Top 5 Game Incentives

In the past 5 years I’ve noticed that video games no longer are good enough to buy alone. You need, an incentive. Whether you want the game bad enough already, a little somethin’-somethin’ will make a purchase THAT much sweeter.

5. I love GOOOOLD!

Why do we need golden stuff in our games? It doesn’t add any damage or make you a badass. It’s just gold, if anything you’ll stick out more. But, if makes you feel special having that  golden object in the game. Show’s your dedication to the game! Shows that you want to be noticed when you kill someone! Shows that pre-ordering a game does pay off in some weird way. There’s just a nice feeling about cutting a guy in half with a chainsaw and having his blood and guts all over your lancer…that’s golden or fly at mach speeds with a golden jetpack. I guess it’s just more fun.

 

 

 

4. Redeem Codes

As if getting a game that you want isn’t enough, they sweeten the deal with redeem codes. The adds promise these “exclusive” maps, character costumes, or weapons. And by exclusive they mean free for about 1 month until they charge about 500 Microsoft points for what you got for free. That is the most rewarding part about these codes. Putting the amount of 5 dollars down on a game will give you some pretty fun stuff that other could be envious of you for having. Arkham Asylum gave some fun challenge maps, Lost Planet 2 promises two multiplayer maps, and Crackdown 2 will give 4 agency suits. Sounds good to me.

3.Swag

If you don’t know what swag is, it’s another word for free stuff. Gamers LOVE free stuff. If you’ve been to any sort of video game trade shows then you’d know that there’s a mad, mad rush for free shirts, small toys, posters and other miscellaneous  objects like that. And just recently Capcom has offered an almost legendary opportunity for swag. Along with the release of Street Fighter IV, there also comes the Dojo Edition of the game. I don’t even play SF anymore. I’ve moved onto Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 but I might just get this. The Dojo Edition will include:

• 1 GB Flash Drive with Juri on it. Comes with character art, comics, and more.
• Dudley Shirt
• 24 ounce aluminum water bottle
• Headband
• Duffle Bag

Welcome to swag central!

2. Collectibles

This is the clincher for me. Collectibles are one of the coolest things you can show off in your home. All the items are well polished and you know they’re not going to be cheaply made(for the most part) especially since you pay quite a bit extra for them. One of my most prized possessions would be the Legendary edition of Halo 3. Not for the, behind the scenes disc, but for the Master Chief helmet that it all came in. This came in a nice slick black box that slid open, and the helmet was covered in a mesh to prevent dust from getting onto that masterpiece. You couldn’t wear the helmet, but it looked badass, and it fit on your cat!

 

Arkham Asylum also had a pretty cool collectors edition. Early pictures of it showed a “Batarang” which was the coolest part. It used to be metal, but when it was released, it was plastic and kinda cheap. There was also a leather bound journal and some other things but the most important part was the batarang. Came in a big Batman emblem and was presented nicely, so it wasn’t bad at all. Just a bit underwhelming.

 

 

1. Betas

Don’t lie. You know you bought Crackdown for the Halo 3 beta and not Crackdown. To 90% of gamers, the Halo 3 beta came with Crackdown. I wanted Crackdown for Crackdown. And those who just got the game for the beta were surprised to find out that Crackdown was actually a really fun game. A Beta will sell a game for you just like mentioned above. And it’s happening again too with Halo: Reach beta being part of the Halo: ODST release. That was a big selling point for a lot of people. ODST was ok, but Halo: Reach is going to be fantastic! Attach a beta(for a blockbuster hit) to just about any game, and you’ll get instant sales. Crackdown was the best example so far. There will be more.