For pre-ordering or not is a question for you to decide.
For pre-ordering or not is a question for you to decide.
It doesn't always come down to ethics, it's just common sense. When you order a game—often priced higher than its initial launch cost—and discover issues after two or more hours, you won't qualify for a refund under Steam's updated policy. Waiting until the game is released, typically at a lower price, means you're risking less money. Ideally, by then there are usually enough reviews, critiques, and discussions to help you decide if it's worth playing. Even with pre-order perks, you might find cheaper alternatives later or earn them through gameplay. If the bonus content or DLC remains locked behind a pre-order barrier, it could divide players, as some have noted.
The issue lies with titles such as Mortal Combat X when characters are restricted behind pre-order barriers. It’s reasonable to suggest alternatives like posters or discounts on DLC, but keeping content locked behind these walls is ineffective. The excessive use of “please pre-order” messages feels misguided and unrealistic. If you order early, it means you expect value before release—something that often doesn’t happen. Pre-ordering usually signals acceptance of the developer’s approach rather than a genuine offer. It’s frustrating when people expect free access or discounts without reciprocating financially. The real goal should be clear communication: developers need to understand that their efforts won’t pay off unless they deliver quality content. Pre-ordering has shifted from a simple copy reservation to a tactic of pressuring buyers with promises, which many now see as manipulative.
I understand what everyone is saying. I don’t always pre-order every game I want, but titles like GTA V and Fallout 4 (maybe) definitely project the cars I expect. I had the funds before each release (around two weeks prior) and did pre-order them. I only pre-order games I’m certain I’ll get. Now let’s talk about games launching with major issues—agreed, (you too, Ubisoft), we shouldn’t overlook how some titles perform well at launch only to have bugs pile up months later after patches. I just got Mortal Kombat; even though I never pre-ordered it, buying after release felt risky, but I’m glad with it. And honestly, if I had the budget then, I’d probably have ordered it and would have been caught off guard. Maybe it’s just the way my old console side has shifted to PC now.”