The only game I've ever done that for in any way was Pillars of Eternity, and that was because I never expected the Kickstarter to succeed so explosively.

The only game I've preordered in the last like 5 years is Pikmen 4, and only because I enjoyed the demo so much.

I don't pre-order really but I do get tempted with 18% off pre-order deals at various PC shops online

I started waiting for like a year after release. I don't have as much time to play anymore.

Preordering is 100% why the last console gen was full of half-assed releases. It has to stop.

I don't even play half the games I buy. I just pre-order them so I get the cool goodies that come with the game like art books, metal cases, tapestries, etc.

What about pre-ordering for pickup? That way you have a guaranteed copy, but don't have to put anything down.

I have never pre-ordered a game.

I have however pre-ordered collectables which "come with a game" (despite the collectables likely being more than the game) or the privilege of being able to hang out with my friends at midnight to collect a game on release. And of those games Halo 2, Halo 3, and Battlefield 3 were the only 3.

These days there is even less reason to pre-order, but where I lived and the local small game shop, sometimes the only way to get a game within the first MONTH of release was a pre-order, where the store would literally..... Pre order. Its not a pre-order for you at the store, its the store ordering it from the distributor / publisher.

The very first game i ever purchased on Steam was a game where i went in for the 3rd week in a row and they said "sorry, still not had any come in for re-stock".

And now even more than ever is a BETTER time to pre-order. "Back in my days" good fucking luck being able to return a game if the 7 seals of security purity were not damaged. now, almost universal refunds for digital goods from most of the major game platform hosts.

Wait, Alan Wake 2 is finally coming? Didn‘t know it was actually still being developed.