Spring Break
Good Game: Video game retailers offer additional content along with their games
Fernando Dutra
Issue date: 10/21/08 Section: Focus
As the holiday release schedule begins to pick up speed, retailers are jockeying for consumers money. This week sees the release of "Fable II" and "Wii Music," while next week "Fallout 3" and the delayed "Littlebigplanet" will make their debut. Every week leading up to the release of "Chrono Trigger" for the Nintendo DS will mark the delivery of some triple-A title. Far more interesting, however, is how retailers are trying to make consumers choose their store over those of competitors.
Video game retailer EB Games leads the charge for offering additional content when pre-ordering a game with them this year. This is normally the case, but what is different this year is how they are delivering this content. Though some of what they offer seem minor (like a custom "Gears of War 2" theme for the Xbox Dashboard or "Too Human" armor), anything free is a worthy incentive. Generally, the juggernaut chain offers items like a soundtrack with reservations, which they are continuing to do. "Chrono Trigger" and "Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia" pre-orders will receive a soundtrack, but these are limited to a first-come, first-serve basis. Target's version of "Shaun White Snowboarding" comes with an extra level and additional content for $5 extra. "Prince of Persia" reservations are instantly upgraded to limited edition versions of the game.
The difference this year comes in the form of online, digital distribution. Normally, physical objects, such as soundtracks, art books, shirts, or plush toys, come in limited amounts and are not guaranteed for all consumers. Don't remind me about the 20th anniversary pre-order bonus that was supposed to come with my copy of "Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin." Instead, what EB Games and a few other retailers are doing is offering some form of bonus downloadable content. Some of these are given in slips when someone pre-orders, giving it a physical form, but these can also be e-mailed to the customer, though its only while supplies last. Offerings will become scant after the game has been released.
Video game retailer EB Games leads the charge for offering additional content when pre-ordering a game with them this year. This is normally the case, but what is different this year is how they are delivering this content. Though some of what they offer seem minor (like a custom "Gears of War 2" theme for the Xbox Dashboard or "Too Human" armor), anything free is a worthy incentive. Generally, the juggernaut chain offers items like a soundtrack with reservations, which they are continuing to do. "Chrono Trigger" and "Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia" pre-orders will receive a soundtrack, but these are limited to a first-come, first-serve basis. Target's version of "Shaun White Snowboarding" comes with an extra level and additional content for $5 extra. "Prince of Persia" reservations are instantly upgraded to limited edition versions of the game.
The difference this year comes in the form of online, digital distribution. Normally, physical objects, such as soundtracks, art books, shirts, or plush toys, come in limited amounts and are not guaranteed for all consumers. Don't remind me about the 20th anniversary pre-order bonus that was supposed to come with my copy of "Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin." Instead, what EB Games and a few other retailers are doing is offering some form of bonus downloadable content. Some of these are given in slips when someone pre-orders, giving it a physical form, but these can also be e-mailed to the customer, though its only while supplies last. Offerings will become scant after the game has been released.
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