Oh hun, such a drama queen.

Valenka

Contributor
CRank: 10Score: 93730

Dying Light's [Lack of] Preorder Exclusives

The topic of exclusive content in games has been a two-sided discussion since day one. On one hand, some people find it to be a nice incentive to buy a game on a certain platform or from a certain retailer, while others feel that it is an unnecessary evil that divides the community and allows some players to have access to more content within the game than others. Nine out of ten times, though, those pre-order, retailer or platform exclusive items have proven to be either items that should have been in the game for everyone from the start, or needless accessories like outfits or weapons that one could do without.

With most games, however, these "exclusives" were proven to have a duration. Take Hitman Absolution for example, that had additional weapons and outfits - which were later revealed to only be available in the Contracts Mode of the game - that were divvied up between Best Buy, Walmart and GameStop. A few months down the line, those retailer exclusive items were made available for purchase on the Xbox Marketplace and PSN Store, ultimately defeating the purpose of exclusive content.

Now, I have to admit that sometimes, it's a wonderful thing, when a former exclusive is made available for everyone. I don't necessarily agree with paying extra for what amounts to basically insignificant aesthetics that should have been in the game to start with. But it's great that everyone is given the option to own all content pertinent to the game in question. Even though, like I mentioned in my previous blog in regard to season passes and downloadable content, I still find it insulting that gamers are expected or encouraged to pay more than the MSRP price tag for a title for content to complete the game experience.

Dying Light, a much anticipated title launching in three days, originally offered a rather tantalizing preorder incentive; a PVP mode that allowed players to invade other players' games, a la Watch Dogs, as the Hunter, a Resident-Evil-licker-like zombie that is the deadliest of them all. However, with Techland's European delay fiasco, as an apology and nod of good gesture toward the community, the 'Be the Zombie' mode went from preorder exclusive to open availability for everyone, as well as two out of three season pass items for free to those suffering from the 'agonizing' wait of an additional month for a physical copy of the game.

Which begs the question...did Techland basically just null and void the point of their season pass? I mean, they're giving away two out of the three upcoming DLC to European-territory players (while the North/South Americans must still pay for the content) as an apologetic gesture for the delay. But at the same time, their season pass profits will now be essentially exclusive to North and South America because we're the ones who still have to pay for all three DLC items, even if it's at a 10% discount, which still confuses me. Exactly how much are each individual packs going to cost if buying a $20 season pass only saves you 10%?

However, what I've noticed earlier this week was the GameStop "exclusive" preorder bonus of a weapons pack. If one were to preorder from GameStop, they would receive the GameStop Weapons Pack, featuring three weapons...available from the Ultimate Survivor Pack...which is available to everyone. Let me get this straight...so if I preorder from GameStop, I get three weapons that are included in the Ultimate Survivor Pack, which is one of the three DLC packs for Dying Light. However, if I were to get the season pass, or even the Ultimate Survivor Pack alone, I'd still have to pay full price for the DLC even though I already have access to three of the four weapons included?

The same thing goes for Best Buy; if you preorder Dying Light through Best Buy, you get the Ninja and Secret Agent outfits, both available within the Ultimate Survivor Pack.

In what world does that make sense? I don't know if that's poor marketing on Techland's part or more GameStop and Best Buy stupidity, but I know I will absolutely avoid purchasing any additional content for Dying Light until that hullabaloo gets sorted.

If anyone else has noticed this or any other "preorder exclusive" errors, loop holes or contradictions, please share them in the comment section.

freshslicepizza3754d ago

the people that preorder in the first place are to blame. there really is no need for it in todays times because every game now should be available digitally as well. what your talking about also has to do with promotional deals meaning a store like best buy will advertise the game for them and part of that agreement means they can sell the games with exclusive content to get customers to the store.

how do we counter this and make it fair for everyone since there isn't a best buy in every city or in every country? do we have freebies included if you go to certain store but still offer a full package with all the content for a higher price to anyone? that sound like content being held back to charge more. there is no easy answer other than to make the same game for everyone. that doesn't happen with all games which is why this is brought up. instead they have used goty editions to resell the same game again with all the content included.

what they should really be doing is making digital buying more interesting for the consumer. have that be the game people want in order to get consumers to adopt digital sales. i know those who prefer physical based games (i'm one of them) won't like it but it is these strategies that will make it more appealing. it really is the holy grail for publishers to put there games out there. it cuts out the used market and can reduce piracy. plus you can control your pricing more effectively.

