The sad reality of pre-ordering your next gen systems

[SuperGrafx]

As expected, here's your chance to pre-order your Xbox360 through EB. The much-hated bundle deals only of course.
Hope you have lots of $$$ saved up!

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/categories/systems/xbox360/default.asp?site=NLF0823

As much as it pains me to say this, I'm sitting out this launch (unless I can get the system + 1 game via WalMart like I did with the original Xbox.

[Borman]

That bundle is for the most part what i would be buying, whoohoo lol. It could be worse

[SuperGrafx]

That bundle is for the most part what i would be buying, whoohoo lol. It could be worse

They're going from the 3 game minimum to 4. That's part of the problem.
Personally, I wouldn't be buying all those accessories up front either.
Either way, it's constraining...though J. Allard did mention that they'd be shipping more systems this launch than they did when the Xbox 1 launched...couple that with a weakening economy and perhaps you will be able to pick and choose your own system and game bundle as launch nears.

[Putzi]

It cracks me up the way it says limit one per customer like the average person is going to be able to buy more than one.

[Borman]

Businesses or ebayers would buy more then 1 if they could ;0

[Jaysmith2000]

I put my pre-order in with Gamestop and was able to pick just what I wanted for it as far as games/accessories. No bundle required.... :)

[cahaz]

wasn't perfect dark delayed of a couple of months?

[JTI2K]

I wont buy one unless i can get the "non-core" pack without havin to pay extra becos "its too hard to find"

Plus, since I dont play on Live (cuz is a freakin hole of inbreed fuckers) I will mod my X360 as soon as a stable modchips comes to the market

[madhatter256]

I could build me a whole new system, well just get a new video card, mobo, CPU, and RAM for the expensive preorder they have listed on there. This is why I think the PS2 and GC will be the last consoles I'll ever own.

[cahaz]

off-topic i know, but i just figured that the silver live thing was a good way to check if you're using modchips for microsoft, isn't it?

[Borman]

Not if you dont connect to live, then it doesnt help :P Live blocker

[JTI2K]

i just figured that the silver live thing was a good way to check if you're using modchips for microsoft, isn't it?

Yes, but just if you are so stupid to connect it to the net.

The same with the xbox: in the latter versions, it cheked the presence of modchips when the moment you connected it, thats why you need to use it with Livx (was that the name?) using your PC as a router/firewall to avoid the conection between the console and the M$ servers

[Borman]

You just have to not connect to live, its quite easy actually. Even with old chips it was pretty easy to avoid

[gaming247]

wasn't perfect dark delayed of a couple of months?

I'm not sure, but the "fine print" at the bottom says they'll just swap something out if it's unavailable.

"We reserve the right to substitute or remove a game or accessory that will not be available at launch. If this occurs, you will be notified and have an opportunity to cancel at any time up until 10 days before the Xbox 360 launch date."


EDIT: I also like how it says near the top: "This isn't about incremental change. It's a revolution."

Now where have I heard about a gaming revolution before???

[sayin999]

well i noticed they started doing this whole bundle thng when this generation came about, really all these places are doing is just trying to make sure they sell their stock and dont have any leftovers. Sadly though it hurts teh consumer who just wants a system and 1 game and not this ridiculess bundle thats gonna cost $700.

[Kotodama]

EBgames most ridiculous bundle yet. Seems like they're trying to see how high they can go before the consumer will break. With the min. of about 450USD to play at retail I'm probably going to get this console after a couple price drops if I don't cave in to temptation first.

I did the EBgames Xbox bundle back in the day and I've sold back all three of the games it came with now.

[A. Snow]

. When it comes to systems you're foolish to tie up any money at a place like EB, Gamestop, Best Buy, ect. The chances of getting a system (unless you are an employee) at launch are slim to none. The Gamestop here took in some 300+ preorders for the PS2. You know how many they got? Six for launch day and it was the same for the Xbox. They were filling "preorders" for over two months. Now maybe they learned form those last two fiascos but the way they still pimp preorders I seriously doubt it. You have a much better getting up around 4:00am and going to a Target or similar store. That's how I got two PS2's at launch.

[A. Snow]

Oh and if you do decide to preorder from an EB Games type store. Make sure you get in writing from the manager that you get your system on launch day. At least then you have some ammo if they screw you over.

[Tachikoma]

They can't legally only sell you the bundle, as the manufacturer does not supply them in that fashion. If you kick up a stink there at the store they should fold (or ban you form the store in which case you send a weeping sob story to Penny Arcade, who do a cartoon in your honour)

[XerdoPwerko]

In Mexico they do it, even now. You cannot buy a system in GamePlanet without an overpriced game "free".

Sad part is, some vendors in the black market right in front are taking up that policy to rip consumers off.
For example: You can only get a GBA if you take Megaman Battle Network with it - or a DS only with Sprung or Urbz, for 600 pesos more than the MSRP. The PS2 Slim costs 2650 pesos in Game Planet but you get Enthusia Racing "free". The PS2 Slim alone costs 2000 pesos across the street in the black market. Some of the vendors, though, sell it for 2400 pesos with a "free" extra game. You know, something like Fifa 2003 or ATV racing or whatever - a value of 150 pesos at most. And they won't sell to you, either the established or the black market, without the "gift". They even laugh if you ask, the fuckers.

