Okay so there has been a lot of discussion about the pre-order bonuses being made available to everyone at some point in the future. I think a couple of factors should be taken into account before you pick sides of complain one way or the other, and then I have two possible solutions to the problem.
First lets all remember that there were pre-order bonuses for Reach (and there was, as far as I know, little to no freak out about it). Pre-order bonuses are a great promotional tool, and as a loyal halo player I (and I assume others) enjoy getting a reward for ordering early.
Halo 4’s bonuses aren’t really pre-order bonuses, they are more retailer/region* specific bonuses.
The key difference between Reach’s and H4’s bonuses is number. Reach had one true pre-order bonus (The Recon helmet variation) and the retailer bonus from GameStop. H4 on the other has a total of 13 in game retailer specific bonuses (5 armor skins, 5 emblems, 2 helmet skins, and a BR skin) all mix and matched between 15+ retailers**. To make matters worse more them a couple of the stores are not offering the bonuses with the LE copy of H4.
So I am a completionist, and I know I would like to get all the skins and emblems. But giving them away to everyone does make them not special at all. So here are two ideas that might be acceptable.
One: instead of giving the pre-order armor to everyone just give it to those that pre-ordered. Give all of us that pre-order a copy of H4 a code that will be activated a month or two after the game releases that will give us all the pre-order content.
Two: Release all the skins to everyone several months after launch. But include with every pre-order (and I do mean every copy everywhere) a code for a single armor skin (and maybe an emblem too) that will not be released the general public that didn’t pre-order. This will give those of us who pre-order to show off but allow us to have access to everything, and everyone else could have it all but one skin.
My personal opinion is that one of these two idea should be used. But otherwise I think that it none of it should be release at a later date. Even though I want it all I do think people that pre-order have a right to and should show off the special stuff they get.
I would love to hear if there are any other ideas on this topic besides simple “they should be released to everyone” and “no they shouldn’t”
*don’t freak out I just mean there are certain skins that aren’t available from any local stores in certain countries
**Source for bonus info: https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst85439_All-pre-order-bonuses--with-info---08-03-12.aspx Thank you LastPR0METHEAN for keeping such a good record of all the bonuses and retailers.