Editorial: Next Gen Preparation

This time of year is usually pretty quiet when it comes to new releases. The summer is dedicated more so to less than stellar titles, indie games, and … not much else. there is narn a AAA title in sight. This summer is shaping up to be particularly dry, as not only is it summer but it’s the summer before a new console release. Between now and September, there is only one title that I am really excited for, and even as a JRPG (Tales of Xillia), it won’t keep me all that occupied. Which is fine, because it gives me the perfect opportunity to get prepared for the new next generation releases in the fall.

And there a a couple things I can recommend doing in order to prepare for the Playstation 4.

1. Put aside some monies

The holiday season is going to be an expensive one, and that’s just considering the presents I plan on buying for myself. In order to be prepare for the cost of the system and some of the release games, I am setting aside some money early so it’s not such a big hit in the end. And honestly, a little will go a long way. For example, I have about eight paychecks left until the end of October. If I put away just a measly 25.00 a paycheck between now and November, I’ll have 200.00 to plop down on that bad boy.That’s HALF OF WHAT IT COSTS. BAM.

Another way to get some money aside for your new Playstation 4 is to trade in some of those older games you have. Places like EB Games and Gamestop will take your games and give you sweet, delicious credit for them. What’s more, if you trade in towards your pre-order of the system or games, there are deals going on all the time where you will get extra credit towards next generation preorders. I did this the other day, and turned 140.00 of credit into 265.00 (!!!) when I put it towards my Playstation 4 preorder, and some PS3 and PS4 games. That’s actually pretty phenomenal.

2. Pre order away

If you want to have a Playstation 4 anytime in 2013, and probably early 2014, Like with every new console release, games are scarce in the beginning. Because of this, you’re going to want to preorder anything you’ll want to play. Stock will be low and in high demand: what’s more, if you’re trading things in you can preorder and take advantage of some of the deals I mentioned before. My preorder list so far for next generation includes Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag, Watch Dogs, and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes. Because honestly. I know what I’m doing.

3. Catch up on that shame pile, dammit.

Sometimes I get accused of being more of a game collector than an actual gamer, and sometimes I believe it myself. I pick games up all the time with the best intentions, but then real life things get in the way and I don’t have the time to dedicate to all of them. Then something like The Last of Us happens and, well, everything else takes a back seat. But this quiet time pre- new console release is the PERFECT time to catch up on things I’ve been neglecting. I can finally finish Tomb Raider, check out some of the free PS Plus games I’ve queued up over the past couple months, and play for the first time all three Uncharted games (please don’t throw things. I know. I know.).