While we wouldn't pin your hopes on Target as WoW:WotLK savior — note: Amazon manages its inventory, but the CE doesn't show as available at the online retailer — it's a good back up.

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Collector's Edition for PC [Target - thanks, Joshua & Roufuss!]

For how long I couldn't say. Surely not too long after this post goes out, but if you hurry you can still get your hands on tons of limited edition goodness and a box that matches the other two on my bookcase, in case you were trying to coordinate with my living room.

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Collector’s Edition [GameStop - Thanks Jim!]

We’re keeping a close eye on our forums, while a lot of the issues reported are not issues with the game necessarily, some of them are (like the two examples mentioned in my blog) however and so we’re looking at those, plus some (like the Abbot Quest) have been fixed already. The biggest issue is when people report a show stopping issue on our forums without enough information for us to reproduce it. Regarding the ETA for said patch, there is no news yet.

And that's the bad news. There is a fix, yet no word yet on when the patch will hit. Still, Sam did present us with more good news...

The issue with missing DLC codes from the LCE will be resolved tomorrow (28th October).

As a person who bought the Fable II Collector's Edition without the code included, I am overjoyed at the fact that I can finally replace my character's pink and black assassin's outfit with medieval Master Chief Armor. And just in case that isn't good enough news, the Fable II Development Blog is also going to be posting codes throughout the week that players can snag in order to download the Fable II Pub Games for free! They've already posted the first five codes, which have no doubt all been redeemed by now. Seems a bit of a backwards way to distribute them, but free is free.

“The WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 collector’s edition is a must-have for the WWE aficionado,” said Nelo Lucich, senior vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “With innovative content and packaging that looks great on collectors’ shelves, and a host of Blu-ray content including a behind-the-scenes, this collection is certain to be enjoyed by WWE fans for years to come.”

Seems an odd choice really, limiting the collector's edition to one system like that. I suppose THQ just loves PlayStation 3 owners more. It's okay, 360 owners. They still love you, they're just not in love with you.

WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2009 Set to Deliver Collector’s Edition Exclusive to PLAYSTATION®3 System

Leading Fighting Videogame Franchise to Offer Fans Unique Retail Incentive In Support of Upcoming Worldwide Launch

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) today announced details of the WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2009 collector’s edition. Exclusively for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the collector’s edition is now available for pre-order at select retailers worldwide. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is slated for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Wii™ video game console, Nintendo DS™ and mobile devices on November 9, 2008.

The WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 collector’s edition for the PLAYSTATION 3 system features a copy of the game and a disc with exclusive Blu-ray content. Included on the disc is a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the videogame, as well as more than two hours of WWE footage from a variety of popular SmackDown vs. Raw cross-brand matches from 2008. The content is delivered in a unique steel cage package for North America, while fans in Europe and Asia Pacific regions will see their items encased within a miniature ring.

“The WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 collector’s edition for the PLAYSTATION 3 system is a tremendous opportunity for us to collaborate with our partners to produce a unique offering for our fans,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “In addition to the great WWE video features, the videogame documentary will allow fans to see all of the work that goes into making their favorite fighting videogame franchise.”

“The WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 collector’s edition is a must-have for the WWE aficionado,” said Nelo Lucich, senior vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “With innovative content and packaging that looks great on collectors’ shelves, and a host of Blu-ray content including a behind-the-scenes, this collection is certain to be enjoyed by WWE fans for years to come.”

The whole shebang should be hitting stores on February 20th, giving The Sims 2 fans around 4 months to collect all of the expansions for that version and then uninstall them to make room for the next batch.

Pre-Order Your Copy of The Sims 3 Today
Those That Pre-Order The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition Will Receive a Collectible Neighborhood Poster and Exclusive In-Game Content

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that the Collector’s Edition of The Sims™ 3, the highly anticipated next-generation flagship PC game from The Sims Label, is now available for pre-order at select North American retailers including GameStop, Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry’s Electronics, GameCrazy, EB Canada, Amazon.com, Gogamer.com, Target.com and Walmart.com. Worldwide pre-order opportunities outside of North America will be announced in the coming months at which time fans can look to local retailers in their market for more information. The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition, in stores on February 20, 2009, will include the full game along with an additional collectable 2GB The Sims Plumbob™ USB drive, tips and hints guide and a bonus in-game European-styled sports car unavailable elsewhere. In addition, those who pre-order the product now will receive an additional exclusive in-game vintage sports car, and a collectible poster that is a first look at the neighborhood, all available while supplies last1.

