Thanks to TFW2005 Boards Member ssjkazer, we now have a poster revealing that EBGames in New Zealand will be getting preorder bonuses for the upcoming video game Transformers: Fall of Cybertron.
UPDATE: It has been confirmed by TFW2005 boards member Starscream Gaga that the preorder offer also carries over to Australian EB Games stores.
Which preorder bonuses are they getting in New Zealand? All of them: Playable Generation One Optimus Prime, character unlocks of Swoop and Generation Two Bruticus, the Sling Shock Cannon and Throwback Blaster, as well as a poster. Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is slated to be released on the 22nd of this month in Australia, as well as the 21st in North America and the 24th in Europe and New Zealand.
Starscream NZ
Your preference for the 07 film is pretty irrelevant, as this was the re-ignition of the Transformers-Pop-Culture flame.
It's actually something of value, other than EB's skins/weapons that will almost certainly just appear as DLC in the near future anyway. And why else would MA have not grabbed one/some of the other exclusives if it wasn't for EB being the monopoly and scoring all the pre-order bonuses themselves?
Dirge121
The one that looks like G1 primes rifle? Thats the glass gas cannon. It's a heavy weapon in the regular game.
TCJJ
That's a HORRIBLE deal. Not only is that movie crap, but it has NOTHING to do with the game. It's only worth NZ$12.99, and some people (myself included) wouldn't even pay THAT much for it.
I'd much rather have the extra DLC, even if some or all of it will be available later.
Also, nowhere does it say it is a steel-case edition. Maybe it is that by default though – I don't know, since I never bought it (and don't plan to), but it doesn't mention a steel-case anywhere, so unless you can prove otherwise, then that's just an assumption.
Starscream NZ
Just checked Mighty Ape's website – and not a bad pre-order special there either!
Transformers – Buy Transformers: Fall of Cybertron for PS3 at Mighty Ape NZ
Pre-Order FoC and get the steel-case edition of the 07 film free!
TCJJ
Finally something that we can get over the US for once. Usually, we have pre-order DLC/bonuses also broken up between retailers, but sometimes, we don't get them at all (plus, we have less retailers that offer pre-order bonuses over here).
This is pretty cool. However, I'm not too keen on pre-ordering from EB Games. They're owned by Gamestop. So for anyone who can't put two and two together, they're essentially Gamestop with a different name, and everyone should know how much of a bad rep Gamestop has. On top of that, they usually charge full price for the games. It'd be nice to get the DLC though.
At least this is better than pre-ordering from Mighty Ape. You get a free copy of the 2007 Transformers Movie on DVD! Everyone on their Facebook page (including myself) told them it was crap and that we wanted the '86 movie instead. Not like they'll listen, but whatever.
The thing is, it's not all because of a lack of competition. That IS part of it, but that's not the only thing. Many other countries, especially Australia, also have much higher prices for games. The UK, for example, has higher prices than the US but they're still cheaper than NZ. Also, EB Games don't have as much of a monopoly as they used to – competition from JB HiFi, and in particular, Mighty Ape, have taken them down a notch.
Whilst it's true that they've talked publishers into allowing them to have exclusive rights for same games in the past even if another deal has already been struck (it happened with Mighty Ape and a pre-order bonus/limited edition/something for one game once before, but I don't remember which game it was), they haven't done it all that much, and they're starting to lose their footing with that, even just a little. That said, wholy crap do they have a lot of pre-order bonus exclusive things at the moment, but going with what I said just before, they're kind of pathetic bonuses and not really things that are that necessary to pre-order or buy from EB to get, either because they'll be available elsewhere later on, or because they're just pointless bonuses that no one cares about.
I don't totally hate EB Games, but if I can avoid it, I don't buy from them or deal with them. I have had some good experiences with them in the past, but also some bad ones, such as when I pre-ordered the Nintendo DS headset when it was first coming out, but when I went to pick it up on release day, they'd sold my copy, and I had to go to another store half an hour away just to pick one up.
I also saw one EB employee (during the PS3 downtime) that was trying to encourage some customers into buying an Xbox 360 over a PS3, which is not something you are meant to do in retail (you're not meant to be biased nor take sides, NOR spread hear-say or exaggerate the on-going problems). But now I'm getting way off-topic.
Cyber-Scream
Aww c'mon that ain't fair. lol
Prime Jetscream
Well then where does the gun from the G1 Optimus Vignette come in?
Kantus Prime
Lucky ducks!!!
Starscream NZ
Thanks for pointing that out.
While we might be getting an unexpectedly good pre-order bonus from EB, due to the lack of competition, game prices here are ridiculously expensive compared to that of other countries. Not to mention EB holds a monopoly and often cuts deals with game companies to ensure no other retailer is offered the chance at exclusives, which just sucks. We've seen cases were retailers have struck deals with companies and then EB have strong-handed the game companies into re-negging on deals so that EB can get the better offer. It's pretty crap and I refuse to buy from EB.
Blitz.
Im not shocked and I'd hazard a guess these will end up as DLC
knightmare6
Freakin' hate pre-order DLCs :/
AutoSlasher101
I'm not worried, seeing as Swoop and possibly G2 Bruticus will be unlocked at the end of the campaign, and everything else will be available in a DLC. I still sort of wish I could get it all early like NZ though…
musozankoka
US price: US$59.99
NZ price: NZ$120 (=US$98)
03Mach1
I'm not overly concerned about a poster and the rest of the skins will be available eventually. But hooray for New Zealand FOC buyers!
Onslaught24
US retail: G1 Retro Pack
AUS retail: Swoop and G1 Retro Pack
Amazon: G2 Bruticus
NZ retail: ALL THE THINGS!!
MV95
Now that's just not fair… I want Swoop and a poster too.
Sideswipe80
Last time EB games did this with Lego Batman 2 and the villain pack. But in America the villains pack was part of the Power up Rewards special. Bet that happens with Swoop.
caldo15
I wonder why best buy doesn't have any pre order bonuses for this game. why isn't swoop available for preorder in the united states
Demonss
Because eventually it'll all be in a DLC pack, so ultimately it doesn't matter..
Flaming Matrix
I know this isn't the reason, but it almost seems like an apology for the fact that the game is releasing later (in some places).