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What Happens When You Pre-Order a Game Digitally?

Pre-ordering a digital game has become a commonplace practice for gamers eager to dive into the latest releases. But what exactly happens when you click that ‘pre-order’ button? In essence, pre-ordering a digital game is like reserving your spot to play a title as soon as it’s launched. You’re essentially purchasing a license to access the game, which will be delivered electronically to your gaming platform account. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:

Payment and Reservation: When you pre-order, you’re typically not charged immediately. Instead, a pre-authorization hold might be placed on your card, which temporarily reduces your available credit without actually debiting the funds. This hold usually lasts for a few days and helps the retailer verify that your payment method is valid. Most retailers will then charge your payment method around 7 to 10 days before the game’s official release date. This ensures that your pre-order is valid and gives you time to resolve any payment issues. If your payment fails, your pre-order might be cancelled.
Pre-loading: Once your payment is successfully processed, many platforms allow you to pre-load the game. This means that you can download the game files to your system before the release date. When the game officially launches, you only need to download a small update or unlock the game, significantly reducing the wait time. This is a major advantage of digital pre-orders, as you can start playing almost immediately on launch day.
Release Day Access: At the moment of the game’s official launch, you’ll be able to play. Since you have already pre-loaded the game you’ll just have a small update to complete.
License, Not Ownership: It’s crucial to understand that when you buy a digital game, you aren’t actually owning a physical copy. What you’re purchasing is a license to play the game, tied to your gaming account, be it on PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Steam, or other digital storefronts. This means you can’t resell the game, and you need to maintain access to your account to continue playing the game.
Refunds: If you change your mind before the game’s release, you can often cancel your pre-order and receive a refund. However, refund policies vary between platforms and may be subject to certain conditions. Typically, if it’s more than 3 months since you pre-ordered you may not be able to get a refund to your original payment method.

The Benefits of Digital Pre-Orders

Digital pre-orders offer a variety of benefits that appeal to modern gamers.

Convenience: The primary advantage is the convenience of purchasing a game from the comfort of your home. There is no need to visit a physical store or wait for delivery.
Immediate Access: Pre-loading ensures you can dive into the game the moment it is released, without the additional wait for large downloads on launch day.
No Physical Limitations: Unlike physical copies, digital games never sell out. This means you won’t miss out on playing the hottest new release, even if you decide to pre-order at the last minute.
Guaranteed Play on Release: Pre-ordering guarantees you’ll have access to the game on its release date, providing that you download the initial pre-load files.

Drawbacks of Digital Pre-Orders

While there are significant advantages, some potential drawbacks exist for digital pre-orders.

No Physical Ownership: You don’t possess a physical copy of the game, just a license. You won’t be able to resell the game as you could a physical copy.
Platform Dependence: Digital games are tied to your account on the respective platform, meaning your access is dependent on that platform and maintaining your account.
Potential for Bugs: Pre-ordering means you play the game on launch without reviews or patches that might solve problems, since this will be your initial play experience.
Price Control: Digital game prices are often controlled by publishers, sometimes leading to higher prices compared to physical copies.
No Monetary Value: Once purchased, digital games have no monetary value. You are essentially buying a license to play and do not own the product.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about digital game pre-orders: