I liked when Special/Collectors editions were... well special. Now every single game pretty much has one. Kind of ruined the novelty to buy any of them for me to be honest.
What I do like though is what some others said, soundtracks, artbooks, and things like that. Basically Working Designs PSX releases pretty much sum up the ultimate package.
What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
Re: What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
Packaging is really situational. Personally, I like that a lot of CEs use more understated artwork (I bought the Mass Effect 2 CE almost entirely for that reason). Steel case or something can be nice to go with that - I don't really mean the oversized Dark Souls style case, but more the metal clamshell cases like the FFXII CE used.
What I don't like is if/when the case is of such a nonstandard size that it'd be hard to fit on the shelf. If a larger box is needed for the other loot, at least put the game in a standard sized case.
Soundtrack CDs - particularly more comprehensive ones - are a welcome addition. That can justify the extra cost to me, since you'd expect to pay $10-15 at least for an audio CD anyway.
For RPGs, maps. Am I going to actually use it to find my way around the game now? Probably not. But it's a nice throwback type item. Other poster type items can be nice, provided they're of a "suitable for framing" kind of quality.
Art books and/or lithographs are appealing if, and only if, they're not some tiny little fits-in-a-DVD-case kind of deal. Yes, that would mean that the retail box would be too large to fit on the shelf with other games...but again, put the game in a standard case within that package, and the rest of it can go on a different shelf (example: Starcraft 2 CE).
Mini strategy guides are the same. Really, if I wanted the guide, I'd buy the guide. IMO, roll those efforts into an "enhanced" instruction manual. With so many games basically including a leaflet with a controller map now, that'd still be a bullet point "feature".
Other odds and ends can be appealing. Postcards? Sure. Little pieces of jewelry or something? Great. Small replica type items that really don't add much to the cost are nice to see.
What I don't really care to see is exclusive in-game content, DLC or otherwise. While I can't claim to be a particularly hardcore collector/etc, I do like the idea of having the disc on the shelf be the "complete" version of a game, CE or not. Including bonus DLC is what you get a Game of the Year (or whatever) edition for, not a CE.
Also not a big fan of items that greatly increase the package price, like statues/busts.
That so many games are coming out with CEs doesn't especially bother me. CEs are for the fans, since they're the ones who will be willing to pay a little extra for the extra inclusions.
Since not all games hold the same appeal to me, it narrows down which CEs are of interest.
That being said, it's not like developers need to reserve that level of attention for the CEs. The Witcher games (well, the Enhanced edition for the first one at least) pack more into the "standard" editions than many CEs do.
What I don't like is if/when the case is of such a nonstandard size that it'd be hard to fit on the shelf. If a larger box is needed for the other loot, at least put the game in a standard sized case.
Soundtrack CDs - particularly more comprehensive ones - are a welcome addition. That can justify the extra cost to me, since you'd expect to pay $10-15 at least for an audio CD anyway.
For RPGs, maps. Am I going to actually use it to find my way around the game now? Probably not. But it's a nice throwback type item. Other poster type items can be nice, provided they're of a "suitable for framing" kind of quality.
Art books and/or lithographs are appealing if, and only if, they're not some tiny little fits-in-a-DVD-case kind of deal. Yes, that would mean that the retail box would be too large to fit on the shelf with other games...but again, put the game in a standard case within that package, and the rest of it can go on a different shelf (example: Starcraft 2 CE).
Mini strategy guides are the same. Really, if I wanted the guide, I'd buy the guide. IMO, roll those efforts into an "enhanced" instruction manual. With so many games basically including a leaflet with a controller map now, that'd still be a bullet point "feature".
Other odds and ends can be appealing. Postcards? Sure. Little pieces of jewelry or something? Great. Small replica type items that really don't add much to the cost are nice to see.
What I don't really care to see is exclusive in-game content, DLC or otherwise. While I can't claim to be a particularly hardcore collector/etc, I do like the idea of having the disc on the shelf be the "complete" version of a game, CE or not. Including bonus DLC is what you get a Game of the Year (or whatever) edition for, not a CE.
Also not a big fan of items that greatly increase the package price, like statues/busts.
That so many games are coming out with CEs doesn't especially bother me. CEs are for the fans, since they're the ones who will be willing to pay a little extra for the extra inclusions.
