FNR4 Demo Comes Early For Gamestop Preorders

by pastapadre
Posted March 21st, 2009 at 4:56 pm

fnr40321

I glossed over this when it was initially mentioned in the cover press release however I think it presents an interesting topic to address. Gamestop preorders will have exclusive access to the Fight Night Round 4 demo two weeks before it is released to the general public.

Online Customers: A unique code and instructions to unlock the demo will be emailed one day prior to the demo’s release date.
In-Store Pickup / Store Customers: A Pre-order card with code and instructions to unlock the demo will be available at stores shortly before the demo’s release date.

I’m not a fan of this type of move. Who benefits here? Gamestop does especially and so does EA in securing some additional preorders. The consumers though get absolutely nothing out of this other than the feeling of being forced into an unnecessary preorder restricted to a single retailer. It doesn’t exactly vibe with the recent actions from the company that has garnered goodwill with the community.

Getting down to specifics the Gamestop site states that two week early access will be given for the demo which will be released in early summer. This year summer begins on June 21st. Considering the likely June 30th release date of the game it doesn’t appear they are accurate with that statement. The demo will need to come at the latest by June 11th in this scenario. That would provide the two week buffer and still give everyone else the few days before the game’s release to play it.

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The Radness

SkiHawks, I think you may have misread, your not paying for the demo, your preorder grants you early access to an otherwise free demo available to everyone 2 weeks later

http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

I understand that the demo isn't $5. What I don't understand is why EA thinks this is a good strategy.

My point is that most people who are on the fence in regards to buying FN4 aren't going to go to GameStop and put a pre-order down just to try the game.

Most people who are fans of the series will put a pre-order down and get the demo while most casual gamers may not.

The Radness

SkiHawks, I think you may have misread, your not paying for the demo, your preorder grants you early access to an otherwise free demo available to everyone 2 weeks later

http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

I understand that the demo isn't $5. What I don't understand is why EA thinks this is a good strategy.

My point is that most people who are on the fence in regards to buying FN4 aren't going to go to GameStop and put a pre-order down just to try the game.

Most people who are fans of the series will put a pre-order down and get the demo while most casual gamers may not.

The Radness

Also that picture looks like glass joe from punch-out……..I hope stars appear over their heads
The Radness

Also that picture looks like glass joe from punch-out……..I hope stars appear over their heads
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

But they could get the same result if the demo was released on XBL or PSN…Maybe even better results in terms of people buying it new because more people will have access to the demo….
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

But they could get the same result if the demo was released on XBL or PSN…Maybe even better results in terms of people buying it new because more people will have access to the demo….
Ty

This is a bad move because EA contradicted themselfs on the release dates
http://intensedebate.com/people/TXlongHORNS91 Ty

This is a bad move because EA contradicted themselfs on the release dates
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Sidewinder Sidewinder

OXM still has them but it's already stuff you could have downloaded way ahead of time if you have Live.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Sidewinder Sidewinder

OXM still has them but it's already stuff you could have downloaded way ahead of time if you have Live.
will

everyone knows by now not to expect accurate player models from EA sport. each game is like a video game version of transformers when it comes to bodies, they are just mixed and mashed.
will

everyone knows by now not to expect accurate player models from EA sport. each game is like a video game version of transformers when it comes to bodies, they are just mixed and mashed.
Ken

Are some of you guys just plain STUPID? The demo doesn't COST five bucks! If you pre-order the game as most people do, you will have EARLY ACCESS to the demo before it drops on XBL or PSN. You're not paying five bucks for the demo, you're paying five bucks to reserve the game like you do with any other game! I pre-ordered FN4 already and I'll just have early demo access over the folks that didn't pre-order. What is so hard to understand about that?
Ken

Are some of you guys just plain STUPID? The demo doesn't COST five bucks! If you pre-order the game as most people do, you will have EARLY ACCESS to the demo before it drops on XBL or PSN. You're not paying five bucks for the demo, you're paying five bucks to reserve the game like you do with any other game! I pre-ordered FN4 already and I'll just have early demo access over the folks that didn't pre-order. What is so hard to understand about that?
http://intensedebate.com/people/cabrillo24 cabrillo24

It doesn't hurt the bottom line for EA at all, and the possibility of getting people to purchase the game at this retailer when released increases. I think this is a win win. I hope they do this all across the board.
http://intensedebate.com/people/cabrillo24 cabrillo24

It doesn't hurt the bottom line for EA at all, and the possibility of getting people to purchase the game at this retailer when released increases. I think this is a win win. I hope they do this all across the board.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

I don't understand how this would increase sales. Those that want the game will put a pre-order in. Those that may want to try it won't have a demo to download UNLESS they go to GameStop.

My point is that a downloadable demo on XBL and PSN would provide more exposure for the game instead of gamers who may be on the fence forced to drive to their local GS to put $5 down. Many may not find this appealing.

My opinion is that EA would be best served to put the demo out on XBL and PSN so everyone can try it without the hassle of driving to a GS. Just because someone puts $5 down doesn't necessarily make it a lock purchase.

I guess I don't understand why EA equates a pre-order with a sale. Pre-orders can be cancelled and for the most part the only pre-orders that will be made will be those by fans of the series.

