Do you pre-order video games that you want before their release? If so, do you prefer to pre-order in store so you can pick it up on the day, or online so you can have it delivered straight to your doorstep without the fuss? Do you pre-order for the bonuses often included as incentive? If not, why not? Would you be more inclined to pre-order a video game if doing so would allow you play the game sooner, or earn you bonuses (such as bonus equipment, or small physical items such as keyrings) that you wouldn't get if you purchased it on the day?
Honestly this is a big "it depends" for me. While I enjoy pre-ordering games for the sake of knowing I have them, I try to hold myself back after the whole 3DS situation I was in--the massive price drop after a few months. Generally speaking, I'll only pre-order a game if I know I'll play it a bunch or have looked forward to its release for a fair amount of time (I'm looking at YOU, Kingdom Hearts 3...). Though smaller perks are nice, they generally don't factor much into my purchase or pre-order because they mean little compared to the actual game in my opinion.
If I pre-order a game, you know I've put a lot of faith in it. The only games I remember pre-ordering were Pokémon Omega Ruby, NBA 2k16, Fire Emblem Fates (all three), Super Mario Maker and Bravely Second. These all turned out to be a fun time. Pre-order bonuses are always a nice incentive, but they do not impact my decisions to get games in the slightest. Normally I wait until after release to see what the community thinks about games before making a semi-informed opinion.
I only pre-order games if I know for a fact that I want to get them as soon as they come out. The few games that I can think of right now that I've actually pre-ordered are The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (my first pre-order), Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Kingdom Hearts III.
I can hear the GameStop employees already. I’ll only preorder a game if I’m confident it will be fun and that it will sell out quickly. Otherwise, I’d much rather buy it the day it comes out or wait for a price drop.
For me it depends on if I'll be able to go and pick it up the day it releases. Most of the time I'm just pre ordering on the digital shop. Saves time and I can go ahead and play right at midnight.
Have you ever considered Amazon's new pre-order tactics? When you pre-purchase the physical copy, they'll have it shipped the day it's released!
Pre-orders? I want to pre-order Fire Emblem: The Three Houses (new switch fe game) Also off-topic but I might get the switch version of FE Warriors