It started with Oblviions' downloadable content for a price, now this taking it a step further. http://gaming.monstersandcritics.co...e-order_Lost_Odyssey_to_secure_the_full_game_ If there was ever an instance of a publisher angling to secure unit sales for a game it’s not overly confident in - then the following nugget of Microsoft-related gaming news is clearly it… For those faithful Aussie fans of Blue Dragon (the failed Mistwalker-created RPG that was supposed to be Microsoft’s ‘great white hope’ in cracking the Japanese market), Mistwalker’s latest upcoming RPG offering Lost Odyssey will arrive with a price that outreaches the conventions of traditional retail labelling. Specifically, Australian game site GamePlayer is reporting that if expectant consumers do not pre-order Lost Odyssey prior to release, they will not actually receive the game in its entirety. Pre-ordered copies of the game will come complete with a special redemption card enabling the user to download two pieces of in-game content that will not be available to ‘regular’ buyers. The first piece of content is described as ‘The Forgotten Song,’ which allows the player to view "a fresh reflection of a dream" after the song is found at Virno’s Tavern in Uhra - this could well be a significant element in the game, especially considering that lead protagonist Kaim suffers from amnesia and is looking to rebuild his past through such recollections. The second piece of content only available through pre-order is the ‘Master’s Secret Script,’ which allows players to access "Weapon Guard 2," a defensive gameplay enhancement that will make Lost Odyssey more welcoming to those greener players not particularly well versed with the complexities of RPG combat. While neither pieces of pre-order content is likely to ruin or compromise the overall Lost Odyssey experience, it’s somewhat suspect that Microsoft is willing to hack off gameplay details in an attempt to draw consumers towards a product that might not fair very well in the post-Christmas cool down period. Plus, how is Microsoft serving those customers who decide to pre-order the game but then cannot access the content because they don’t have Xbox Live connections? And what can we expect if this particular tactic pays off for Lost Odyssey and Microsoft by boosting its projected sales figures - EA offering download access to only half the available cars in the next Need for Speed if the game isn’t pre-ordered? As it is, Lost Odyssey, which has been crafted exclusively for the Xbox 360 by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, is due for release in Australia on February 07. It is unclear whether this pre-order condition will run over into the US (Feb 12) and Europe (Feb 29).
Pre-orders are stupid. I have only bought 2 games I have preordered. Dead Rising and ... a Nintendo DS which isn't technically a game. Who cares about sorry ass RPGs anyway. Preorders are for suckers.
This isn't like preordering at Gamestop dude just for the crap of it. You get some excllsuive content if you get off your ass and commit to buying the game early. What's wrong with that? It's not like preorderers are losing any money buy preordering.
Pre orders are sorta like rebates... they take the money and earn interest off of it... that's good business