In short, I don't think this makes sense. Most people, I believe, would rather have the download available without having to go to a store to pre-order the game first.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

I don't understand how this would increase sales. Those that want the game will put a pre-order in. Those that may want to try it won't have a demo to download UNLESS they go to GameStop.

My point is that a downloadable demo on XBL and PSN would provide more exposure for the game instead of gamers who may be on the fence forced to drive to their local GS to put $5 down. Many may not find this appealing.

My opinion is that EA would be best served to put the demo out on XBL and PSN so everyone can try it without the hassle of driving to a GS. Just because someone puts $5 down doesn't necessarily make it a lock purchase.

I guess I don't understand why EA equates a pre-order with a sale. Pre-orders can be cancelled and for the most part the only pre-orders that will be made will be those by fans of the series.

In short, I don't think this makes sense. Most people, I believe, would rather have the download available without having to go to a store to pre-order the game first.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

Pasta,

What is the deal if you pre-ordered FN4 a couple of months ago? Would I have to go to my GS to pick up a code? If so, this is another reason why I hate this whole set up.

If GameStop would make an automated call, as they do with pre-orders, providing the code to those that pre-ordered the game prior to this announcement that would be outstanding. Otherwise, I probably won't drive the 25 minutes to get a demo code…
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

Pasta,

What is the deal if you pre-ordered FN4 a couple of months ago? Would I have to go to my GS to pick up a code? If so, this is another reason why I hate this whole set up.

If GameStop would make an automated call, as they do with pre-orders, providing the code to those that pre-ordered the game prior to this announcement that would be outstanding. Otherwise, I probably won't drive the 25 minutes to get a demo code…
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

No one is saying that they are paying for the demo…The minimum pre-order is $5. I think it is stupid that people think that this type of demo release is a good thing. It's not even about business. It is about inconveniencing XBL subscribers who drop $50 a year to GO TO THE STORE TO GET A CODE SO THEY CAN TRY THE DEMO BEFORE THE GAME RELEASES.

If this is the wave of the future, than that is stupid….
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

No one is saying that they are paying for the demo…The minimum pre-order is $5. I think it is stupid that people think that this type of demo release is a good thing. It's not even about business. It is about inconveniencing XBL subscribers who drop $50 a year to GO TO THE STORE TO GET A CODE SO THEY CAN TRY THE DEMO BEFORE THE GAME RELEASES.

If this is the wave of the future, than that is stupid….
Sean

THEY DONT WATCH BOXING LIKE I SAID MONTHS AGO
Sean

THEY DONT WATCH BOXING LIKE I SAID MONTHS AGO
FighterforJC

Would it make you feel better if they didn't give an option to release the demo early? What's wrong with giving consumers an incentive to reserve the game?
FighterforJC

Would it make you feel better if they didn't give an option to release the demo early? What's wrong with giving consumers an incentive to reserve the game?
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

Why not just release the demo early via download instead of inconveniencing consumers? My point is most people that want the game will pre-order it. Those that are on the fence may not want to place a pre-order just to try the demo. I think EA, which has announced since Peter Moore's arrival that they want to appeal to a larger audience, is missing the boat in regards to making the demo available to everyone without the hassle of driving to a GameStop and pre-ordering the game.

Most people wait for the demo to have a chance to try a game and see if it appeals to them prior to purchasing. I just don't see many people who may be on the fence in regards to this title, or any title for that matter, running to their local GameStop to pre-order it so they can try the demo.

For me, a specific example would be Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and The Force Unleashed. These were two games I was not planning on purchasing until I played the demos. If these demos would have been offered the same way that the FN4 demo is being offered I would not have bothered.

I just think that if EA is trying to expand its audience this isn't the most viable way of doing so. It's more of a way to meet a "number".
http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

Why not just release the demo early via download instead of inconveniencing consumers? My point is most people that want the game will pre-order it. Those that are on the fence may not want to place a pre-order just to try the demo. I think EA, which has announced since Peter Moore's arrival that they want to appeal to a larger audience, is missing the boat in regards to making the demo available to everyone without the hassle of driving to a GameStop and pre-ordering the game.

Most people wait for the demo to have a chance to try a game and see if it appeals to them prior to purchasing. I just don't see many people who may be on the fence in regards to this title, or any title for that matter, running to their local GameStop to pre-order it so they can try the demo.

For me, a specific example would be Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and The Force Unleashed. These were two games I was not planning on purchasing until I played the demos. If these demos would have been offered the same way that the FN4 demo is being offered I would not have bothered.

I just think that if EA is trying to expand its audience this isn't the most viable way of doing so. It's more of a way to meet a "number".
http://intensedebate.com/people/MSUFan MSUFan

Wow, can't believe this is coming out in only a few months. Been waiting for yearrrrrrs.
http://intensedebate.com/people/MSUFan MSUFan

Wow, can't believe this is coming out in only a few months. Been waiting for yearrrrrrs.
FighterforJC

Consumers do NOT need to pre-order just to try the demo. They just have to wait a couple of weeks longer.
FighterforJC

Consumers do NOT need to pre-order just to try the demo. They just have to wait a couple of weeks longer.
http://www.sakilhusen.com/ Sakil

He,
A lots of argument here….
But nice ones….
http://www.boxing.com
http://www.sakilhusen.com Sakil

He,
A lots of argument here….
But nice ones….
http://www.boxing.com