Game pre-ordering works by allowing you to reserve a copy of a game before its official release date, guaranteeing you access on launch day and often providing bonus content.
Have you ever wondered how does game pre order work? It’s a common practice now, but the mechanics behind it might seem a little mysterious. Pre-ordering is a way to secure a game before it’s even available to buy. You essentially put your name down for a copy.
This act of reserving ahead of time often comes with advantages. Players sometimes receive special digital content or physical items. Sometimes there are also price benefits to ordering before launch.
How Does Game Pre Order Work?
Have you ever been super excited for a new video game and wanted to make sure you got it on day one? That’s where pre-ordering comes in! Game pre-orders are like reserving your spot in line for a super popular game. But how does it really work? Let’s dive into all the details and make it easy to understand.
What is a Video Game Pre-Order?
Think of a game pre-order as a promise. You’re promising to buy the game when it comes out, and the game store or online seller is promising to save a copy just for you. It’s a way to make sure you’re not left empty-handed when a game everyone wants finally becomes available. Instead of waiting in long lines or hoping it’s in stock, you get a head start. Pre-orders can happen weeks, months, or even a year before the game is released!
Why Do Companies Offer Pre-Orders?
Game companies offer pre-orders for several reasons, and it’s not just about making more money (although that’s definitely part of it!). Here are a few key motivations:
- Gauge Interest: Pre-orders help game developers see how much excitement there is for their game. If they get lots of pre-orders, they know they’ve created something people really want to play. This information helps them decide how many copies to make and distribute.
- Build Hype: Offering pre-orders creates buzz and excitement around the game. It gets people talking about it, sharing it with friends, and building anticipation for launch day. The earlier the pre-order becomes available, the more hype they can build around a specific game.
- Plan Production: Knowing how many pre-orders there are helps game publishers plan how many copies to make of the game, both physical and digital, and how to distribute them across different stores and online platforms. This stops them from making too many and wasting resources or making too few and having shortages.
- Secure Early Sales: Pre-orders secure sales before the release day. For publishers, having people commit to buying early can help provide financial security, help them know how much they should invest in marketing, and provide some initial return to their investment on development.
Where Can You Pre-Order Games?
You can pre-order games in lots of places. Here are some of the most common spots:
- Game Stores: Stores like GameStop, Best Buy, and Target often have pre-order options for physical copies of games. You can usually go into the store or order it online via their website.
- Online Marketplaces: Websites such as Amazon, Walmart, or other online retailers also offer pre-orders for physical copies.
- Digital Platforms: If you’re buying a digital game, you can usually pre-order it directly from online stores like the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, or Steam (for PC games).
- The Game Developer’s Website: Sometimes, game developers offer pre-orders directly from their own website, especially for special or collector’s editions of the game.
How the Pre-Order Process Works
Now, let’s break down the actual steps involved in pre-ordering a game:
Finding the Game
First, you need to find the game you want to pre-order. This usually means visiting the website of a game store or the online store that is associated with your gaming console or platform. You can do this on a computer, phone or even directly from your console.
Selecting Your Edition
Many games have different versions or editions. Here are a few common examples:
- Standard Edition: The basic game, usually with no added extras.
- Deluxe Edition: Includes the game plus some extra digital content like special in-game items, character skins, or a digital art book.
- Collector’s Edition: Often comes with the game, a deluxe edition content, and physical items like a statue, art book, or special packaging.
Choose the edition you want based on what extras you’re interested in and what you’re willing to spend. Usually, the more extras you get, the more money you have to spend. Make sure you read the description of what you’re buying so that you know what you’re getting.
Placing the Pre-Order
After selecting the game and the edition, you’ll go to the store or website to start the pre-order process. You may need to sign into an account on the website or store. You will add the game to your cart and you’ll check out just like you would for any online purchase. For physical copies, you will need to choose whether you want the game delivered to your home, or whether you will pick it up at the store. For digital copies, the game will be added to your account, and will typically need to be downloaded when the release date comes around. Here is where the pre-order part comes into play. You may not need to pay right away, but sometimes you do, so you will need to take a closer look on how it works for each vendor.
Pre-Order Payment
The payment process for a pre-order can vary slightly depending on where you’re ordering from:
- Pay Up Front: Some stores will take payment for the entire pre-order at the time you place it. This is very common for digital copies and some physical ones.
- Pay Later: Other stores may only charge a small portion as a deposit, and then charge you the rest when the game is ready to ship or when you pick it up. The store might charge you close to the release date.
- No Initial Charge: Some stores might not charge you anything at the time you place the pre-order, but instead charge you when it is ready to ship or when it’s in stock.
Be sure to check the store’s pre-order policy so you know how and when you’ll need to pay.
Confirmation
After you’ve successfully placed the pre-order, you will receive a confirmation email or a confirmation on the website, either as a receipt or a pre-order confirmation. This is how you know that your spot is safe and the pre-order is successful. Always keep that confirmation number/email so that you can refer back to it if necessary. Also, look out for the terms and conditions in the email or on the website so that you know about the cancellation policy, and the release date for your pre-ordered game.
