Why Not To Rush Out On Release Day - TimmeH's Blog

TimmeH's Blog

Why Not To Rush Out On Release Day

Posted on August 25, 2011 at 05:44 PM.

It never fails. Every year around this time, NCAA Football and Madden are released to the masses, and a very vocal minority of those masses loses days worth of sleep to litter these forums with BOLDED, CAPS-LOCKED threads laced with vulgarities about "Gamekillers", how they wasted their $60, and why they deserve better. The companies who manufacture high blood pressure medication love it, Operation Sports moderators...not so much.

The problem is not EA. The problem is the impatience of gamers. We get so excited over a game that we need to have it on release day - if not sooner - because it's going to be the greatest thing since Sliced Bread #2.

I constantly see the $60 price tag being thrown around in these angst-filled threads. "I just wasted $60," "This game isn't worth $60," "I deserve my $60 back," etc.

First off, if you're paying $60 for NCAA or Madden and that bothers you in any way, you should probably learn to shop around. Every year, there's plenty of pre-order and release-week deals that typically knock $20 off that price.

And secondly, if the $60 is that much of a hit to your bank account, then don't blindly rush out to buy a $60 product! Wait a few days and see others reactions. Video game sites might provide reviews, but the feedback that matters to a hardcore gamer will come straight from these message boards. We are the ones that overplay the games to the point that we see all the little flaws. Wait a few days, see what bugs others uncover, and then determine if it's really worth your $60.

If you don't trust other's opinions, there's still other ways to test the game yourself before taking the plunge. Rent it, Gamefly it, go over to a buddy's house who bought it on release day, or even head to your local BestBuy or GameStop where they're bound to have a kiosk with Madden. Sure, you may have to drop $10 to rent it, but if you're going to waste money, $10 is better than $60.

I understand that companies releasing games that appear to be unfinished is a problem. I believe this is more business related than anything else. Companies are trying to do more with less while still meeting deadlines, and with the addition of patches into the console gaming world, it's that much easier for companies to force a game to retailers too soon with the mindset of "We'll just patch this in a few weeks." Again, use research to your advantage. If pre-patched Madden doesn't sound playable to you, then wait until after the next patch and reassess the situation.

Buying video games should be no different than any other big purchase one would make. When I purchased my TV, I didn't just walk into Best Buy and go "I want that one!" Rather, I looked at them in person, did a bunch of research online in regards to the specs, read a ton of customer reviews, compared prices, etc. Why should video games be any different?

Gamers are oftentimes blind to the entire aspect of shopping around and making sure products are as advertised. We buy video games the same way our grandparents buy the latest As Seen On TV crap on infomercials. "Oh, that looks cool, I think I'll buy that," only to be disappointed later.

You are not entitled to a five-star video game. I hate 75% of the movies my girlfriend drags me too, but I don't go to the counter afterward and demand my money back. I voluntarily paid for a product that I didn't like, and I have to live with that.

I understand that EA has a monopoly of sorts on football gaming. If you want new football games, it's EA or nothing. Does that suck? Yes. But that doesn't mean you should be spending $60 on a product that three days later you will proclaim sucks and isn't even half as good as NFL 2k5. Do your research beforehand, and if you deem NFL 2k5 is a better game, then skip Madden and keep playing it! You'll save $60 on the game and a lifetime of co-pays for Avapro. Not to mention, EA not getting your $60 will speak much louder than your words on a message board anyways.

Comments

# 1 statum71 @ Aug 25

I'm with ya on most of this. But personally I think the problem is the gamers expectation for a "perfect" game.

Games are gonna have bugs.....PERIOD!!!!! Thats why I don't start season right away. Eventually, a patch will come out. Meanwhile I can still enjoy it. Plus, I have other games to enjoy and other things to do. Its no big deal.

That said......I'll be getting Madden on day 1.