Previously limited print items given wide retail releases

[dhaabi]

More and more often now, titles originally exclusive to limited print company websites are being given wide retail releases. Just today, at least 15 games originally exclusive to Limited Run Games were given Best Buy preorder pages. Some of these pages are for items from popular franchises such as Shantae, Castlevania, and BloodRayne.

Personally, I don't order through limited print companies that often, so it's not something that greatly affects me. However, I know that there are many who order a lot through these companies. Since most of these companies don't allow combined shipping, ordering online as opposed to retail can become quite expensive just in shipping costs alone. Additionally, there was a time before when Limited Run (and maybe others) would post a disclaimer on product pages which stated when an item would be given a retail release that coincides with theirs. But now, this practice has stopped, which, to me, only accentuates the idea of FOMO to their audience.

For those who routinely purchase items through limited print companies, how do you feel about these practices? What other recent changes from these types of companies have become more problematic as time passes?

[telekill]

I've only ordered twice through LRG. The first time was Streets of Rage 4 (PS4) and like you stated, it was one of the titles that later got a full retail release. I didn't really care at the time because I had my LRG copy by then and the cost was similar if not identical. I also didn't like the yellow box art of the retail version.

My second time was the recent Ninja Turtles Shredder's Revenge (PS4). They were up front with it that it will be available via retail sites like Amazon so it didn't really affect me here either.

I think where I would have a problem with it is if I had ordered from LRG and the retail version was later announced and released BEFORE the LRG version I had ordered first. I don't believe you can cancel your orders with them. So I'd be stuck seeing the retail version available to buy while I wait for my LRG version to come in the mail. Still, I don't plan to do it much if at all again. I feel my time with modern gaming is coming to a close.

[wowgek7]

More and more often now, titles originally exclusive to limited print company websites are being given wide retail releases. Just today, at least 15 games originally exclusive to Limited Run Games were given Best Buy preorder pages. Some of these pages are for items from popular franchises such as Shantae, Castlevania, and BloodRayne.

Personally, I don't order through limited print companies that often, so it's not something that greatly affects me. However, I know that there are many who order a lot through these companies. Since most of these companies don't allow combined shipping, ordering online as opposed to retail can become quite expensive just in shipping costs alone. Additionally, there was a time before when Limited Run (and maybe others) would post a disclaimer on product pages which stated when an item would be given a retail release that coincides with theirs. But now, this practice has stopped, which, to me, only accentuates the idea of FOMO to their audience.

For those who routinely purchase items through limited print companies, how do you feel about these practices? What other recent changes from these types of companies have become more problematic as time passes?

lrg is actualy working with best buy to get a selection of their games in their stores with their own cover. you cna even buy most of the best buy covers on the lrg website

[wolff242]

Best Buy has been selling LRGames for over a year at least. Are you sure the pre-orders aren't LRG's? I have maybe 10-12 LRG's and I've never ordered from them, just bought them in store at Best Buy.

They currently have a ton of games available for online purchase as well.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?st=limited+run+games&_dyncharset=UTF-8&_dynSessConf=&id=pcat17071&type=page&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=&sp=&qp=&list=n&af=true&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&keys=keys

Edit: Here are their current LRG pre-orders. All the ones you mentioned are here.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?id=pcat17071&qp=brand_facet%3DBrand~Limited%20Run%20Games%5Eupcomingnew_facet%3DUpcoming%20and%20New~Pre-Order&st=limited+run+games

[sworddude]

the more the merrier I'd say. easier acces to phsyical games is a plus to me.

this just means that the demand for physical is higher than originally thought, don't have to stick with just limited releases for allot of them better indi titles.

still for the people that care for these smaller quantities you still have a different version for being an early bird, same with how some first editions of retro games are treated as more valuable with miniscule differences.

[dhaabi]

the more the merrier I'd say. easier acces to phsyical games is a plus to me.

this just means that the demand for physical is higher than originally thought, don't have to stick with just limited releases for allot of them better indi titles.

I think that most collectors, myself included, would agree to the idea that more physical copies being published is a good thing. But how some of these limited print companies are now following this practice has upset many.

It is not uncommon now for some limited print companies to have a preorder window for reserving their items. However, they now are generally not being transparent about if the same item will be given a wider retail release unlike before. Usually, the items are the same aside from the cover art, but consumers are having to pay a premium price for the "limited" online copy without any guarantee if the item will be available through retail. It has left a bad impression to some as, in some cases, the retail release for some of these items is announced only a short time later, which means that plans for a retail release is most likely known to be happening before the online preorder window ever goes live. I've read many opinions from those upset that they'd much rather know beforehand how items are to be sold and make the choice of reserving the limited online release or the retail release.

