What influences you to buy?

[E.T.]

When it comes to video games, what most often influences your buying decision?

If factor is not listed in poll options, please list.

Thanks!

E.T.

[Gadfly2317]

This may sound lame, but if I learn about a game I want to play (magazine, internet, word of mouth, etc) I just buy it. I rarely rent games, for a couple reasons. I'm a lot more sure of my tastes and what I'm going to like, and I never get my money's worth renting. I spend 5$ and half the time don't end up getting to play more than just a couple hours. If I spend the $40 I can play a game at my leisure, and in a few weeks if I don't want it anymore I can get good trade in value, or if its a keeper, then you know, I'm glad I bought it.

One thing, I'm never skeptical about buying a first party, second party, or collaboratively developed game for Nintendo. I never feel I need to rent them just to make sure. Mario Kart, F-Zero, Zelda, Metroid, Eternal Darkness,Pikmin. . . .was there even a chance these games weren't going to be keepers? Even Mario Sunshine was extremely fun, and so I feel safe just going and buying a nintendo product.

I've been dissapointed with several things on xbox, so if its a developer I'm not sure of I may rent it. Hell, I was even dissapointed with KOTOR, which I bought without trying out.

[folken001]

When it comes to video games, what most often influences your buying decision?

If factor is not listed in poll options, please list.

Thanks!

E.T.
I go with my gut feelings. So, if I bought a game that sucked, I would just return it or sell it.

[Glockstar]

I said "game reviews".

But really, that's moslty for "older" games. Like Gadfly said, I'm usually pretty sure of myself when it comes to whether or not I want a game. So on new releases, my decision is more or less based on "previews" (and news, and screenshots, and the like).

I didn't answer "Word of mouth" mostly because there's nobody else I know "in real life" that's into games as much as I am. That's where this site, and even this board right here, has come in handy. For example, I would never have bought KOTOR, Pikmin, or Ico, if it weren't for the things that certain people wrote and said - people who's gaming tastes I could and did (and can and do) relate too.

It works the other way though too. For example, Trebor has talked up Rogue Squadron 2 so much, that I've been super tempted to buy it - and have come close... real close... a bunch of times. I ultimately end up not getting it, only because I'm not sure I can trust him enough - based on the other games that I remember him being high on. (This was probably not be the wisest example for me to use though, was it? Ah, I'll leave it up. :p )

I've also made quite a bit of "word of mouth" decisions based on things that I've talked about with my XBox Live "Friends" - of which Darwin and Daman are a part of. That's one of the greatest, and coolest, things about XBL, I tell you - the "Friends" list! My XBox Friends play a very big part in the process of deciding on which upcoming XBL enabled game I'm going to buy. Which often times, essentially, turns into, 'which upcoming XBL enabled game we're going to buy'. (Or not.)

I can only hope that the rest of you have found some posters - some people - that you can - not only relate too - but trust. As I have.

"Demos", and "Trust In Particular Developer" are "Other" factors for me.

[T.Tashi]

When it comes to video games, what most often influences your buying decision?

If factor is not listed in poll options, please list.

Thanks!

E.T.
A couple of things... <B>the genre or style...</B> if it's an rpg or adventure game from a subgenre I really really like, like survival horror or stealth, it's gonna get my attention and I'll probably follow it to release. I'll check out previews and reviews, but ultimately I'm gonna wanna try it myself. I'm like Folken in that, if it sucks, I return it.

I get game urges and I may buy something I don't ordinarily play like a FPS or racer. Then reviews may be something of an influence.

<B>Word of mouth</B>

That's it really. Screenshots, reviews, etc. may influence me somewhat like I said, but not enough to run out and spend hard earned money. There's a ton of AAA rated games I just plain don't like and generally accepted crap I thought was pretty fun.

[Renzatic Gear]

Demos. There have been plenty of games I own that I would've never even considered had a demo not been released.

You can find alot of good games just by checking out a demo site when you're bored.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Interest (or lack of it) is usually my main deciding factor in choosing a game. Whenever there are previews of a game, if it's something I may be interested in I will keep track of it. Reviews only come into play if the game has a lot of technical problems or it's made by a questionable or unknown developer. Prie only comes into play if the game's length doesn't meet my standards, or if the game has been out a while. There's no way I will pay $50 for a game that's been out for a while.

["The Game"Evolution]

I go with my gut feelings. So, if I bought a game that sucked, I would just return it or sell it.

Any game that catches my eye the first thing I do is all of the above:

1.Read videogame magazines:Game Informer,Gamepro,EGM,and sometimes PSM or OXM to get more insight on the game.

2.Gather up as much info from the internet about the game as I can.(Plus to check on changing release dates)

3.Ask people that own it hows the gameplay.

From there then I decide if its a must buy now or a game I rather buy later on down the stretch.

Thats basically how I go about each game that I buy.

[Nissian X]

It was very close between Word of Mouth and Game Reviews. Although the reviews go through every aspect of the games, if I hear things from, lets say, people from this forum, they point out more specifics about certain things, like visual special effects, physics and other things about the graphics, and animation, as well as how it plays and sounds.

Plus, I can't always trust some reviewers, some of them are extremely bias.

And I always do my Homework, look at screens read some reviews from a couple of Mags, ask around here, and such.

[Damian]

A good review does not make a good game. Neither does your friends opinion also mean a whole lot especially if you have different tastes. Though I must admit at times a review may, in part, influence my decision on whether to purchase a game or not. Other factors must be taken in to account. If it is a series that you like such as Resident Evil or Madden, you probably have a good idea what you should expect. When It comes to new game such as Manhunt, I might ask a friend, read reviews, look at screen shots, and/or rent it. Of course, let's not forget about the demo disc. To choose only one out of your list of influences to buy a game would be foolish, not to mention, simple.
damian