I've largely moved away from buying collector's editions over the last decade, so I probably wouldn't buy any Dragon Age: Guardian of the Veil'S so-called special edition, so-called “The Chest of the Castle” For starters. Unless I see something I can actually use in the big box of collectibles that comes with a game, I'll just try to stick with a standard edition. But I'd probably feel more inclined to buy that big box Dragon Age Good things happen when it comes with a critical piece of the puzzle: real video game.
Veil KeeperThe non-exclusive edition of 's does include some really nice trinkets. There's a deck of cards decorated with gorgeous artwork, a game-appropriate illuminated lyrium dagger that's hopefully sharp enough not to actually hurt anyone, and a beautiful cloth map of the fictional world of Thedas. But the listing on BioWare's store page says in big bold letters that it doesn't include Dragon Age: Guardian of the Veilwhether it's in a steel bookcase or as a digital download code. A lot of things about the game, without just the game itself. Pause the Gameby the way, he sells Rook's Coffer with the game, which is a good enough half-measure, but naturally raises the price. He also has a second “Vyrantium Pack” this includes a stunning steelbook but no game to put it in. i look at this approach and wonder why we don't call the companies on their shit when they try to claim that these big trinket boxes aren't collector's editions, which we always pre-order and stuff in the cupboard after launch, but without the game itself. why do these bundles seem to stray further from the game itself?
While not every special edition in recent history has skipped the main event, many companies have become more comfortable calling something a collector's edition or selling something that resembles one without including a game in the box. BioWare alone has been phasing out physical copies of games from special editions in the decade since we last got one Dragon Age game. Mass Effect: AndromedaThe collector's edition included a full remote control car and a steelbook, but you won't find any video games or download codes in the box. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition's “Legendary Cache” had a wearable N7 helmet, a steelbook, and other stuff to fill your walls and shelves with, but there was no way to actually play the three remasters. It feels like you can leave the game out unless you call it a “collector's edition,” but even without the label, it's still positioned as such by the companies selling it.
Even if a special edition includes the game via a digital code, it still conflicts with the inherently physical nature of purchasing a special edition. God of War: Ragnarok it did the same thing when it contained a digital code next to the steel bookcase, and now I have that (admittedly beautiful) hunk of metal on my shelf with nothing in it. It’s another half-measure, and one that doesn’t help people who live in rural areas with poor internet speeds. When I lived in a small town in Georgia, looking at my copy of Thor hammer while waiting all day for Kratos and Atreus’s next adventure to download to my PS5 was certainly no fun. But that’s what happens when you spend hundreds of dollars on physical editions of games that don’t even include a physical copy of the game.
Although there are likely debates about production costs and costs Increasing pressure on digital libraries that can be easily erased First of all, collector's editions are always meant to be an extension of a game, not something completely separate from it. Companies seem to be trying to get around this by not calling these toys and replica boxes “collector's editions,” but we know what these things really are. If I had known when I got the shipping notification that the game that inspired each collectible was also on its way, I would have been more inclined to buy your box full of cool stuff. If nothing else, I think it saves me from spending a lot of money on a game I might not like. We'll see. Veil Keeper Then it forces me to buy another box that I don't have room for.
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