No Burning Crusade: Collector's Edition for Australia? [Update]
by David Nelson 
Oct 17th 2006 at 9:10PM
I saw this post over at Metroblogging Azeroth today, and it sounds a lot like the posts I have been seeing on the WoW.com forums and on a few other blogs. Basically it states that no one in Australia has any idea if they will be getting any Collector's Editions whatsoever. There are rumors ranging from none at all to a very limited supply. I don't understand why Blizzard wouldn't just come out and quell the rumors. They have to know whether they are giving Australia any love at all, so why don't they come out with a simple, official response? And on the off chance they don't know, a quick... "We don't know, check back later" would be appreciated. And on this same point, can't Blizzard just make more for Australia? With the USA, I understand that Blizzard wants to keep the supply limited, so it will actually be a Collector's Edition. And everyone got a chance to preorder, and if they didn't preorder they can camp out at the retailer of their choice come launch day. If you want one badly enough at release, you'll get it. However, not sending any to Australia is extremely bad news and seems entirely unfair. Two of my very best WoW friends are from Australia, and they are both extremely annoyed.
Any additional info from our friends down under? I searched for a blue post in the forums, but I didn't see one addressing this issue...did I miss it? And again, why can't they just make more for Australia?
[Update: And sure enough, blue did give a response. Thanks Thingy for the quick heads up with the comment. It looks like the Australian folks will be getting a CE afterall! Great news!]
Filed under: Expansions
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Thingy Oct 17th 2006 10:02PM
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=34383473&pageNo=1&sid=1#10
"I've been told that we have let retailers know that they will be getting the Collector's Edition AU/NZ. Since some final details such as how many units each store is getting and final pricing have yet to be determined, they may not have it in their systems to begin taking pre-orders. If they did they could potentially be overselling what they'll be receiving, which doesn't make anyone happy and is likely against their company policy. I can only recommend calling your local store every once in a while and seeing if they have info yet as we are certainly sending Collector's Editions down under."
Antari Oct 18th 2006 2:29AM
This bites the big one. first we had to play on US time servers, then they refuse to put a server on our side of the pacific (despite the rabid fanbase over here) and now this. not that i was going to run out and preorder but it just proves once again that vivendi's just out for our cash money for their blinged out low riders
BeardedFerret Oct 18th 2006 6:10AM
I work at an EB in Australia and I've been told that our store will only be recieving a few units, which we'll be allowing the first preorder customers in line to choose whether they want to upgrade to the collector's edition or not.
Of course, I heard that last week, before the blue post, and as I write this every store manager in the country is attending EB's Vendor's Show, where presumably they're learning more about it.
The story I was told sounds possible but not plausible. Hopefully we'll be able to pre-order them for customers soon - we just can't yet.
Aussies (and Kiwis, though in all honesty screw New Zealand), check your local EBs next week and hopefully we'll be able to properly take care of you.
Woko Oct 18th 2006 10:51PM
While the initial blue comment was positive, there's plenty of posts later on from people who have been told different stories:
There will be no CE in Australia.
There may be 8000 copies.
Stores may receive one CE per 25 regular boxes.
Vivendi Australia are putting together a AU Box Set, which won't have the American CE features.
I think Blizzards PR department is learning from their psychologists. They are providing an alternative "end-game" for the hardcore fans, who should be questing round different outlets, grinding out emails, and camping spawn points outside shops on the day of release.