Collector editions are a pissing contest, says Infinity Ward

by Parm Mann on 2 October 2008, 10:59

Tags: Call of Duty 4, Gears of War 2 , Call of Duty World at War, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Activision (NASDAQ:ATVI), PC, Xbox 360, PS3

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Robert Bowling, a.k.a Fourzerotwo, a.k.a Infinity Ward's director of communications, is trying to find out what makes an awesome collectors edition?

According to Bowling, collectors editions are the video game equivalent of a pissing contest but remain hugely important to the hardcore-enthusiast market. Bowling states that the geekiest of geeks want to walk away from stores with gargantuan prizes that clearly show that they're suffering from video-game addiction.

Talking of addicts, Bowling adds that he purchases every collectors edition he sets his sights on - for research purposes, he claims. So far, Halo 3's Legendary Edition helmet and Gears of War 2's Lancer Edition have given him the required thrill - and admittedly, Call of Duty 4 failed to do so with its Limited Collector's Edition.

Apparently, bonus DVDs are no longer good enough - consumers need something bigger, something that can be displayed in public view as a demonstration of e-peen size.

It's an interesting debate, and judging by Bowling's comments, we're expecting tanks and nuclear weapons to ship with Infinity Ward's next big project; Call of Duty 6.

On the other hand, are collectors editions really that important? As a frequent gamer, I'd have to admit that I never purchase collectors editions at all. The game is enough to suffice, and additional clutter never seems to appeal.

How about you? Are you a sucker for a big-ass collectors editions? Will you be picking up the £129.99 Gears of War 2 Lancer Edition? Share your thoughts in the HEXUS.community forums.



HEXUS Forums :: 14 Comments

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He's right, some people do require something to show the size of their epeen, its like MS's gamer points. Saying that i did buy the Halo 3 Legendary set :P But i'm a Halo fanboy :)

On the other hand, are collectors editions really that important? As a frequent gamer, I'd have to admit that I never purchase collectors editions at all. The game is enough to suffice, and additional clutter never seems to appeal.

I've been guilty of buying CE games for 360, sometimes for the extra ingame content, sometimes for the art work. I never watch any of the extra DVD's that come with them, that just seems pointless. Just today i ordered my CE of Wrath of The Lich King, i love the art books, in fact one of my tattoo's (i love Elves) was taken from the TBC art book.
Art books usually seal it for me - my favourites so far are The Witcher and Guid Wars: Nightfall. Both have fantastic artbooks and soundtracks.

I'm not a big fan of other clutter, though I might have to get the fallout 3 lunchbox edition :p
Maybe I'm just counting my pennies too much. I just realised that I never buy collector edition DVDs either! Just don't see the use in the bonus discs that I never watch or the exclusive post cards that I'd forget I have…
I got the CoD4 special edition for the SAS stuff. I also really like hearing directly from the developers about how they make something, so I was pleased with that one :)
i've had a look around my collection and i'm a little disappointed now, i thought i had more special/collectors editions of stuff..

only found:
Warrior Kings:Battles - with some postcards
Mark of Chaos - nurgle pewter symbol, book, desk banners, soundtrack CD.
8“ god of war figurine - poseable, the one with the flame sword things (won it in a competition)
Neverwinter Nights 2 - metal ring, 3” plastic troll, CD soundtrack.
Oblivion - coin, map.

i've got way more DVDs that are special editions.. (it was nice having money once)