Why is the XCOM: Enemy Unknown Special Edition only for PC?

[mekanika]

I just want an explanation for why I can't get the special edition on console. I got my ass kicked by the search function while trying to find if this was already a topic. Apparently no one else is bothered by it, which might answer my question.

Edit: If you want the special edition on console, and you want to let Firaxis/2K know about it, this is the thread for that (unless there's another, better one out there that looks better in a speedo).

Edit 2: The poll should say, "Would you buy the XCOM: Enemy Unknown Special Edition if they had it for console?" This is what I get for posting while drinking. If a mod sees it, could they change the poll contents, please?

[Usul]

Because PC users are special ;-)

[mekanika]

But, we're like, all special... man. Trees. Trees are special too.
Seriously though, I know XCOM was originally for PC, although I first played it for PlayStation. I just have a preference for gaming from my couch instead of from a desk, and this special edition is one that interests me. I'm a sucker for concept art books. I'd grind them up and snort them if they didn't look so damn good on my coffee table.

[theiawolf]

Preordered from local retailer today and this is what I was informed of... as I also am console gamer... we get the classic Blonde flattop guy and have armor/color customizations... nothing was said of collectors addition.

Again that came from the mouth of my local game retailer... who really knows we got till Oct and things may change

Perhaps 2K Rep/ Firaxis Rep will see our plight and rectify with answer

[TheFinn]

I wonder if it's a fear that they won't get the reception on the consoles that they expect on the PC.

[theiawolf]

Thats a variable that I can understand... as a console gamer. However much I will be dismayed my loyalty will never fade away as I am happy that I will just get to play the revival of a game that means as much as this game does to me. Either way I will buy but am willing to shell out more $ for the extra goodies.

[mekanika]

Right, all pre-orders, console and PC, come with the "Elite Soldier Pack," which is just the things you listed. But, I really want the art book, and the poster too I guess.

[theiawolf]

I want some action figure or a avenger or... the list could go on forever.

[PeppermintShore]

god question and i would like to know too.

[heniv]

I guess that having 6 versions of the game was kinda much. So 2K and Firaxis choose the PC as the most logical platform to release a Special Edition for (regarding the fan base and history).

Who knows, we might see a XBOX and PS special edition later on if it sells good.

[mekanika]

I guess that having 6 versions of the game was kinda much...

I don't buy that. Bioshock 2 had the special edition for PS3, 360, and PC, as well as the download version. I will concede on the fan base/history aspect, but it doesn't mean there aren't fans who want it for console.

[SectoidSquisher]

No offence, but I have no sympathy for the console owners on this front, given the amount of games not being released at all, never mind special editions, on PC such as WWE, Fight Night, Grand Slam Tennis and many, many more - oh and then there's this thing that PC gamers always have to wait a few months before their version actually does come out - like The Amazing Spiderman.

[mekanika]

No offence, but I have no sympathy for the console owners on this front, given the amount of games not being released at all, never mind special editions, on PC such as WWE, Fight Night, Grand Slam Tennis and many, many more - oh and then there's this thing that PC gamers always have to wait a few months before their version actually does come out - like The Amazing Spiderman.

The reverse could also be said, but I am not embittered towards PC users for it. I can still sympathize with someone who's not being offered an opportunity. It's probably ruled by some profitability prediction, which is also likely why the special edition isn't on console. And it's frustrating for me, like the game delay is frustrating for you because you think to yourself, "I've got money. I'd buy that. TAKE MY MONEY." But no one seems to listen. We're all sailing in the S.S. Video Game Fans Feeling Ignored.

[SectoidSquisher]

The reverse could also be said, but I am not embittered towards PC users for it. I can still sympathize with someone who's not being offered an opportunity. It's probably ruled by some profitability prediction, which is also likely why the special edition isn't on console. And it's frustrating for me, like the game delay is frustrating for you because you think to yourself, "I've got money. I'd buy that. TAKE MY MONEY." But no one seems to listen. We're all sailing in the S.S. Video Game Fans Feeling Ignored.

Come on, mate. The most one-eyed console fan has to admit that the PC misses out on more games than the consoles do.

[theiawolf]

I think that's an unfair statement.

[mekanika]

I don't really keep count, but I my point is more along the lines of it doesn't matter. There's other inequities between PC and console gaming, and arguing about who gets shafted harder doesn't change things. It's like The Man is keeping us down by creating these discrepancies in release dates and special editions to keep us too busy resenting each other to work together to bring down the bourgeoisie and the tyranny of economic slavery. FREE THE PROLETARIAT!

Back to reality, what I'm saying is that we should all be able to appreciate each other's gaming preferences and hardships, instead of squabbling over petty differences. That and I think we've accidentally moved away from the intended topic of this thread.

[japester]

I don't buy that. Bioshock 2 had the special edition for PS3, 360, and PC, as well as the download version. I will concede on the fan base/history aspect, but it doesn't mean there aren't fans who want it for console.

And BioShock 2 was in a far more popular genre, following up a game that was a huge success by every metric (sales, fans, critics, etc). Comparing that to a revival of a nearly 20-year-old game, which is largely unknown to the general gaming fanbase, and which is technically following a host of mediocre sequels....well, all of that makes perfect sense as to why they might be cautious.

Considering how much flak 2K has taken for overproducing CE's in the past, I agree with the idea that this isn't so much a matter of 2K excluding it from consoles as they are adding it as a special nod to the PC version.

And honestly? Another poll? If anything, you are hurting your case by creating a poll for something like this. Even if more than a few dozen people responded in support of your statement, the sample size is less than a percent of the people who will purchase this game. Negligible. And inconclusive. Better to just state your case and ask for replies.

