Left 4 Dead gets $5 off with pre-order

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 16th 2008 at 3:30PM }

We're not exactly sure if we've ever seen a deal like this before, but those who pre-order Left 4 Dead on PC and Xbox 360 will get $5 taken right off the top. This makes the apocalyptic, action survival game $45 and $55 for PC and Xbox 360, respectively. The special deal applies to both retail and Valve's Steam service.

We're not positive if the price of the game will go up after its Nov. 18 release, but we certainly like this pre-order discount idea if it sticks.

[Via Big Download]

Tags: discount, left-4-dead, steam, valve

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

dark_inchworm @ Oct 16th 2008 3:35PM

Good strategy, I say.

Shave $5 off the pre-order, or sell it only at $60 to begin with only for Lamestop to sell a used copy at $55, screwing Valve out of any money?

Valve knows the drill.

Morisato @ Oct 16th 2008 8:03PM

Preordering never made sense without some sort of incentive. It's not like it's that hard to find the game when it comes out. And if it is hard to find, those who preorder dont always get it on day 1 because the store over sold their preorders anyways.

Acceptable Risk @ Oct 17th 2008 2:20AM

When it comes to digital delivery, they can't even hold the fear of limited quantities over your head. The only way to drive presales among sensible people is through some kind of additional incentive. That's why you see premiums and discounts.

Also, point of note: Valve also offered $5 off of Orange Box if you bought it before release. So this isn't exactly a new idea.

dark_inchworm @ Oct 17th 2008 2:23AM

New idea? No. I know that. But as I implied above, it's a smart alternative to buying cheaper from Gamestop and ultimately fucking the developer.

Acceptable Risk @ Oct 17th 2008 12:44PM

Apologies. My mention of the discount was more in reply to the article. The author says that he's never seen anything like this before. I thought it was worth mentioning that Valve, itself, had this same offer for its last big release.

dark_inchworm @ Oct 17th 2008 1:53PM

No need to apologize, but thank you for the courtesy :)

J @ Oct 16th 2008 3:36PM

Isn't this happening with Far Cry 2 also?

Ghede @ Oct 16th 2008 3:37PM

Amazon at some point had it as low as $35, so after taxes, I'm paying $40.

Ghede @ Oct 16th 2008 3:38PM

And that's a physical copy. I'm beginning to think valve overcharges for digital delivery.

Vidikron @ Oct 16th 2008 3:52PM

Yes, they do. But it seems like nearly everyone does. I think the publishers are just pocketing the money saved on packing and distribution while at the same time taking away our right resell. Bastards.

Eggy @ Oct 16th 2008 3:56PM

As long as Valve doe snot articficially raises the dollar prices for people from Europe I still prefer Steam. Not getting L4D though, bit too expensive for my taste.

Haggard @ Oct 16th 2008 4:00PM

I love Steam as a service (and enjoy buying older games and their weekend bargains), but yeah, I wouldn't buy a new game from them. I enjoy having boxes on my shelf, in addition to the fact they overcharge.

Here in europe, CoD4 is still being sold for $70, which back then translated to £35 before tax (ripoff, PC games cost £25 off amazon and play.com), and back a month ago when the pound was at its weakest, translated to (inc. tax) £60. More than twice as much as a retail PC game, and £20 more than a retail console title.

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Oct 16th 2008 4:31PM

"As long as Valve doe snot articficially..."

I've never really thought about deer and snot, do deer have mucus?

UnderHero5 @ Oct 16th 2008 3:37PM

Valve has been discounting their first party (and some third) pre-ordered games on Steam for a long time now. Since HL2 launched, I think. The price goes back to normal after the games launch.

It's nice a good incentive to pre-order.

MikeO. @ Oct 20th 2008 6:50AM

Or I'm sure some people will find it easy to buy the game with the $5 off, return it. (My Gamestop lets you return within 7 days for a full refund), make your $5, then buy it back later or some other game.

You just made 5 bucks.

Xoviet chiK - Gyiyg Strikes Back @ Oct 16th 2008 3:41PM

I've had mine pre-ordered from Amazon since August, they had it at $7 off (360 version)

Genisus @ Oct 16th 2008 4:37PM

Same here. I don't know what Ghede is talking about it being $35 on Amazon!
Had mine pre-order since July 15 at $53.99 and no tax and no shipping. I love Amazon.

Egon Pax @ Oct 16th 2008 6:09PM

I believe he was talking about the PC version being $35.

I also have it reserved at Amazon for the 360. :)

Einhanderkiller @ Oct 16th 2008 6:41PM

Yes, the PC version was available for pre-order at $35 at Amazon a few weeks back. It's now $45 at Amazon.

I was planning to pre-order it at $35, but oh well. One of the advantages of having a friend who works at EA is that you get EA published games really cheap. :D

CaramelZappa @ Oct 16th 2008 3:48PM

Like underhero said, Valve does this all the time. It seems like most games released on steam are 5% off for preorders. Also, almost every weekend they'll have a game or pack of games for half price.

Orangecoke @ Oct 16th 2008 3:53PM

Mass Effect PC did this too I believe.

Haggard @ Oct 16th 2008 4:07PM

I picked it up for £20 about a month *after* the release, so perhaps amazon ordered a few too many copies :P

Blazur @ Oct 16th 2008 4:02PM

Wait, so this can be applied to retail as well? What do I do, purchase online, and then get a coupon which I bring to retail stores? I've always opted for the physical box over steam purhcases...mainly because I like to have a copy I can put on the shelf for prosperity.

Meta @ Oct 16th 2008 7:16PM

I believe the stores are required to do this by Vavle, not sure though.

benjor0x0r @ Oct 16th 2008 4:10PM

This isn't EXACTLY a new thing. Years ago gamestop actually did this for some titles, pre-order and you get the cheaper price. They were doing this long before they started offering bonus items and such for pre-ordering.

Side note: Gamestop online is currently running a promotion offering free overnight shipping if you reserve the game. This is addition to the $5 off. Fuel the empire!

Kevin @ Oct 16th 2008 4:25PM

I preordered it last night on Steam the second I saw that it was available.

You might think that finding it for $30-35 for the 360 is a good deal until you remember that you might MAYBE get the new maps/weapons/classes/characters/whatever that Valve releases on PC eventually.