Sony details MAG pre-order bonuses: where to get what
by Randy Nelson 
{ Sep 9th 2009 at 2:00AM } 
Following a weekend of 256-player mayhem at PAX '09, Sony has unloaded more details on the pre-order campaign for its "massive action game," MAG, which releases on January 26, 2010. First up are three exclusive in-game characters, each corresponding to one of the game's three PMC armies -- with custom gear -- and available via a different retailer. GameStop has the S.V.E.R. soldier contractor for offer while Game Crazy is offering the Raven recruit -- we're not sure why, but Sony's keeping the wraps on where you can pre-order to receive a Valor grunt.
Reserving the game via Amazon will grant you access to your very own S.V.E.R. "personal space" (read: apartment) in PlayStation Home. If you want the most alluring incentive, however, it's back to GameStop for access to the public beta of MAG beginning October 10. (Qore subscribers will be let in on September 17.) Initially, the beta servers will only be online during specific play windows, but Sony has confirmed that they'll be up-and-running 24/7 after November 9.
If you want all of the goodies, you're going to need to mount your own MPC ("massive pre-order campaign").
Reserving the game via Amazon will grant you access to your very own S.V.E.R. "personal space" (read: apartment) in PlayStation Home. If you want the most alluring incentive, however, it's back to GameStop for access to the public beta of MAG beginning October 10. (Qore subscribers will be let in on September 17.) Initially, the beta servers will only be online during specific play windows, but Sony has confirmed that they'll be up-and-running 24/7 after November 9.
If you want all of the goodies, you're going to need to mount your own MPC ("massive pre-order campaign").
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Luke @ Sep 9th 2009 2:05AM
I'm really getting sick of preorder bonus shit like this. Especially when they spread different exclusive bonuses throughout different distributors. Christ, why don't you give people a bonus for buying the game new, not just for preordering it.
MattKing @ Sep 9th 2009 2:13AM
Pre-order gimmicks equal news. Hey, what do you know, free advertising on Joystiq.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Sep 9th 2009 2:15AM
Should start an online petition.
That'll learn em.
dan.da.trk @ Sep 9th 2009 2:52AM
actually pre oder number do alot.... if there is a huge amount of pre orders for a game then the distributor/retailer will order more and more so in the end the the game company benefits.... but i think that there should be a blanket bonus for pre ordering it... as in you should get exactly the same bonus no matter where you pre order from
Marty @ Sep 9th 2009 10:57AM
My personal favorite for the pre-order madness is when they try to pile on the pre-order junk for games that are completely unknown, or which not many people are interested in.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Sep 9th 2009 2:11AM
Pre-ordered the day after I jumped into the beta. I'll have to keep my eye out for the voucher, unless it comes with the game at launch (like Prince of Persia).
GiggMan @ Sep 9th 2009 8:12AM
Interesting, so after one day of beta playing you were inclined to pre-order?
Obviously thats a good sign that it may be pretty good. What was your stance on the game before the beta?
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Sep 9th 2009 11:19AM
Before the beta I was very skeptical, but I was also hopeful because I knew the Zipper team was behind the project. Actually, I had passed on the whole concept because I often find online shooters to get old rather quickly, but long after the launch of the beta I'm still really enjoying it.
Lekko @ Sep 9th 2009 2:31AM
Kinda glad I got Qore. Qor.. Qu- whatever. Got into Uncharted 2 beta, Killzone two, now this. And got me some free games off PSN. I'm happy with the benefits, but the episodes themselves tend to just suck. Also they're HUGE, like, 1.8GB for one episode, and then it only has one thing worth watching, and then has ads.
I only got it so I could get into betas without any real effort. Just in case anyone was wanting my opinion on it if they were thinking about subscribing to get into the beta for this and possibly others.
scooterbaga @ Sep 9th 2009 5:01AM
You mean your PSN gold membership?
Ashitaka @ Sep 9th 2009 6:53AM
No, douchebaga.
Frank @ Sep 9th 2009 2:45AM
The fact that the Raven logo reminds me precisely of Raven Sword from MGS4 makes me want to get into the beta of this game. Looks like Outer Heaven lives on.
dAnixx @ Sep 9th 2009 2:56AM
VALOR
dAnixx @ Sep 9th 2009 2:56AM
RAVEN
Obie @ Sep 9th 2009 7:24AM
Nobody shoots down Raven squad!!
dAnixx @ Sep 9th 2009 2:56AM
S.V.E.R.
Frostblade10 @ Sep 9th 2009 5:05AM
....oh i get it. Those are things in the picture... how clever...
kentuckyfried @ Sep 9th 2009 2:58AM
Guys notice that the choice pre-order bonuses never go to Amazon, but to Gamestop, where you invariably will have to pay tax on your purchase? wtf...
Home is nice, but I don't really care about having my own SVER apartment. War belongs on the battlefield.
End User @ Sep 9th 2009 4:46AM
If these are all just skins, then I don't really have a problem with it. However, if the special "improved" armor mentioned on the PlayStation blog actually affects your stats, it's bullshit. How are you supposed to pick which faction you'd like a boosted character for when you haven't even played the game yet? (I really don't understand the folks that are already "claiming" one faction or another, unless they're in the beta)
SVER better be decent, as I'll probably end up going to GameStop for the beta access. And that special armor (if it is a stat upgrade) damn well better be unlockable without having to pre-order.
Frostblade10 @ Sep 9th 2009 4:48AM
I got a beta key from PAX.
Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Sep 9th 2009 8:49AM
I'm already in the beta. See you in the battlefield, n00b.
Frostblade10 @ Sep 9th 2009 10:02AM
Givin' the key to my little bro. He's got a PS3. I'm a PC. :)
Nathan-DTS [He is your father] @ Sep 9th 2009 10:54AM
Does the team you choose affect your stats or equipment?
Jabra the Hutt @ Sep 9th 2009 11:59AM
I got the beta code from PAX as well. Apparently we won't be let in until September 17th (at which time I'll get a beta from my Quran subscription).
Pantsparty @ Sep 9th 2009 6:26AM
Unrelated, But funny none the less.
bassist @ Sep 9th 2009 6:34AM
That was one of the unfunniest things I have ever seen. Obnoxious, annoying....and really not funny. I see what he is trying to do, but it's simply not funny.
Emophia @ Sep 9th 2009 7:13AM
TBH preorder stuff like this makes me less likely to buy a game.
It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
linebeginstoblur @ Sep 9th 2009 8:50AM
Just close your hears and hum loudly and wait a few months. After the game is released, no one cares about the preorder bonuses, including people who actually bought it FOR the preorder bonuses.
tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 9th 2009 7:37AM
Hmm, I'm in quite the conundrum here. I really want to try MAG despite being unimpressed by it, but do I preorder a game that has unimpressed me just to get access to the demo....which is meant to impress me so I go out and preorder?
GiggMan @ Sep 9th 2009 8:13AM
If you really want to try the game you do...
Space @ Sep 9th 2009 9:31AM
you seem unimpressed with every game. Maybe you should try a new hobby that brings joy to your life.
tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 9th 2009 11:16AM
I'm unimpressed with mediocrity, which unfortunately is just as large a % as casual shovelware, if not more. The 10% or so that compile the great games in this industry is where I get all of my enjoyment.
Ashitaka @ Sep 9th 2009 2:51PM
Speaking of mediocrity...
We've had enough of your mediocre comments.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 9th 2009 8:20AM
I always get my Games NEW off of Amazon now....so I guess I'll take that Home Space....lol
FoShizzle @ Sep 9th 2009 8:29AM
i know, it sucks. same thing happened when i got infamous and got stuck with a home costume instead of gigawatt blades. i dont really use home, but i dont like supporting gamestop, and them getting these pre-order bonuses makes me wanna shop there even less.
linebeginstoblur @ Sep 9th 2009 9:01AM
Yeah. It seems like Amazon usually doesn't get the best preorder bonuses (e.g., LittleBigPlanet just had a mini-guide with no information that you aren't already getting in the game), but still, I really like Amazon and prefer shopping there over other places, so that's why I don't always like these preorder bonuses. =/
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 9th 2009 9:14AM
I mean I dont have a problem with the Home stuff...dont get me wrong...I use the Batman Space and the Ghostbuster space quite a bit....and still have on that Reaper costume from inFamous....I dont like the Pre-order bonus they have for R&C tho....thats kinda sucky...but I think the one for Uncharted 2 is cool...I have a PSP and that Treasure map on the PSP will come in handy...that way I dont have to jump on GameFaqs a few days after it comes out or buy the $15 guide.....
green11420 @ Sep 9th 2009 9:08AM
I'm currently in the private beta, but every time I go to play (in what spare time I have) there's a massive update waiting for me, so I hardly touched the game. Hopefully this changes soon.
Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Sep 9th 2009 9:28AM
Considering they've only updated twice, and one of those times was to let the SVER people in for the 256 player battle, you must have little free time...
green11420 @ Sep 9th 2009 9:36AM
Only twice, ok, so the 300 mb one should be the one regarding the sver. I'll get that one downloaded today, and play a little more.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 9th 2009 10:10AM
lol
j.howlett @ Sep 9th 2009 9:11AM
i'm likely to pre order from amazon anyway.
Breakerchase @ Sep 9th 2009 10:02AM
The SVER suits remind me of STALKER.
sean.the.bonbon @ Sep 9th 2009 10:54AM
So do you get a whole month of beta access or just the Gamestop exclusive? I dont know if i should get Qore AND preorder or just preorder.
ScottG13 @ Sep 9th 2009 11:03AM
I might get QORE for this. I'm pretty interested in MAG.
CT @ Sep 9th 2009 12:37PM
So those who don't pre-order become unaffiliated soldiers? lol dumbest pre-order incentive ever.
Ashitaka @ Sep 9th 2009 2:53PM
No.
You just get to play the game FIRST with some alternate costumes.
K1LLSWITCH @ Sep 9th 2009 2:07PM
Pre-order bonus' is great, however, spreading them out to different outlet's so that everyone can make some profit, is a bit irritating. With that said, I'd rather have a pre-order bonus than spending an extra $10 for a Collectors Edition where consumers are paying for a tin, or night vision goggles, instead of worth while content.
butlersp @ Sep 9th 2009 6:36PM
This is getting real out of hand with all the pre order BS. Next thing you know you won't be able to buy a complete game anymore the levels will be broken up by retailers and each one will charge $60 bucks for 2 levels and the exclusive per store will be an online employee uniform from the store you bought it from. The catch there are twelve levels and online has to be purchased from the PSN only if all other levels have been purchased.
Frostblade10 @ Sep 9th 2009 6:41PM
Yeah, this particular beta will be from Sept. 17th t November 2nd. Or so the beta ticket says.