Sony has announced the official God of War Laufey Collector Box, and just like Grand Theft Auto 6‘s special bundle, it doesn’t actually contain a copy of the game. After Rockstar’s long-awaited new GTA entry arrives, God of War Laufey is in line to be one of the biggest launches in a post-GTA 6 world, and the two titles are seemingly kickstarting a trend that hopefully doesn’t become the norm. Between the ongoing debate about physical game ownership and gaming becoming more expensive, God of War Laufey and GTA 6‘s Collector Boxes are a step in the wrong direction.
Rockstar and publisher Take-Two Interactive have already been under fire for GTA 6‘s physical version not actually featuring a disc. Instead, it’s simply a box with a download code. Thankfully, God of War Laufey will be available on an actual disc, but Sony has also made it abundantly clear that the company’s future plans involve a completely digital future. Now that both games have an official Collector Box with no actual game attached to the purchase, it adds more fuel to that growing fire of frustration.
The God of War Laufey and Grand Theft Auto 6 Collector Boxes Are Missing the One Thing That Justifies Their Existence
It’s not like it’s uncommon for publishers like Sony and Take-Two Interactive to offer merchandise that is sold separately from the actual game. However, when it comes to these kinds of pricey Collector Boxes, such expensive special bundles are usually a tool to entice players to spend more on a collector’s item that usually has the game included with it. The GTA 6 Collector Box was already a shocking departure from tradition, and God of War Laufey taking the same approach sets a concerning precedent that this will eventually be the norm for AAA releases.
The whole point of a Collector Box used to be that gamers would receive a copy of the game alongside extra memorabilia that helped justify the steeper price tag. Games are supposed to be the centerpiece of a collector’s edition, and the added items are simply the cherry on top that rewards the most eager gamers with extra swag. However, with GTA 6 and God of War Laufey‘s Collector Box completely missing the core item that makes these limited edition bundles worth it, the boxes aren’t nearly as exciting.
God of War Laufey Collector Box Details
- $150 USD
- Light-Up Faye Statue
- 51-Card Oracle Deck
- Mini Artbook
GTA 6 Collector Box Details
- $400 USD
- Macca the Gator Figure
- Oakley Sunglasses
- Leonida Keys Crossbody Bag
- New Era 9FORTY Snapback Hat
- Macca the Gator Magnetic Mirror
- Chunkee the Manatee Shot Glass
- Vice City Collectible Swizzle Spoon
- Vice City Razor Blade Keychain
- Leonida Keys Enamel Pin Set
- Leonida Keys Sticker Pack
- Double-Sided Poster With Leonida Map
On the bright side, God of War Laufey‘s collector bundle is at least way cheaper than GTA 6‘s box. Regardless of price, though, seeing all of these items lined up without the game included just doesn’t ignite the same level of hype. If gamers want to experience absolutely everything that Rockstar’s upcoming game has to offer, they already have to purchase the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition to unlock exclusive content. Adding an extra $400 on top of that is wild.
The God of War Laufey and GTA 6 Collector Boxes Are Bound to Cause Confusion
I wouldn’t be surprised if a few particularly eager fans have already bought these Collector Boxes without realizing that they don’t actually include the game that they are so excited about. Of course, it’s always important to read the fine print and double check before buying, but when a Collector Box or the majority of these expensive bundles have traditionally included the game, it’s easy to understand why some would just assume that a copy would also be part of the purchase. The God of War Laufey pre-orders and Collector Box might be cheaper compared to the GTA 6, but that doesn’t make it okay.
Games are supposed to be the centerpiece of a collector’s edition…
Collector Boxes Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg of Ongoing Industry Woes
Being cynical or pessimistic really isn’t something I enjoy. I try to be as optimistic as I can be, but it’s hard to ignore that gaming definitely feels like it’s at a huge turning point right now. Between rising console prices and predictions that the price of next-gen consoles could be around $1,000 or more, Sony and Take-Two Interactive splitting game copies and limited-edition merch bundles into separate purchases rubs salt into the wound.
Collector Boxes are supposed to be the most expensive version of a game because it adds a smorgasbord of extra content alongside the physical copy. A Faye statue sounds cool and all, but not as many people will be willing to purchase this option without a game attached to the bundle. Until now, the lead up to God of War Laufey‘s release date has been pretty exciting, but this Collector Box completely misses the point of what makes pre-launch hype so fun.
- Publisher(s)
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Number of Players
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Single-player
