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Pricey Editions of Mirror's Edge, Dead Space On The Way

Added by Jeff on Sept. 26, 2008 50 comments

A messenger bag for all your... messengering needs?

Electronic Arts has posted special collector's bundles for two of its upcoming games in the company's online store. Rather than giving you the sort of in-game bonus you'd expect from a collector's edition, these packages seem more about getting some limited-run merchandise out there for fans.

Of course, neither game has really had much time to build up a fanbase just yet, since they're both new properties. Mirror's Edge, DICE's first-person parkour thing, has been packed together with a messenger bag bearing the game's logo, as well as a picture of the lady from the game on the inside of the bag itself. That's available for $129.95, or just over double what the game will sell for without the bag.

The other package is for Dead Space, the upcoming Zero-G horror game. This package is limited to 1,000 copies, and appears to only be for the Xbox 360 version of the game. This one goes for even more at a stout $149.95, but it's also called the ULTRA LIMITED EDITION, which makes it sound pretty great. You'll get the game in special ULTRA LIMITED EDITION packaging, a DVD with the animated movie they did to promote the game, a DVD with "bonus content,", an autographed lithograph, an autographed art book, a 160-page graphic novel, and a crew patch to sew on your jean jacket.

You can probably blame last year's Legendary plastic helmet edition of Halo 3 and this year's Grand Theft Auto IV lock-box edition for this, but since the runs seem to be pretty limited and they're only being sold through EA's store, this seems like a more genuine attempt to do something neat for the players that are already all-the-way invested in these new titles. That's actually where this falls apart in my mind--with both of these games being new properties, why would you take a chance and spend this much money when the games involved might not be very good?

I don't mind buying limited versions of games when it's something I'm already into--as evidenced by the stupid Halo helmet on a high shelf in my bedroom and the GTA IV lockbox that currently rests next to my TV. How about you? Are you at all interested in paying for limited edition gear, like shoes or bags or art books? Or are you perfectly happy with the game-only version?

Filed under : Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

50 Comments

Cynical_M
on Sept. 26, 2008

I'm excited about Mirror's Edge,but not enough to make me want to pre-order this game for a bag,that I would have no use for...
There really hasn't been a game yet that has had a collectors edition packaging that made me say: "Dude,I need that"....Maybe in the future they'll make these collectors edition more appealing...

ImperiousRix
on Sept. 26, 2008

I must admit, I have been swindled into buying a few special editions in my time, and have never really been very happy about that extra money I spent. I do prefer when games offer memorabilia as opposed to extra on disc or "behind the scenes" content, since I feel those things should be included in the game anyway, but sometimes they can just be dumb.
Not sure I'm digging the Mirror's Edge messenger bag, although it does seem pretty appropriate for what the game is, and the Dead Space one has some neat stuff, but some stuff that seem like I'd just like to buy after the fact if the game turns out to be good.

neoepoch
on Sept. 26, 2008

Well Jeff, if you do get this stuff, you will be one step closer to making a full body game memorabilia costume that you can...wear. Think about it. Halo helmet, Skate shoes, Gears of War Lancer, Mirror's Edge messenger bag, Dead Space crew patch, you'd basically have a costume there.

PlatypusPlatoon
on Sept. 26, 2008

The GTA IV Special Edition was much easier to get behind. It was only $30 above the price of the game itself, and they packed in a veritable smorsgabord of stuff. (Including a duffel bag!) The only thing I've really used is the Rockstar keychain, but all in all, it was a great perk for established fans of the series.

Dunno if we can say the same about these EA packages. Another $60 for a shoulder bag? Um, no thanks.

mikmanner
on Sept. 26, 2008

That's so much money! I got the GTA 4 special edition and the zip broke on that bag within a week. I bet the Mirrors bag costs next to nothing to produce.

zophar53
on Sept. 26, 2008

Weather or not I am willing to buy a special edition depends on whats included and the price. I have no interest in things like clothes, bags, or fancy artbooks and lithographs, and while the lockbox from GTA4 is cool, I would never use it for anything. Otherwise I might have bought it (same with the Halo 3 helmet). And there's no way in hell I'm paying double the cost for this stuff. If I'm paying $150+ for a game, it better include like, an actual flamethrower or a real samurai sword or something like that!

That being said, I have no problem buying a "limited" or "special" or "collectors" edition of a game if its only $20-30 more, again, depending on whats in the box. Also, I am a bit of a sucker for making-of documentaries; I enjoy watching them. I buy special edition DVDs for the same reason. Little figurines are ok too (Assassin's Creed, Fallout 3). I bought the limited editions of both Assassin's Creed and MGS4 and were happy with them. I'll be picking up the special editions of Resistance 2 and probably Fallout 3, but will pass on Mirror's Edge and Dead Space without losing sleep.