The freedom of The Sims 3 will inspire you with endless creative possibilities and amuse you with unexpected moments of surprise and mischief. In The Sims 3 you can create lifelike Sims with a unique personality and take them anywhere including the gym, bistro, park, art gallery and more. The feature-set includes a new seamless, open neighborhood, new create a sim, new unique personality traits, new unlimited customization and new gameplay that’s quick and rewarding. The neighborhood is alive and constantly evolving so what happens to a Sim on one side of the neighborhood could impact your Sims on the other side of town! If your Sims are in the right place at the right time, who knows what might happen? And now for the first time, your Sims have distinctive personalities thanks to a range of all-new personality traits. You have the option to select from dozens and dozens of personality traits such as brave, artistic, kleptomaniac, clumsy, paranoid and romantic. Combine up to five traits to create over a million truly diverse Sims.

The all-new Create – A – Sim allows you to completely customize your Sims’ appearances making every Sim unique. The feature is easy-to-use and more powerful than ever, letting you fine-tune every aspect of your Sims face, customize their hair color, select the exact shade of their skin tone and determine much more to make lifelike Sims. It’s never been easier to make Sims that are thin, full-figured or muscular and everything in between! In true The Sims fashion, you can customize everything. The Sims 3 allows for infinite possibilities to design the interior and exterior of your Sims surroundings.

Additionally, you can enjoy the challenge of short-term and long-term goals and then reap the rewards! Based on personality traits, skills and career choices, your Sims have short and long term Wishes that provide constant fun challenges, things to do and achieve. You have the ultimate freedom to choose whether to fulfill their destiny, giving them lifetime happiness and rewards or not! Will your Sim skyrocket from latrine cleaner to an astronaut, go from being a rabid fan to a sports legend or will you choose an alternate destiny? In The Sims 3, life is what you make it!

The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition will include:

The Sims 3 Game for PC
The Sims Plumbob USB Drive with matching Green Carabiner
Exclusive In-Game European-Styled Sports Car
Tips and hints guide
The Sims 3 Plumbob Stickers
For more information about The Sims 3, please go to www.TheSims3.com.

Obviously, you get the game disc. And....

* Special Ultra Limited Edition packaging
* Dead Space Downfall Animated Movie (DVD)
* Bonus content DVD
* Exclusive lithograph art
* 97-pg Dead Space art book written and illustrated by the development team
* 160-pg Graphic novel
* Ishimura crew patch

Special, ultra and limited packaging? Consider us interested. Currently, the EA store is listing the Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition only for the Xbox 360 and there are no pictures to speak of yet, but we've got a note in wondering about a PlayStation 3 version. We'll keep you posted.

Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition [EA Store - thanks, Matthew!]

Some of you might say this is paying extra for an advantage over other players, which is not true. This is paying extra for a box of cool stuff *and* an advantage over other players. Silly.

Mythic Entertainment Announces Head Start Program Dates for Warhammer Online

Get ready for the worldwide WAAAGH! Mythic Entertainment announced today that North American players who have pre-ordered Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (WAR) will be able to get the jump on creating their characters and exploring the world when the game’s “Head Start” program begins on September 14th.

The “Head Start” program offers players early access to the game and a chance to join the Realm War before the servers officially go live on September 18th. Players that have pre-ordered the standard edition of the game will be granted “Head Start” access on Tuesday, September 16th at 7am EDT. The lucky fans who pre-ordered the Collector’s Edition will be able to log in even earlier and begin play on Sunday, September 14th at 7am EDT.

Whether players choose to join the fight as an incendiary Bright Wizard or a shadowy Witch Elf, the characters they create during the “Head Start” program will carry over their skills, abilities, weapons and career rank into the game when the servers officially open to the general public on the Day of Reckoning – September 18th.

Based on Games Workshop's epic tabletop fantasy war game, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm game play that will immerse players in a world of perpetual conflict for years to come. Available for PC, WAR is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB.

The collector's edition will include the complete edition of the game as listed above, along with exclusive tokens allowing players to choose three of eight in-game items, a 22" by 22" cloth map of the mines, a poster, The Lord of the Rings Art and Music Collection, Collector's Edition Starter Guide, and a gold-plated version of the one ring, complete with chain and pouch. A lovely haul, but be warned - wearing a replica of the one ring in a pouch around your neck makes it completely legal for people to punch you right in the face. It's true!

And what the hell? Here's the trailer.

TURBINE ANNOUNCES distribution Partnership with warner bros. INTERACTIVE entertainment For the LORD of the rings online™: mines of moria™

North American Product Lineup Unveiled

WESTWOOD, MA – July 31, 2008 - Turbine, Inc. announced today its partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to distribute The Lord of the Rings Online™: Mines of Moria™ at retail in North America. As part of the announcement, Turbine unveiled its fall product lineup which includes two titles that will be available at retail, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition and The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector’s Edition, as well as a digital only title for existing subscribers, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion.

