It’s always a bit tricky choosing what to include in a collector’s edition. Once upon a time we were all content with just the game. Then we were offered limited editions in fancy metal cases…with some artwork…possibly a download code for a map…maybe even a sticker! For the sake of a few extra quid on an enjoyable series, why not? I might not have ever watched the “making of” content that came with the game but it was nice to know the option was there.
But collector’s editions take game purchases to a whole new level. Few in number they are the epitome of gaming geek chic that underscore and advertise to all you are a TRUE die-hard fan. BUT testament to their ‘exclusivity’ they almost always come with a hefty price tag, and when you’re shelling out an extra £30/upwards on essentially the same game with extras the studio has to make damn sure those extras will be innovative or unique enough for gamers to want them, especially when now more than ever we’re all trying to look after the pennies.
Enter games studio Deep Silver with ‘zombie bait’. No strangers to controversy these are the guys who brought us Catherine (the oddly enjoyable ‘juggling two chicks’ game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un0t1riXGJY) and who are now gearing for their release of Dead Island: Riptide. The first Dead Island was indeed a quality game, and like many studios when pushing a highly anticipated sequel they offered a special edition with a difference: a hand painted figure of a headless, limbless female torso complete with blood splatter and Union Jack bikini. Designed as “Dead Island’s grotesque take on an iconic Roman marble torso…We wanted to provide a unique collector's edition that was utterly 'Dead Island' and would make a striking conversation piece on any discerning zombie gamer's mantel”, Paul Nicholls, Sales & Marketing Director at Deep Silver.
Cue a storm of controversy, abuse and mass media outrage! Cries of ‘Shocking!’, ‘Outrageous!’ and ‘Indecent!’ rang loud across news sites and social networks. We can’t deny that their idea’s original but it’s one that trod a fine line and probably sounded a lot better in the brainstorm session. Deep Silver in reaction to complaints said “We deeply apologize for any offense caused by the Dead Island Riptide "Zombie Bait Edition", the collector's edition announced for Europe and Australia, we sincerely regret this choice. We are collecting feedback continuously from the Dead Island community, as well as the international gaming community at large…For now, we want to reiterate to the community, fans and industry how deeply sorry we are, and that we are committed to making sure this will never happen again."They have subsequently promoted their ‘Rigor Mortis’ edition, complete with bobble zombie hula girl, zombie arm bottle opener, bungalow key, lots of DLC content and extras all in a Dead Island replica suitcase.
So is it a lot of fuss over nothing or are criticscorrect in their claims that it’s a gross objectification of female body? Did they never intend to sell it in the first place and this all one big scandalous stunt designed to induce media coverage – after all ‘Any publicity is good publicity’? I’d argue that if you’re going out with a girl who labels your Xbox as a questionable ownership item a ‘big boobed’ bloody torso adorning your shelf probably isn’t recommended.
But we’re still super excited for Dead Island: Riptide, guarantying more OTT, hack and dash, zombie survival terror action. We can’t wait to pick it up on April 26th later this year, but we’ll maybe stick with the standard edition.
Angelic Rogue Images from Google Images and vids from youtube. All image rights to their respective owners.
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