Preorder deals and bonuses (updated)

[Maawdawg]

The last “Mom & Pop” video game store near me folded ages ago, it was owned by one of my friend’s parents, it was also half paintball shop and they sponsored our team. I wish I still had a local place where I knew the people running it that I could grab games from, it was far better service than I get now and you weren’t just feeding money into corporate wallet A, B, or C. There is just nothing left here (or in most places, actually). Within 20 miles of my house I have 5 (6 maybe?) Gamestops, 2 Walmarts, 2 Targets, a Toys R Us, and a BestBuy. If you extend that range to 45 miles or so you could easily double all those store numbers but there still isn’t a locally owned shop anywhere in that range either.

[shadowkungfu]

I just finished a call with Walmart.

They failed to update the PS3 page with the new information, which is why the delivery dates are off.

It will be within 48 hours be like the 360 page, which has Standard Shipping delivery date on the 10th for $.97

Glad I called.

[Maawdawg]

[QUOTE=jfunk;279254]To be fair, you brought up choosing a store for righteous reasons first.

But back on topic, I’m not sure if you addressed this before but I wanted to ask why you don’t just buy it online from a digital distributor?[/QUOTE]

Not really, I responded to someone else remarking about Walmart over Gamestop on the first page and it has gone from there.

I did buy online from Walmart and I have purchased from Amazon before if the deal was significantly better than anything local. Ordering from one of the main chains online it is at least a business with local stores that is at least partly supporting the economy in my area by employing people, and the sales tax goes to the state.

That isn’t the deciding factor though. If it comes down to a sizable disparity in price I am not going to worry about that small portion that ends up local and lose that savings myself, but if it is a slight difference I will support the store that at least has some local presence. If one big corporation is going to save me $20 over another than I will go with that because there is no store/customer loyalty at all from any of them. All things being equal though I will choose the one that is at least a local presence to at least get a portion of that into the local economy, if only in a trickle down sense.

EDIT: updated the OP to reflect the option of release date delivery from Amazon.

[jfunk]

[QUOTE=Maawdawg;279261]Not really, I responded to someone else remarking about Walmart over Gamestop on the first page and it has gone from there.

I did buy online from Walmart and I have purchased from Amazon before if the deal was significantly better than anything local. Ordering from one of the main chains online it is at least a business with local stores that is at least partly supporting the economy in my area by employing people, and the sales tax goes to the state.

That isn’t the deciding factor though. If it comes down to a sizable disparity in price I am not going to worry about that small portion that ends up local and lose that savings myself, but if it is a slight difference I will support the store that at least has some local presence. If one big corporation is going to save me $20 over another than I will go with that because there is no store/customer loyalty at all from any of them. All things being equal though I will choose the one that is at least a local presence to at least get a portion of that into the local economy, if only in a trickle down sense.

EDIT: updated the OP to reflect the option of release date delivery from Amazon.[/QUOTE]

I don’t think ordering from Walmart online is going to help your local Walmart store stay in business necessarily. More online ordering would only encourage them to cut back on local store staffing.

On the other hand, ordering from a digital distributor like Steam or D2D puts much more of the money directly in the pockets of the people that actually made the game. And if you’re really worried about the tax money, you could always claim it on your income tax form like you’re supposed to.

Not preaching, just my .02. If helping the game industry is the most important factor (outside of the best deal), digital distribution is the way to go.

[Herandar]

[QUOTE=Nail;279253]Mind you, one of them is really pushing Brink, seems I found my store thanks to this thread

http://www.playntrade.com/default.aspx[/QUOTE]

Just checked it, and the store nearest to me is closed. Dukes, I live in a wasteland.

Also, I edited my above post about Amazon. Think it might be missed since this tread has been active.

[Maawdawg]

On the other hand, ordering from a digital distributor like Steam or D2D puts much more of the money directly in the pockets of the people that actually made the game.

This is true but since I am buying a console copy digital distribution isn’t an option for me this time. When I buy it for PC down the road it will definitely be through Steam.

[jfunk]

This is true but since I am buying a console copy digital distribution isn’t an option for me this time. When I buy it for PC down the road it will definitely be through Steam.

Ahh, gotcha. I didn’t realize we were talking console. I must have missed that part.

Maybe soon it won’t matter. With Portal 2 begins Steam on consoles and cross-platform play. Can’t wait to play FPS’s against people using controllers. It’ll be just like back in the day when people were jumping in Quakeworld on keyboard…lol.

