If you’ve been keeping track of this season’s hottest releases, you likely noticed something special on November 3, 2014. Namely, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was out early. Select Best Buy and Walmart stores offered shoppers a chance to pick up the game at midnight, before anyone else. Not only that, but the special, Day Zero copies of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare had some additional content in the form of a double experience event on November 3 and some extra equipment. Now, I’m not a Call of Duty fan, but I couldn’t help seeing this announcement and thinking, “Wow.” More games need this.
Think about it. Day Zero Editions of games could be great for consumers. Take the people who probably went out of their way to get Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare early. This is an established series. They know they’re going to want, love, and play the hell out of this game. Buying it at launch is a safe bet for them. Especially since it means getting a few extras to enhance the experience.
Plus, it isn’t like it hurt people who were also considering buying Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare , but didn’t get the Day Zero Edition. The bonuses were minor and have no major effect on gameplay. The people who did get it early have a head start, but people who wait to see if there are Black Friday deals will still find plenty of people to play with at their level. Each Call of Duty installment has at least a year where the community is robust and active.
It’s good for publishers and stores as well. An early launch could encourage sales. People will be excited by the prospect of getting something early. Especially given the competitive nature of Call of Duty players. That could spur on more launch sales from people who might normally wait until a sale or price drop. Impulse control can’t stand against the notion of having something you really want before everyone else. Plus, it gets people talking about the game, building hype before the release.
Day Zero Editions feel like such a good idea. It’s odd that such a thing is so rare, when it’s clear people would take advantage of such a deal. Imagine if it were possible to get Day Zero Editions of other games. I can tell you right now, I’m considering pre-ordering Dragon Age: Inquisition from Amazon because I know there have been rare instances where a game I’d ordered from them shipped early and arrived before the launch date. I would be all over an event that gave me access to something I’d wanted for months a day or two early.
Which is why I hope the Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Day Zero Edition sold well. I’d love to see more publishers take this kind of chance with their games. It seems like it could only benefit everyone involved, and make a lot of people who can’t wait to play it feel special for getting a little extra time with an anticipated game.