Square Enix Comments on Cancelled Hitman Pre-Orders

Square Enix: "If your HITMAN preorder is cancelled, don't panic. Release date is still March 11. We're adjusting a few things & will update in a few days."

[DarkOcelet]

I wonder what will happen here. The game is only two months away.

[-Foxtrot]

I honestly think they should scrap the episode crap, delay it and work on making it into a full on game

Just not feeling this Hitman at all. I mean these guys had a "beta trailer"...a BETA TRAILER.

[BitbyDeath]

New PS+ title spoiler alert.

[-Foxtrot]

Yeah seems like something we'll finally get through PS Plus at some point.

Save your money folks, no point supporting experimentations like this on old franchises.

It's Square Enix, there's obviously a reason they are doing this with the episode format and I think it comes down to money. Must be cheaper to make or they can get away doing less content in the episodes for the same money overall for a full on game

[2pacalypsenow]

@Foxtrot you do know they are not doing any DLC,Season pass or micro-transactions on this, they are Selling the game for $59.99 and adding missions over time for the price of the game

[Gwiz]

Hey man,that's within their tradition of announcing announcements.XD,this is a new low though.

[ShadowKnight]

@Fox Yes I agree with that.

[jb227]

Sounds to me like a change in the pricing model or the price itself. I doubt it'll be a PS+ title but I'd say if they go that route then they'd also give it the same month for Live as a way to get people to pick it up...either way that wouldn't necessitate the canceling of preorders as the game would still remain the same and the pricing model wouldn't necessarily be affected that way.

[Randostar]

This is NEVER a good sign for a video game..........Keep the pre-order money you got back people.

[user9950279]

Not surprising. The game was delayed into 2016 because of the backlash against their initial release plans. Seems they are completely retooling things and will deliver something resembling a full game in March. A good thing IMO.

[GortJester]

I bet they are readjusting the skus for other versions or a day one. Stay calm.

[Wallow]

Are the prequels required to understand this upcoming title?

[2pacalypsenow]

Hard to tell since they haven't released much info about the story

[KiwiViper85]

Your a Hitman. That's the story.

[Wallow]

...no need to be rude just wanted to know.

[KiwiViper85]

sorry man, wasn't meant to be rude.

[Eamon]

Well, this Hitman game is actually set before all the other Hitman games. The ultimate prequel.

But because Agent 47 actually "wakes up" at the start of the first game, in the tutorial level, I assume this is technically set during the first game. I.e. before the first game's ending.

I think IO Interactive did confirm that this Hitman game is not a reboot of the franchise.

But to answer your question, no you don't have to play. Hitman is not a heavy story-focused game. Especially not the earlier games. The most recent one, Hitman: Absolution, is the most story-focused out of the franchise. I would say, for newcomers, it's a good starting point (and a very good game itself).

[Wallow]

So you would recommend absolution as the first to play?

[Eamon]

Hard to really answer that question. It depends on what kind of gamer you are.

The older Hitman games were always aimed at a niche audience. Absolution tried to be more accessible to many audiences. That isn't a bad thing. In fact, the gameplay was very much like older Hitman games but with the inclusion of proper cover, modern detection system, vastly improved interaction with NPCs, modern shooting mechanics. I think the only feature that might have been unanimously hated by the hardcore fans was the slowmo execution feature (similar to Splinter Cell conviction where you insta-shoot people by tagging them).

My advise is have a look at gameplay videos of the older games. If you they don't look very attractive, then just start with Absolution.

[2pacalypsenow]

Man I had such high hopes for this game until reading more about it. Will hold off on it until it gets closer to release date and more info is released

[curtis92]

when will people stop preordering games?

[2pacalypsenow]

Why does it bother you what people do? Does it affect you and your life or even the game industry?

[Takwin]

It actually does affect us when dumb people order bad games, because it incentivized devs to make more bad games. The suits don't care AT ALL about game quality or art or the experience, they only care about profits.

I'm not speaking toward this game in particular. I've had a LOT of fun in older Hitmans but any fan of the series would have to agree that the last one sucked because of its linear nature and horrible 'boss' battles.

I think they *could* have something here with the way they release it if they promise no DLC or microtransactions, and they release a lot of good content. I would just prefer they release the entire game, however, and add a bit for free later. However, I think it is obviously a stealth ploy to make used game sales impossible, which I abhor on consoles.

