My Mom Says I'm Special

Special Editions. What makes an edition special? Does an extra DVD that you probably won't watch make it special? How about a different case, is it more special yet? How about an action figure?

So with the increase of competition and rock solid games coming out, we are seeing an increase in special editions of those games as well. This years big special edition fest kicked off with BioShock. That game wasnt even supposed to have one, but the fans petitioned for it. Now thats special, all by itself. But seriously that one really set the bar high. A very high quality figurene, audio CD, behind the scenes DVD and custom case, designed by a fan.

Then there were the two tiers of Halo Special Edition, a Stranglehold one, that includes an entire film, and lets not forget Assassins Creed, Call of Duty and the massive GTA 4 one that comes complete with working lock box and black duffle bag. These are just off the top of my head.

In the past I have always been one to say a hearty "no" to special editions for 90% of the movies and games i buy, for the simple reason that it's the same core content. It's not adding anything that is important to me. I have the regular edition of Halo2, because I don't care about how they made the game. But once we start talking figures, sign me up. I know it sounds rediculous, but I feel like I'm winning. A lot of the figures and stuff i've seen coming is worth just as much as the game itself. I would have paid 30 for the big daddy, and 30 for Altier from Assassins Creed, but for 20 bucks i get both plus a whole sleuth of other stuff.

Do any of these thigns enhance the gameplay? Nope. Did the developers suceed in selling me stuff that cost them pennies and get money from me they otherwise wouldn't have had? Yup. But for an extra ten bucks, its nice to see more than just some behind the seens nonsence. And with games i'm excited for, like BioShock, its nice to look over at my bookshelf (which isnt filld with too many books) and see my gold colored big dady figure standing between to my Gambit with kicking action and Darth Tater.