Robert Bowling, Director of Communications at Infinity Ward or better known as FourZeroTwo on Tuesday via his Twitter account revealed the new (Call of Duty) Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition of the game. This edition will come with (as you can see below) a steelbook case with the game inside, artwork book, a discount code for the original Call of Duty via either Xbox Live or PSN depending on what version you buy, a sculpted head of "Soap" MacTavish and finally the major item in this edition a pair of Night Vision Goggles. But the question is, are these really necessary?
Looking at what is going to be in the Modern Warfare 2 Special Collector’s Edition makes me think are they actually needed, do games companies feel that their games will not sell if they don’t offer a good gaming experience that they have to add to the package so that gamers feel that they are getting something out of buying the game. Or is it more of the fact that the games companies know that some gamers want to have a very limited edition of their favourite game that they can lord over their friends. If the latter is the case, then all power to the gamers who wish that but why do they?
Sure, I’m guilty of doing this; I’ve got the up-coming Batman: Arkham Asylum Collector’s Edition on Preorder but that was only because of catching it at the right time and getting all £60 worth of it for the same price of the normal game. But then again there are things that are in-game rewards in Batman whereas there isn’t so much in the MW2 version. Then again is there a balance to that of the physical rewards and that of the in-game rewards, I believe that Ubisoft might have done that. Looking at the Black edition of Assassin’s Creed II it offers a few physical rewards for buying premier version but also gives more than a few in-game rewards at make the package more of interest.
I suppose the real question here is: what is the price point? I mean looking at the way in which the Modern Warfare 2 contents was shown this box isn’t going to be sub £100, no you’re more likely looking at £150 to £200 but is it worth it? Yes, there is, of course, the whole aforementioned lording over your friends but it is worth the money. I mean, if you buy the Prestige Edition and it is around the price I am guessing then for that price you can get a new Xbox 360 or almost a new PS3 80GB version. In my opinion, it really isn’t worth spending that much on a game. I am a gamer I want to spend my money on games not all the odd bits and bobs that come with it. The occasional added extra I would happily go for, but I’m not going to pay the price that I could get a new console for, for something that I can get at so much cheaper price and enjoy the game not the stuff that comes with it.
On this subject I would very much like hear your views. Whether it be; for or against it doesn’t matter. So post away in the comments section below.
4 Responses to “Are Special Editions Getting Plain Stupid?” Leave a reply ›
You can get night vision goggles with MW2? Exactly how bad is it that it needs a piece of equipment usually several hundred pounds to come with it?
I mean, I went looking for night vision goggles a while back (Don't ask why) and the cheapest, decent pair I found were at least £500! It might even be cheaper to just buy an Xbox and this collector's edition.
Cool.
they are £120.......check hmv.com
I think your missing the point here. Its not that the game is lacking at all, because i am still playing COD4 more than ever and i just bought the game only. The reason people get Special Editions is to get the nostalgic aspect out of the game. Like the art books and the first COD on PC code for PS3, and a limited edition night vision goggles with Infinity Ward logos on it. Take Grand Theft Auto: IV, I bought the SE version that came with its own metal case with music CD's, artwork, small duffel bag, and a Rockstar logo key chain. I bought the SE version of that cause i am a GTA fan since the first one on PS. I like that kind of stuff and everyone that i know in my COD clan want the Prestige Edition because we love the game and get immersed in every aspect of the game. That is all, thank you.
I would like to point out that if you read the article I don't miss that point at all. I state that it is fine, if you are a collector then it is understandable to buy them. The point of the article was to say why is it getting so many things in a collector's edition? I have a fair few collector's editions but they have nice steelbook or something like that.
I'm not aiming the article at the people who buy it, I'm aiming it at the marketing people who make up the packages. I'm a Marketing and Advertising Student, so I'm looking at this kind of thing from the point of what I know.