Renault on 4/11/2016 at 03:45
So, when is it OK to buy? Release day? After 10 reviews are out? I don't see much of a difference. It the same amount of cash going in the same direction.
I agree with Jason - if you have the track record, you've earned the pre-order. But also know the moment you slip, it ain't happening. If LGS was still around, they'd be an automatic buy. If a new Elder Scrolls comes out, it's no questions asked. But those are extreme examples, not everyone is going to do that with every game.
I still haven't bought the latest Deus Ex, even though I liked the last one. Partially because EM screwed up Thief, and partially because of all the pre-order bonus BS and microtransactions. They screwed up, so now I'm waiting for a price drop.
Vivian on 4/11/2016 at 03:48
NOTHING SHOULD EVER BE AN AUTOMATIC BUY. that's the entire point! If you have lost the will/ability to judge something on its merits rather than its heritage, then everything has gone tits up.
Jason Moyer on 4/11/2016 at 03:51
Right, and you can't judge something on its merits until you've played it. Catch 22 omg.
Brethren gets it, although I enjoyed Thief quite a bit so EM hasn't quite hit my naughty list yet. They also aren't really on my nice list either; I'm not sure I'd have an interest in their games if they weren't related to series that I already enjoy. Although maybe an EM-developed sneaker in a new setting would be good, I dunno until they make one and I eventually play it.
While Fallout 4 disappointed me in many ways, it's probably still top-50 game material so I'm still on the Bethsoft RPG train toot toot. If the explore/kill/loot thing weren't so goddamn fun they'd be in the buy-when-cheap pile though.
Starker on 4/11/2016 at 03:51
I buy games either after a good (critical) reviewer has praised it or after I have had the chance to try it. Otherwise I wait for a sale.
Oh, and sometimes watching someone play the game will do the trick too.
Renault on 4/11/2016 at 03:57
Quote Posted by Vivian
NOTHING SHOULD EVER BE AN AUTOMATIC BUY.
That is such crap. You're telling me every time you go to or rent a movie, buy a CD, buy a book, anything like that, you ALWAYS read reviews and opinions first? I call BS. There's got to be something you buy based on reputation.
Renault on 4/11/2016 at 04:00
Zelda and Metroid games are in my "no questions asked" category too. Do I really care what some guy on Gamespot thinks of Breath of the Wild? No way, I'm getting it day one, and they can have my money now.
Renzatic on 4/11/2016 at 04:25
I was the same way up until recently. The last good Metroid was Prime 3, and Skyward Sword looked sorta meh to me.
Though I'll admit, Breath of the Wild has me damn tempted to grab a Switch on release day. I haven't bought a Nintendo console day one since...hell, I don't think I've ever done that.
Vae on 4/11/2016 at 05:02
Quote Posted by Vivian
NOTHING SHOULD EVER BE AN AUTOMATIC BUY. that's the entire point! If you have lost the will/ability to judge something on its merits rather than its heritage, then everything has gone tits up.
Agree...Pre-ordering is crap.
It distorts the true market value of a release, because pre-order sales are based on the high value of the brand
from previous games, and not on the value of the game itself.
Renault on 4/11/2016 at 05:55
I just don't think you guys are getting it. Didn't you ever go to a concert because the last time you saw them, they were incredible? Or maybe revisit a restaurant because your last meal there was super tasty? It's the same kind of thing. Sure, it's somewhat of a leap of faith, but nothing out there is guaranteed. The pressure is still on the party responsible for creating the product, because if they don't maintain a certain level of excellence, they'll eventually lose their following.
I'm not saying you should pre-order everything, but I think it's OK for the top 5% of the stuff you buy.
Renzatic on 4/11/2016 at 06:29
Regarding preordering in general, I don't see what the big deal is, pro or con. 99% of the time, if I'm really looking forward to something coming from a proven developer with a good recent track record, I'll get it, regardless of the reviews. If I end up being disappointed, oh well. Everyone drops the ball sometimes.
It's only when I'm not sure about a new game, the new Doom being the most recent example, that I'll hold off, and wait for the reviews and general consensus to pop up.
The only thing I don't understand are those people who prebuy games 6 months or so in advance. I just...like, why? What's the point? I can understand your excitement, but really. It's not going anywhere. There's no queue or limited quantities. Just wait until about a week or two before, then get it when the prerelease discounts start showing up.