[Herandar]

On the other hand, ordering from a digital distributor like Steam or D2D puts much more of the money directly in the pockets of the people that actually made the game.

Are you sure about that? Why would Steam take a smaller cut that any other retailer?

[jfunk]

Are you sure about that? Why would Steam take a smaller cut that any other retailer?

Because they don’t have the overhead (land, building, staff, etc.) and it encourages companies to sell through them. There is also the money saved on packaging, shipping, etc.

I’m sure the deals vary from company to company, but I believe in general the cut is about 30% for Steam vs. 60% for a retail store (again this doesn’t even count the money the publisher saved on retail packaging and stuff).

Here’s one the many articles where somebody discusses it:

http://www.mcvuk.com/features/808/OPINION-Retail-vs-Steam

They bottom line of that whole post from 1C is summed up here:

“To recap: on a sale over the counter today, we can have our £3 by the end of March, or on a digital sale, we can have £20 by Christmas.”

[Herandar]

[QUOTE=jfunk;279272]Because they don’t have the overhead (land, building, staff, etc.) and it encourages companies to sell through them. There is also the money saved on packaging, shipping, etc.

I’m sure the deals vary from company to company, but I believe in general the cut is about 30% for Steam vs. 60% for a retail store (again this doesn’t even count the money the publisher saved on retail packaging and stuff).[/QUOTE]

Seems to me that it is just a good business decision by Steam to give more profits back to the developer/publisher than a rule based on the cost realities, but I agree that it is the way Steam runs, and therefore, other online retailers probably follow suit, or lose the business. Thank you for the link.

[jfunk]

Seems to me that it is just a good business decision by Steam to give more profits back to the developer/publisher than a rule based on the cost realities, but I agree that it is the way Steam runs, and therefore, other online retailers probably follow suit, or lose the business. Thank you for the link.

The cost differences are not trivial. Think about it. After the publisher has shipped the product to the retailer (don’t forget, they’ve already spent a bunch of money pressing DVDs, printing packaging, and shipping at this point), the retailer now has it in their warehouse.

This is a warehouse they either own or rent, and is staffed by a bunch of people who have to break that shipment up and load it on trucks. Those truck drivers then deliver to the retail store (also rented or built by the company), where stock clerks unload the truck and put the stuff on shelves. Then a security guard watches you as you wander around the store and pick up the game, which you then buy from a cashier who prints a paper receipt and puts the game in a plastic bag for you to take home.

All of this has to happen instead of simply uploading the files to Steam’s servers.

[Nail]

gee, you think maybe they pass those costs to the customer, and if that translates to 30% of the cost, why do I pay the same from Steam, if that distribution is less costly, why do I pay brick and mortar store costs with a cloud store ?

[jfunk]

gee, you think maybe they pass those costs to the customer, and if that translates to 30% of the cost, why do I pay the same from Steam, if that distribution is less costly, why do I pay brick and mortar store costs with a cloud store ?

Yeah, that’s the whole point. You pay the same amount, but that 30% they didn’t pay a retail store goes to the people that actually made the game for you instead of Walmart.

That’s why game makers love digital distribution, they make a ton more money selling the game to you at the same price.

Steam is happy because they made the same 30% profit that Walmart would have (the other 30% Walmart took went to paying for all that “physical crap” Steam doesn’t have to deal with) and the publisher is happy because that magical extra 30% goes right in their pocket.

Thus…developing and publishing games becomes a more profitable business, so more people make more games for you and me.

[jfunk]

Don’t forget that “magical” 30% is also what makes it so easy for them to have HUGE sales pretty much constantly. I don’t even know the last time I paid full price for a game. If you’re willing to wait a little while, everything will be available at probably at least 30% off sometime within the first 6 months it’s out, or more. Most of the games I own on Steam I bought at 50% off on a weekend or holiday sale.

Online games like this are really the only thing I’ll pay full price for at launch now (because it kinda sucks to miss launch on an online game…it’s like you’re “out of the loop” when you jump in a few months later).

[Nail]

Brick and mortar stores contribute more to my local economy though, My neighbor can feed his 3 kids and 2 beagles because he has employment there, how does Steam contribute ?

[Shadowcat]

Brick and mortar stores contribute more to my local economy though, My neighbor can feed his 3 kids and 2 beagles because he has employment there, how does Steam contribute ?

