Can't use the word "buy" if you can't actually buy the thing.
this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2026
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If I were going to make an argument for pre-ordering digital games, the only one I can think of is basically that you can pre-download the game.
Instead of waiting on a 300GB download when the game launches, you simply get a quick patch (probably a few KB in size) to actually activate the game files that you have already downloaded ahead of time. It means your wait is only a minute or two, instead of potentially hours (depending on your local internet speeds).
Maybe if it allowed access to an open beta ahead of the official launch date. I’ve seen a few games do things like that, where the full game releases on {date}, but pre-orders can play the open beta starting like two weeks ahead of time. If it’s something like a competitive game where familiarity with the in-game systems will matter, having access to that beta could be valuable. Even if the systems get updated for the final launch, you’re simply reading patch notes and adjusting your play-style accordingly. But everyone who didn’t pre-order is starting from 0.
That’s literally the only justification I can think of. Because yeah, the pre-order bonus content stuff is almost always artificially gated (it could just be available for everyone right from the start) and will almost certainly be made available to everyone at a later date anyways.
Sure but that leaves no valid reason to pre-order a few months before launch, instead of a few days.
Ok, I got one! You're in the process of declaring bankruptcy, your credit card is about to be revoked, and if you pre-order the game now, the cost will be included in the credit cards that get zeroed out. Even better, unlike a physical game, there's nothing for the court to seize!
A fringe benefit of digital games - they have no monetary value, therefore they can never be seized by courts to pay debts and fines! They're bankruptcy and judgment proof!
Or really, any scenario where you have the ability to pay now, won't have the ability to pay later, but can still get some benefit from it in the future.