I get what Square Enix is trying to do, but at the same time, I understand why people are mad at this. I mean, pre-order incentives and stuff are already getting out of hand, and this one -- if it works -- might just open up a whole new can of worms.
Do I support this? Nah, not one bit. Giving more pre-order bonuses is a good idea, but releasing Deus Ex: Mankind Divided earlier than usual IF people pre-order enough is just...I dunno, stupid? Just get the game out earlier if that's the case and don't act like you're doing gamers a favor, yeah?
I love Square Enix's tier-based pre-orders with this game, because it means they can make more money while none of it is my money, because I don't pre-order. Good stuff!
I will say that I don't see the reason for the huge uproar. If you want to get the perk of playing the game 4 days early, then convince all your friends to pre-order. If you don't care about that, then just wait until the game launches and purchase it. I understand that a lot of people aren't all that happy with Square Enix in general lately, but I see no real fault in this tactic.
It seems like every three months the online community is set ablaze with people vowing to never pre-order games again. They even draft up petitions to feel like they are making a difference! However, this anger quickly subsides as they continue to pre-order games. This isn't the first time that fans vow to stop pre-ordering, and it won't be the last. Because how else will they get some meaningless side-quest in a game?
I should just copy and paste Heath's reply. I don't pre-order so I don't understand the fuss. People need to vote with their wallets and be done with it. A certain group within the gaming community doesn't understand that actions speak louder than angry tweets. And if developers are successful in implementing these strategies then it means that a significant proportion of people are fine with them. In that case, the only advice I have is to shut up.
Cam has it on point there. If you care that much pay the extra. If you don't.. Then don't. It's an incentive thing for big fans, not a necessity?
I usually leave the pre-ordering to people willing to take that chance, since, as history as shown, it's not always a safe purchase. The problem here is that Square Enix is essentially saying it's able to release the game four days early, but locking it behind a pre-order campaign. I think it's gross that they're asking people to earn something like that. It says a lot about the really troubling relationship game companies and game players have. It's the manipulative pre-order culture pushed a little further. I understand why it exists, but I just want to play the game.
Incentives are a part of business. On the one side, we can call Square greedy and terrible people. On the other we can understand that games are on no way the only businesses that do this. In fact, if not enough people order, we're not out anything. Release goes according to plan and that's that. It's like a sales incentive. Do well, get a bonus. Don't, and maintain the status quo. Still don't want to pre-order games? Just don't then.