Unlimited Editions

By Reuben Ellett

There is no limited edition of this article.

Halo 2 was the most notable game in history for its record-breaking number of pre-orders and one of the first games to come in a limited edition. Fanboys and fangirls forked over the extra ten dollars for the tin case, the 'Making of Halo 2' DVD, and the limited version booklets. The people were happy and the retailers were happier as gamers were getting more content related to the game and stores were making a extra few dollars. Over the past year however we have seen a number of developers exploit the hardcore fans of their games by releasing limited editions left, right, and center.

When Halo 3 was made available for pre-order there were three options – just for the one game. You could get the normal version of the game which came in the stock plastic case and included the game and instruction manual. Then there was the limited edition which featured a tin case, 'Making of Halo 3' DVD, Halo 3 art book, and the instruction manual - not to mention the game was scratched in a limited edition way. Things started getting out of hand when the 'Legendary Edition' was announced – costing twice as much as the limited edition and boasting the largest list of things you did not know you wanted. A replica of the Master Chief's helmet, a stand that can hold three games, the 'Making of Halo 3' DVD, a compilation of Halo 1 and 2 cinematics, and some 'exclusive' content from the makers of Red vs. Blue. All of this came in a cardboard box with some Halo 3 artwork on the side.

Did gamers really need this? After all the game remained the same and purchasing either of the three editions did not reduce or enhance the game itself in any way. People returned home after midnight realizing they just purchased a two-hundred dollar box of expensive plastic and DVD's. After that experience we have seen a number of games get released in limited editions: Assassins Creed, Bioshock, Smackdown Vs. Raw 08, Stranglehold, Unreal Tournament III, Tabula Rasa, The Witcher, Need for Speed: Carbon, The Simpsons for the PSP, and many others. A few of these titles you have probably never even played as most of these games have nowhere near the same fanbase as the Halo series. As such the limited editions of these games sit around various retail stores without anyone to love them.

How much longer will this needless source of limited editions last? Many more titles are being released in limited edition versions between February and March – most notably is the limited edition of Grand Theft Auto IV. One hundred and fifty dollars gets you a duffel bag, a lock box, some art contained in a book, and that dreaded 'making of' DVD. I would encourage people not to purchase limited editions of games unless they feel so passionately about the game that they must surround themselves in over-priced merchandise. In the end the game will be the same no matter what price you pay for it.

One thing gamers must realize is that we will not be seeing any limited editions of Halo 2 on the Antique's Road Show going for thousands of dollars anytime soon, so keep that extra cash for your next game. Thanks for reading but now it is time for me to return to my limited edition of Assassins Creed...

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