Are collector's editions self-defeating?
this scenario seems to play out every time.
everyone buys the collector's edition, sells better than the plain version, CE version becomes common and thus no collectors want it.
any thoughts on this?
everyone buys the collector's edition, sells better than the plain version, CE version becomes common and thus no collectors want it.
any thoughts on this?
Comments
What I would love to see is a collectible that somehow integrates within the game itself. Something like a decoder table or items that'll allow you to advance to certain secrets or enhance the story in the game. In other words, things that would bring in some use.
...guess that makes me Daddy Lollipop
Regarding future collectability, the mainstream Assassin's Creeds and Call of Duty's won't be worth much. It'll be the more niche stuff like the rpgs or dark souls and stuff like that
They almost never increase in value, and usually when people sell them they take a small loss
I just saw they are almost giving away collectors editions of Mafia 3. The price was something like $30. Collectors editions of games like that, or like COD that was mentioned previously are worthless unless you're a diehard fan who gets off on the game.
RPGs like Legend of Zelda tend to be worth a lot. The one for Zelda BOTW was selling for almost $300 when it came out on ebay. And I'm sure it will appreciate as time goes on.
Collectible releases to me are usually tied to a limited release, certain company, cool story behind it, etc, not a mass produced statue and concept art book.
I don't see the appeal, especially with something like that new Assassin's Creed with like 7 editions. Am I a statue collector or game collector?
Collectible releases to me are usually tied to a limited release, certain company, cool story behind it, etc, not a mass produced statue and concept art book.
yeah I don't like the statues at all. Also makes the box massive, like a cheap way to fill a shelf.
I did make a bunch on the Fallout New Vegas CEs a few years back when Amazon was clearing them out by selling the pieces individually.
Anything printed in a method which induces people to collect while the items are on available in stores will never have long term collectability. This leads to a lot of collectors and resellers holding onto worthless plastic crap. This happened with amiibos, beanie babies, special edition comics in the 90s, baseball card print runs from the 80s, Star Wars Episode 1 figures, etc, etc, etc. This WILL happen to Funko Pops.
The things that turn into real collectables are the things that no one wanted at the time. Low print runs from 1984-85 of Star Wars figures, games from the end of the NES's life, etc, are collectable because no one thought "Man, we should keep these in pristine perfect condition." The demand was low, and the packaging was considered disposable.
When something is marketed as a collectable, collectors and resellers take great care to preserve the items with their packaging. What is the end result? Tons of these cheap plastic trinkets in mint condition are available for years to come, because no one disposes of them, which means they won't have any intrinsic rarity. Additionally, the sales numbers end up higher, because resellers think they can make a buck.
I don't see the appeal, especially with something like that new Assassin's Creed with like 7 editions. Am I a statue collector or game collector?
Collectible releases to me are usually tied to a limited release, certain company, cool story behind it, etc, not a mass produced statue and concept art book.
yeah I don't like the statues at all. Also makes the box massive, like a cheap way to fill a shelf.
And oh man do people want a ton of money for them when they try to sell them to you. "I looked it up on eBay and it was $150!" Yeah too bad stuff like that doesn't sell in real life. It just sits because the game is more than 2 months old. Another example of something the primary market loves but you always have to ship it all the way across the country to get rid of it.
I don't see the appeal, especially with something like that new Assassin's Creed with like 7 editions. Am I a statue collector or game collector?
Collectible releases to me are usually tied to a limited release, certain company, cool story behind it, etc, not a mass produced statue and concept art book.
yeah I don't like the statues at all. Also makes the box massive, like a cheap way to fill a shelf.
And oh man do people want a ton of money for them when they try to sell them to you. "I looked it up on eBay and it was $150!" Yeah too bad stuff like that doesn't sell in real life. It just sits because the game is more than 2 months old. Another example of something the primary market loves but you always have to ship it all the way across the country to get rid of it.
I was lucky with the Tekken 7 statue; was able to trade that locally for a couple Link amiibos that were very hot at the time. Made for a much easier flip.
Strangely enough, I wanted the outer box more than the statues, so that's what I kept.
I don't see the appeal, especially with something like that new Assassin's Creed with like 7 editions. Am I a statue collector or game collector?
Collectible releases to me are usually tied to a limited release, certain company, cool story behind it, etc, not a mass produced statue and concept art book.
yeah I don't like the statues at all. Also makes the box massive, like a cheap way to fill a shelf.
And oh man do people want a ton of money for them when they try to sell them to you. "I looked it up on eBay and it was $150!" Yeah too bad stuff like that doesn't sell in real life. It just sits because the game is more than 2 months old. Another example of something the primary market loves but you always have to ship it all the way across the country to get rid of it.
Lol, one time I was at a gamestore, shopping and a guy brought it like 10 of them. The owner of the store wasn't interested at all, and the guy was shocked. "You can make a lot of money off these man!"
