[quote name='Stinker101']I know what you mean. I used to buy every new game when it came out but now I limit myself by doing the following:
1. Read multiple reviews of the game
www.metacritic.com
2. Play the demo if available (saved me several times from buying games I would have otherwise bought. Example Modnation I did not like the controls and canceled my preorder but played Split Second demo and loved it)
3. Once I identified the games I want I shop online for the lowest price with the most bonuses or gift cards.
4. Go through my collection and see if there is anything I probably wont play again. Example: UFC 2009 I would sell to put toward UFC 2010 or Heavy Rain after I beat it a few times. I do like to keep games that have a lot of replayability either single or multiplayer such as Mass Effects or Uncharted.
5. For those titles that I am on the fence I will wait for the price to drop. I have noticed new games drop in price within a few weeks now just look at how God of War 3 and Splinter Cell Conviction prices dropped.[/QUOTE]
You are doing it right. I only pre-order now when I have a good idea of what the game is like and want it. Still hold off opening those until first reviews come in. Alpha Protocol I pre-ordered with the 25 off promo with gears 3 because I was pretty sure I will like and buy both right away, and they had a great list of bonus in game items for Alpha Protocol.
Lately I find myself adding games to my amazon wishlist and placing a dollar value in the comments for what price point I feel it is worth based on descriptions for the game and ratings. I don't have a lot of games I still want to buy, so I am holding out until I find the prices I want so my backlog is demolished when they drop to the right spot. (I am looking at you Fallout 3 Game of the Year edition!)
Only 2 games in my backlog and one will be done before my pre-order shows up.