Germany Bans Preorders for Games Without a Release Date

A new ruling in Germany will affect the way companies will offer video game preorders in the country.

According to German news site Heise, the Higher Regional Court of Munich has voted to ban retailers from offering preorders for products without a confirmed release date. The ruling was made as a consumer protection claim targeted toward Media Markt, the German electronics franchise. The intention was to eliminate smartphone pre-orders that lack a release date, but the ruling will cover video games as well.

Düsseldorf Consumer CEO Wolfgang Schuldzinski explains the specifications.

"When consumers order goods on the internet, providers must specify by when the goods are delivered."

This won't prevent publishers and developers from giving a date and delaying it as needed, but it will prevent "coming soon" dates. This may also mean we won't see preorders for games two or more years away still. All of this is in regards to Germany, as well. Though I wouldn't mind this ruling in the States, personally.