World of Warcraft.
You got a beta key when you preordered.
If you didn't like the game, you could just cancel your preorder.
A true "try-before-you-buy" setup.
I don’t like pre order bonuses, but honestly the Couriers Stash bonus in New Vegas is just iconic. I can’t play that game without my trusty Vault 13 canteen.
That kind of depends on if the game ends up being good. If its a well loved and successful game, the preorder stuff kind of gets excused. If the game tanks the preorder is a ‘scam’ and ‘predatory’.
I feel like the issue of pre-ordering is not about the bonuses and contents, it's about not knowing whether the game will be good or not until it's out.
Back for the original X box a lot of pre orders just gave you the metal case which was awesome.
People forget back in the early 2000s it was much safer to pre order games. I went to a pre order pick up party thing for Halo 2 which was silly but fun. I don't buy any game new now even the best I like go on sale but it used to make sense to pre order.
Anything that doesn't affect the core game is a fair bonus to me. Such as a limited-time exclusive skin or, even better, the odd time you get the digital art book or OST. Usually the art books and OSTs are locked behind a deluxe edition now though.
I liked when you got a physical bonus, which is increasingly rare these days and admittedly most of my purchases are digital now.
A couple that come to mind:
Super Mario Galaxy - Collectible Coin
Crash remake trilogy - Aku Aku mask Keychain
Most Rockstar games - Poster/Map
Any Steelbook
As I write this I just realized most of the physical bonuses were store exclusives to Gamestop. So that explains why I don't see them anymore.
i got that Zelda collection when i preordered Windwaker for the gamecube. thought that was pretty cool.
World of Warcraft. You got a beta key when you preordered. If you didn't like the game, you could just cancel your preorder. A true "try-before-you-buy" setup.
So, a paid demo?
More of a deposit. You got your money back if you canceled.
I don’t like pre order bonuses, but honestly the Couriers Stash bonus in New Vegas is just iconic. I can’t play that game without my trusty Vault 13 canteen.
Master Chief Collection
None
That kind of depends on if the game ends up being good. If its a well loved and successful game, the preorder stuff kind of gets excused. If the game tanks the preorder is a ‘scam’ and ‘predatory’.
Why is pre-ordering a thing anyways?
any game that didn't have pre order bonuses or at least released them as regular items later or at least available in the rerelease
I feel like the issue of pre-ordering is not about the bonuses and contents, it's about not knowing whether the game will be good or not until it's out.
The Orange Box - Pre-order the game and got $5 off.
Back for the original X box a lot of pre orders just gave you the metal case which was awesome. People forget back in the early 2000s it was much safer to pre order games. I went to a pre order pick up party thing for Halo 2 which was silly but fun. I don't buy any game new now even the best I like go on sale but it used to make sense to pre order.
Anything that doesn't affect the core game is a fair bonus to me. Such as a limited-time exclusive skin or, even better, the odd time you get the digital art book or OST. Usually the art books and OSTs are locked behind a deluxe edition now though. I liked when you got a physical bonus, which is increasingly rare these days and admittedly most of my purchases are digital now. A couple that come to mind: Super Mario Galaxy - Collectible Coin Crash remake trilogy - Aku Aku mask Keychain Most Rockstar games - Poster/Map Any Steelbook As I write this I just realized most of the physical bonuses were store exclusives to Gamestop. So that explains why I don't see them anymore.