Joseppie
on Sept. 26, 2008

I'm totally content with a game-only edition of any game. There's few properties out there that would make me spend more than original retail price for some kind of bonus, not to mention that those bonuses then have to be pretty awesome on top of it. A messenger bag is not awesome.

OneManFreakShow
on Sept. 26, 2008

That's a really nice bag, but Faith's face on the inside is kinda dumb.

Also, this news post neglects to mention that it's a Timbuck2 bag, which usually go for around $200.

hungrynun
on Sept. 26, 2008

Artbooks i'm okay with, but messenger bags? Not so much. Something cool and obscure? I'd probably go for that. Mundane things plastered with art from the game? Nah.

Crono
on Sept. 26, 2008

Any way to turn an extra buck.

Claude is online
on Sept. 26, 2008

No, I just want to play the games, now, if it's a preorder thing, my saying is... "If it's free, it's for me".

jyurakyumihawk
on Sept. 26, 2008

I really really hope not many people get suckered into buying this stuff so they would stop trying to milk the consumer dry with shit like this.

MKHavoc
on Sept. 26, 2008

I've never bought a CE/LE of a game before. I guess I'm just waiting for the right one.

DukeTogo
on Sept. 26, 2008

Considering I've seen both the Halo 3 and GTA IV LE's for about $10 more than the regular edition now, I'd say wait. Bad Economy + worthless tchochkies = no sale.

Junpei
on Sept. 26, 2008

The Dead Space package certaintly has the extras to make up for the price hike (maybe not that much though) but and extra $70 for a bag with Mirror's Edge? Personally I can't wait for ME, but there is not a bag in the world that I'd pay $70 for.

yevinorion
on Sept. 26, 2008

I love CEs and LEs, but only for franchises I have a vested interest in. Things like Fallout, GTA, Fable, etc come to mind.

beanZfury
on Sept. 26, 2008

I'm still feeling the shame from my purchase of the Halo 3 Legendary Edition. After that incident, I vowed to not buy packaged in editions anymore. My MAster Chief helmet is now stored in the closet, and the broken Big Daddy figurine that never got replaced (though 2K said they were going to, then magically never contacted me again or replied to my messages) rests beside the helmet. I can see if someone was looking to buy a messenger bag then this would be convenient; but it is not even a deal. On their website, Timbuk2 sells those bags for $85. That means EA is making a profit on the bags alone. I call the greed card. As for Dead Space, the game is definitely one I am interested in; and depending on the reviews it gets, I will pick it up. But why can't development companies do something besides the obligatory, and usually boring, "making of" disc and the pre-requisite artbook. The animated movie may be a good accompaniment and provide some background; but the lithograph, patch, everything else will end up packed back in the ox and take up more space in some darlk closet in most of the buyers homes. If companies really want to promote their product, why can't they include some of those extras at no cost as an incentive for potential buyers to grow some interest in the IP's?

Anyone else have any ideas on this or have opinions on what they would feel would add something substantial to an extras package?

Hitman101
on Sept. 26, 2008

What about the bag you get for pre-ordering Mirrors Edge from GameStop....................

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?Product_ID=70962

Is it the same one???? O_o

killawogg
on Sept. 26, 2008

i was going to get the gears 2 lancer on amazon but i came to my senses and realize thats alot of money that i could use to buy 2 more games with so, after having it pre ordered for a month i cancelled it, i like special editions if they are worth it and dont break the bank because really all im after is the game

apperantly i only collect toy guitars as i have like 6 from previous music games

Dryker
on Sept. 26, 2008

I'm all for limited editions with cool stuff. Unfortunately, very few company's seem to know what (IMO) "cool" stuff is. For one, it has to be practical. Game content is practical, but you risk pissing people off if the content is too meaningful in the game and if the content is complete crap, no one wants it anyways. I, for one, think "art" pieces are pretty darn cool. But it has to be something a little special. Action figures are lame because there's a butt load of them out there and it's just too Geekish to have that stuff all over your place. That being said, Fallout 3's Pip-boy clock ( or whatever ) is good because clocks are useful. If you're a Gamer ( Yes, Jeff, I think Gamer is much better than Player and will eventually shed its taboo), having a clock of one of your favorite games is cool. I think the Halo helmet is cool. It's kinda like a bust of a favorite composer or writer, but it's Master Chief! Its a nice art piece to sport in a sitting area. I also think the upcoming Gears of War Chainsaw gun ( sorry, can't seem to remember the name for the life of me) is pretty darn cool. I'm probably going to hang it up over my fire-place. Chics may grimace at it, but that almost makes it even cooler, 'cause I could then walk over to it and trigger the chainsaw sound for extra affect. That would be pretty cool. The first chic to agree could end up being my future wife... if I ever decide to go that route. Shit, that's enough said, peace.

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