Why You Should Never Pre-order Games
Pre-ordering video games has become a popular thing to do in recent years. You see a game advertised, it looks amazing, and you want to make sure you get your hands on it as soon as it’s released. So you pre-order it.
People want to be able to play exciting new games on the day of release so they don’t get left behind in the hype. And with all the exclusive bonuses and perks that come with pre-ordering games, it’s easy to see why people are tempted to do it.
But is it really a good idea?
There are a few things you should know about pre-ordering games before you hand over your hard-earned cash to buy a game that hasn’t yet been released.
6 reasons why you shouldn’t pre-order games
1. You don’t know if the game will be any good
The fact is, you have no idea if a game is going to be any good until you play it. And by pre-ordering a game, you’re essentially saying that you’re willing to pay for something sight unseen – not just by you, but by everyone else.
You might think that the game looks great based on the trailers that have been released, but you won’t know for sure until you actually get your hands on the game and play it. And by then, it’s probably too late to get your money back if you don’t like it.
2. The game could be delayed
It’s not uncommon for games to be delayed, sometimes by months or even years. And when a game is delayed, it can be very frustrating for people who have pre-ordered it. The money that you spent on the pre-order could have been spent on something else, and now it’s tied up for an indefinite amount of time.
3. You might not get the game on release day
Even if a game is released on time, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get it on the day of release. Shipping delays happen all the time, and if you pre-ordered a game online, there’s a chance that it might not arrive until a few days or even weeks after the release date.
4. The price might go down shortly after you buy it
Nowadays, the pre-order price is usually full price with no discounts, depending on where you buy from. If you’re patient, you might be able to get the same game for less money a few weeks or even days after it’s released. Either brand new or used but in very good condition.
Games go on sale all the time, and if you’re not in a hurry to play a game, you might be able to save some money by waiting.
5. You get the first edition with all the bugs
Bugs and glitches are common in video games, especially in new releases. By pre-ordering a game, you’re saying that you’re willing to accept whatever version of the game is released, bugs and all.
If you wait a little while, the developers will have had time to fix the major bugs and release a patched version of the game. So if you’re not a fan of dealing with bugs, it might be worth waiting to buy the game after it’s been out for a while and others have been able to test it.
6. You might not get the exclusive bonuses
If one of the reasons for your pre-order was to get your hands on exclusive bonuses and perks, you might be out of luck. Sometimes retailers don’t have enough stock to meet the demand for pre-orders, so not everyone who pre-orders a game will get the bonuses.
And even if you do get them, they’re usually not worth very much!
Conclusion
Getting your hands on a game you’ve been coveting for months on the day it’s released is exciting. There’s nothing like unboxing your parcel and finally holding that precious piece of gaming treasure in your hand. You get to play it with everyone else and join in with the online debate.
But just ask yourself if this is necessary. At the end of the day, whether you get the game on the day it’s released or you have to wait a couple of extra days, you’ll still experience the same joy and excitement when you play it for the first time. So consider saving yourself money and stress by avoiding the pre-order trap.