Wolfenstein Preorder Bonuses Revealed

Choose your gift for commitment.

by Marcus Yam August 10, 2009 at 1:40 PM

Looking forward to the new Wolfenstein game? We are too. That's why we're thinking of preordering, but we've got some decisions to make.

Various retailers are all offering difference incentives to preorder with their respective outfits. Some are more attractive than others, but we'll let you decide for yourself.

According to the Wolfenstein blog, the preorder bonuses are:

GameStop: Get a Day 1 Multiplayer Advantage
Pre-Order now with Gamestop and get 2,000 Wolfenstein in-game gold pieces for use in multiplayer. Choose your own weapon or power upgrade.
Amazon: Unlock Wolfenstein 3D full game
Pre-order now and get a free copy of Wolfenstein 3D for the Xbox Live Arcade or the Playstation Network
Hollywood Game Crazy: Wolfenstein Limited Edition Medal
Reserve Wolfenstein and receive an exclusive limited edition Wolfenstein collectors metal.
BestBuy: Unlock the Flammenwerfer
Normally available as a reward halfway through the single player campaign, if you purchase Wolfenstein at BestBuy you will have access to the Flammenwerfer from the very first level. The Flammenwerfer is the definition of over-the-top fire-power, and we’re putting it in your hands early!

About the author

Marcus Yam @marcusyam

Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.

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Kaiser_25 8 years ago

I want the flamethrower!!! Burn Nazis burn!!
hellwig 8 years ago

If they're going to sell in-game advantages in the form of a $5 or $10 pre-order charge, why not just sell all these upgrades at game release? Seriously, buy the game, pay an extra $15, and get all the goodies. Why make gamers choose how they want to cheat? Things like a Medal or secondary games are fine, giving people an unfair advantage in multiplayer is just dumb. Seriously, your enjoyment in the game depends on how much extra money you can throw at it?
theholylancer 8 years ago

Give me NVGs any day over these, they may have actual use one day lol

these other crap are either draws for you to buy other things (or own them already) or are just like micro-transactions for them free MMOs.
Toddosan 8 years ago

Whatever happened to just selling the game? cripes its just as bad as paying to get into an MMO thats still beta! I guess game Devs are desperate to sell the next hunk o crap(BTW i love the original RTCWS), i dont mind the medal, cloth map or figurine, but giving someone a hella powerful weapon from the start geez! Whats next NOW BUY THE GAME FROM US AT (insert store name here) AND WE WILL GIVE YOU GOD MODE, THATS RIGHT BE A CHEATING BASTARD RIGHT AWAY!
megamanx00 8 years ago

A free copy of the old Wolfenstien 3D, like seriously? I use to have that on some floppies way back in the day. Not too interested in playing it again now. The Game Stop offer seems ideal for multiplayer junkies, but I like the Game Crazy offer too assuming that you can't get that medal any where else.
Anonymous 8 years ago

Uh its not an extra $15 dollars. That money goes towards your purchase of the game when it comes out.
viometrix 8 years ago

hellwigIf they're going to sell in-game advantages in the form of a $5 or $10 pre-order charge, why not just sell all these upgrades at game release? Seriously, buy the game, pay an extra $15, and get all the goodies. Why make gamers choose how they want to cheat? Things like a Medal or secondary games are fine, giving people an unfair advantage in multiplayer is just dumb. Seriously, your enjoyment in the game depends on how much extra money you can throw at it?

dork a preorder doesnt cost extra money, you are only putting a small deposit towards the total actual purchase price.... if you didnt know that, you have no business gaming.... its only been like this for the last 20 years
jwl3 8 years ago

A pre-order costs more money. Most games, on the week they're released, are discounted by retailers to draw customers to them. By purchasing it ahead of time, you're paying full price. I always get new release games at a discount from Circuit City or Best Buy before they revert to the full price a week later.
apmyhr 8 years ago

I'm not even a hardcore gammer and even I know that pre-orders do NOT cost extra money. The "extra" money you all refer to is a down payment.

@JWL3, Most? I don't think so. Maybe 1/4th of games are discounted, but I would say that most major titles are full price on release. Since most fans awaiting the game will buy the game the second it comes out, why would companies bother discounting them and loosing money? Discounts come later.
Anonymous 8 years ago

Eh, all of those pre-order offers are mediocre at best. The only game I've ever pre-ordered was WarCraft 3, and that was because the pre-order bonus novel was handled directly by Blizzard. It was already on store shelves, so you had something in your hands right away.

