Stop Preordering Games (This one included)

[JaellaArwana]

For all those complaining about issues, for all those who want in now when the servers are completely broken, for all those who have ever preordered a game and been disappointed by what they got, here is an idea. QUIT PREORDERING GAMES. You are doing no one favors by doing so. The developers have already been paid, the game will still release and you can wait a few weeks to see if the game will suck, has issues or no longer interests you. I know a good chunk of people on here are new players brought on by friends. Honestly all of you should have waited until post launch just to make sure things would have been all right. This is the kind of thing that happens when everyone jumps the gun and has to play it now! Has to get into the game and get all the preorder virtual goodies such as a hat or exclusive mount. People then complain that stuff just ain't working or what they expected.
I knew what to expect on launch day. I knew what to expect during early access. A significant chunk of preorder players are in the game right now, so are many legacy players. Its going to put strain on the system. Does it help that the team responsible for making sure they are maintained is running out of japan, No. But they are trying and having to deal with all the people who preorded that are complaining probably isn't helping them fix the bloody problem...they know there is an issue they are trying to fix it. You could have easily waited 2-3 weeks more before buying the game...and if you say you wouldn't have time to play in 2-3 weeks, why in bloody blazes are you buying a subscription MMO.
Edited: Just had to add that I'm a 1.0 player..so I didn't preorder, but still have to put up with the problems like everyone who did.

[Subucnimorning]

I came here ready to laugh at the post from the title. However I couldn't agree more with all your points. Granted I was one of the frustrated people but bring through many game launches you bring good points.

[Vaer]

Logic? git outa hur

[Pavise]

But.. But.. How else would I be able to obtain a flimsy 10 page art book of the game I intend to buy anyway? (since that's what pretty much every pre order bonus is now a days)

[Wolfie]

Pre-ordering and pre-order bonuses are a disease of the gaming world that plays one of the largest roles in shitty game deliveries. There are almost no other consumer industries where this is a thing.

[rtpsoulx]

I wonder if any of the people complaining tried to play Diablo III on release? lol you straight up couldn't login.. no "servers are down" signs you just could not play, which really sucked since there's a solo play option... just my 2 cents. Keep it up SE I know you'll get it right soon~

[Wolfie]

-snip-

Yes, I played it. The initial login issues combined with shitty itemization and boring gameplay made the game go from world-record-breaking launch day sales figures to a userbase fairly shy of 6 digits over the next month or two. They're slowly climbing out of that hole after getting rid of Jay Wilson.

One thing that always astounds me in the MMO genre is how you have people pointing at the consistent, almost identical failures of every other MMO and the huge initial fan disappointment... and then saying "lol it's ok guys! Everyone else does it!" Like, can nobody fucking figure out that initial impressions are hugely important and that if you have a smooth launch for your AAA game, you will be far ahead of your competition?

[SkyeWindbinder]

I knew what to expect on launch day. I knew what to expect during early access. A significant chunk of preorder players are in the game right now, so are many legacy players. Its going to put strain on the system. Does it help that the team responsible for making sure they are maintained is running out of japan, No. But they are trying and having to deal with all the people who preorded that are complaining probably isn't helping them fix the bloody problem...they know there is an issue they are trying to fix it. You could have easily waited 2-3 weeks more before buying the game...and if you say you wouldn't have time to play in 2-3 weeks, why in bloody blazes are you buying a subscription MMO.

[Redgate]

One thing that always astounds me in the MMO genre is how you have people pointing at the consistent, almost identical failures of every other MMO and the huge initial fan disappointment... and then saying "lol it's ok guys! Everyone else does it!" Like, can nobody fucking figure out that initial impressions are hugely important and that if you have a smooth launch for your AAA game, you will be far ahead of your competition?

But that sounds like a good idea, so why the hell would we do that?

[GefilteFish]

Preorders are fine if executed correctly. They allow the company to get an estimate of the number of players they need to accommodate. The problem comes when people wait to preorder until the week before release. Then the numbers are off and stability issues ensue.

Three ways to adjust:
-Limit number of preorders available. Worst option, would make release just as bad.
-Cut off date for preorders. Might not give an accurate picture of interest. But gives incentive to preorder soon enough to make plans for server traffic.
-Tiered early access. Other games have done this. It adds an incentive to preorder as soon as possible, making number of orders more accurate. If people want to wait to try the open beta before committing money, they have the option, but don't get as much pre-release time.

If they didn't do preorder, we'd have the same issues on official release day or when people finally decide to play the game a month down the road. (See WoW during WotLK)