Welcome back to another issue of PlayStation Weekly! The best place to get caught up with PlayStation news!
Out the gate, I’m going to tell you that it was kind of a slow news week in the gaming sector. I mean, there are lots of little tidbits here and there, but not really note worthy info to be read here. That being said, there was one major news break that has caught a lot of attention since yesterday. That news break is the delay of Destruction Allstars! One of the few PS5 exclusive launch lineups.
Not to worry, though. This is actually pretty good news for future PS5 owners. Destruction Allstars is getting a delayed release into February, 2021, but not due to the game needing more work. It would seem that Destruction Allstars is getting delayed because of low preorder numbers. But that’s not all. Destruction Allstars will also be released as a free PS Plus title in February! It will be available for free for 2 months for Plus subscribers and then it will go back to stores for whatever price tags Sony hands it.
While this news might not seem to go much deeper, it does. With the news of Destruction Allstars being delayed, many gamers that had preordered PS5’s with the game bundled in, had concerns about what would happen with their preorders? Now, it seems like the solution should be simple. Get the cost of the game taken off the overall price or swap it for another title, but GameStop sent out some alarming emails that could have been better explained and will hopefully be updated and sent again with clearer terms.
While I haven’t heard about how other companies are handling the situation with their bundles, I can say that GameStop sent out emails to customers to let them know that their orders have been delayed. Dun, dun, duuuunnnnnn!!!!
The problem here is that email doesn’t specify exactly what happened or how things will move forward. A lot of folks got in touch with GameStop customer service to inquire about said email and things aren’t 100% concrete as of yet because GameStop hasn’t released a statement yet, but many gamers are claiming that GameStop told them they would cancel only the game and the rest of the console bundle would ship on time.
I haven’t heard any news of preorders being cables over this, but I have a feeling that people are going to make the mistake of canceling their preorder online as they might assume the console bundle won’t ship until sometime in February, 2021. Do not cancel your preorders people! GameStop is a little slow to the punch when it comes to clearing things up and the email was likely an automated message to give you a heads up that more details are on the way.
If GameStop ever does make a public comment on the issue, I’ll be sure to let you know, but I’m in the meantime, I would advise you to keep the mindset that your PS5 preorder is still active. Don’t panic until you hear it from GS. That being said, I just finished speaking with a GameStop representative and they told me that the game will be canceled from the order and everything else will be shipped on time. Here’s a pic of the transcript at the end of my conversation.
The good news about Destruction Allstars being delayed is that not only will it be free and save us from paying $70 (USD), but it will have the potential to get a much bigger audience with PS Plus. The game is meant to be enjoyed online and we have seen how games can really take off when added as a PS Plus title at launch. Not to mention that this could cause us to see a change in how Sony does things with exclusive titles.
I can’t recall a time where we received an actual triple A game at launch on PS Plus. We normally see those games drop on Plus after some months have passed. While I’m not holding breath about a change, it could happen over time if Destruction Allstars manages to capture the PS5 fan base like Fallguys or Rocket League did. These two games are bringing in massive cash right now and they are indie titles. Something to think about, Sony!
Another way to look at it, even if you didn’t preorder the game or were excited about it at all, is the money factor again. This game was going to be $70. That’s more than the cost of a 1 year subscription to PS Plus. Getting PS Plus when you get the PS5 will pay for itself and then some! Of course, if you don’t care about trying this game at all, you’ve really gained no advantage except for the fact that the game is still going to be free whether you try it or not.
Well, that covers the great Destruction Allstars delay! I hope I have given some peace of mind to anyone that may be concerned about their bundle preorders from at least GameStop. Be sure to check back here next Tuesday! Getting this close to the next release, there is bound to be a lot more news announced soon!
Did you preorder a PS5 bundle that included Destruction Allstars? Have you spoken with your retailer to find out how they will move forward with the order? Let us know in the comments and tell us how it went!