Over the years, I’ve witnessed an incredible transformation in the gaming world since its humble beginnings decades ago. It’s not just about improved gameplay and visuals; it’s also revolutionized the way we access and enjoy games. I’m thrilled about advancements like streaming games on Xbox Game Pass, playing them on portable devices such as Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, or even experiencing console-quality gaming on my iPad through cloud services.
However, there are aspects of this evolution that rub me the wrong way. For instance, the increasing trend towards microtransactions and loot boxes in games can feel exploitative at times. I miss the days when a game felt complete upon purchase, without the need for additional purchases to unlock content or enhancements.
Recently, something that has ignited my enthusiasm is the persisting practice of charging to access video games ahead of their official release date. I’m not referring to individuals who secretly pay a few extra dollars to the cashier at small stores to acquire an early copy of a game. Instead, I’m discussing the increasing trend among video game publishers who ask for $20-$30 or more to play games a few days before they become officially available. I believe this practice is underhanded and primarily serves as clever marketing, as you’re not actually receiving anything early; you’re just paying more for it.
One of the earliest instances I recall regarding a video game launch happening in 2014 (there might have been earlier ones) is Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Before its official release on November 4th, 2014, Activision offered a special deal for those who pre-ordered the game. They were given the “Day Zero” edition, allowing them to start playing three days earlier, on November 3rd, at no additional cost. This promotion aimed to persuade people into placing their orders ahead of time.
Isn’t it more accurate to call this a standard release rather than an early one, given that it’s become readily available? It seems plausible that people could have easily picked up a copy at their local GameStop store without having pre-ordered. In fact, I’ve heard stories of individuals receiving pre-order bonuses for games they didn’t even pre-order by just asking the clerk. With a major release like Call of Duty, I can hardly imagine that there wouldn’t have been extra copies available.
In subsequent years, games like NBA 2K and Madden NFL adopted a similar strategy. NBA 2K introduced an “early tip-off” weekend for players who pre-ordered, granting them four days of early access. Meanwhile, Madden NFL 18 offered a $79.99 “GOAT Edition” that allowed players to start three days earlier. The following year, NBA 2K19 required the purchase of its $99.99 special edition for the same four days of early access. Since then, these sports games have consistently provided early access through more expensive editions of their games.
It’s not surprising that EA Sports College Football 25 was highly sought after last summer. In fact, during its early access period, EA revealed they had attracted an impressive 2.2 million players. This early access was exclusively available for those who purchased the game’s $99.99 deluxe edition. It’s worth mentioning that the early access isn’t the only perk; there are also additional in-game benefits. However, the early access is undoubtedly the most enticing aspect of the package.
Beyond just sports competitions, it’s now a significant aspect of major video game launches. Titles like Hogwarts Legacy, Starfield, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Star Wars Outlaws are among those that have recently been released with premium early access. Assassin’s Creed Shadows initially planned to offer this feature, but it was scrapped after the game was delayed.
The fuss seems overblown, doesn’t it? The truth is, it feels quite contrived. It’s essentially charging extra money from people who are genuinely eager about a product, but in reality, they aren’t getting the item earlier. Instead, they’re purchasing it on the exact day of release and at a higher price. A few days later, the cost will drop. The versions that critics receive for review are significantly different from what consumers are paying for.
Occasionally, reviewers receive games ahead of their release date, and on some occasions, these games aren’t fully polished. I’ve personally received numerous games prior to their launch for review, and frequently, I’ve found myself playing the game before a day-one update, which often addresses significant issues. The version of Days Gone that I played during the review process was significantly different from the game people experienced at launch, as it benefited greatly from a large day-one patch that rectified numerous problems within the game. In many instances, publishers will also provide a list of known issues they intend to resolve before the game hits the shelves, allowing reviewers to potentially factor these into their coverage.
In most cases, premium early access releases represent the completed game, and those who buy it later often play the same version. There can be exceptions where a game launches in an unfinished state, with or without early access, but generally, you’re receiving the intended product, whether immediately or slightly delayed.
For games like “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” and “Starfield“, it’s especially shrewd. Microsoft is well-aware that most players will primarily access the game via Xbox Game Pass, opting not to purchase a separate copy. This is their chosen business strategy. They’ve discovered, though, that they can entice Game Pass users to pay an additional $30 or so to gain early access. Essentially, these users are buying an upgrade for a game they don’t own, only to play it ahead of schedule via Game Pass. It’s essentially a tactic for Microsoft to squeeze extra funds from these players without them needing to actually own the game.
It’s been suggested that the high development cost of Grand Theft Auto 6 might lead to a higher price tag, given the excitement surrounding its release. However, considering the immense profitability of the game and the potential for continuous revenue from GTA Online, I believe the base price won’t increase significantly. A special edition with early access for $100 could still be possible though.
Instead of jumping in immediately and spending extra cash, it would be beneficial if you could wait a few days before playing the game. This can help curb a harmful trend and send a message to publishers. While it might feel annoying to see others enjoying the game ahead of you, remember that the fewer people who pay for early access, the stronger the statement we make. On a positive note, this practice may slow down the pace at which game prices increase, but publishers have various other ways to generate revenue through items like battle passes, skins, and downloadable content (DLCs).
I’m hoping we can slow down this trend and cease misleading people into believing they are receiving something ahead of time. I’ve attended pre-release screenings of films such as “Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Batman,” and “Joker: Folie a Deux,” which were truly early viewings, occurring a week before the official release. What makes it even better is that these screenings didn’t come with any additional charges. It would be wonderful if the gaming industry wasn’t so transparently grasping for profits at times, but perhaps expecting such modesty might be too optimistic.
Read More
- FLOKI PREDICTION. FLOKI cryptocurrency
- CAKE PREDICTION. CAKE cryptocurrency
- TRB PREDICTION. TRB cryptocurrency
- JTO PREDICTION. JTO cryptocurrency
- XDC PREDICTION. XDC cryptocurrency
- MNT PREDICTION. MNT cryptocurrency
- HBAR PREDICTION. HBAR cryptocurrency
- OKB PREDICTION. OKB cryptocurrency
- Dandadan Shares First Look at Season Finale: Watch
- EUR HUF PREDICTION
2025-01-09 06:10