What influences your buying habits more?

[Peench]

We touched upon it a bit last week with the question about the Gamespot firing, but only tangentially. Well this week we're hitting the question head on. Why do you buy a game? I know there are more than a few of us who give in to PGL Peer Pressure and buy a game so we can play it with other PGL members, but that can't be all of us. There are more than a few reasons why I buy a game, but I'm curious what influences all of you.

For purposes of the answers, lets consider "Reviews" as a formal, structured analysis of the game, while a "Recommendation" is a casual and laid back suggestion to play or buy.

[The Milk Man 09]

Definitely if I do not already have a game hearing how my friends like it or playing it at a friends house is a major factor for me.

[A SpecialFriend]

I voted for major publications, but it's kinda a mix between them all. If I like what I see on line from a game, hear good things about it from friends or the folks here, I will probably purchase it. So, it's not just one thing that makes me buy a game.

[D_Litch]

I chose forums and such, but I usually make up my mind from previews and press before it's release.

[Leftie247]

For me, it's a toss up between reviews and recommendations. They both go hand in hand but I am more likely to trust someone I know giving a recommendation than I am a big review site. For me, playing games is more about having fun with good people than it is about competition. If other people seem like they are having fun playing the game, I will more than likely pick it up.


Leftie

[Thornes70]

Kind of a hard one to answer but in the end I said I make up my own mind. Really, all of the answers effect my decision, but only I can decide to buy it!

[Desi Cuse]

Combination of all of them. Weighing the good and bad aspects of a bunch of reviews.

[AlphaQ GehaD]

Its usually a mix of them all, but for answers sake, I usually make up my own mind before the game comes out...Like i did for Saints Row and Shadowrun(good decisions), The Darkness and Two Worlds (Very Bad decisions on both of those. Its been turning out to be 50-50 with just me deciding and Halo 3, CoD4, and GoW are just major games that you know are gonna be golden.

[Twilight]

I noticed that renting and demos were not listed. Those are my final decision factors, but what I read usually perks my interest

[Peench]

Good point Brian! Demos can play a large factor in whether I buy a game too. Sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a bad way.

[dmiller68]

You didn't have because Jellyfish.com had it cheap.

I would have to say I don't use any good sound judgment in buying games. If I see a good deal in my eyes I buy it.... or I see all you people are buying it then I have to have it too. Basically wave a discount on a crappy game I'll buy it. Now I'm working on some self control but it is very very hard.

[Rhino Chaser]

You left out this one: "whatever Brew says."

[Mortis Canyon]

I would have to say a little of everything listed above (as far as the choices go). Mostly, I am influenced by friends and forums. It's better to have someone tell you about a product w/o any bias.

[ishmaelj1]

Usually without a doubt the best place for me to get info on games is from friends. Very often a friends advice on a game will greatly influence whether or not I buy it.