wait that long. Believe me, it’s worth it.
Not to say you can NEVER preorder a new IP. I got Dishonored at release, partially for sweet Tarot cards, and mostly because the trailer and setting looked amazing. I also have a neat little Altair statue from the first Assassin’s Creed, because again that looked badass, and not to mention my lovely Aloy figure sitting in pride of place on my bookshelf. No regrets. Use your best judgement, really, is what I’m saying.
Hey, I’ve got a number of preorders out at the moment; Fallout: 76 and Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee are on the horizon for me, and I picked up Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s Medusa Edition about 2 weeks ago. I’m not telling you how to live your lives. I’m just saying that, among all the voices screaming at us not to preorder, there are some valid reasons to do so. It’s up to you to decide, and not just listen to whatever certain people tell you.
Except me. You should definitely listen to me.
[An earlier version of this article originally appeared on NZGamer.com]
