Microsoft is attempting to sway some gamers still sitting on the fence about which console to buy with some exclusive content for three of its biggest launch titles.
Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Dead Rising 3 will each come with special incentives for those willing to buy them immediately. The content will be available digitally via download, and it is unclear if this content will be made available to others down the road or not. However, the deals will apply to digital purchases made within the first two weeks of the system’s launch.
Forza Motorsport 5 will come with a “Day One Car Pack” that includes the 2010 Audi TT RS Coupe, the 2013 Ford Focus ST, and the 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera. All three cars will come with their own Day One-themed livery.
Ryse: Son of Rome will come with the Legionnaire’s Trust sword and the Ruins co-op map. The map, though exclusive to Day One purchasers, can be played by non-Day One players only if invited to a game.
Dead Rising 3 will include costumes players can use in-game. The Frank West outfit features the zombie slugger, custom skills, and boosts to melee damage and survivor health. The Chuck Greene outfit comes with the paddle saw and perk boosts for vehicles and weapons.
Exclusives or pre-order bonuses are not uncommon in today’s market, but Microsoft especially is embracing this practice. Whether it is bonuses like those mentioned above, “Day One” verbiage on the controllers, or special Day One packaging on some games, Microsoft is trying to set itself apart from Sony by catering to fans.
Is it working? Is Microsoft doing enough to sway on-the-fence gamers to choose their side over Sony’s? What else do they need to do to win over that prized section of the market?