“We are excited to self publish The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria and to partner with Warner Bros. to distribute the title at retail this fall,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “Mines of Moria introduces breakthrough content and features including our Legendary Item system that will revolutionize the way players advance and customize their unique heroes.”

The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria expands the online world of Middle-earth™ to let players continue the ultimate interactive adventure in the largest and most dangerous online underground environment ever created. Players will be able to explore the ancient underground cities of the dwarves, battle epic characters in the depths, face off with the Watcher, be a part of the fateful release of Durin’s Bane and more. In addition to the Legendary Item system, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria features groundbreaking dual height map technology that creates a seamless, vast, and epic environment that brings Moria to life like never before. The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria extends the challenge to new heights with two new classes, ten additional levels and hundreds of new quests.

“Turbine has an impressive track record of creating and publishing high quality massively multiplayer online games,” said John Quinn, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “We look forward to working with Turbine and we will leverage our experience in distributing successful premium titles with the launch of The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria this fall.”

The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria - Fall 2008 Product Lineup:

Ø The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition will include the original The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ game (Volume I), all content updates released since launch, and The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria (Volume II). The Complete Edition will be available at retail stores nationwide and offers new players who wish to journey through the most complete and authentic recreation of Middle-earth the full, award-winning experience.

Ø The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector’s Edition will feature the content of the Complete Edition as well as compelling digital and physical items for collectors. Limited quantities of the Collector’s Edition will be available at retail outlets in a unique leather-bound book packaging and will include:

· 3 exclusive tokens that can be exchanged for the player’s choice of 8 different in-game items

· 22” x 22” premium quality cloth map of the Mines of Moria

· Special gold-plated ring complete with chain and pouch

· Mines of Moria poster

· The Lord of the Rings Online Art and Music Collection with the official Mines of Moria Soundtrack

· A full color Collector’s Edition Starter Guide

Ø The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion is a digital upgrade that will allow existing subscribers to The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar to continue the ultimate interactive adventure into the vast, terrifying and unparalleled world beneath Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate interactive adventure. This award-winning massively multiplayer online role playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the most fearsome underground realm ever imagined, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before. For more information on The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria, please visit www.lotro.com/moria.

This of course means that the thumbs-up bobblehead could still be auction viable, should some unscrupulous member of the gaming press choose to part with him. Unfortunately I've grown accustomed to the daily affirmation my little plaster pal gives me, so for now he stays on my mantle lovingly nestled between Cortana and Kos-Mos, as he should be.

What we packed for lunch [Bethesda Blog - Thanks Dave!]

SC IV was on display for everyone to check out, but much like McWhertor's experience at GDC, there were only a limited number of characters to play with. My choices were a bit different than McWertor's however as I got to pick between Taki, Cassandra, Seung Mina and Hilde. I took Cassandra in hand and roundly bested my opponent (who's name I will leave out to save them embarrassment, but You know who you are!) in three rounds. I was also able to check out a little of Hilde and her shiny armor before i had to give up the controller to the next journo in the long line. I really like her fighting style and plan on exploring them more extensively when the final release happens. Something tells me she will be in my regular roster along with Ivy.

The controls for the PS3 version were tight and familiar and I was glad that they hadn't tried changing them up. The graphics were stunning as always and the really showed off the power of the PS3. A particular favorite was a large round arena with walls of gears and little mechanical men and carousel horses giving one the feeling of fighting in a giant cuckoo clock. The HUD has also received a makeover looking much tighter and sharper than it's predecessors.

So, mark your calendars for July 29th and if you want that Collector's Edition, be sure to pre-order it. I have a feeling they will be going fast. Be sure to check after the jump for a ton of new screenshots featuring Darth Vader and Yoda.

[Thanks, Phil]

I have long not been a fan of collector's editions, but in general it doesn't really hurt anyone. Typically the collector's edition of a game comes with a better case, maybe a little figurine or poster or somesuch. The only time I'm really annoyed by the concept of multiple versions of a game is when one version comes with more bits of the game than the other, like extra maps or such.

Fortunately, the Collector's Edition of Unreal Tournament 3 for the PC doesn't fall into that category. Their CE version comes with a ten hour video tutorial about game mods, a history of Unreal Tournament and behind the scenes stuff for the game. The history and behind the scenes stuff don't really interest me, but it's really quite clever of them to pack in a tutorial for modding, since that's what usually keeps their latest version of the franchise alive for so long.