[Antifan]

Broken games on launch is one concern. The second concern is lack of content. That's how it affects the industry. Really don't care what other people do with their money, but people who pre-order these broken games are enabling these companies to continue doing it. I feel the same way about micro transactions in full $60 games. People who buy MTs are only encouraging companies to place more MTs, therefore severely damping the experience for those who don't buy MTs.

[user9950279]

if people like Takwin had it their way, everyone would only buy the sorts of games that he likes. as if "bad games" were some objective thing.

loud mouth hipsters would see to it that there was never an FPS again. luckily ignoring these people is good fun, productive, and also funny.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@2Pac and Martin-Agreed. I have no clue why many have this vested interest in others spending.

The market will buy what the market wants, many of you legit need to deal with that reality vs trying to force people to not buy games due to what you like or don't like.

Might be seriously the stupidest thing I've seen in a very, very long time. It seems to be the dumbest, slowest and youngest that have this forceful mindset.

Buy what you like, spend on what you like, pre-order what you feel. Pretty sure as people we are free to do that.

[curtis92]

@2pac

It doesn't bother me on a personal level, I just think it's dumb. What's the point? Giving these publishers money before the product is even done? Why stroke their egos more and allow them to make more awful decisions?

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Curtis- Because people don't buy games for objective or moral reasons, they buy games for subjective reasons.

If someone likes a product and wants to pre-order it, they are free to do so. They are not buying it for some political or emotional vested reason.

Legit question, would you buy a game day 1 no matter how much you didn't like it due to the publisher making what you feel as morally just decisions?

Would you buy any product not due to you wanting it, but merely do to you feeling the publisher is doing the right thing?

Do you actually play games for fun or just give money to publishers who you think are doing a great job, regardless of how you actually feel about the game?

People don't buy products that way, it doesn't make any sense and to question why someone will pre-order something they like, is to make it seem as if your willing to buy things you might not like, solely due to reasons like the practices of the publisher.

What does that have to do with liking a game?

[curtis92]

EDMIX

I don't get what point you're trying to make, to be honest. I'm simply saying there's no point in preordering a game. Is it a stock thing? Are people afraid a game won't be in stock upon release?

In no way am I saying people shouldn't have the right to that. You people sure read a lot into things. But preordering is dumb. I'm sorry if that offends you...

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Curtis- you don't get it because you choose not to.

Simple.

If your always going to buy a game that is releasing, take FFXV for example, I'm getting it day 1, its likely not going to be limited in stock in any fashion, but that ins't the ONLY SOLE reason for pre-ordering.

If i'm buying it 100% day 1, I might as well find out what extras I might be getting. I got a free PS3 version of RE2002 remaster when I pre-ordered the PS4 version.

Was it going to go out of stock? Nope, not likely, but I'm getting something in the end. Mind you, you can in many retailers cancel a pre-order or move it to another game, no questions asked.

You can get into the SFV beta, find out you don't like it. Cancel.

Get into the Division beta or alpha, find out its no good and you don't like it....transfer or just cancel it all together.

How is that not helping you?

"But preordering is dumb"

No what is dumb is knowing you will buy a game day 1, yet ignoring your might be missing out on lots of free content, some times even games based on pre-ordering.

If your not buying day 1, then no need to worry. But us GAMERS actually like playing anticipated games day 1 at midnight and why not get an extra for doing so?

I don't get this stupid, hipster attitude in extras, free content, many times FREE GAMES for pre-ordering as being "dumb" as I don't even understand a damn gamer saying they don't buy day 1, millions and I mean MILLIONS might disagree with you.

Just because you have become jaded with games and can't get why people buy games day 1, doesn't mean its dumb, merely means you not as passionate about games bud. I'm sorry but when there is a game releasing that I just MUST HAVE day 1 at midnight, I'm pre-ordering, finding who is giving the best offer and putting a countdown clock to midnight to play it.

I can't understand someone that finds playing a game day 1 "dumb" or getting free extras or content or even free games as bonuses for pre-ordering a game as um "dumb" why are you even on N4G?

Do you just play games used after the fact? Don't have the money to buy games day 1 and just jealous of those that do? What can excite you about games enough for you to say "its a day 1 for me"?

If they told you, you can get a % off by pre-ordering would it be "dumb" to save money?

Would it be "dumb" to accept free content?

Would it be "dumb" to accept a free game? All for something you where always buying day 1 anyway?

