EA Says It Can't Guarantee SW:TOR Pre-Orders
Looks like EA speculates that it may not be able to fill all of the pre-orders on launch day.
Thursday we reported that EA and BioWare will release three editions of the upcoming MMOG, Star Wars: The Old Republic, which includes the Standard, Digital Deluxe and Collector's editions. Gamers can now pre-order all three editions from EA's online store Origin or via a participating retailer although Origin will sell all digital versions exclusively.
But even before the news went live, the Origin storefront indicated that the $149.99 Collector's Edition, which requires an up-front payment of $20 USD, had already sold out. Then Edge Magazine discovered on Friday that EA won't even be able to guarantee pre-orders at launch. Why? Because the company has decided to limit the original launch supply as stated here in the pre-order FAQ.
This throttled release is most likely intended to limit the day-one server load "to ensure a great user experience," or rather, to keep the lag low due to a sudden load of eager gamers. There's also a good chance that a reserved copy of the game may not be available for collection after the launch date. That said, it appears that fans will have a better chance of scoring a copy on day one by purchasing the digital versions through Origin.
Coincidence? Probably not. It sounds like EA is receiving more pre-orders than it will be able to handle at day one. Thus, consumers who have already fronted the five or twenty bucks will need to get in line pronto or risk not getting access to the virtual Star Wars universe for a while. Even if you pre-ordered and wait until two days later to pick up the copy, it may not be there ready and waiting. It's called first come, first serve.
"Further supplies will be released post-launch," the company states.
In a seemingly contradictory statement, EA states that securing a pre-order for Star Wars: The Old Republic will ensure that a copy of the game will be reserved to purchase upon launch despite the throttled release. "Pre-ordering also ensures that you may be granted Early Game Access before the Game’s official release," the company adds. "More information on Early Game Access will be provided at a later time."
Star Wars: The Old Republic is slated to arrive sometime this holiday season.
Perhaps they know their servers won't be able to handle the load and this is just an excuse.
I think you and I are the only sane people left. Humanity is doomed with all these morons who $150.00 for a game, and then will be pay ~$15 a month on top of that. God bless Steam summer/xmas sales!
Look at the extras the digital copy comes with. That's why it costs more. If it wasn't for the fact that the digital copy is through Origin exclusively, I would have preordered that one.
Digital copy has a few in game items, nothing worth the extra premium for. Not talking about the special edition, the STANDARD copy is stupidly expensive.
No, I believe you two are the only economically challenged people left.
$15 a month for a game that many play for 20+ hours a week is an amazing deal. If someone buys a new game every 4 months, they're essentially paying exactly the same as an MMO gamer.
I'm so sick of people bitching about subscription fees. It's nowhere near as cut and dry as you think it is.
How about you go make fun of people who invest their money in the stock market. Obviously it's something you can't understand, so putting money into it has to be stupid right? They could use a good laugh. We've had enough of you.
You're an idiot. This isn't about subscription fees, it's about the fact that publishers are charging $60 for a game that should only be $40-50. Economically challenged? No. Smart and understanding of the value of money? Yes.
It's fools, such as yourself, who bend to the will of these companies that allows them to charge such outrageous prices. I bet if they increased it to $70 (or even $80) for the base game, that you'd still pay it. Guess what? Now they have reason to believe you'll pay the same price for EVERY other game they release thereafter.
1) over 100 hours per toon to complete
2) full voiceover
3) like 12 novels worth or story/content
4) its star wars. The blurays are $90 and thats only like 12 hours
5) halo legendary was $150. News flash...halo has NOTHING on this game.
6) did i mention it was star wars?
7) and why is someone a moron because they spend money on something they like? Some people would call you a moron for spending $300 on a gpu or $150 on a motherboard
8) and yes...i bought the ce and cant wait.
There are some that will hate on EA for limiting sales but it is more about Lucas and Bioware having tight control and high quality desires over things other than just profits. You gamers should applaud that.
For what it is worth to you all... based on my inside info overall EA really does care about games and gamers. Sure there were recent dark periods and bad decisions and yes it is a publicly traded company having to make a profit but everybody I know there is all about the games (and not just EA games).
Wait a year if price is an issue. STO at launch was around $60. It's current price is around $5-10 (standard, digital deluxe, respectively). On blue moon sales, Steam, Amazon, EA, etc. should post sales more to your liking.