Evolve pre-order incentive

We've seen publishers create controversial incentives designed to drive pre-orders. Now we're seeing more and more incentives designed to drive digital "pre-purchases".

Here's the latest: if you pre-purchase Turtle Rock's four versus one co-op shooter Evolve on Xbox One, you automatically unlock a number of characters you'd otherwise have to grind for.

In a blog post on the Evolve website, Evolve publisher 2K said those who pre-purchase Evolve on Xbox One before or during the Xbox One open beta, set to begin this Thursday, 15th January, get instant access to the Wraith monster as well as hunters Parnell, Abe, Caira, and Cabot.

That's for the beta. But a pre-purchase also guarantees these characters are instantly unlocked when the final game goes on sale on 10th February.

Those hunters are classed as "third tier", which means you have to battle through Evolve's progression system to unlock them - under normal circumstances. Goliath and the four first tier hunters are available from the off - under normal circumstances.

A pre-purchase of a game on Microsoft's Xbox Games Store charges at the time the order is placed. So what you'd be doing here is paying for the game before it's out. But, it's worth noting you can get a refund if you cancel your order prior to the game's release.

I don't like pre-ordering anymore as we always end up with a broken game and to be honest, I like the grind to unlock characters. Another reason to play a game. I can see why they are offering it for most players though

Totally agree Fox. This actually turns me off pre-ordering, as if you only start with a few characters you can get to know them well before you'll unlock the new ones otherwise you'll just be hit with too many options from the start.

I like the looks of this game but a few things will put me off. Main one is being forced to play against a random player, as the monster. this could be great fun with four friends against someone you know all in a party together.

And the price they'll be asking for a multi-player only game that will probably become boring after a month is also a factor. Might be a wait till it's cheaper purchase but by that time nobody on my friends list will likely be playing it.

If they actually let me play against my friends while play with my friends I'd be sold and it'd worth a day one buy. But I know that's not gonna happen or will be restricted so that if you want play this way you never unlock anything as happened with Titanfall.

Totally agree with above comments
Is anyone going to try the open beta at all?

I tried the closed one but if a bunch of people plan to go on the open one I'd give it a shot. It's seems like a fun game but don't think I'd be as absorbed with it as I have been for the like of Destiny and Mass Effect-3.

I will keep an open mind, but I can't see the hook here.

Seems like just one mode not a full game experience.

KENT HAMMER wrote:I will keep an open mind, but I can't see the hook here.

Seems like just one mode not a full game experience.

Bet they'll still want £60 for it though