Dark Souls Collector’s Edition Costs Only Your Time

Posted on May 11 2011 by Roy

Well, your time plus $59.99. In a wise business decision on Bandai Namco’s part, it has been announced that consumers who pre-order Dark Souls will receive the Collector’s edition at no additional charge.  This is wise for two reasons:

• You get the following cool bonuses for free:
  • Metal case
  • Mini art book
  • Mini strategy guide
  • Downloadable soundtrack
  • Behind the scenes development videos
• Based on pre-order quantities, Bandai Namco can more successfully project how many copies to produce for launch

The small cost that these pre-order bonuses may cost Bandai Namco surely pale in comparison to profits from a strong launch.  This is a good example of a reciprocal relationship between consumer and publisher — we both come out ahead!

If you still aren’t convinced that you should pre-order Dark Souls I encourage you to watch the game’s newest trailer featuring a slew of unfortunate deaths waiting to greet you in the game’s 60+ hours:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqaysjKcw-g&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

You may also want to read an interview with the game’s producer, Hidetaka Miyazaki, about changes since the world of Demon’s Souls.

So far any fears I had about Bandai Namco botching Dark Souls publishing in the West have been pleasantly muted. Dark Souls is set for an October release in the West, placing it dangerously close to both Disgaea 4 (September 17), and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (November 11).  Still, my memories of Demon’s Souls are easily some of the fondest I have for this generation, so I will be pre-ordering this ASAP, and if you like free stuff, you will too.

8 Responses to Dark Souls Collector’s Edition Costs Only Your Time

1. Jason says:

   I still can't figure out what Microsoft did to deserve getting the follow up to Demon's Souls.

   Reply
2. Prinnypants says:

   Wish all pre-orders were more like this I really don't need a suit of armor or even a wayward goblin. (a wayward goblin while good at building forts and babysitting have no sense of decorum) yup definitely just getting disgaea 4 without the bells and whistles. 8)

   Reply
3. AnGeLZzZ says:

   I almost placed the order, and then realized that it's not an exclusive for PS3. Sorry guys, I'm downloading this one. Not because I can't pay, I'm just angry on developers. First Catherine, now Dark Souls… I work at the company where only money matters every week I'm having this kind of conversations: "Hey, I'm dying from cancer and won't participate in you courses, can you refund my 990$ to pay my medical bills?" "We sympathize with you situation sir, but I'm afraid this sum is non-refundable…" This is a result of my boss's over-sized greed. In case of making this game for 2 consoles I feel the same tendency. I know that is easily possible to find more reasons behind this, but I believe that greed (they call it "financially viable thinking" now) is the main reason. I just won't buy a game that is accessible on xbox. FF13 was only mistake and it is totally not worth buying. So I believe that for this money (+ extra 90$) I'll get a long urged Neverwinter Nights Collector's Edition with a real artbook (not a "mini-artbook" which will probably feature loading screens, like it was in Demon's Soul case).
   Sorry guys, the game will probably be awesome and, maybe I'll even buy it in future (which I do with games, that I've really liked), but no preorder to play it. And I'm sad about it, just like in case of Catherine. Developers will get their money without my 160$ for those 2 titles…

   Reply
   • kotowari says:

     This is an interesting point, although publishing a game for both systems does not directly harm anyone (as does the example you gave with refunding money). The games industry is floundering badly, especially in Japan. The recent announcement about Square Enix's profits alone are proof of this. Therefore these companies need to do whatever they can to maximize profits, even if it means releasing titles for multiple systems. I know talking about profits makes the world of games feel like a business, but you need to understand it is a business, with lots of people together in the same corporate boat. It’s the responsibility of the publisher to maximize profits for those individuals. When you hear about layoffs from developers or publishers, that is what is you should be contesting. That affects people directly, certainly moreso than a title being released on multiple systems.

     It’s true that it is possible to release a title for one platform exclusively and have it succeed (Disgaea 4 is a great example), but that is rare. You may remember that Demon’s Souls was also backed by Sony, meaning they covered some of the finances. Dark Souls is not, it’s Bandai Namco and From Software. Had Sony helped it would have been a PS3 exclusive.

     Reply
     • AnGeLZzZ says:

       I totally see your point. I just don't want this industry become business only. Anyway, probably there is no other future, so in the end I'll probably stick with indie games and alternative pricing policies (like "humble indie bundle"). It is a minority, but this minority just feels more "honest" to me. Maybe it is just a naive crap, but I really hate the world of sales, advertisement, finance (probably because of my current work). Games are art for me, they are a proof that there is something more than money in our world, and I'm just getting mad, when reminded that so much people in gaming industry are just making buck. Sorry for being angry in the first comment ^_^

       Reply
       • kotowari says:

         I understand, I work in marketing and I hate it. This is relevant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDW_Hj2K0wo

         Indie gaming certainly feels like a less consumer driven market, it's more about people having fun doing what they love (making games).

         Reply
4. -Kei- says:

   Hi Roy, just wanted a bit of clarification. I seem to recall this having an Oct release, but on amazon it says Dec 31. Has the release been moved or if I get the CE then I get it Dec?

   Reply
   • kotowari says:

     I believe this is just Amazon slow to update their copy. I checked Gamestop quickly and they have the correct date so I wouldn't worry!

     Reply