22 replies to this topic

[PhelanKerensky]

I know what you're thinking... "Collectors Edition"? But this is free to play right?

Please Allow me to explain.

Many, many, avid fans of the MechWarrior series have sat around and waited for the last 10 or so years, for a MechWarrior game to be produced. It's been a hard 10 years of trawling the internet, looking for the slightest bit of information on the latest MechWarrior Mod or Table Top conversion treatment, to allow us to at least rekindle some of those golden memories we all (at least the more mature members of the community) fondly remember.

As a community, we must take it upon ourselves to ensure, that now a worthy and rightful successor to the throne has taken the financial risk to recreate our beloved game, that we do everything in our power to support them. Both vocally and, dare I say it, financially.

I do not pretend that I have much in the way of knowledge or experience of free to play games (discounting second life here). But, it occurs to me that as a community, if we want to see this game become all that it can be, and all that we wish it to become, whether that is at launch, or some time after, that we need to dig deep into our pockets, and throw as much spare change, or more at this opportunity.

It is great that this game is free to play, in that it will open up the player base to those on the fringes of our community, who (perhaps due to age) have not been as fortunate as we have been to have been around to see what this game can be. That will bring in numbers. But, those of us who truly want to see this game succeed, and who are prepared to pay a little, I encourage you to do so.

Now, I am not suggesting we set up a a charity I am simply suggesting that in addition to the existing free to play payable items that can be purchased, that a "Collectors Edition", could be a way to allow the community to purchase a few items at launch that are in some way "special" or "celebratory" either in game or out of game items.

This will serve three purposes:

1) Firstly (and in my view most importantly), it will supply an initial injection of cold hard cash to Piranha and Infinite Game Publishing at launch, to help alleviate some of the vast expense a title such as this must outlay to develop. Which in turn will help secure the financial future of this project. Never, never underestimate the importance that cold hard cash has in ensuring the long term viability of a project such as this.

2) Secondly, it would allow a box to be produced, which in theory could be a way into the retail market in addition to the already accepted Digital Download that we have come to expect from free to play. Even if this were for some technical reason not possible, it could still be possible to purchase direct from the Publisher by ordering online and having the boxset delivered.

3) Thirdly, many, many members of the Mech Community, are extremely die hard fans (not just Collectors) who would just love to own some tangible real world item that would be purchased with the Collectors Edition Boxset. Be honest, who here wouldn't like a six inch Replica of a Timber Wolf?

The primary reason for a Collectors Edition, is because I foresee a demand for such an item. If customers desire a certain product, and the Publisher can make profit from it, it seems a no brainer to me.

Assuming I am not way out of touch on all of the above and that I am not some plant by the developer or publisher to drum up a new revenue stream (sorry guys you will just need to take my word for it here), then the only thing that seriously needs to be discussed is "what would such a boxset provide that people would happily pay a premium for?"

Off the top of my head (and I will not extrapolate in too much detail as I would invite comment from the community here):

1) Map of the Inner Sphere
2) Poster of an ingame mech - perhaps even an "Unseen" if legally possible.
3) The above mentioned 6 inch (surely 9 would be better) replica mech.
4) Default Key Guide setup.
5) Instruction Manual - either glossy version of online, or just a bound version.
6) And finally, (and I really like this idea) a 15 to 20 page novella, produced through an online competition set by Piranha to the whole Mech Community, to write a story set in the existing Battletech Universe at the current timeline. The prize to the winning author would be to have your work published and given freely as part of the Collectors Edition boxset, and to create some new lore. (Outlay to Developer - virtually nothing. Reward to winning entry - Being a published author, plus any other incentive the Developer wishes to bestow). Those of you old enough to remember may recall the first space flight/trading game Elite, and it's novella that really helped to set the scene of the game.

OK, I think I have said enough.

Please feel free to comment.

Edited by PhelanKerensky, 07 April 2012 - 03:11 AM.

[Fiachdubh]

I like all of those ideas and would like to add to number 3:

Say if you completely unlocked every last upgrade/module/tier etc. for a mech you would most likely have developed an attachment and fondness for it by that stage so as a reward for sticking with it you were then given the oppertunity to purchase it in miniature form (I would prefare the TT minis size for use in games but maybe make a range of sizes available) complete with whatever paintjob you used with it if so desired.

This might be a bit much for PGI to undertake so maybe in partnership with another company such as IWM, completing every tier for your mech results in a code or voucher for a discount making it more affordable for us and providing more business for BT related companies.