Seriously bud, your bordering extreme hipster on this one lol. I get you may not pre-order, but I don't really buy you don't get the advantages as it legit suggest you don't even play games anywhere NEAR the level of the users on this board who i personally see on PSN or Steam playing games midnight on release, ie the real hardcore crowd.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Never.

[Seraphim]

curtis92. problem with that logic is that you're not giving anyone money at all until the game is released and is in processing to ship. Even if you are putting money down, say the $5 to reserve @ Gamestop or Walmart or whoever, if anywhere still charges that fee it's going to the retailer and not the publisher/developer. The retailer is holding that deposit toward final sale price. If any questions arise you can always cancel the pre-order. At amazon.com that simply means they don't charge my payment method at release and I don't get the game. With the $5 deposit I imagine you put that toward another purchase. I rely on Amazon.com so I do pre-order games I definitely want and plan to play at release. Pre-ordering ensures that I get a copy of the game on release day. All too often I'd went to the store in the past only to find out they didn't get the game or got so few copies it's sold out. With Amazon I always have the game when I want it. With the incredibly rare exception, due to weather, shipments are unable to fly.

[curtis92]

i can understand that. That's never been an issue in my area as there's always copies of new games in stock, whether it's halo, uncharted, fallout 4, etc. So from what I've seen I've never understood preordering. Also a perk of going digital, i guess.

[alfcrippinjr]

never pre order a game they get your money and can keep it for months

this episodic has to stop releasing a game that not a full game crap

maybe they come to sense and will release a full game

[_-EDMIX-_]

The game is actually releasing with around the same number of hits as previous Hitman games and you can actually just wait til they are done adding all the other free missions and buy the disk based version.

I have no clue what all the fuss is about, buy the disk based on a year later and get the full thing, or buy the digital version and play the content as it comes. You don't need to buy it day 1 bud..

No on is forcing you to really do anything and its not even costing you extra.

All they are doing is adding more content...for free mind you.

[Darth_Apathicus]

As i understood, there are going to be only a handful of missions at launch, not the same number of other hitman games and only then, they are going to release the rest little by little. Hitman is one of my favourite franchises and i don't like this way of doing bussiness. Yes, i have the option to not buy it this way and hope they release the disc. It is an experiment to let us pay in advance and the problem is if people support this, we are going to see this kind of practice more and more.
I like more the physical way, but am open and actually have a lot of digital games, the problem with new consoles is they don´t have many hdd space, even if i want to buy Hitman digitally i would have to delete other games and i know this is the feeling of many who complain about it.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Darth- "hope they release the disc" read up on the game first bud, they have confirmed several times they are releasing the game in disk based form after they are done with adding content.

The content that is being added is based on user feed back.....as in it can't be made until the game actually releases and users get to give that feed back.

http://www.gamespot.com/art...

Don't want to downloaded it and wait til those missions are released?

Wait for the disk based version that has all the missions added, also the live events won't likely be included and would be 1 time type deals.

I'm sorry but you have an option bud, don't buy the download version and buy the disk based one and live life. If people support this, good for them. How is that actually hurting you?

Many are having an issue with something that actually doesn't even effect them unless they let it.

YOU DON'T NEED TO BUY THE DIGITAL VERSION. Merely wait til the disk based version released, problem solved.

I have no issue with this practice as your still getting a disk based game, the content is free, its based on user feed back to tailor the game to what users are doing most.

I don't mind this way of doing business at all as you merely could just wait for the full thing on disk.

No one is putting a gun to your head, no one is forcing you etc.

So exactly what is wrong if your actually getting the full thing on disk after its online voting is done?

Its starting to sound as if your merely upset because others choose to get it digitally early and you have to wait for the disk based version (I think as I'm not even sure you knew of a disk based version existing evident by your post)

Read up on whats in this game first as all they are doing is adding free content based on user feed back.

Once again...FREE CONTENT based on user feed back, don't like it, wait for the disk based version and call it a day.

[2pacalypsenow]

You can cancel a Pre order anytime, and the pre order money goes towards the purchase of the game, do you not use a bank because they keep your money and use it?

[lastking95]

I feel much more comfortable now. When it was planned to have a dec release date with not many missions but weekly episodes it come off as a dlc cash grab. Knowing you can jump in paying just 35$ without post launch content or $60 with all post launch content free makes it much more trust worthy. I still won't chance it with a day one buy though. If majority of reviews are good they'll have my purchase.