[General Discussion] Limited Editions and You

As hard as I might try to pretend otherwise I find there’s no escaping the plain truth that is the fact that I’m a complete whore for Limited Editions/Collectors’ Editions/Limited Collectors’ Editions of games, as evidenced in the fact that I just laid down a pre-order for the Assassin’s Creed II: Black Edition (this). Oh, and that the fact that right now I also have pre-orders down for the Batman: Arkham Asylum CE, the Need for Speed: Shift CE, the Modern Warfare 2: Limited Hardened Edition, the Dissidia: Final Fantasy LE and the Forza 3 LE (and technically the Demon Souls LE too).

Of course I do have my limits and it depends if the LE/CE/CLE looks at all worthwhile (some are really rather rubbish), and if they start venturing into insane prices land (hello MW2: Limited Prestige Edition) then that’s a big barrier to even considering it. But provided I consider the price reasonable, or the goodies look rather enticing, then an LE/CE/CLE is going to have my attention and possibly garner an order too.

Now, I know Skills is also a little gay for special editions, but anyone else? Or perhaps you feel the complete opposite and hate them with a passion, why?

And what goodies to people expect, like to see, or indeed would you like to see in them?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Omnislash124

They usually cost maybe $10 or $20 more, so I guess you could call them a kind of limited edition.

If they're costing you more they're not pre-order bonuses. Sounds like store-exclusive editions rather than a pre-order bonus (which should be free). But yes, pre-order bonuses are good too and thankfully feature in nearly every LE I've got ordered at the moment, so double win for me.

I find soundtracks less appealing than I perhaps should, but yeah a good artbook or behind the scenes book thing always appeals. Something about a nice steelbook case also always wins favour with me. I have to say the keychain and 2Gb USB stick on the Forza 3 pack do look pretty sweet and I can see myself using both of those. But yeah, plushies/figures are definitely a lower priority.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Encephalon

Yes. I actually *gasp* enjoy watching what goes on during the game's production process.

Same, though like anything it's a case of the mileage varying with the quality. Some games have like 3 minute long "HI I'M A DEVELOPER I MADE THIS GAME <TRAILER> GOODBYE" type affairs which are rubbish, but then some people have really interesting looks at the game development process (Uncharted comes to mind here).

I agree that USB flash-drives, certainly when the main element of an LE, are largely pointless, but in the case of the Forza 3 LE (where I mentioned the flash-drive) it's very much just an additional little thing, is there for the purpose of sharing in-game content and actually looks rather spiffy, so as a result it looks like a nice inclusion.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

What? I don't think anyone's saying you have to be into behind-the-scenes pieces to deserve Limited Editions, just people voicing differing opinions to you and that some of us do like those being included.

And really, how can you say games are all made in the same way and movies aren't (if we're generalising to such a degree to be able to make that claim)? Is a small team of 5 people who make a little indie game is exactly the same as a small army of 200 making the next Tony Hawks is it? No, not it's not. And even with similar sized teams that doesn't mean they'll approach things in the same way at all.

Also, since when have behind-the-scenes/making-of style things for anything ever given people insight into becoming a part of the industry they're showing off? I've watched my fair share of such things for films and I can't think of a single one that has ever told me how I can get into the movies, and I wouldn't expect them to. They should tell you how the film/game/whatever was made, and good ones can be really interesting and/or really entertaining.

Behind-the-scenes stuff can be really interesting, showing how different styles of team approach different problems. Hell, just finding out where the original ideas came from. I mentioned Uncharted before as that had some really interesting looks at developing the characters, and stuff like showing their motion capture sessions and how they 'filmed' the game.

They may not be your cup of tea Yush, and that's fine, but don't just assume all of them are like the few you've seen.

Jumping to the topic of pre-order bonuses, I don't know what the situation is like elsewhere, but are people finding they're offering them more and more these days? I can't blame stores or developers at all, if some of the reaction here is anything to go by then it's working as a great way to entice people to buy on day one.

Most amazing jew boots