An emerging trend in the gaming industry is annoying me and it’s made worse being in a place with out an EB Games. What I’m talking about is a bonus for Pre-Ordering a game. It’s hurting the consumer more than helping.

Now don’t get me wrong, little things like a poster, a tin or a figurine are good things. What is WRONG is getting exclusive demo access or exclusive levels, multiplayer maps or abilities within a game. Take inFamous, I am really excited for this game, so why do I need to pre-order it at EB Games just to get the exclusive “Gigawatt Blades” Power. When I buy it from my local game store I lose access to that specific ability. I don’t have an EB Games less than an hour away from me; don’t the developers want me to use the ability they took the time to develop?

Doesnt that just look cool?

Why did EA give specific retailers codes for early access to the Fight Night Round 4 Demo? Another case of this is with THQ and Red Faction Guerrilla. I want to try these games too see if I want to buy them, but the Publisher’s want to give EB Games a way to get more people pre-ordering. I know the demos will soon become public but why should we be made to wait and make up our mind about these games? In that time another game might have caught my attention and then I no longer want this game. That is a sale lost for a game that most probably disserves it.

I know it may seem that I am overreacting but what would you think if Modern Warfare 2 came out and to get early access to the Map Pack, we know one will come, you had to pre-order it from EB games; then 2 months later they release the Map Pack for $16 for everyone else? Would you feel ripped off? I know I would; I really hope the Industry never goes this far. But is it an inevitable future?

I want this demo!

I only mention EB Games because they charge R.R.P for games unlike many retailers and they also seem to be the guiltiest of this out of the major retailers; others include GAME and JB-Hi-Fi. My plea to publishers is if you release a demo, release it to everyone. Please let me buy a game from any retailer and get the whole game, don’t make me pre-order it from a specific store or pay for it later as DLC.

All this doesn’t mean I don’t want any Pre-Order bonuses; there have been some good examples of late. Such as Bionic Commando having a Figurine of the Main Character, Nathan “RAD” Spencer, would be a compelling enough reason for a fan of Bionic Commando to Pre-Order the game. Even the extra pedal for the Guitar Hero: World Tour drum set when Guitar Hero: Metallica is Pre-Ordered in my opinion is a great bonus, which I can’t get.

This is an example of a Pre-Order done right.

I’m hoping that publishers start to release more limited editions of games instead of wanting people to Pre-Order their game. They could still release all of the nice goody’s that you get with a Pre-Order but it is then available to everyone who wants to buy the game, not just those who want it at launch. I have just one last question for the publishers.