How Does Preordering a Game on Amazon Work?
Preordering a game on Amazon is a straightforward process that allows you to secure a copy of a highly anticipated title before its official release date. Essentially, you’re reserving the game in advance, ensuring you’ll receive it around the time it becomes available. The actual mechanism of this process varies slightly depending on whether you’re preordering a physical copy or a digital download, but the core principle remains the same: you’re making a purchase for a product that is not yet available but will be delivered to you upon release.
When you preorder a game on Amazon, you’re not instantly charged, with a few exceptions which are addressed below in the FAQs. For physical games, Amazon will often dispatch your order in advance so that it arrives on the release date, provided you choose an eligible delivery option like Standard, One Day, or Premium Delivery. This means Amazon manages its logistics to get the game to your doorstep as close to the moment it’s officially out, sometimes even the same day. For digital games, you’re given access to a download page awaiting content. When the game is released, you’ll receive an email confirming that your payment method was successfully charged and you can then download and play the game.
Furthermore, Amazon’s Pre-Order Price Guarantee offers a significant benefit. This means if the game’s price drops between the time you place your order and the time it ships (or when digital content is released), you will be charged the lower price. This gives customers peace of mind, knowing they are getting the best deal possible on their pre-ordered game.
In summary, preordering a game on Amazon is a convenient way to ensure you’re among the first to play it, often at a guaranteed low price, with delivery timed for the release date or digital access granted on launch day.
Physical vs. Digital Pre-Orders
Physical Games
When you preorder a physical game, Amazon will aim to deliver it to you on the official release date. This is achieved by dispatching the game slightly earlier so that it arrives on the expected day, when you choose standard delivery, one-day or premium delivery. This means Amazon does its best to coordinate shipping and logistics so that your game arrives promptly on its release date. Remember, this only applies to items offering Release-Date Delivery and using the eligible shipping options. If you select a slower shipping method or if a delivery is not possible in your region for that product, your game may arrive some days after its launch.
Digital Games
Preordering digital games on Amazon works slightly differently. When you preorder a digital game, you’re essentially reserving the right to download it on the release date. You’ll receive a confirmation email and the game will be added to your library as a blank download page, meaning you will not be able to download or access it until the game launches. On the release day, Amazon will charge your payment method, and you’ll be able to download and play the game. Additionally, digital pre-orders come with the Pre-Order Price Guarantee, ensuring you’re charged the lowest price available between the time you placed the order and the time the game is released.
FAQs About Preordering Games on Amazon
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on the process of preordering games on Amazon:
1. Does Preordering Guarantee I’ll Get the Game on Release Day?
For physical games offering Release-Date Delivery, Amazon does its best to ensure you receive the game on the release date. However, this depends on your chosen delivery option and your location, as well as logistics. For digital pre-orders, you’ll be able to download and play the game on release day as long as your payment is successfully processed.
2. When Am I Charged for a Pre-ordered Game?
If you use Amazon account credit, you’ll be charged immediately. If you use a credit card or split your payment between credit card and account balance, you’ll be charged around 10 days before the game launches. However, with many physical goods, you are generally charged only when the item is ready to ship. With digital pre-orders, the charge is processed on the release date itself and upon successful charge, the content will become available to download and play.
3. Can I Cancel My Pre-order?
Yes, you can cancel your pre-order any time before the release date for any reason. Amazon provides this flexibility, allowing you to change your mind without penalty. You’ll find a cancellation option in your Amazon order history. However, after release, all games developed or published by Amazon games are generally non-refundable.
4. What Is the Pre-Order Price Guarantee?
Amazon’s Pre-Order Price Guarantee ensures you get the lowest price available between the time you place your order and the time the item is shipped or the digital content is released. If the price drops, you’ll be refunded the difference. This guarantee provides peace of mind when preordering.
5. Do Pre-orders Ever Arrive Early?
While Amazon aims for delivery on the release date, there are occasional instances where orders may arrive earlier. However, this is not the norm, and Amazon usually times its shipments to arrive on the release date as closely as possible. Delivery time estimates are estimates and not guarantees.
6. What Happens If My Payment Fails?
If your payment method fails to process when you’re charged for a digital pre-order, your pre-order will be canceled. Ensure your payment details are up-to-date to avoid this issue.
7. Is it Better to Pre-order or Wait?
This is a matter of personal preference. Pre-ordering ensures you get the game on release day, and you can take advantage of price guarantees. However, waiting may allow you to read reviews and see how the game performs. The choice is ultimately yours and depends on how eager you are to play the game on day one.
8. Do I Get Bonus Content With Pre-Orders?
Sometimes, pre-ordering a game comes with exclusive bonus content such as in-game items or early access to content. These bonuses vary by game and will be advertised on the product page. This may add additional value to pre-ordering.
9. How Long Do Pre-orders Usually Last?
Pre-orders typically last from a few weeks to a couple of months. While some may last longer, most pre-orders happen within a couple of months of the game’s release to maintain consumer interest.
10. How do I know if an item is eligible for Release-Date Delivery?
For physical goods, you will find it specified on the product page as part of its listing on Amazon if the item is eligible for Release-Date delivery.
11. Can I keep Amazon Prime games?
Yes, your Amazon Prime membership gives you Prime Gaming, which includes a rotating selection of free games that you can download and keep forever each month. This is separate from pre-ordering games.
12. Can Amazon Cancel my Preorder?
Yes, Amazon can cancel your pre-order at any time before the release date for any reason. However, this is rare. You’ll typically receive notification if this happens.
13. What Happens To My Game Library if I Cancel My Prime Membership?
You will still be able to download and play any games you previously claimed through Amazon Prime Gaming, even after cancelling your Amazon Prime membership.
14. Do preorders guarantee a copy?
Yes, pre-ordering guarantees a copy of the game, whether physical or digital, ensuring you can have it on or around release day, or have it in your account to play day 1 if digital.
15. Do Preorders Charge Before Shipping?
For physical goods, you’ll usually be charged once your item is prepared for shipping if you use a credit or debit card. With digital games, you are charged once the game is officially launched and it becomes available for download.