Dated: inFamous

[DoctorFinger]

Sony and Sucker Punch have announced a release date for inFamous. The open world action game will be in stores on May 26, exclusively for the PS3.

They've also announced the pre-order bonuses for the game. Gamers who pre-order will get a HOME avatar (so you can look like a member of the Reapers), an opportunity to download the demo on May 7, a month before release. You'll also get the 'Gigawatt Blades’ Super Power, seen above and described as: "an instrument of destruction unmatched by any other melee weapon in game. Although very powerful, you’ll still have to use this weapon wisely, as it takes a considerable drain on your powers."

Source - Playstation Blog.

[DiBiddilyBop]

huh... I was thinking I'd pick this up via Goozex, but now I feel like I might have to pre-order. Dammit...

[Gorvi]

So the demo is two weeks early if you pre-order? Still dumb to give that kind of thing away as a pre-order bonus, hopefully I can just download it from the Euro store and be done with it. This is one game where I really want to try the demo as the game looks good, but I have serious doubts.

[Julip]

Something to play on my PS3. I'm renting it first though.

[DoctorFinger]

This is also (to my knowledge) the biggest game to give a functionally different weapon/power/spell/etc as a preorder bonus. Some games gave a gold weapon, or earlier access to one, but this is the first I recall which gives you a different (albeit not game-changing) ability.

[muddi900]

This was just done so they could beat Prototype. Marvel and DC(and Image) should realise there is market for games where you can elbow drop on tanks, and should commision one for one of their characters.

[Iron Past]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

So the demo is two weeks early if you pre-order? Still dumb to give that kind of thing away as a pre-order bonus, hopefully I can just download it from the Euro store and be done with it. This is one game where I really want to try the demo as the game looks good, but I have serious doubts.

I don't understand it either. I can see giving a bonus level or mode to preorders (didn't Mirror's Edge do something like that?), but giving early demo access to people who have already decided to buy your game make no sense.

Since this isn't releasing opposite of Prototype anymore, maybe that solve some problems people were debating with, too.

[Spigot]

Well, barring a gamebreaking demo experience, this will be the first full priced PS3 game for me this year.

I'm with those who think that giving demos to people who have already decided to purchase your product is 8 kinds of stupid. At least this is out long enough from now for me to save up some cash for it.

I'm still not sold on Prototype but Sucker Punch hasn't done wrong by me yet, so I'm sold on this.

[AgtFox]

According to the Source at the very bottom of the blog post, the demo will be free on May 21st.

[KidCactus]

Originally Posted by AgtFox

According to Joystiq, the demo will be free on May 21st.

That's what it says on the Playstation blog linked in the OP too.

I wonder if it's a worldwide release on the 26th...

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I hope the demo comes out in another region so I can pick it up without this bullshit. Similar to Killzone 2.

[AgtFox]

Originally Posted by KidCactus

That's what it says on the Playstation blog linked in the OP too.

I wonder if it's a worldwide release on the 26th...

Yeah, I changed it. Like a lot of people evidently I didn't read the blog first until after I linked that story.

[Spigot]

That's good to hear. I'll probably still pre-order it, but it's nice to know I don't have to if I want to check out the demo first.

[Telefrog]

Boo on the exclusive power for preorders only! Why would a publisher agree to this crap? Ugh.

[Spigot]

Originally Posted by Telefrog

Boo on the exclusive power for preorders only! Why would a publisher agree to this crap? Ugh.

You know they'll put it up as paid DLC 6 months from now.

Plus, if it's truly that important to you, well, pre-order!

[agentgray]

Uh, sure. I'll try and then buy, not buy to try earlier.

[Telefrog]

Originally Posted by Spigot

You know they'll put it up as paid DLC 6 months from now.

Plus, if it's truly that important to you, well, pre-order!

Actually, if it was really important to someone, I'd advise not preordering to discourage the practice in the future.

[Orca]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

This is also (to my knowledge) the biggest game to give a functionally different weapon/power/spell/etc as a preorder bonus. Some games gave a gold weapon, or earlier access to one, but this is the first I recall which gives you a different (albeit not game-changing) ability.

A lot of MMOs have given preorder items, and I'd argue that Age of Conan or Warhammer Online were bigger launches. Race Driver: GRID had an exclusive car. Halo Wars had two exclusive things, but I can't remember what exactly. Prince of Persia had preorder skins, but didn't change abilities I don't think.

I think both Infinite Undiscovery and Last Remnant had exclusive preorder items as well.

[Spigot]

Originally Posted by Telefrog

Actually, if it was really important to someone, I'd advise not preordering to discourage the practice in the future.

But if it's important enough for them to want it that badly, they'd probably be hard pressed NOT to pre-order to get it.

[Dukefrukem]

damn that's close!