Special Editions. Collector’s Editions. Game of the Year Editions. Official Soundtracks. Books. Movies. Anime. Comics. Art Books. Figurines. Trading Card Games. Boardgames. The world of video game collectibles is enormous and spans just about every entertainment medium you could think of.
And just when you think things can’t get any crazier, a company like Activision announces a Prestige Edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Fully functional night vision goggles included.
As the PC gaming world becomes increasingly digital, with platforms like Steam, Impulse and Good Old Games available for fully digital game distribution, you wouldn’t think that physical gaming goodies and special editions are on the rise. And yet every newly announced (big-budget) game has some sort of special edition lined up for simultaneous release.
Join me as I take a look at some of the more notable samples in gaming memorabilia.
Having already mentioned Modern Warfare 2’s surprising Prestige Edition, there are two other upcoming Special Edition boxes that stand out of the crowd.
Assassin’s Creed 2: Black Edition is a massive box containing a small Ezio figurine, behind-the-scene interviews, soundtrack, art/lore book and 3 in-game bonus quests. This last one seems to be big with developers as of late and not just in Special Editions. Dawn of War 2 came in half a dozen different variations all containing different “bonus” in-game color schemes, weapons, items and bonus maps.
While there is no faulting AC2 Black Edition’s contents, it does come with a price tag 2-3 times higher than the regular game. I’m certain it will sell some copies at that price, especially considering the fact that AC was a good game and AC2 looks set to be better on all fronts, but I do think it’s going a little overboard. Like Modern Warfare 2’s Prestige Edition, I like the contents, but I’m not willing to lay down over 90 euro for ‘just’ some goodies. That’s almost as much as 3 new games!
Dragon Age: Origins is also set to launch with a dozen different versions. The Collector’s Edition features a special edition box with accompanying map of the world and bonus DVD. In addition it packs some extra in-game goodies. But in a strange move Electronic Arts opted for a stripped down CE in the United Kingdom (lacking all the physical goodies, but maintaining the price point) and gave exclusive CE distribution rights to a (overpriced) kid’s store in The Netherlands (for a 17+ rated game).
It gets more confusing when you factor in the various non-collector’s edition pre-order special deals. Play.com’s pre-order features a ‘Feral Wolf Charm unlock’ whereas Amazon provides the Lions Paw item.
What if you want both? Tough luck, you’ll have to shell out for two games. And the CE is no help, because it features neither of the aforementioned items, but three wholly different items! And there is still the digital Collector’s Edition which features a launch-day DLC pack that the regular Collector’s Edition lacks.
Most people will be able to get some sort of special deal this way, but the major fans who want it all are kinda left out in the cold. You can’t really get it all without shelling out for three copies and a DLC pack. But at least the DLC pack is available for purchase for standard edition players too.
Some developers release art books - this Art of Guild Wars 2 book is exceptionally good
But Collector’s Editions are far from the only form of gaming collectibles.
Take my latest addition to the collection: The Art of Guild Wars 2 art book. A beautiful 128-page art book for a game that’s set to release in … when it’s done. It gives an excellent insight into the game design process as commentary on the various included pieces of art is prominent. Not just great for fans of the franchise, but also people interested in game design and pure fans of art. ArenaNet has an incredibly talented art department, which makes the art book a worthwhile investment in and of itself.
Another interesting way in which game developers and publishers are reaching out to their communities is by expanding into other media. There are books, comics, anime and movies available based on a variety of games. Some good (Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne book, Tomb Raider movie), some bad (Ragnarok anime, most other game-related movies).
A lot of publishers seem to be headed in this direction, converging game-releases with books and movies. Avatar is the most notable example as a universe that is simultaneously being created for both a big-budget motion picture and a high quality video game.
Perhaps even more interesting is the development in the MMO gaming space. Most of the successful titles: EVE Online, Guild Wars and World of WarCraft, have launched their own online stores featuring collectible goodies.
