Dear God in Heaven…please make it stop….I am SO SICK of GameStop announcing all of these “exclusives” for pre-ordering a game at the store. Today’s announcement of the Madden deal is actually an example of how things can be handled properly, while delivering exclusive in-game content as in the case of Halo 3: ODST is the exact opposite. Lemme explain…
If there’s any benefit to preordering a game (aside from simply securing your copy), it should be done in a promotional manner and IN ADDITION to content afforded to those who don’t pre-order, but purchase the game anyway. Why? Because it only seems fair. In the case of Madden, those who already know they want the game can preorder it and experience an extended version of the demo….a chance to play more of the game they’re already jacked about BEFORE it comes out…This is a nice way of saying “thanks” for being excited about the product. With Halo 3: ODST, The Godfather, inFamous, Brutal Legend, and countless other titles though, the devs/pubs have been teaming up with GameStop to deliver exclusive POST-LAUNCH content that makes their gaming experience different from someone who just walks in off the street and buys it. I don’t think this is right…especially when it serves as an advantage in the game such as a more powerful playable character in multiplayer, an exclusive weapon, or some other way of making the preorder people more powerful online. That’s just stupid…especially if you consider the likelihood of those in-game items being released as DLC post launch. Just another way to nickel and dime consumers in order to boost somebody’s bottom line.
Anyway, I could be completely wrong here…I’m open to that, but as someone who has been playing games for 20+ years and has been super excited for many a title to launch, there just seems to be something so wrong…something so corporate about all of these pre-order shenanigans going on with GameStop. Just like the outrageously unfair trade-in business they run though, this sorta thing won’t stop until consumers speak with their wallets and show them that its not the sort of thing we really want…Of course, I can be in the minority here and people can totally LOVE getting stuff like this…and think its totally legit…I’d be interested in hearing those opinions. Hit up the forum link below and let us know what YOU think about the matter.
As a Gamestop employee I may be looked upon as having a skewed view, but I really try to make sure I look at both sides. I rarely agree with our trade in rates, but I’m glad it’s available (lord knows I never use it). As for pre-orders, I have to say that content exclusivity is what it’s been taking to get people to lay down the money they’re already going to spend anyway. Here’s the facts about pre-ordering: Gamestop has several hundred stores nation-wide. All of them vary in size and customer base. When a new game ships, they look to pre-orders as a base for the customer interest in the game; the more preorders, the more copies. It pisses me off when we offer it to someone that KNOWS they want to pick it up day 1 and they just think ‘oh I’ll just mosey in and snag it’ only to become pissed to find we’re already sold out because of the people who had the fore site to preorder! So instead of trying to explain this to every half-witted consumer they try to include enough incentive that the pre-order process sells itself! It’s a mess, and not always fair, but if we didn’t do it like this we could end up with 5 available copies in a store in downtown Seattle and 30 copies getting marooned in a stripmall shop in Montana where there is not interest.
I hope that helps!
I also work at Gamestop, and I agree one hundred percent. Reserves equal guaranteed sales. As for any business, SALES IS GOOD. I understand we don’t give a lot for used games, but at least its something instead of it just sitting and collecting dust or throwing it away. Like when a customer comes in with Madden 2001 and we give him 50 cents for it and they get mad cause they spent 50 when it came out. ITS NOT WORTH SHIT ANYMORE SO GET OVER IT!!!!
I totally agree with the example SilverJackMan gave, but we are not discussing about if people are able to get their copies for sure by preordering, we are talking about if it’s fair to a guy that may not be that exited but also wants the full expirience for his game.
And I personally dislike it more because theres no Gamestop in my country =( .Even i always preorder my games to be sure i’m getting it on day 1.
This also seems for me like the stupid DLC’s, like the extra costumes on Street Fighter. If they already make it, include it in the game!! I think the videogame industry isn’t happy being a better bussiness than movies. They want to squeeze our wallets lol.
Just a very personal opinion
Really good input here gang…Thanks for your insight…especially the GameStop employees amongst you. As a former Asst. Mngr of a gaming retail outlet back in the day before I got involved in games journalism, I know that sales are vital to each location and the employees within. This isn’t really the topic I was shooting for in the above post (as pointed out by Omar), but I understand that it’s certainly related. Preorders are necessary to ensure enough quantity for your store, sure, but the type of content being given away to entice preorders is my big issue. As stated in the post, the Madden content is kinda cool because it gives MORE of a demo to those that are interested…that’s it…but when companies start baiting consumers with in-game content that alters the end user experience, that’s where I think it goes too far. Plus, it’s not a good path to be on…What if preorder sales slip once again? What next? A whole new level, character, key story element of the game only to those that preorder? What if THAT isn’t enough…Do we have pre-preorders to ensure you’re ABSOLUTELY FIRST and secure something even bigger? It won’t end…it’s silly, my point is to just let the games speak for themselves and keep the playing field fair for anyone who purchases the game…despite the time of purchase.
Lastly, just to address the trade-in issue (which I’ll post on at some point I’m sure…), sure, it’s better than nothing, but the issue I have is not PASSING THE COST onto the consumer. I have no problem with GameStop giving $15 for a game I paid $50 for three weeks prior as long as I, AS THE CONSUMER, can benefit as well and purchase a similar title for $25. That’s a $10 profit for GameStop and a good experience for a happy customer. Win/Win. Fact is though (as you’re well aware), the game I just sold for $15 will be on the shelf for $45 or $50 five minutes later, which means NOBODY truly benefits aside from GameStop…thus the record breaking profits seen by the company…honestly, it makes me sick…
Alright, that’s all for now…thanks again for sounding off gang…who else has an opinion here???
I never trust the posts that say they are a GameStop employee and they talk positively about any of GameStop’s shitty policies.
I know GameStop makes people troll the web and make them sound good, so you never know.
I also work at GameStop and tomorow when I go to work I will start giving customers bullshit and when my manager comes to stop it I will kill him and every other person in the store … mwahahahahah
I understand what you’re trying to say, but I think you’re blowing it out of proportion. Sure, there have been some pre-order bonuses that gave you an in-game bonus, such as the titles you mentioned. But as far as I know, none of these wildly skew in-game content to the point where it’s unrecognizable from a non-preordered game. Not to mention out of all the bonuses out there that gave you an extra weapon/power/etc, it was single-player only with one exception. It’s a bonus, and a small one at that. The only preorder bonus that I ever thought was unfair was the COD WaW M1 Carbine option, since it gave a drastic advantage in multiplayer. A preorder bonus seems like just a “Thanks!” for buying the game at GameStop. By the way, how do you feel about other non in-game preorder bonuses like art books, t-shirts and the like?
I’am totally opposite both sides for varying reasons. If were spending so much on these pre-orders and DLC content its only fair that we must truly be getting our moneys worth, also its up to the pubs/devs to provide us with the best (games or content) in the near and/or far future, use our money to create an even more epic game for the consumers. Also use the bonuses that we get with pre-orders for exclusive beta-testing or demos from other developers, not only does it allow us to try newer games from a separate source developer but also helps bring developers together as well.
if its not worth anything anymore, why do you want it?