Don't pre-order games
The videogame industry wants you to buy games before they're released because it makes it easier for them to project their future earnings, and because they want your money before you find out whether a game is good or not.
Don't do it. They won't run out of copies, I promise.
Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 go live today. It's one of the most anticipated entertainment properties ever, in any medium, and I can understand wanting to give in to that excitement, and to participate in some way with what feels like a cultural moment of real significance.
You don't have to do that by giving them $80 today for a videogame you can't play until November 19th.
Book some days off work. Replay the previous games in the series. Watch some video essays about them. Create a zine about Franklin's dog. All of these are methods of participating in the moment that don't cost you $80 for a videogame you can't play yet.
To be clear, my anti-pre-order stance is not related to Grand Theft Auto 6 specifically.
I've seen the pattern play out