I've come up with the mantra "You can't print a collectible."
Anything printed in a method which induces people to collect while the items are on available in stores will never have long term collectability. This leads to a lot of collectors and resellers holding onto worthless plastic crap. This happened with amiibos, beanie babies, special edition comics in the 90s, baseball card print runs from the 80s, Star Wars Episode 1 figures, etc, etc, etc. This WILL happen to Funko Pops.
The things that turn into real collectables are the things that no one wanted at the time. Low print runs from 1984-85 of Star Wars figures, games from the end of the NES's life, etc, are collectable because no one thought "Man, we should keep these in pristine perfect condition." The demand was low, and the packaging was considered disposable.
When something is marketed as a collectable, collectors and resellers take great care to preserve the items with their packaging. What is the end result? Tons of these cheap plastic trinkets in mint condition are available for years to come, because no one disposes of them, which means they won't have any intrinsic rarity. Additionally, the sales numbers end up higher, because resellers think they can make a buck.
I have been out of the game for quite a while, but I made pretty good money on my "LE" type puchases made in the 2006-2011 timeframe. Megaman 8 Press Kit, Pier Solar Posterity Edition, Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition, and a bunch of CIB repro/hombrew games. Most of them had at least tripled in price when I decided to sell them. I didn't end up losing money on any of them.
I think it comes down to being able to judge what is a) truly limited AND b) has enough demand to soak up whatever the supply is. Look at how much that Kickstarter exclusive Friday the 13th skin goes for, and it's not even a physical item!
I prefer the mid tier editions, with something like a steelbook case with a soundtrack or artbook. I don't have the need for big statues or other swag. Now that being said, if it was a game from a series I loved, i'd definitely consider the premium edition if it was awesome enough.
x2. I don't like CE's that take up a ton of space at all. If it comes in a box that I need to find a special place for, no thanks. A great example is Sonic Mania. Great effort put into the CE, and I appreciate the effort and the cool items it came with, but I just don't have room for a box the size of a mini-fridge anywhere in my collection space. In contrast, the new Fire Emblem special edition for Switch is perfect for my tastes. Comes in a box slightly larger than the box for a VHS tape, and just packed to the brim with extra stuff. Yes please.
Somewhat like the case with n64 zelda majoras mask. I see more holos then I do non holos.
Was going to mention this as well, that's probably one of the first examples of a "collector's edition" being more available than the standard version by a wiiiiiide margin. Probably 5/1 or more. When I was constructing my N64 full set, finding a non-holo Majora's Mask took scrolling through about 50 holo versions first to find it.
I have been out of the game for quite a while, but I made pretty good money on my "LE" type puchases made in the 2006-2011 timeframe. Megaman 8 Press Kit, Pier Solar Posterity Edition, Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition, and a bunch of CIB repro/hombrew games. Most of them had at least tripled in price when I decided to sell them. I didn't end up losing money on any of them.
I think it comes down to being able to judge what is a) truly limited AND b) has enough demand to soak up whatever the supply is. Look at how much that Kickstarter exclusive Friday the 13th skin goes for, and it's not even a physical item!
Don't get me wrong, plenty of people are making bank on LEs, Funkos, and etc. People also made plenty of money on flipping beanie babies. My point is, eventually they will all come crashing down. Just because you made money last year, doesn't mean it won't be worth diddly in 5 years.
Somewhat like the case with n64 zelda majoras mask. I see more holos then I do non holos.
Was going to mention this as well, that's probably one of the first examples of a "collector's edition" being more available than the standard version by a wiiiiiide margin. Probably 5/1 or more. When I was constructing my N64 full set, finding a non-holo Majora's Mask took scrolling through about 50 holo versions first to find it.
don't forget DK 64 with the special Collectors edition yellow game pak
Somewhat like the case with n64 zelda majoras mask. I see more holos then I do non holos.
Was going to mention this as well, that's probably one of the first examples of a "collector's edition" being more available than the standard version by a wiiiiiide margin. Probably 5/1 or more. When I was constructing my N64 full set, finding a non-holo Majora's Mask took scrolling through about 50 holo versions first to find it.
don't forget DK 64 with the special Collectors edition yellow game pak
So rare
x2. I don't like CE's that take up a ton of space at all. If it comes in a box that I need to find a special place for, no thanks. A great example is Sonic Mania. Great effort put into the CE, and I appreciate the effort and the cool items it came with, but I just don't have room for a box the size of a mini-fridge anywhere in my collection space. In contrast, the new Fire Emblem special edition for Switch is perfect for my tastes. Comes in a box slightly larger than the box for a VHS tape, and just packed to the brim with extra stuff. Yes please.
Sonic Manias CE was dumb should've been a Sega Genesis style case with the pseudo-cart and gold ring, and an art book in place of a manual. I don't need a statue of Sonic standing on a Sega Genesis