Few topics rankle the feathers of the video game enthusiast these days quite like that of pre-order bonus content. Whether it's lamenting the excising of content from a game for the sake of releasing it later as a bonus (or paid DLC), offering unlocks for content that's already on the disc, or tossing so many confusing, bizarre options out there that invariably, everyone is going to end up disappointed, there isn't an awful lot to like about pre-ordering games these days.
One of the more extreme examples of pre-ordering insanity comes from WB Games and developer Rocksteady's upcoming Batman sequel, Arkham City. We've heard over the last few weeks about a variety of different pre-order options coming our way, including everything from various Batman character skins, to Joker-oriented challenge maps and even the boy wonder himself. Robin, as a playable character. But between all these different pieces of content, as well as the various retailer exclusivity deals attached to them, figuring out where, how, and why to pre-order has apparently been something of a headache for would-be players.
We know this, because a moderator on the official Arkham City forums actually went to the trouble of creating a pre-ordering guide for anyone trying to figure out where to get the content they want. Yes, that's right: a guide to pre-ordering a game. I'm not completely certain if this is the last sign of the apocalypse before the Horsemen come down and start inflicting plague, pestilence and pre-order bonuses on the screaming, writhing masses, but it certainly looks like it.
The list is especially confusing because different regions have different retailers, and thus the exclusivity deals change depending on which portion of the planet you dwell within. Take a look at this list, and do your best not to go boss-eyed.
ROBIN
- GERMANY -AMAZON
- FRANCE- MICROMANIA
- HOLLAND - GAMEMANIA
- BELGUIM - GAMEMANIA AND SMARTOYS
- ITALY - GAMESTOP
- NORDICS- GAMESTOP
- NORTH AMERICA - BESTBUY
- CANADA - BEST BUY
- AUSTRALIA - JB HIFI
- MEXICO - GAMERUSH
BATMAN 1970S SKIN
- UK- SHOPTONET
- FRANCE- AMAZON
- ITALY- FNAC
- AUSTRALIA - EB GAMES
JOKER DLC MAP (CARNIVAL)
- GERMANY - MEDIA MARKT
- FRANCE - GAME
- HOLLAND AND BELGIUM - FREE RECORD SHOP
- ITALY - MEDIA MARKET
- US - GAMESTOP
- AUSTRALIA - EB GAMES
- CANADA- GAMESTOP
ANIMATED SERIES SKIN
- GERMANY - SATURN
- FRANCE- CASINO
- HOLLAND- BART SMIT
- BELGIUM - FNAC
- ITALY- FELTRINELLI
- AUSTRALIA - JB HIFI
BATMAN BEYOND SKIN
- UK - GAMESTOP
- GERMANY - MULLER GE PLAYART AUSTRIA
- FRANCE- AUCHAN
- HOLLAND- MICROMEDIA
- BELIGUM - HORELEC
- ITALY- OPENGAMES
- AUSTRALIA - GAME
- MEXICO - GAMERS RETAIL
BATMAN YEAR ONE SKIN
- GERMANY - EXPERT
- FRANCE - FNAC
- BELGIUM - DREAMLAND COLRUYT
- ITALY- BLOCKBUSTER
BATMAN EARTH ONE SKIN
- GERMANY- GAMESTOP
- FRANCE- JEUX VIDEO & CO
- HOLLAND- GAMEWORLD
- BELGIUM- BEMS
- ITALY - CIDIVERTE
- AUSTRALIA - JB HIFI
US
- AMAZON - $10 Amazon credit and Arkham City Comic (print version of the 5 digital comics)
- WALMART- $ 10 egift card
Congratulations. If you managed to get through all of that and make it to the other side unscathed, you get your baby brother back and David Bowie will sing you a nice ballad.
The worst part of all of this? It isn't even the complete list. Several territories and retailers aren't even finalized yet, meaning that more layers of obfuscation will be added to the process before we even get within punching distance of playing this game. We've reached out to WB Games for any info as to whether these pieces of content will become paid DLC in the foreseeable future or not, but as of yet have not received a response. I'll update this story if they get back to us.
(Thanks to whatisdelicious for sending this in!)
classic ftw
I fucking hate shit like this.
BATMANBATMANBATMAN
that labrynth reference... damn you navarro
funny thing is ... there isn't even a CE for the PC version ... at least not at my usual retailers.
They're going to sell all of these as DLC later, right? RIGHT?
They will be, these are just early access, someone mentioned it earlier in the Batman Arkham City forums.
@Dany said:
This. Even if they'll be made available to everyone post launch, it's ridiculous. Especially if they then charge for it also. Post game DLC I support. Even launch day DLC - the way games are made, some of that stuff really is stuff they only started working on when the game went gold.
But costumes like this? Eurgh. Early access preorder incentive is fine as long as everyone can unlock it through normal gameplay.
This is getting insanely stupid (more so). since it's just a matter of time before they become DLC.
That being said I wouldn't mind the Batman Beyond skin. But it's not available in my country or neighbouring countries.
So I'm just going to wait until this is on sale for $10 on Steam then.
Looks like I'm ordering amazon, I'd love that batman beyond skin though : (
What is this I don't even