Preordering only ever made sense when there were a limited number of copies shipped on release. When it comes to digital copies, they are, for all intents and purposes, infinite in number. No need to ever preorder a digital copy of a game.
They cling to it because it still drives sales and mirrors the general interest of the consumer, which looks good to the investors. Tied in with vendor-exclusive bonuses they can probably also negotiate better shelving prices. So there's that.
Edit: Regarding shelving, I know we are talking about digital goods, but once you have a bonus for physical goods people would be mad if there weren't one for digital editions too. /edit
Until the majority of gamers has the same opinion on preorders or there is some major fallout nothing will change. They'll milk the cow until it doesn't pay anymore. To be fair, who wouldn't?
Preordering only ever made sense when there were a limited number of copies shipped on release. When it comes to digital copies, they are, for all intents and purposes, infinite in number. No need to ever preorder a digital copy of a game.
They cling to it because it still drives sales and mirrors the general interest of the consumer, which looks good to the investors. Tied in with vendor-exclusive bonuses they can probably also negotiate better shelving prices. So there's that.
Edit: Regarding shelving, I know we are talking about digital goods, but once you have a bonus for physical goods people would be mad if there weren't one for digital editions too. /edit
Until the majority of gamers has the same opinion on preorders or there is some major fallout nothing will change. They'll milk the cow until it doesn't pay anymore. To be fair, who wouldn't?
But the preorder has a bonus exclusive shield that has slightly better stats and is so shiny!