Most of the bonuses you get now are a waste of effort. I especially hate virtual bonuses. A collector's edition with a special box and a good assortment of physical accessories is much more preferable.
hakesterman 8 years ago

I think pre paying for games is retarded. Just think how much
money these game companys pocket because you got to have it right
now junkies can't wait 6 months for price discounts. Just Think
about how many extra games you could have if you got them for half
price, Um Da. Buy it half price play it for a month and beat it, then
sell it for 70% of what you payed for it. Or go rent it at Blockbuster
video on a month pass and then go to the next game. paying 59 bucks for
a game and playing it for two or three weeks than shelfing it is as retarded as retarded gets.
jj463rd 8 years ago

My family killed lots of Germans in WW2.Bombed them from the air and mortared them on the ground.I remember Wolfenstein 3D and the Spear of Destiny sequel although they were crude.Return to Castle Wolfenstein was an amazing sequel epic back in 2001 even if it was fictional it was an incredible experience playing it quite imaginative.I have been waiting for this new one to come out.I sure hope that it's up to par or better than Return to Castle Wolfenstein.
viometrix 8 years ago

JWL3A pre-order costs more money. Most games, on the week they're released, are discounted by retailers to draw customers to them. By purchasing it ahead of time, you're paying full price. I always get new release games at a discount from Circuit City or Best Buy before they revert to the full price a week later.

yet another idiot.... if this were the case pre-orders would not need to exist, they use this as a basis of supply and demand for manufacturing.... and if the games were offered at a discount without the pre-order, you know how many lawsuits would have happened over it by the people that did pre-order... so again you are talking out of your ass just so you can look like you have insider knowledge.... dont you people get it that real techs and insiders hang out on these boards... i personaly patrol them like a great white shark (and yes i am a real tech with my master in computer sciences and more certs than you could possibly count)
Ridik876 8 years ago

VioMeTriXand yes i am a real tech with my master in computer sciences and more certs than you could possibly count...

0_o I has this many http://www.theonlinecandyshop.com/ProductImages/certsmixedfruitbig.jpg
anamaniac 8 years ago

What happened to the Fable 2 collectors edition bonus?
Oh yeah, the supplier for the bonus materials screwe up, so most of north america didn't get the stuff... And microsoft never replied to me demanding the stuff I paid extra for...

kaiser_25I want the flamethrower!!! Burn Nazis burn!!

+1
jimmysmitty 8 years ago

So Amazon gives away a copy of Wolfenstein 3D for the XBox and PS3 but not the PC? Woot.

How games start on PC and slowly get turned away and PCs get shunned. Poor PC. Without it the XBox and PS3 wouldn't be possible yet he still is stuck in the shadows known only to enthusiasts who demand the best out of their games.
jgiron 8 years ago

If you pre-order you should get access to hidden levels that will be a DLC a few weeks after it's release. That would be a better incentive.
And btw who would want to play Wolf3D? That game literally makes me sick just looking at it.
jediagh 8 years ago

VioMeTriXyet another idiot.... if this were the case pre-orders would not need to exist, they use this as a basis of supply and demand for manufacturing.... and if the games were offered at a discount without the pre-order, you know how many lawsuits would have happened over it by the people that did pre-order... so again you are talking out of your ass just so you can look like you have insider knowledge....

I think what JWL3 is talking about is the "SALE price" that typiclly occurs the 1st week the game is out. Best Buy and Wal-Mart tend to have a sale on a new game (PC) and tae $10 to $15 off the 1st week it comes out. Afterwards it goes back up to the retail price until eventualy it gets old and found in the older games section and lastly the clearance rack.

Buy doing a Pre-order from Best Buy, Toys R Us and EBGames you are going to be paying full retail on the game and miss out on the $10 off "sale" price that the games tend to get during the first week that Best Buy and Wal-Mart sometimes do. They don't do it all the time and it various on what games they do it on as well.

That is what JWL3 is talking about.
Regulas 8 years ago

Nope not until I can confirm the type of DRM. If it does not require online activation and there is no install limit I will buy it.
install limit is really a rent a game. I do want to have to try and get a hold of those hacks in 4 to 6 years if I dust it off and want to play it again.
Still have Baldur's Gate 1&2 and Freespace 1&2, both great games.
zelannii 8 years ago

@JWL3. I've preordered DOZENS of games. The preorder charge is deducted at time of purchase from the CURRENT price at that time, not from the full MSRP. If the game shop or retailer chooses to discount the price on the first week (extremely rare for popular games), then you in the end pay the exact same price as everyone else, get some bonus things, and are guaranteed a copy (in rare cases, preorders are so high they're doled out over a few weeks).

You also have full rights to get a full refund of your preorder "deposit" should you choose not to take the game afterall. It must be refunded. they can;t keep it. So, if they refuse to price match a current sale from another retailer, you buy the game at their competitor and get you money back. This may mean you have to wait until games are in stock, but almost every reputable retailer has a prioce match guarantee and is bound by advertising laws to give you the game at the lowest advertised price minus your already paid deposit.

@hellwig: I agree nearly completely. Bonus items that give early adopter in-game advantages in multiplayer should be banned, ESPECIALLY in cases where monthly fees to play are involved. I don;t mind unlicking bonus levels, mini-games, single-player mode special weapons, badges of honor, and more, but giving players advantages in multiplayer should be completely banned, voluntarily by the gaming industry.

The real purpose of preorder promotions by the way is to guage retail demand so they can produce an appropriate amount of games to handle initial demand surges. It's completly to the distributors benefit to have you preorder. SOME incentive needs to be used to get you to preorder, and lets face it, cheezy posters don't really cut it for most people in today's world. Still, some incentive is necessary.

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