Off the heels of the Fallout 4 announcement, Bethesda gave us their collector’s edition details and it comes packaged with goodies that, well, actually make a collector’s edition sound worthwhile. So worthwhile in fact that fans shouted with their buying dollars and bought the hell out of the collector’s edition of the game, ensuring it sold out at retailers everywhere.
So what makes this one so special? It comes packaged with a “Pip-Boy”, a sort of personalized wrist mounted computer that has been a constant in every Fallout game since inception. Bethesda’s Pip-Boy replica is a wearable one size fits all dealie that can be customized to fit various market smartphones. To make a truly authentic experience, there will be a custom phone app that will sync up with the game and allow you to slide through the Pip-Boy’s various menus, making for a second screen experience. In the words of Todd Howard, a Bethesda software designer:
“The Pip-Boy is an important part of Fallout, and we love it so much that we made a real one,” He said. “Yes, you can put your phone in it, and yes, we made an app for it so it works with the game, and yes it’s a second screen experience. Usually I find second-screen experiences to be stupid gimmicks, but as far as stupid gimmicks goes, this is the best f—–g one I’ve ever seen.”
Now in recent times companies haven’t exactly handled their collector’s editions well, WB comes to mind with their lack of Quality Assurance on their Batmobile Edition, and Raven’s Cry seems as though they have no interests in releasing their collector’s edition at all. Nor have these video game companies seemed to grasp the concept of supply and demand, with Nintendo’s amiibos about as rare a commodity as silver. Bethesda on the other hand has done their damndest to make sure they try and stay on top of the supply chain, seeing that people are, y’know, interested in buying their product. They’ve actively tweeted out which stores seem to have the Pip-Boy edition in stock, and have promised (though no 100% guarantees) they’ll do their best to try and get more units out.
They’ve taken it one step further. With Bethesda Vice President Pete Hines tweeting his frustrations that scalpers have been buying up Pip-Boy editions in hopes of flipping them for jacked up prices. Mr. Hines seems to be putting forth an effort to curb this shady activity, making Bethesda’s sales team aware of the situation.
3) I am aware of folks grabbing multiple copies to turn around and sell on eBay. I have asked Bethesda store to review and address (Cont.)
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) June 19, 2015
4) I have talked to our Sales folks to make them aware and asked them to discuss with retailers as well So, I'm aware and trying to help
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) June 19, 2015
It’s pretty admirable Bethesda has been so on the ball about this. I’m not naming names, Nintendo, but some people could be handling their own scalper and supply situations a little better, Nintendo.
Fallout 4 has a pending release date of November 10th. Their Pip-Boy edition has a fluctuating stock on Amazon and Best Buy, if you want to try your luck putting down on one. You can also currently play Fallout Shelter, a free iOS app that allows you to be the tough but fair overlord of your own vault, and editor Michael and I have gotten quite a bit of mileage out of. More Fallout 4 details as we get ’em.
