Xbox Appears To Be Refunding Stalker 2 Digital Pre-Orders

Games that get delayed long periods are generally refunded as standard practice. How many preorders were even out there since this would be on gamepass?

It makes sense - the game has not yet been released, the people perhaps would rather have the money in 'their' pocket until they at least have a solid release date and consider 'pre-ordering' again.

I wouldn't pre-order from any company that takes the 'money' at the time you pre-order. All the companies I pre-order from only take the money on the day of dispatch so I only pay when the game is about to be sent out to arrive on the release day. Companies like Amazon and Game also only charge you the 'lowest' price - either the price you 'pre-ordered' at or at the lower price if its cheaper, which is often the case as the pre-order price is 'full retail' and then on the day, its a more competitive price too compete with other retailers pricing...

Meanwhile Sony won't let you refund at all, period. Nothing like pre-ordering a game, seeing it get horrible pre-release reviews, and then NOT being able to refund even tho you haven't played one second of the game.

But anyway...hoping for the best with this one!!

@stinkyx This is why you never pre-order. They either delay into infinity (I know this one isn't their fault due to the situation) or they turn out to be trash and/or you run into refund issues. I always wait for reviews before purchase, or sit out any that embargo/ban reviews until after release and you find out why they were afraid to allow reviews before people purchased the game and were stuck with it. (by passing the refund window on steam for example)

@BAMozzy I know that people get stoked for a game they're looking forward to, but why would anyone be happy with handing over money for a product that isn't even completed? I think digital purchases ought have the same buyers' rights as physical. Firms shouldn't be able to take your payment until you're at least allowed to download the finished game.

@Barry_Biscuits Where did I say that ANYONE should be 'happy' to hand money over any sooner than when the game is 'dispatched' (physical) or pre-installed (digital) - both of which would require the game to be at the 'release' stage.

All I said is that I never pre-order from ANYONE that takes the money at the time of 'pre-order' and not at the time of dispatch/release. That is why I NEVER Pre-order anything Digitally as they take the money at the point of Order, not at the point of release...

At least with some 'Digital' stores, they do offer a full refund if you choose to cancel so its not as if you are 'fully' committed to purchase and/or lose out on money/game long term. If the game doesn't release, you change your mind etc, you can get refunded so its not as if you have bought 'something' and its 'never' going to arrive so you 'lose' that money and have 'no' game either. The downside is that banks, paypal, credit cards etc only offer certain 'buyers' protection for a limited time after purchase so if you 'pre-order' too early, any 'extra' protection you had by buying with these methods would expire long before the game is actually due out anyway...

As I said, I would NEVER pre-order from any company (Digital or Physical) that takes the money at the time of 'pre-ordering' instead of waiting until the product is ready to sell and then taking the money prior to dispatch/pre-installation etc...

@BAMozzy Eh? Sorry, maybe I didn't write it very well, but I was in complete agreement with you, on every point. I think video game firms are taking advantage of FOMO (I hate the term) and taking customers money for pre-orders on games that have well over year's worth of development to go is plainly wrong. You're right, Amazon for instance doesn't take a penny til items are despatched. I don't see why it can't be the same for digital.