Burning Crusade: Collector's Edition sold out?
by Mike Schramm 
Oct 17th 2006 at 9:06AM
Added to the Amazon.com page for preording the BC: CE:"Availability: This item is currently not available.
The Collector's Edition of World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade is sold out. Please visit our detail page for the regular edition."
A few outlets are also reporting that EB Games claims to be sold out as well. All this even before Blizzard announces an official release date? How exactly can you be "sold out" when it's likely we don't even know how many copies are going to be printed and released yet?
I'd say this was a ploy by these gaming retailers to sell more copies of the game, but they don't need to use a ploy-- this thing is going to sell like hotcakes in the middle of a syrup convention. Could the Collector's Edition be sold out even before one disc is printed? Especially shocking since we were originally told (by a third party, I realize) that there were going to be "plenty to go around." Drysc, however, says quantities will be "limited," and if you want one, to hurry. Way to drive people into a frenzy, Drysc.
Personally, I'll probably give my local stores a call tomorrow and call it quits if none of them are taking preorders. With all the expectation for this game, I don't see how Blizzard (or Vivendi, the group they belong to) wouldn't want to print about fifteen gajillion copies and sell them all. My guess (I'm not as sure about this one) is that these stores are creating demand by cutting off supply. Until we hear an official release date (and these retailers hear an official product quantity) from Blizzard, I'm guessing the CE will be back on sale soon. Then again, if you're not willing to take my word for it, better get on that phone...
[ via moukin ]
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, News items, Expansions
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Camaris Oct 17th 2006 9:56AM
And that's only the US. For Europe, I haven't found any retailers that even allow you to pre-order (including Amazon.co.uk).
xfr3386 Oct 17th 2006 10:04AM
Just go to your local store, best buy or walmart, and buy it the day the game is released. If you show up when they open it's yours.
If you work in retail and have to work that day keep your mouth shut about it at work and call in sick or say you are having issues with your car or whatever.
Chillis Oct 17th 2006 10:49AM
I just went ahead and pre-ordered from bestbuy and instead of having it shipped to me I just chose the pick-up in store option.
Gamerz22 Oct 17th 2006 11:18AM
Well, they say sold out doesn't mean they really are. It is like how Gamestop offered limited preorders of the Nintendo Wii and Playsation 3, all to prevent something like an XBox 360 supply disaster. If they get more, you can buy more... but until this information on availability is released by Blizzard, gamestores dont wanna promise anything over what they already have.
I still plan to buy the CE.
Charlie Taylor Oct 17th 2006 11:10AM
Guy at the local gamestop let me pre-order mine. Said it would be out on the 28th. *shrug* Either Gamestop's inventory system is based on internet rumors, or they don't have any tag on it for 'unannounced' release dates that you aren't suppose to tell customers. (the latter wouldn't surprise me, I work retail and I can tell you that most in-store inventory systems are very vague.)
Tryst Oct 17th 2006 11:12AM
I posted this in another thread but EB Games told me that they were only ordering enough Collector's Editions to cover the pre-orders but that they would have plenty of the non-Collector's Editions to go around.
Mat Oct 17th 2006 12:19PM
Well, if they don't want to make more money off of me just because I want a special pet, then I guess I can be ok with the regular version :)
Ken Oct 17th 2006 11:48AM
Am I the only one here who ISNT going to buy CE regardless if whether it's sold out or not?
Mike Oct 17th 2006 12:02PM
I pre-ordered the regular BC this weekend at a Gamestop in Vancouver Wa. They had on their list of 11/30 for a release. So, who knows.
Zuty Oct 19th 2006 10:46AM
I preordered the non-collectors a few months back and just called Game Stop the other day to switch my $25 over to the collectors they told me to call back the next day since they didnt hve any info on it. I did so the next day and I was told they had just 'Sold Out' and wont be getting any more ... -.-
DÖT Oct 17th 2006 12:01PM
No, Ken, you are not the only one.
Gold Farmer Oct 17th 2006 1:08PM
People that buy collector's editions are such suckers.
Pavle Oct 17th 2006 1:10PM
Where I come from a regular copie of WoW has been sold out for a month or so, hoping they won't make some package and force me into buying the expansion.
Pavle Oct 17th 2006 1:13PM
Where I come from a regular copie of WoW has been sold out for a month or so, hoping they won't make some package and force me into buying the expansion. I would really want to start playing WoW.
Goldenboyy Oct 17th 2006 1:23PM
yeah...holding supply back...um...gee...sounds like wut the oil companies do to drive up the cost of gas. oO
Tarik Oct 17th 2006 1:35PM
I tipped you guys to the stores taking pre-orders last weekend! They're very nervous about having enough for people...cause WoW is hard enough to find as it is.
Gamerz22 Oct 17th 2006 2:10PM
I have the regular version on preorder, but will see if I can upgrade to CE.
Why? For those whom question why people are getting the CE, there is alot of reasons. For me, I'm an inspired game developer to be, meaning I'm currently taking classes on how to reach that goal. I have interests in the programmering and graphical art of video games, and thus this expansion's CE will help me get a view on how they put this thing together (not fully, but enough).
1. Behind the Scenes - helps me see how they went about the expansion and some techniques used to generate the new content.
2. The Artbook - view the many talented pieces of art from the Blizzard Art Department. This gives a new impression on the crafting and see the relation of the art into graphic. I personally love their art and would buy this thing seperate if possible and wasnt included.
3. CD and DVDs mean better options and with DVD, better speed of installation.
All the other stuff is neat, but not great and is not selling me on the collector's edition. If only #3 or none of the three mentioned above where not included, I wouldn't consider buying it.
Gamerz22 Oct 17th 2006 2:18PM
Oh, I forgot to add I'm looking forward to taking the soundtrack too... the new TBC music is cool :) BETA TESTERS FTW
Aaron Oct 17th 2006 3:24PM
I remember reading somewhere on the forums that they had done up 75,000 of the Original Collector's Edition.
I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't planning on a similar amount for Burning Crusade.
bliSSter Oct 17th 2006 3:38PM
@Aaron:
I think I read something similar about the numbers for the original release. I'd also wager that Blizzard is in the business of making money and they'd want to make as much as possible on this release. I'd personally expect more CEs of the expansion than the original considering it's popularity. Producing 250,000 versus 75,000 out of 7 million players could still be considered a "Collector's Edition". All the while making an extra 30 bones per copy.
/shrug
Who really knows what they're planning. :P