So the dilemma here is really if you want to give more money to the developers, or give more money to your neighbors. If its the same price to the consumer either way, that’s the only real difference.

[jfunk]

Indeed, you’re not giving any money to your local workers when you buy from a digital distributor, although the value of actually supporting companies like Walmart in your local community can be debated as well. The long term impact of these megastores on local economies is anything but unquestionably positive.

Many of those employed by Walmart may have lost similar higher paying jobs when their previous employer was forced out of business. Many of them can only afford to feed said family by handing most of that paycheck right back to Walmart since they can’t afford to shop at higher priced stores if any still exist. Walmart has chewed up, bled dry, and vacated it’s fair share of towns as well. You’d probably be doing the best thing for your local community long term if you never bought anything from them and helped contribute to their leaving sooner rather than later. Shop at your local bakeries, farm stands, and hardware stores instead of Walmart or Home Depot and you’ll be doing a heck of a lot more for your community than buying your game at Walmart vs. D2D/Steam.

This is all a much bigger debate though, that enough hard data may not actually exist to determine one way or the other.

As far as the game industry is concerned though, buying digital distribution is unquestionably the best thing for it. More cash directly into the hands of the people that make games, bottom line. None into your local community though, for sure (claim those sales taxes when you’re filing though, kids!).

[Weeohhweeohh]

[quote=jfunk;279308]indeed, you’re not giving any money to your local workers when you buy from a digital distributor, although the value of actually supporting companies like walmart in your local community can be debated as well. The long term impact of these megastores on local economies is anything but unquestionably positive.

Many of those employed by walmart may have lost similar higher paying jobs when their previous employer was forced out of business. Many of them can only afford to feed said family by handing most of that paycheck right back to walmart since they can’t afford to shop at higher priced stores if any still exist. Walmart has chewed up, bled dry, and vacated it’s fair share of towns as well. You’d probably be doing the best thing for your local community long term if you never bought anything from them and helped contribute to their leaving sooner rather than later. Shop at your local bakeries, farm stands, and hardware stores instead of walmart or home depot and you’ll be doing a heck of a lot more for your community than buying your game at walmart vs. D2d/steam.

This is all a much bigger debate though, that enough hard data may not actually exist to determine one way or the other.

As far as the game industry is concerned though, buying digital distribution is unquestionably the best thing for it. More cash directly into the hands of the people that make games, bottom line. None into your local community though, for sure (claim those sales taxes when you’re filing though, kids!).[/quote]

+1

Very well said.

[Nail]

So the dilemma here is really if you want to give more money to the developers, or give more money to your neighbors. If its the same price to the consumer either way, that’s the only real difference.

no dilemma, I just want my $18 , neighbors kids are annoying and the dogs crap on my lawn

:stroggtapir:

[Seyu]

jfunk did a good job of explaining things, I won’t reiterate those points.

[QUOTE=Maawdawg;279247]
Yes, I specifically tailored this purchase for the benefit of my interests, as did EVERYONE who made their purchase. Sometimes you just have to choose the lesser of evils, kind of like voting for politicians. [/QUOTE]
And since everyone did that, it is justifiable that you too followed suit, eh? When the choice is between two evils, it is better not to choose at all. Or do you think that buying a video game is as important as electing a politician?

I suppose all your purchases are from locally owned shops, your food comes from all local farmstands, and it is all done using only local labor and materials though?..

That is indeed true. As you may know, people living in countries outside North America and Europe don’t have much of a choice in this matter.

…otherwise move along and take your preaching attitude and insinuations that what I choose to do with my money is wrong with you.

The fact that people choose to give their money to these places or support wars on matters that don’t concern them doesn’t bother me in the least. I was calling you out on your hypocrisy.

I mean, why should it matter to you if Gamestop damages the gaming industry? Things like Project Ten Dollar will become the norm and since you don’t indulge in used games, you would remain unaffected by the measures publishers take to combat them. Maybe the smaller publishers/developers would have to close shop and only the bigger ones would stay afloat, just as how it has been with Wal-Mart in retail. The closure of some obscure studio you didn’t know anything about should be of no concern to you, right?
All that you are doing right now is making a purchase from a different store and feeling self-righteous, as if this ‘choosing lesser of evils’ bull is the best you could do in the situation.