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[killdatninja]

Most people don't find preordering useful because every major retailer carries enough copies of games that guaranteeing your copy is pretty pointless. Those who do preorder, only do so to get an exclusive retailer preorder item (skins, dlc, toy).

Then you get a game like Dark Souls (and Dragon Age 2), who kindly upgraded their preorders to SE/CE/LE copies. Seems like a great idea to get preorders up, possibly generate more day 1 sales, while also giving die hard fans an incentive to preorder. The only issue I forsee (read Dark Souls OT) is those unlucky to not preorder are left scavenging stores hoping to score a copy of the game, more than likely to no avail.

That being said, what do you guys think about a free upgrade to those who preorder?

 

[iNvid02]

as long as each retailer doesnt have a different blend of special edition with its own bonus its fine, a nice incentive for fans

 

[Dog Problems]

If it's a game I know I'm going to get already, then sure. Might as well get a bit of free stuff if I can.

 

[Quixzlizx]

Scamco ended up not sending out enough Dark Souls CEs, causing a bunch of CE pre-orders to get cancelled.

 

[TheOGB]

Shit, it's free

other than that, first post pretty much nails it.

 

[Ken Masters]

the only time I will ever pre-order a game if it's a free upgrade to a se/ce/le

 

[SlaughterX]

It's a great idea when they actually ship out enough copies.

 

[SAB CA]

I kind of think of KoF XIII's 4 disk soundtrack Pre-Order bonus as an upgrade to a LE, really. Though the Euro edition sounds a bit closer to a real LE, as it has a few more extras.

But I know you are more refering to somthing like Dark Souls. I think that's actualy quite cool, personally... I really think it should be done much more often. It's one of the best ways to "reward" early adopters, and I really enjoy quality print materials with my games.

I agree that seperate-retailer Content is pretty annoying, though. Would it be better to package it all together, and make it so that the pre-order bonus is REALLY, REALLY attractive? I'd imagine that would possibly draw a LOT of sales to the products.

I'd love to see more DLC Vouchers and Downloadable games included with Pre-orders, too. It'd save on printing cost, but really feel like a worthwhile upgrade.

CE/LE's with pre-orders are a great idea, when done right. Make them solid enough, and it'll diminish used sales, just by making the initial purchase seem that much more worthwhile and valuable.

 

[Lionheart1827]

Yeah when it works, fine. But the crap that happened with Dark Souls yesterday is laughable.

 

[Prophet Steve]

If it is well being taken care of (unlike with Dark Souls, or Arkham City with many different bonuses) I don't really see anything wrong with it. Don't like it though because I then feel like having to preorder the game.

 

[Zwei]

I've no problem with it

 

[Kuran]

As you can tell with Dark Souls, either this doesn't work (unless retailers know how many CE's they are going to get from the get-go), or Namco is utterly incompetent.

 

[Moofers]

Hey its great when it works. BlazBlue did it just fine, but Dark Souls has fucked it up. Busy servers are fucking people out of digital content. That's some bullshit.

 

[Zwei]

As you can tell with Dark Souls, either this doesn't work (unless retailers know how many CE's they are going to get from the get-go), or Namco is utterly incompetent.

I'm leaning towards the latter on this one

 

[Pookmunki]

If it works and is adhered to - great.

I somehow doubt those who preordered here in the uk will definitely get CE editions, doubly so if from brick and motar Gamestation and Game stores (look forward to being proved wrong - GS preorderer here).

I can see a situation where if the publishers intention doesn't filter down to each country and purchase method, the regular editions of the game will seem more undesirable/ inferior and actually hurt initial sales due to those waiting for a GOTY edition or such with the content they are 'missing'.

 

[ultron87]

As long as this doesn't automatically upgrade me to some monstrosity of a box that I can't fit on my shelf I would be fine with it.

 

[GhostWriter24]

Most "Collector's Editions" are just a ruse by companies to con you into believing you're getting special shit that's worth something in order to increase sales +1. The fact is these art books, figurines, soundtrack CDs can be produced for pennies.

 

[Desmond]

GS ireland did this with Resistance 3, even though GAME had exclusivity

 

[KageMaru]

Free upgrade to a game I would likely pre-order anyways? Yay!

 

[Persona7]

Didn't Prince of Persia do this?

 

[zerokoolpsx]

As long as its the same price as the standard edition.

 

[Mudkips]

Then you get a game like Dark Souls (and Dragon Age 2), who kindly upgraded their preorders to SE/CE/LE copies.

What.
I preordered Dark Souls for $60 on Amazon on June 1st.
I believe I chose the standard version - I would have only chosen the collector's version if it was also listed for the same price at the time.

What version did I get?
My order status points to http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00542ZQJO/?tag=neogaf0e-20 . That link takes me to the page with the PS3 collector's edition selected, but I don't know if that's an accurate reflection of what I'll get.

I guess I'll know for sure in a few hours when it arrives at my door.

Edit: If I click on the "Standard" option I get the "You ordered this on..." banner at the top.
But the permalinks to each version are indeed different, and my actual order page links to the collectors edition.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00542ZQJO/?tag=neogaf0e-20
vs.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NRN5EO/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Shipping weight is listed as 1.6 pounds by UPS, so I take that as a good sign.

 

[SAB CA]

Most "Collector's Editions" are just a ruse by companies to con you into believing you're getting special shit that's worth something in order to increase sales +1. The fact is these art books, figurines, soundtrack CDs can be produced for pennies.

No one really cares about though. If the "free" soundtrack you get is half of a 30-dollar import, it's still nice for the consumer. If the skinny artbook is the quality of 8 dollar graphic novel, that's fine too.

Most collectors just want something that's rare, and of value to THEM.

Part of why I enjoy DLC bonuses. They'll always be worth having, if on;y by the fact that you can actually make use of them, hopefully regularly.

I was rather happy with Marvel's DLC, Artbook, Steelbook, Marvel Comic Online Sub, and Alt cover, myself. Always appreciate printed artwork, and lots of what they had in that book is even semi-rare online, especially to see at prime resolutions.