Valenka3754d ago

Well, not everyone wants to buy digital and it's usually for the same reason: you can't trade in or sell a digital game. I always buy physical copies of games primarily to have the game box on my shelf with the rest of my games, but secondary to that in the event that I ever decide to trade-in or sell the game.

Additionally, I'm not entirely sure what your opinion on digital sales has to do with the subject of the blog post. I mean, the point I was trying to make was that these retailers are offering "exclusive" content that A: isn't really exclusive and B: are part of a bundle that will ultimately have to be purchased to obtain the other items included. Which basically means we would end up having to pay for the items we originally got for free just to access the rest of the items from the bundle that the "exclusive" content was taken from.

freshslicepizza3754d ago

i brought up digital because that would be something along the same lines as attracting players much like how best buy is trying to attract consumers to buy it from them. we already see it on some digital games and pre-orders.

i do agree these tactics are not good for anyone other than the parties involved who make such deals. the same thing happens in music, we now see songs being exclusive to itunes or albums from japan getting extra songs. it's just a marketing ploy that again doesn't benefit anyone but those who make such deals.

TFJWM3754d ago (Edited 3754d ago )

I pre-order from best buy because they offer $10 rewards for almost all pre-ordered games. Couple that with Gamer's Club I get pre-ordered games for 38 + tax. Why would I not do it for a game I want?

Any exclusive content is just a nice extra.

Valenka3754d ago (Edited 3754d ago )

Well, it would be $48, not $38, since it's 20% off new software. The Gamer's Club is great if you do business at Best Buy and only Best Buy, to make the annual fee actually worth it.

TFJWM3754d ago (Edited 3754d ago )

48 with the gamers club then
-$10 with the pre-order bonus
=38

I also got the club for 2 years for $30 so that is 3 games in 2 years to make it worth it.

Oops sorry replied to the wrong person

180°

Rockstar's jaw-dropping GTA 6 Trailer 2 was captured on just “PS5”, so PS5 Pro should be even better

According to Rockstar Games, all footage shown in the GTA 6 Trailer 2 video was captured on a “PS5”, not a “PS5 Pro”.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
piroh4h ago

Don't care about PC

My Pro is ready and i'm hyped, 2026 can't come soon enough

Destiny10802h ago

hopefully you'll have upgraded your 8 gig gpu by 2028, when it releases

1h ago
Profchaos2h ago

In 2028 at minimum according to leakers it's estimated that the pc version is 18 months behind the console version.

Also you can bet that if the next gen consoles come in 2027 it's likely they will be given priority over the PC version just like with GTA v where the PS360 version launched first then the PS4/Xbox one and even later the PC version.

Similar thing with GTA IV PC came about 1.5 years later.

It will come to PC but don't hold your breath

1h ago
Profchaos1h ago

Here is the now confirmed legit rumour that states PC is 12 to 18 months behind

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ga...

39m ago
+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 39m ago
ZycoFox5h ago

I don't think there's really going to be a whole lot in it, higher resolution, maybe a bit better on detail here and there? They both have the same CPU and even if Pro runs it better I don't think either console will be more than 30-40fps with dips.

CPU will be a limiting factor, and you can bet R* will want double dippers with console to PC and also console to next gen consoles.

Destiny10802h ago

Pc gamers are going to lose there minds knowing this was captured on a PS5

welcome to reality

1h ago
Goodguy011h ago

No gameplay is lame. But I suppose rockstar usually waits til close to release for a full gameplay breakdown.

Show all comments (19)
50°

Get Up to 85% Off on Various Star Wars Titles for Your Steam Deck in Celebration of Star Wars Day

Celebrate the holiday by getting some of the best Star Wars games compatible with your Steam Deck. Which one is your favorite?

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Little Nightmares III Rated in Singapore, Descriptions Cite Violence and Scares

Little Nightmares III receives an Advisory 16 rating in Singapore. Set in a haunting world, the horror adventure features new protagonists, eerie environments, and disturbing encounters.

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