@warandpeas when book publishers put up books for pre-order the manuscript is typically finished and a polished product, you know you're getting a (relatively) polished article. Video games are typically in active development up to a week or so before release, with huge "day 1 updates” not uncommon to cover change made between submitting to press and launch. Many games in recent years have been effectively unfinished at launch due to a fear to pre-orders may be cancelled if the game is delayed