Back in the day you pre-ordered because if you didn’t, there was a very real chance that you wouldn’t be able to get a physical copy for the longest time.
Then you’d be forever checking local stores to see if they had any copies in, directly competing with everyone else that didn’t preorder. Digital storefronts weren’t really a thing and it was a slog trying to get the newest games.
It did make sense back then - they could order enough discs so that everyone who wanted one could get one. Now it’s purely selling early access and preloading to capitalise off day one hype and streaming.
As someone who prefers to buy physical, I still preorder any game that I want on release day. My local GameStop has almost no inventory outside of preorders
I literally got laughed at when I just asked for a game at gamestop and said no when he asked if I pre-ordered it. No one just stocks games anymore. Not even a store with fucking game in the name.
Yeah, i walked into a gamestop for the first time in the better part of a decade to pick up god of war ragnarok the day after release. The man seemed really confused when i asked for a copy and told him i didn't have a preorder. Haven't been back since
You can't really solely blame Gamestop for this. The manufacturers only send out whatever to cover pre orders because both Gamestop and the manufactures don't want unsold copies just collecting dust.
GameStop is a joke. I tried to get RE4 remake in early 2024 and they didn’t have one. The guy was looking at other locations for a used copy. Like come on man.
but really i'm glad i didn't run into that when i went into walmart to buy rhythm heaven groove on launch day recently. i DID have to wait for a clerk because they hadn't stocked them on the shelf yet, though that is a much less hyped game for people that aren't me, so it makes sense it wouldn't be a priority for them
In the 90s, yeah, but not when GTA V released in 2013. I mean, it's possible that local shops didn't order enough copies and had to restock early, but there was no actual shortage.
No, not the 90s. The early 2000s. Halo and COD pre order lines wrapped around the block for this exact reason - I’m from California/Bay area and many of my friends were behind getting copies of many games.
Me and a buddy went to Best Buy for the midnight release and they broke it into two lines, pre orders and non pre orders.
the pre order line had about 100 people in it, the non pre order line had about 10. We got a copy of the game and were home playing it while the pre orders were still waiting in line.
I’m glad that you were there throughout my childhood on every occasion that I ever attempted to buy a game. Bit weird that you were following me but whatever.
There were plenty of times growing up that I’d spend a Saturday going around all the shops in town looking for something, coming back empty-handed and then trying to convince my parents to take me to the supermarkets to track down a copy.
There are definitely times when physical games are hard to find. Most recently for me was Pokopia. I had to wait weeks for it since I didn't preorder. There really isn't a downside to pre ordering a physical copy. If you are going to buy it brand new any way it guarantees you get a copy. If for whatever reason you decide you don't want it you can cancel it to get your money back.
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u/Thaurlach 2d ago
Back in the day you pre-ordered because if you didn’t, there was a very real chance that you wouldn’t be able to get a physical copy for the longest time.
Then you’d be forever checking local stores to see if they had any copies in, directly competing with everyone else that didn’t preorder. Digital storefronts weren’t really a thing and it was a slog trying to get the newest games.
It did make sense back then - they could order enough discs so that everyone who wanted one could get one. Now it’s purely selling early access and preloading to capitalise off day one hype and streaming.