Topic: Pachter's thoughts on pre-orders

"The whole pre-order game has become a joke. Pre-orders are purely a function of hype, marketing, and incentives. Retailers get incentives for signing people up. You know what, pre-orders the level of Black Ops means something. Homefront set pre-order records, remember that? These games get hyped, but you're not comparing apples to apples at this point." - Michael Pachter from the Bonus Round

Do you agree? Or is he just saying what we all already know?

Wut?

Mainly that pre-orders don't mean jack anymore and it's just a way to hype the game and get more sales before anyone knows if it sucks or not. At least that's what I took from it. Duke Nukem for example.

Oh I see. I dunno, pre-orders are good for those...well....I dunno what good pre-orders are for now!

What the hell is Pachter trying to analyse? Obviously preorders are good business practice.

Just give us "free" stuff with our preorders and we'll be happy

Sure, pre-orders serve a different function than they were originally thought to be intended for. But to me, Pachter insulted the practice, and then went ahead to excuse their existence through describing why they are such a useful and ingenious practice for game companies. I think he might want to rethink his wording on that one. I am sure there was a point to be made somewhere in there, it just did not make it across.

I preordered mah import of MHP3rd HD ver. because the price would go up when it gets released and I wanted it asap... Don't know about all that though.

I pre-order games to secure a copy of one. Now that I live in Florida again and not New Hampshire, I'm going to have to pre-order the big games (Mario 3D, Kart, Guild Wars 2 for example). I remember Pokemon games always being sold out in the part I live in- and I remember missing out on Emerald for a little bit.

I have not a clue why anyone pre-orders anything TBH.Never understood it myself.If I want the game launch day, I go and get the game launch day! I have never not been able to get a copy of the games I wanted.Granted I live in a major UK city so I suppose its easier for me.
People I know pre-order pretty much every big release only to cancel 90% at the last minute, I just don't get it!

Pre-orders are guaranteed sales that the company won't lose if the game sucks, it's a way for retailers to get an accurate idea of how much stock they need to order (this can be beneficial to consumers...if a game is heavily preordered retailers can safely assume they can order more stock and not run out immediately - unless they're gamestop, then you pretty much have to preorder), so they're good for the industry.

For the consumer, if you don't feel the need to wait for a review, then it's a way to make sure you'll secure a copy of the game launch day, and you may get some store credit or bonus for it. If you don't preorder, it's not like you'll never be able to get the game from Best Buy, Wal Mart, or Amazon fairly quickly, even if you wait on reviews. As long as the preorder bonuses aren't game breaking DLC or store specific DLC that's different at different stores and will not be released at a later time, so you'd need to buy multiple copies of the game to get everything, I don't see the problem. I don't generally preorder, unless I know I really want the game immediately, the price won't drop for a while, and I get some worthwhile bonuses or credit, but I don't see the problem with the practice.

I'm going to preorder Skyward Sword ASAP. This would be the first time I ever preordered a game.

I agree completely. There is no reason to even preorder games anymore. I only do if I get some kind of bonus, but it's usually just best to wait until the week the game comes out and then check the ads for the best deals.

Same here.

I preorder all the big titles that I know I'll definitely enjoy, like Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. No harm in securing a copy, is there?

I just do it with games that will be very rare in the near future, like Solotarobo. I do it to secure a copy. Unless if it's a game I know I want AND I know will be good AND there is a pre-order bonus with it, then of course I'll pre-order.

The reason most people preorder nowadays is so they are guaranteed to get the first few copies. A game like Call of Duty is sure to sell-out quickly, so preordering ensures you are the "first in line" so to speak.

@tendoboy1984: I can understand fanboys wanting to be first in line for a game they want, but most of the big games like Call of Duty are always overstocked on release day so they don't normally run out here in my town.