Of course, there's still a couple of decent, honest sellers in the black market where you can get stuf for a fair price. Consumers in first world countries are protected by the law, right? There's probably something written there you can try if you don't want a bundle.

[mairsil]

This is an individual state issue. Many states have laws banning "forced bundling", but good luck finding an attorney general who will do something about it. Luckily, the three preorders that I have gotten here in Maryland are all first shipment, console only.

[madhatter256]

. When it comes to systems you're foolish to tie up any money at a place like EB, Gamestop, Best Buy, ect. The chances of getting a system (unless you are an employee) at launch are slim to none. The Gamestop here took in some 300+ preorders for the PS2. You know how many they got? Six for launch day and it was the same for the Xbox. They were filling "preorders" for over two months. Now maybe they learned form those last two fiascos but the way they still pimp preorders I seriously doubt it. You have a much better getting up around 4:00am and going to a Target or similar store. That's how I got two PS2's at launch.

Don't forget that sony will once again lie to us saying they can't produce that many consoles and thus it drives up demand and people who preorder might end up getting screwed and not get their hands on one on launch day because there's not enough to go around. In the end, Sony and stores like EB win.

[Mr. Casual]

Im not preodering any of that shit at our Gamestop. They conveniently "lose" records of you paying, and try to steal from you.

[JTI2K]

The PS2 scam was made by sony to drive people crazy for a console. The whole point was to make the consumer more anxious for a PS2, thus increasing the mainstream entusiasm for the console.

And the bundles, look, every corporation do things that are outlaw, but most people are idiots at the point of believen "this cant be illegal". If you get a lawyer (even a cheap one) or a guy whos in law school to go with you to the game store and tell them the laws they are braking nobody is goin to fuck you again

Thats what I do all the time :douga

[SuperGrafx]

If you get a lawyer (even a cheap one) or a guy whos in law school to go with you to the game store and tell them the laws they are braking nobody is goin to fuck you again

Thats what I do all the time :douga

I wouldn't go through all that hassle just for a video game system.

[JTI2K]

My dad is a judge :D

And no, I dont go to the 7eleven with a lawyer for a pack of chips, I only did this in serious ocassions, like when the cell phone company tried to charge me 145 bucks for some weird service.

[sayin999]

i remember working at target we had a ton of psps when it came out and didnt sell are whole stock until a week later, even at a random walmart i was at they had tons of ds's when it came out, point is best bet is just to go to a discoutn store early, i avoid the specialty shops like gamestop, eb world, and best buy since most of the time people go there first and they alwasy require a bundel.

[cahaz]

I'm not sure, but the "fine print" at the bottom says they'll just swap something out if it's unavailable.

"We reserve the right to substitute or remove a game or accessory that will not be available at launch. If this occurs, you will be notified and have an opportunity to cancel at any time up until 10 days before the Xbox 360 launch date."


EDIT: I also like how it says near the top: "This isn't about incremental change. It's a revolution."

Now where have I heard about a gaming revolution before???

oh, i see. but i'm pretty sure it is delayed. they're certainly showing it on front just to
make gamers ''woah!'' , since it was one of the most awaited xbox360 game in the launch line-up.

as for the revolution thing, sony used it too. it seems to be the word of this generation. but i doubt better graphics, bigger wolrds and more more multi-media support really means revolution.

[Paulo]

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B020253C (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B020253C)

This Xbox 360 Ultimate Bundle includes the following items:
1.. Xbox 360 System
2.. Perfect Dark Collector's Edition
3.. Project Gotham Racing 3
4.. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
5.. Dead or Alive 4
6.. Call of Duty 2
7.. GUN
8.. Quake 4
9.. Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
10.. Condemned
11.. Madden NFL 06
12.. Kameo
13.. Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
14.. Xbox 360 Play and Charge Kit
15.. Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery
16.. Xbox Live 12 Month Card
17.. 1 Year Product Replacement Plan

Price $1200!

[Topic Archive]

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B020253C (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B020253C)

This Xbox 360 Ultimate Bundle includes the following items:
1.. Xbox 360 System
2.. Perfect Dark Collector's Edition
3.. Project Gotham Racing 3
4.. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
5.. Dead or Alive 4
6.. Call of Duty 2
7.. GUN
8.. Quake 4
9.. Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
10.. Condemned
11.. Madden NFL 06
12.. Kameo
13.. Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
14.. Xbox 360 Play and Charge Kit
15.. Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery
16.. Xbox Live 12 Month Card
17.. 1 Year Product Replacement Plan

Price $1200!


Bargin!

...Plus there's no limit on how how many bundles you can buy!

:smt030

[cahaz]

way better choice of game to me, anyway: perfect dark, quake 4, DOA 4, oblivion, kameo,.. :)

[madhatter256]

Looks like gamestop is trying to one-up EB...

http://www.gamestop.com/productmerch.asp?groupid=310&affid=3505