As already most of you know, pre-ordering is a pretty backwards concept from a consumer-perspective, but stupid concepts can have genius executions.
Personally I have a pretty neutral stance on pre-ordering, if there's a game I really want then I usually buy it a week or two before launch for the pre-loading. Pretty much at the time it's finished, never months before.
I'm curious, what do you think is necessary for a pre-ordering scheme to be both beneficial to the consumer AND the developer/publisher? It doesn't have to be realistic or ever done before, I'd just like some thoughts on the subject. What is required in order to keep everyone happy?
I think beta access is the way to go, since first of all it does touch the issue where you're buying something you have no clear idea how it will turn out, and you get something "tangible" from the pre-order, not just a receipt waiting to get checked.
And no "never pre-order", "pre-order is always bad" "blahbahblah", that's just no fun.