Also, polls cannot be edited. Sorry.

[mekanika]

I cited BioShock 2 because I was the only person I knew who bought it, even though everyone I knew bought the original.

I'm not going to insult the developers, or even marketing by assuming they think the forums represent 100%, or even 1% of the people planning to buy the game. Much less, the people who bother to vote on this poll. I thought it might be a good way to draw more people into the thread.

Weaksauce on polls not being editable, but such is life.

[japester]

I cited BioShock 2 because I was the only person I knew who bought it, even though everyone I knew bought the original.

Take it with a grain of salt, but VGChartz says BioShock sold about 3.8 mil and BioShock 2 sold 3.3 mil. So, yeah, lots of people purchased both.

But ignoring that fact, it still doesn't make sense to use that as an example. Even if BS2 didn't sell a single copy, BS did sell well (everyone you knew bought a copy). So it makes sense for 2K to produce multiple versions and CE's for BS2 based on the sales of BS.

I don't know about Steam copies, but if you added up the sales for every physical X-COM game (UFO Defense, TFTD, Apocalypse, etc) over the years, I'm betting they wouldn't come close to something like BioShock. That's the kind of history 2K has to take into account when making these decisions.

[mekanika]

Another reason I chose BS2 was because heniv said that "having 6 versions of the game was kinda much," which sounded to me like the concern was how difficult it would be to figure out how to manufacture six versions of a game. Yeah, upon reflection BS2 wasn't a good choice. But I think we're getting away from the topic again.

[SectoidSquisher]

I don't really keep count, but I my point is more along the lines of it doesn't matter. There's other inequities between PC and console gaming, and arguing about who gets shafted harder doesn't change things. It's like The Man is keeping us down by creating these discrepancies in release dates and special editions to keep us too busy resenting each other to work together to bring down the bourgeoisie and the tyranny of economic slavery. FREE THE PROLETARIAT!

Back to reality, what I'm saying is that we should all be able to appreciate each other's gaming preferences and hardships, instead of squabbling over petty differences. That and I think we've accidentally moved away from the intended topic of this thread.

OK fair enough!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

VIVE LA REVOLUTION.

[54x]

Basically? Because it's probably not economical to make them for console, as they don't anticipate a huge amount of previous fans to want to play on console, thus less demand for a special edition.

If they can do it for console then I say go for it, but I suspect they do have good reason not to.

[coyote_blue]

Hrm. I think 54x has the right of it. Basically, the special edition is for diehards, most of those people are PC gamers, and most of the time it's the PC gamers who don't get the swag.

I'm debating getting two copies of the damn thing.

@Sectoid Squisher: it's interesting to note that in your "wish I had a PC version" list, you named low graphics games that play better (generally) with controllers than they do with keyboards. I know a lot of obnoxious PC gamers who would take a hearty dump on any game that "didn't use up the specs on their sweet gaming rig" while simultaneously "dumbing down gameplay for the controller". I know enough of them, in fact, that my initial reaction was to scoff at your problems.

Indeed, the Man divides us. Everyone prime your smoke grenades. We're taking down the System. Which we all know we can't trust.

[phuzzyt]

my guess is that pc games are typically packaged in a box and therefore would have room for an art book and other such sundries as to where most console games are in a hard shell case and does not have the room for all the cool stuff. I really want the extras in the ce but id rather play it on the console so i guess i'll just wait awhile after launch and look for them on ebay

[classlion]

Please, make JAVA version for Phones!

[Battlemage]

That poll question is rather confusing... I don't think it's staying what you want it to say.

I think the Special Edition is only for PC because it's a remake of a PC game. I know, that's not exactly a scientific theory and all, but it's what I came up with. That and 2K probably doesn't want X-Com: EU to go over the $59.99 MSRP so the only way to do a Special Edition and hit that price point is to do it on the $49.99 PC version (otherwise, you end up with $69.99 console versions).

Now, the 'PC Master Race' elitist in me likes to think it's because Firaxis, a company that has historically made strategy games, which historically are PC titles, recognizes the superiority of the PC in the realm of strategy gaming and the ease of development for it in general and thus favors PC gamers over the unwashed console masses and that they only entertain catering to them at the behest of their corporate overlord, 2K Games, whose only deity is the almighty dollar. However, as children of a lesser gaming god, console players are not worthy of a Special Edition; they get to pay more for the same thing or PC gamers gets to pay the same for more.

Seriously though, I highly doubt it's anything more than keeping the price point below $60.

[mekanika]

Please, make JAVA version for Phones!

I was searching for XCOM images, and came across this for you. Not sure how well it works. Good luck.

http://pocketpc.lisisoft.com/freewar...ufo-v1-25.html

[DazzD]

I thought the special edition was just adding a few extra items in the box but the main thing was adding a few goodies in game. The flat top hairdo guy from the original and a few others.

If they have those in game items on the console special edition they would probably have to have 2 different versions of the game for each console. On the PC they can just control who has pre-order items and who doesn’t using Steam. Just my guess anyway.

[PeppermintShore]

poll title plus questions.....What? i'm confused.

[japester]

I thought the special edition was just adding a few extra items in the box but the main thing was adding a few goodies in game. The flat top hairdo guy from the original and a few others.

"Guile guy" is preorder bonus, not a special edition bonus. The Elite Soldier Pack DLC will be included with preorders on all platforms, plus on limited launch copies of the game. The PC special edition items are mostly physical (map, book, patches) but will include a few digital items, like a soundtrack.

[mekanika]

poll title plus questions.....What? i'm confused.

LULZ. I typed it wrong late at night after a few drinks, and polls are not editable. I explained it in the first post.