Preordering on PC is advantageous because you get to preload it.
Digital versions only though. But that's because games are big downloads these days it's to let people play equally when games release. Because before CD was faster.
I was once skeptical about digital delivery.
But now I am a full convert to it.
There is no reason anymore to buy games on physical media.
Unless you're buying a pirated copy in a flea-market in Eastern Europe.
Steam is in it for the long haul, and even after Steam dies whoever takes up the digital distribution mantle will carry on the licenses we have purchased.
If there is a retail Collector's Edition for a game I want I will always buy the CE. Digital places need to start selling collector's editions and sending people the physical stuff by mail.
I think pre-ordering and purchasing alpha copies are causing signifacant damage to the gaming community, this is why we see all the broken games with endless patches more and more.
Patience is a virtue.
I don't disagree about the alpha releases.
But I doubt if preorders really have an effect on games being released too soon.
They don't do preorders until the developers say the game is ready to go. They can always simply push the release date back instead of sending it to Steam or XBL for release.
I think pre-ordering and purchasing alpha copies are causing signifacant damage to the gaming community, this is why we see all the broken games with endless patches more and more.
Patience is a virtue.
I don't disagree about the alpha releases.
But I doubt if preorders really have an effect on games being released too soon.
They don't do preorders until the developers say the game is ready to go. They can always simply push the release date back instead of sending it to Steam or XBL for release.
I think the more people pre-order than there's more pressure on the developers to realse the game on the time designated and most of the times they release a so called "finished game" in order to satisfy the impatient customers.
But than you find out that the game is far from finished and the endless patches from hell begin.