Waiting for Release Day
Now comes the hard part – waiting! Most pre-ordered games are usually available on the day of release. For physical copies, you can either go and pick it up at the store, or it might be delivered to your home, depending on what you’ve chosen during the checkout process. For digital copies, on the day of release, you will be able to download it and play on your device. You might need to make some space on your console or device to be able to download the game, so be sure to prepare ahead of time.
What Are Pre-Order Bonuses?
A big draw for pre-ordering games are the bonuses that often come with them. These are extra goodies that publishers offer to entice you to pre-order. Here are some common pre-order bonuses you might see:
- Exclusive In-Game Items: These can be special weapons, character skins, outfits, vehicles, or other unique items that you can use in the game.
- Early Access: Some games offer a chance to play the game a few days or even a week before the official release date.
- Digital Soundtracks: You might receive a digital version of the game’s music.
- Digital Art Books: These include concept art and other behind-the-scenes images from the game’s development.
- Pre-order Theme: This can include a theme for your console or device with images or characters related to the game.
- Physical Collectibles: For some physical pre-orders you may receive a small physical item like a poster or an exclusive card.
Remember that these bonuses are usually exclusive to those who pre-order and might not be available later on.
Benefits of Pre-Ordering
Why bother pre-ordering at all? Here are some compelling reasons why you might consider pre-ordering a game you are really excited about:
- Guarantee Your Copy: The biggest benefit is knowing that you’ll get a copy of the game on day one, especially for highly anticipated titles. This helps to eliminate the fear of missing out.
- Receive Pre-Order Bonuses: As described earlier, you get access to exclusive in-game items, early access, or other cool digital and physical items, depending on the publisher.
- Avoid Release Day Rush: You don’t have to worry about long lines at the store or risk the game being sold out. If it’s a digital version, you’ll be able to download it on release day without delay.
- Potential Discounts: Sometimes, stores or online retailers offer discounts or lower prices for those who pre-order, meaning you could save a bit of money when you pre-order.
- Peace of Mind: It’s a nice feeling to know you have the game secured and you don’t have to worry about getting it.
Downsides of Pre-Ordering
While pre-ordering can be great, there are some potential downsides you should consider:
- Paying Before Reviews: When you pre-order, you’re usually paying for the game before any reviews have come out. This means you don’t know whether the game is actually good or not, and you might end up regretting purchasing it.
- Potential for Disappointment: The game might not live up to your expectations based on what you saw in the trailers or gameplay videos. Sometimes the final version of the game is not the same as the preview versions, and you might be very dissapointed.
- Cancellation Policies: Sometimes, it can be tricky or difficult to cancel your pre-order, especially for digital copies. Before placing a pre-order, be sure to read the terms and conditions, so that you are aware of the cancellation policies for that specific game and vendor.
- Pre-order Bonus Limitations: Sometimes the pre-order bonuses can be very minor, or be something you don’t actually need or like. It’s good to not get caught in hype just because of bonuses.
- Storage Space: When you pre-order a game, especially a digital copy, you might be required to download the game to your storage, and in case it isn’t up to your standards, you have already spent some of your storage space on it.
Tips for Pre-Ordering Games
If you’re planning to pre-order a game, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Research the Game: Before you pre-order, look for trailers, gameplay videos, and previews to see if it looks like something you’d enjoy.
- Read Reviews: If you can, wait until you have some reviews for the game to make sure it’s a worthwhile purchase. Don’t get caught in hype, and make sure you have some knowledge about the game before you purchase it.
- Compare Editions: Check the different versions or editions of the game to see which extras you like the best and how much each one costs. Sometimes it isn’t worth spending extra money on bonuses that are not useful to you.
- Compare Prices: Different stores might offer the same game at different prices or with different pre-order bonuses. Try to check around before making a final decision about your purchase.
- Check Cancellation Policies: Make sure you know the terms and conditions for pre-orders in case you need to cancel.
- Be Aware of Release Dates: Double-check the official release date of the game and where you can receive it. You may need to download or pick it up from the store.
Pre-ordering video games is a great way to guarantee you get your hands on a highly anticipated title right away, and possibly some cool bonuses too. However, it’s important to consider both the benefits and downsides of pre-ordering. By researching the game, comparing editions and prices, and understanding the pre-order process, you can make sure you’re making a decision that’s right for you. Happy gaming!
What Exactly Are Video Game Pre-Orders?
Final Thoughts
Game pre-orders allow you to reserve a copy of a game before its release. You typically pay upfront or place a deposit, guaranteeing you receive the game on launch day. Pre-ordering often comes with bonus content like in-game items or early access.
Knowing how does game pre order work, gives you an advantage. It allows you to secure popular titles. Understanding the process is key to a smooth launch-day experience.