The PC LE version will sell for $60 starting in November in the US, Europe, South Africa, Australia and most other territories.

NCsoft Reveals Contents of Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa Limited Collector's Edition Game Pack

Austin, Texas, August 20, 2007-NCsoft(r), the world's leading developer
and publisher of online computer games, announced their plans for the
Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa(r) Limited Collector's Edition, which
will be released to stores in North America and Europe when the game
launches this fall.

This special retail box offers customers exclusive in-game items,
including a special character emote, exclusive dye recipes players can
use to create unique armor colors, and a unique pet. Players who
purchase the Limited Collector's Edition box also receive a briefing
from Richard Garriott's alter-ego in the game, General British,
classified maps, an Allied Free Sentients (AFS) field guide, Tabula Rasa
dog tags, an AFS challenge coin and a special edition poster.

The Limited Collector's Edition also includes one month of free game
play and a "Making of Tabula Rasa" DVD.

One of the most anticipated PC games of the year, Tabula Rasa is the
latest title by gaming legend Richard Garriott and offers a strikingly
new approach to the design of multiplayer online games by combining a
vast, persistent game world and rich storyline with fast-paced action.
The game introduces several innovative elements to massively multiplayer
online (MMO) games, including a Character Cloning System(tm) that allows
players to explore different character classes without having to create
a new character. Dynamic battlefields and ethical parables make this
MMO game incredibly immersive, where players really feel a part of the
ongoing war effort.

"The Limited Collector's Edition we have put together for Tabula Rasa is
loaded with cool things for players who really get into the role-playing
aspect of the game," said Executive Producer Richard Garriott. "Regular
players will find the maps and field guide useful as they move
full-force into the game's fast-paced action. Other items, like the dog
tags and challenge coins, bring home the 'brothers in arms' feeling of
this game even when you aren't playing."

When the game launches later this fall, players will find the Richard
Garriott's Tabula Rasa Limited Collector's Edition at most local and
online retailers and at the PlayNC store
(https://secure.plaync.com/cgi-bin/Store.pl).

2K's response? "Sure, we'll do it." If the petition scores 5000 signatures, the BioShock folks say they'll release a limited edition of the game. We're not sure right now if that means the Xbox 360 or PC version, or both, but it's good to read. Michael McWhertor

Collectors Edition Petition [2K Forums]

Amazon.com is currently listing the Gears of War Collector's Edition for $57.99, that's $12 off the regular listed price of $69.99. It also makes it $2 cheaper than the regular edition of the game and is eligible for free shipping. So, if you haven't already picked up a copy, now is your opportunity to grab the fancy version with all the trimmings. In case you are unfamiliar, the Collector's edition comes in an embossed metal box with a hardbound art book and a bonus features DVD. Get 'em while they last! Flynn De Marco

Gears Of War Collector's Edition [Amazon.com]

Cheap Ass Gamer reports that the Assassin's Creed Collector's Edition, now available for pre-order at Play-Asia for the 360, PC or PS3 for $59.90, comes with a cool little 12-inch Altair figure.

The photo shows the black and white prototype of the figure. The final version will be in color. This Play-Asia deal is for the Asian version, but CAG points out that the game is region free and that the US version of the CE will cost $100. Sounds like a deal.

Play-Asia Reveals Assassin's Creed Collector's Edition [CAG]

Welcome to the lamest collector's edition extra ever.

EB games is listing the Lost Planet CE at $69.99. What do you get for your extra ten bucks? Why, how about the swank "Steelbook Packaging" (your guess is as good as ours... I assume some sort of metallic fold out DVD case), a 24 page art manual and this doozy: "a Token Card to download a new Multiplayer Map on Xbox Live Marketplace."

And this is what microtransactions invariably mean: content that gets cut out of the retail version of the game to be sold to you for a few extra bucks later. I suppose developers should take what money they can get, but it sits poorly for me, and I wish the rest of you people would stop supporting the model. The obvious end result of this is buying every asset of a game separately. Florian Eckhardt

Lost Planet Collector's Edition 'Bonuses?' [1Up]

Although Gears of War won't be available until November, when Microsoft hopes it will deliver a hay maker straight to the crotch of Sony's Playstation 3 launch, the cheese sniffers over at XBoxygen somehow managed to get their escargot begreased hands on Gears of War's Collector's Edition booklet, and there's a lot of beautiful art, enemies, weapons and details to oggle. There's no word yet on whether or not the booklet is limited to the Collector's Edition, or if it will also be available to you cheap plebs. Florian Eckhardt

Gears of War Collectors' Edition Booklet Scans [Xboxygen]