Talk:Downloadable Content/@comment-90.228.193.5-20121031031146/@comment-27202257-20130314004212

Don't forget you can often get people to spend more money if you add extra swag to the deal--upgrades, knick-knacks, etc. That also gives the company a good idea of what sells to their target market.

Plus, as far as I understand, the first day or so of sales on a video game work kind of like opening weekend for movies--it determines marketability and success in the eyes of producers, and can sometimes sway additional investing efforts. Preorders therefore encourage high early buy-in, and as 8-Bit suggested, effectively guarantee sales before the game even hits the shelves.