Well, I know you're being ironic here. I'm not sure what your trying to say exactly. Pre-Orders are bad? Collector Items that come with Pre-Orders are bad? People only get these pre-orders for bragging rights? You talk about two entirely different forms distribution and pre-odering. There is a world of difference between them.
I'll agree that Pre-Odering digital goods is damn stupid, since it really is a promised purchase (else you lose money), and you don't really gain anything. At the very most you'll get alpha/beta access, worst it just gets automatically added to your library when it "unlocks". On op of that there's no real "scarcity" on digital platforms. So there's no reason to reserve a copy.
Also, Physical Pre-Orders are entirely different than Digital pre-Oorders
You talk about Pre-order figurines, then mention DOWNLOADING the game. That makes zero sense. Usually figurines and such come with physical purchases of a special edition of a game, which are not necessarily pre-orders(they may as well be since they go fast, but if you were going to buy a collectors edition, you probably wouldn't have any qualms about just buying the game). These usually come with Soundtracks, Figures, Hard Back Books, and other things. These are usually made for die hard fans who know they're going to like the game. Just because its out there doesn't mean that you have to buy it. I'm not sure what "only let people who pre-order the game play it" is supposed to be an analogue to. Even if you don't pre-order the game your probably going to end up paying the same price or maybe a little bit more that people who did, and its the same game and you don't really miss out on the "tired gameplay" that you moan about by not getting whatever "bling" came with the pre-order.
Pre-orders at brick and mortar stores (Gamestop basically not sure about other small stores) aren't a commitment, and if anything exist for the benefit of the retailer than the game publishers. Usually you deposit five dollars(which will go towards the purchase of your game) to reserve it, if you decide you don't want the game you can put it towards another purchase. As opposed to pre-ordering online where you're usually playing full price. So at the very worst your forcing yourself to buy from the retailer your pre-odering or lose five whole dollars. Oh the horror. Again, no ones forcing you to make a pre-order. You don't miss out on any gameplay if you don't pre-order. Most pre-order DLC is pretty much cosmetic, and games that do hold gameplay and weapons over your head in exchange for pre-orders are usually horse shit anyway.
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Topic: Game Industry Reform through Pre-Order Bonuses (Read 1535 times)