Edited by Fiachdubh, 07 April 2012 - 04:02 AM.

[Thorn Hallis]

We allready had some similiar suggestions going into that direction (boxed game, paid beta access and such), but 'til now nothing came out of it.

[Derick Cruisaire]

I like this idea. But I would prefer a Hula Girl.

[FinnMcKool]

I dont ask for Much:

I want it all, and I want it now.

[Kiyoshi Amaya]

Fantastic idea!!!

[Kenyon Burguess]

i'd much rather have a new design mini thats hex compatable. but the other ideas are nice.

[wwiiogre]

would give money for this

chris

[Curon Hifor]

+1!

I would be totally cool with all of this

[wwiiogre]

A T-Shirt a Map, some art signed by FD, some left over MWO water bottles, you know swag for the collectors.

Chris

[PhelanKerensky]

It occurs to me that the Collectors Edition would have both real world items and in game items accessible through an unlock code system. So for example, as a perk to the owner of a Collectors Edition Boxset, you would be given several unlock codes that once put into the unlock software enable new in game items.

Most of the ideas so far have concentrated on real tangible items, lets keep those ideas coming, but lets also think more along what we would like to see as rewards for in game use. Bare in mind that we probably should not ask for anything too radical, and that any in game items available as part of the boxset should probably not be exclusive to the boxset (in other words, we should not ask for exclusive ownership of items, unless these are going to be of no tactical value to the game). So new exclusive skins would be ok, but new weapons would not.

[wwiiogre]

Urban mech collectors edition only discount, I would buy the collector's edition box just to have my very own Urbie.

chris

[Dirk Le Daring]

I like the idea, but it would be quite an overhead to put it to press. And given the fact that it is free to play, the vast majority would not buy it. There would need to be solid numbers before this would be considered, in my opinion.

And, yes I would shell-out for a Collectors Edition.

Edited by Dirk Le Daring, 07 April 2012 - 07:26 PM.

[PhelanKerensky]

Very true. There would need to be a demonstrable demand for such an item. Perhaps, if this thread becomes popular, the powers that be may take notice of it, and run an official pole. That would provide them with some idea of demand.

The thing to also consider is that, players would not need to buy the boxset to play the game. So that opens up the sale of this Collectors Edition to players who perhaps were unaware of it until after they had played the game. Something that a traditional Collectors Edition boxset on a pay to play game would be unlikely to occur. Lets not forget that this is a free to play game, so the idea that the Collectors Edition would have to be ready for launch, does not hold so true for this type of game.

[Dirk Le Daring]

PhelanKerensky, on 07 April 2012 - 07:37 PM, said:

Very true. There would need to be a demonstrable demand for such an item. Perhaps, if this thread becomes popular, the powers that be may take notice of it, and run an official pole. That would provide them with some idea of demand.

The thing to also consider is that, players would not need to buy the boxset to play the game. So that opens up the sale of this Collectors Edition to players who perhaps were unaware of it until after they had played the game. Something that a traditional Collectors Edition boxset on a pay to play game would be unlikely to occur. Lets not forget that this is a free to play game, so the idea that the Collectors Edition would have to be ready for launch, does not hold so true for this type of game.

Agreed

[wwiiogre]

agreed, if and when they do it. I will buy it, period.

chris

[Amolas]

What they can do is download it for free, or buy the boxed game and have a download card for some extra skins or something along those lines.

[T0RC4ED]

In the world according to T0RC4ED
Standard eddition = digital download, Standard price.
Collectors eddition is pre-order, costs a little more and will arrive at your door before the servers go live (patching will be possible at all times prior to game going live). Includes some cool looking object to put on your bookshelf.
(Dont even think about passing out MWO dog tags...fake dogtags are just lame)

NOTE: I Assume there will be a purchase price for the game (Just because its free to play doesn't mean there isnt a cover charge)

Edited by T0RC4ED, 08 April 2012 - 04:06 AM.

[Siilk]

Good idea, OP. I also like the idea of having both in-game("mech hats") and real-life items(merch, maps and manuals) bundled together. But what I really want to see as a part of Colector's edition(or maybe even an Extra Special limited edition), is an unique MWO controller, something on the scale of Steel Battalion controller, custom built to use with MWO.

[Jonas]

well since we down load it from them there wont be a box. As for digital things like a custom alt of the basic Mechs then sure why not