Since not all games hold the same appeal to me, it narrows down which CEs are of interest.
That being said, it's not like developers need to reserve that level of attention for the CEs. The Witcher games (well, the Enhanced edition for the first one at least) pack more into the "standard" editions than many CEs do.
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AppleQueso
Re: What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
I really like 'behind-the-scenes' type content. That seems to be pretty rare in CE's though.
Re: What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
Papercraft. Though, I've only ever seen that in The Witcher 2's standard edition, and it's freely available online.
Re: What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
I look for it to be truly limited. Otherwise you're just buying the items that come with it. If you have the Skyrim dragon statue, I don't think, "Hey that must have been hard to get", I think "Hey, you must have had $150 to blow on a dragon statue."
Let strength be granted, so the world might be mended...so the world might be mended.
Re: What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
Seriously... i cant stand buying a "Limited" edition to only find it on clerance shelves and bargain bins, or finding it for less than i bought it for.Stark wrote:I look for it to be truly limited. Otherwise you're just buying the items that come with it. If you have the Skyrim dragon statue, I don't think, "Hey that must have been hard to get", I think "Hey, you must have had $150 to blow on a dragon statue."
Re: What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
I don't think I've ever bought a collector's edition in my life. But things that do interest me include art books, behind the scenes content (ie a DVD), posters and maybe some DLC content.
Everything else is what usually puts me off for them. I don't have the space or the care factor to get some action figure or whatever.
Everything else is what usually puts me off for them. I don't have the space or the care factor to get some action figure or whatever.
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ATARI800XLfan
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Re: What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
Thanks for the tip. I have been wanting this game but was waiting for them to finish with the updates. I am actually a big fan of Valkenhayn since he reminds me of Jon Talbian(since Capcom is to stupid to have him as DLC for UMVC3). One more this I want for my birthday this year. Looks like it was a good idea I waited.Veno wrote:I mainly look for artbooks, soundtracks, anything that looks interesting, but all for an affordable price.
For instance, the Blazblue Continuum Shift Extend Limited Edition comes with an artbook, soundtrack, and calendar, all inside a nice box that really shows off the beautiful cover art, all for $60, the regular retail price of a new game these days.
Re: What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
I only pay full price for a collector's edition if it's for a franchise I truly care about like Street Fighter, Starcraft, and Metal Gear Solid. I soured on the concept when I saw a collector's edition for Two Worlds. But if they're done right I like sound tracks, extra games, and art-books.
“The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered by an occasional assassination.”
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Opa Opa
Re: What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?
I like full game soundtracks. Art books and other nick-knacks are nice but I like having the music more than anything else. And if a game has to have a special outer box to go with it; make it like the Nintendo DS special editions: only slightly larger than a standard game case.
I hate rearranging a shelf due to a cardboard box taking up the space of 12 games.
In all actuality, I like Pre-order bonuses more than special editions. For example, Silent Hill Shattered Memories came with the full soundtrack if you pre-ordered the game. No special packaging; just the standard Wii game case with a CD in a cardboard sleeve. I put the game on my shelf and the cd with other cds. Nice and simple.
I'm just rambling now... I was in a GameStop recently and saw a HUGE special edition... I think it was Gears of War 3. That's just overkill. That box had to take up at least 2 square feet of space.
edit:
Oh, I love getting maps for games that actually need them but most of the time they're included with the standard edition of the game.
Was I the only one who used the Morrowind map? That thing was fantastic.
I hate rearranging a shelf due to a cardboard box taking up the space of 12 games.
In all actuality, I like Pre-order bonuses more than special editions. For example, Silent Hill Shattered Memories came with the full soundtrack if you pre-ordered the game. No special packaging; just the standard Wii game case with a CD in a cardboard sleeve. I put the game on my shelf and the cd with other cds. Nice and simple.
I'm just rambling now... I was in a GameStop recently and saw a HUGE special edition... I think it was Gears of War 3. That's just overkill. That box had to take up at least 2 square feet of space.
edit:
Oh, I love getting maps for games that actually need them but most of the time they're included with the standard edition of the game.
Was I the only one who used the Morrowind map? That thing was fantastic.