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General: Are Collector's Editions Worth It?
SBFord
Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129
In the MMORPG.com staff blog, correspondent Bill Murphy ponders the eternal question: Are game collector's editions worth the extra cash? Collector's editions always sound like such a bargain but are they? What do you think?
I am guilty of purchasing the $75 edition of World of Warcraft at launch, and I even shelled out an extra $10 for Auto Assault a long time ago in order to get a cheap pair of headphones (with a mic) because I needed a new pair and they seemed decent enough on my budget. I bought the CE for WAR, Age of Conan, LotRO, and others. I bought one for Hellgate: London for crying out loud. But now that I look back on them all, I’m wondering if they were ever actually worth the extra money spent.
Read all of Bill's thoughts and let us know about your collector's edition adventures on the MMORPG.com forums.
Comments
Well to be honest I own collector's edition, that I really like, and I have another, which I dont.
For example I ordered the LotRO: Mines of Moria Special Edition (almost like a collectors; containing the game, the soundtrack CD, some gift cards, The One Ring replica, a linen map and a buckle and the manuals) and when it arrived I got the so called linen map which was a low quality paper map, I got a broken buckle, the ring was not gilt on all of its surface and the soundtrack CD contained the worst musics in the expansion. All in all that was my worst experience with CEs.
Personally, I'd say that collector's editions are worth it to collectors. I love collecting games so, if there's a choice between a stock standard edition and a CE, the choice is simple
"Worth it" is a somewhat subjective and personal sentiment.
If you derive enjoyment or pleasure from owning whatever the Collector's Edition gives you and you consider the price to have not been excessive to enjoy them, then it was worth it. Someone else may have exactly the same Collector's Edition bought for exactly the same price and may not consider it worth it.
If you think it's worth it, it is. If other people don't...it doesn't matter.
I made two CE choices - Warhammer Online and Age of Conan.
Because of these I have mutated into the next DC Universe villian - The Sucka
Are collectors editions worth it. That depends on the rewards. Up until receintly I stayed away from collectors editions, cash being the main problem. However when eq2 had the collectors edition for SF I got it for the wife so she did not have to grind out any rhime faction for a fast ride.
I typically buy any collector's/limited editions I can. Don't know why, but I do.
Yea I am a sucker also for CE of games. Money is not the problem for me so dishing out the extra cash is not where I have the issue. Usually I am happy to be able to add the CE Box to my Library of games. I mostly will buy anything and everrything that is RPG or MMO based as I collect anything that is Fantasy Roleplaying genre, even the CE of the Hint Guides is something else I purchase.
My biggest dissapointment though was the Collectors Edition of Never Winter Nights 2. Lame same box as the regular edition and the crappiest and cheapest metal based rings I have ever seen. Boy what a disappointment!
Its worse to actually think about doing something then actually doing it!!!
I will get a collector's edition if there is something that I want from it.
Those things are limited to:
CD of the music
A "making of" documentary
An in game item that I like and/or an early access code (if it is an mmo)
Other than those things being present I don't buy collector's editions. Don't care about maps or figurines or a nice box.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
If i really like the IP or if i like the game then i would not heistate to get a CE.
I consider that if i am going to play a game for over 3 years then the double price for the CE is rather worth it.
I don't believe they're generally anything more then a cheap marketing gimick.
I like to be as unique as the game allows so will generally buy CE for the in game items Aion ruined this though by then offering the exact same through Digital.
CE are for value if the only way to get it is via the boxed copy that usually offers other funky stuff CE is a blatant rip off if any or all of the items are then available by Digital Distribution.
Never have, never will. To me they are in the same vein as preorders and early beta access.
Vault-Tec analysts have concluded that the odds of worldwide nuclear armaggeddon this decade are 17,143,762... to 1.
"Are Collector's Editions Worth It? "
No. Never.
The only collector's edition I bought was SWG, and the reason wasn't because I wanted one. I went to 3 stores on the day it released and the first 2 said they were all sold out. The third one said it was sold out but had been holding onto a collector's edition that noone came for, so I bought that since it was my only option. It had an interesting art book in it, but definetly not worth the increased price.
Pretty much never worth full price. I buy them on the cheap after they've been out a long time though, like the Oblivion CE for $20 and the AoC CE for $10.
Nah not really, I have only bought one and that is the current FFXIV cause I get to play it early and it comes with a security token to increase my security. Other than that one I have never bought any of the CE's.
Same goes with any of the movies, while I will buy a box set from a series for a season I do not do CE's on DVD either.
I bought the CE for Tabula Rasa and I think that was probably the last CE I will get. I liked the making of CD, and the extra art but it is discouraging when they cancel what you pay extra for 8(
* I read most of what Jon Wood writes
* He needs more bullet points though
Depends on which game, I always like to receive some fluff ingame item, a nice booklet and a cool box.
For those reasons I loved the CE of WoW (mini panda!), LotRO and Fallout (no ingame item). Mortal Online was kinda disappointing, 2 figurines, a cloth bag and a sticker with your unique number.
I don't want a CE that gives me early beta access to the next title, some über ingame item or a special forumtitle. I like something I can hold and watch when offline. I really love manuels and artbooks.
Are collectors editions worth it? That is different from person to person. Personally, it depends on the game and the developer and what comes in the collectors edition. Though, I know people that will not buy a game unless it comes with a colletors edition and I know some that won't touch them. So it depends on the person.
Articles and columns on things that are completely subjective are rediculous.
If, at the time of purchase, you can afford the Collector's Edition of whatever you are purchasing, and you like/want or otherwise feel that whatever items you get are worth the extra price, then YES.
More often than not the people who whine about CE's being ripoffs are the one's who couldn't afford them in the first place.
"If I'd asked my customers what they wanted, they'd have said a faster horse." - Henry Ford
And in some cases a pre cash shop order.
WOW isnt great because it has 12 million players. WOW has 12 million players because its great.
I think CE's are a gamble, just like buying the game is, or a LT sub is. If the game takes of and you love it, yes, CE's end up being worth it. But if you don't play the game for whatever reason, then no. Also, if the game doesn't take off, but you end up playing it, then later, the CE's will be a lot less.
I've never seen a case where a CE is worth it as an investment, so I think that these subjective measures are the only thing you have to let you know if it's worth it.
yes, they are worth it, if there something i want from it. the gauntlets are awesome!
I have only bought one. The SWG CE. It was worth it. Most I do not feel are worth it. So I do not buy them. Hrmm, could that be subjected to my opinion??
Why yes!
The real question is, do I think this article was worth it.
Nope.
Say hello, To the things you've left behind. They are more a part of your life now that you can't touch them.
The only CE I bought was WoW:litch King Expac and I was quite satisfied. Was a bit expensive but was well packed with lots of artworks, soundtracks, mousepad and even 2 packs of the Wow TCG.
I must say it's better than any ingame starter items(mind you, I got an exclusive pet too) or early access / beta access nonsense we are having these days
I'm a collector of game boxes, as is my boyfriend & we have many. However, we don't own many CE's.
The only one I personally have purchased is the Aion one, and only because I was trading in a bunch of stuff, so I basically got it free (I hadn't used the other games in years, the systems were gone 5 years ago).
I am however, buying the CE for FFXIV. I've already pre-ordered that one. It looks good.