Special Edition games -- does anyone buy them?

I'm just curious to see if any of youz guyz own a "special limited collectors platinum gold diamond edition" game. You know, the kind that are two to three times more expensive than the regular version and come with a silly action figure, a second "making of" disc that no one will ever watch, and a clunky metal case. Does anyone plan on buying the BioShock or Halo 3 special editions?

Yes, but only if it comes with a figurine that I can show my girlfriend...

Some games include special maps or character classes only in the Special Edition... so it depends on a cost benefit analysis.

If there is no gameplay difference... HECK NO.

I was given the Ultima IX: Ascension collector's edition as a joke. It came in a box about the size of a door and had a certificate of authenticity. I remember buying the Quake III tin, and I must have bought several Bioware RPGs as collector's editions because I do have several cloth maps fluttering about my house.

I also remember buying the collector's edition of Diablo II.

Recently, I bought the collector's edition of The Battle for Middle-Earth II because it had extra in-game assets.

I'll only buy them now if they offer some really good in-game content.

I've never seen one that cost 3 times normal... Most collector's editions I've seen run $10 more than normal.

At a small price hike like $10 I've been guilty several times.

I'd never consider getting a collectors edition that ran more than $20 more than normal version, and even then only if it was REALLY AWESOME and had in game effects of some sort.

I remember a Diablo 2 special edition case that I bought a long time ago, because I was addicted to the game. Beyond that, I have never bought a special edition of anything.

What did you have to, um, do to get that staff discount, Aaron?

BTW, what do you think of STALKER? I'm not thrilled, sorry to say...

What did you have to, um, do to get that staff discount, Aaron?

BTW, what do you think of STALKER? I'm not thrilled, sorry to say...
Go to school with him. I'm not quite sure how you do it where you come from...?

As for STALKER... It's good, but nothing terribly great. Also, it's RPG elements more tighten the spectrum of people who can enjoy the game, rather than widening it I think. The only hybrid games I really enjoyed were along the lines of SS2, Dues Ex and so on. But they have other things going for them...

Of course STALKER was also weighed by the expectation of several years of development. The more times a game is on the cover of a single games magazine, the more disappointing it's going to be.