You can order anything from Guild Wars t-shirts, to EVE Online model ships, to books building on the lore of the WarCraft universe. The latter even has a wealth of figurines and assorted geeky collectibles on offer. And Aion even has the Collector’s Edition goodies on offer on its official website!
It’s obvious that game developers and publishers are trying to earn more money from their games. Treating them as franchises rather than just games. Gone are the times when a major title like Baldur’s Gate would be released with a map of the world, and that was that. No fuss, no frills, just a game with some nice extras… in the regular edition (there was no CE).
Now you have special store deals, pre-order deals, collector’s editions, steel box editions, in-game bonus items and separately sold collectibles. It’s starting to become confusing and developers would do well to tone down on all the special deals. Fans in Europe will not be happy when your awesome cloth map is only available in North America, and in select stores at that. Spread the love!
Fortunately some developers do get the message and try to make it as easy as possible to get the ultimate edition.
Polish game developer/publisher CD Projekt (RED) released a new “Enhanced Edition” of The Witcher after launching a major (free!) game-changing update that removed virtually all of the game’s faults. And in addition to being the up-to-date version for new players, it also featured all the goodies of the Collector’s Edition, and then some.
A Witcher story written especially for the game, tons of behind-the-scenes footage from CD Projekt RED, the official soundtrack and of course an extra special-looking cardboard box. Not too shabby for a regular-priced game, which resulted in the enhanced edition being picked up by a lot of regular edition owners, myself included.
Heroes of Might & Magic Complete Edition has to be the most insane collector's edition ever
Ubisoft hatched an even more ingenious plan, by concocting the ultimate Heroes of Might & Magic set.
It’s called Heroes of Might & Magic Complete Edition and it comes with every game and expanion pack in the series in an enormous box. It’s so huge that it rivals mini-tower PCs in height and width.
The Complete Edition also comes packed with an insane list of goodies. A fan-made encyclopedia, official HoMM V soundtrack spread over three CDs, bonus DVD, massive art book, poster, tarot card game, t-shirt and full faction leaflet. As well as a HoMM Kingdoms – the upcoming HoMM flash game – beta key.
It was without a doubt the best 50 euro I’ve ever spent. No, you can’t get it at that low a price anymore, but I’ve seen it go for 100 euro …
As games receive ever more tough competition, especially in the winter months, I’m certain we’ll see even more of these kinds of special releases in the future. Game publishers want a return on their investment and inventing a pricier Special Edition is just the thing to do that.
In most cases this pans out well (Guild Wars, The Witcher, Assassin’s Creed 2), but in others the Special Edition is less than worthless. Call of Duty 2’s Special Edition is notable for it’s lack of… well, anything special. It was a marginally larger box with a bonus DVD containing a half hour of developer commentary. And that at 10-20 euro premium over the regular edition!
Fortunately I can’t recall anything recent that was quite that messed up, but it made me a lot more careful with regards to special editions. Many of them may include the greatest of gaming memorabilia, but some are just not worth the money and I’d have to include the Modern Warfare 2 and Assassin’s Creed 2 super-special editions in that list. It can be worth it to skip out on that special edition and use the extra cash to buy another game, especially in a busy gaming season – like right now.
But enough about my experiences.
What experiences have you had with gaming collectibles and special editions? Have you seen any particular must-have deals, or terrible packages to avoid at all costs?
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YES! I love collectibles, special editions, limited edition, gold editions, everything! I buy alot of 2-disc special edition DVDs, because I like extras.
I think I like my limited edition Magic-set the best, From the vault: Exiled. Few hours after the release seperate cards sold for more than $7.50, non-final bid. Great investment, plus they are good cards. Btw, if you don’t have any purpose for your HoMM tarot card deck…
There’s a Assassin’s Creed wallpaper on my wall and .. actually that’s all. xD
I am nor I ever was interested in collecting such stuff. :p