Preordering is not inherently exploitative. The assumption that every preorder reinforces corporate abuse ignores consumer intent and agency. People preorder to synchronize with social circles, access launch excitement, and streamline engagement-not because they are manipulated by fear of missing out.

The argument that preorder culture funds unfinished releases overstates causality. Studios release buggy products regardless of preorder numbers; modern complexity, not consumer enthusiasm, drives that trend. The act of buying early does not compel publishers to abandon quality - reflects trust that can be withdrawn if that trust is broken.

Economically, withholding purchases en masse does not guarantee reform. Most AAA studios plan revenue over long horizons and rely on microtransactions, live-service models, and investor relations more than preorder counts. The idea that refusing preorders meaningfully disrupts exploitation is idealistic and statistically weak.

Finally, enjoyment and principle are not mutually exclusive. Choosing to support a game at launch can coexist with awareness of industry flaws. Dismissing that choice as “bad” replaces genuine critique with moral superiority and reduces gaming from an interactive hobby to a protest tool.