[Warmsignal]

As a rabid anti of the limited release companies, I just have to chuckle. This just gives people more of a fair shake to collecting stuff that interests them. These companies are waking up to the fact that they're cutting themselves off at the knees for a gimmick, and they could be pulling in a lot more business otherwise because the demand is there.

Personally I have next to no interest in these games myself, LRG in particular chooses a lot of poor titles to make physical editions of, that I wouldn't consider picking up anyway. Not every XBL and PSN title under the sun really warrants a physical copy, and I think they just have a monkey throw a dart at a list of $10 PSN games and that determines their latest $50 pre-order announcement. Their Best Buy offerings usually are the broader appeal titles, but even then, never feel compelled to pick them up.

[hexen]

Right at the start of LRG's Switch line I bought their first game because I wanted it (Thimbleweed Park) and for the next few games I thought "Eh, I'm here at the beginning might as well keep up a full set". However, when it became apparent the speed at which they were releasing titles was way more frequent than I expected, I dropped that practice real fast. Since then I have ordered a decent amount of games, but only the ones I actually wanted to play and that has been my philosophy with these physical releasers. While some of the games I bought ended up pretty pricey (looking at you Shantae and the Pirate's Curse) that hardly matters to me since I bought them to own and not re-sell.

While the practice of having Best Buy runs doesn't bother me too much, I can say that I would hate to buy the jacked-up LRG version with shipping when I could get it cheaper in person at Best Buy later. I can sympathize with the FOMO collectors who get jabaited, especially when they stopped advertising the possibility of Best Buy runs which is scummy, but it's also in my nature to hold contempt for their type.

So far the Best Buy deal has only helped me as I didn't know what Blasphemous was when LRG first released it, and was able to get the BB cheap version later. There are also interesting anomalies like the BB Celeste being more valuable than the LRG version... luckily I just wanted the game. I'm apparently in LRG's good graces as they sent me the 5 year coin when many other much bigger buyers were excluded from, but I've heard stories how they are very bitchy and ban-happy over criticism.

All in all, LRG is for sure worse than when they started and have strayed from their original mission statement, but as someone who is just getting games I want because I hate digital's lack of ownership the occasional purchase from them is not something I consider too bad. It helps that they've been releasing less and less things I care about so my purchases are less frequent.

[Cartagia]

No problem from me in the case of LRG and Best Buy.  It gives people who just want the physical copy another chance to buy it, and if you're a sealed collector the covers are different,  so if you pre-ordered your value should generally hold.  It's a win-win.

[telly]

I don't have a problem with it at all. The only Best Buy Limited Run Game that I've purchased is Towerfall. I didn't think I wanted it when it was on pre-order but then decided I would give it a shot with friends and I'm glad I did: it's a ton of fun to play. For that reason I'm glad it was released at Best Buy after pre-orders closed.

[aliensstudios]

I used to buy lots of "limited" print games. I remember ordering Retro City Rampage on the Ps4 before I even got the system since only 2000 copies were being produced. What a bunch of BS that turned out to be as that game has had reprints on many consoles at this point. I haven't bought from Limited Run Games since my preorder of Castlevania Requiem, which you can also now buy on Best Buy's site apparently. I like to think these companies started out with good intentions, but were blinded by the $$$. It's happened before.

[mrkonasoni]

I personally don't mind companies releasing new physical copies for games that previously were available in a short amount of limited copies by LRG.

About practice and business like LRG, I personally always thought and was clearly aware that it's just a business if anything else is a bit disappointing that LRG is seemingly not improving and learning nothing from the past years and right now is more apparently than ever.

[wolff242]

I feel most people are missing the fact that these are LRG games. Best Buy sells them, the preorders mentioned by the OP are literally LRG games, not some other company now releasing them.

There certainly may be examples of this happening, but I have yet to see it.

[wolff242]

I used to buy lots of "limited" print games. I remember ordering Retro City Rampage on the Ps4 before I even got the system since only 2000 copies were being produced. What a bunch of BS that turned out to be as that game has had reprints on many consoles at this point. I haven't bought from Limited Run Games since my preorder of Castlevania Requiem, which you can also now buy on Best Buy's site apparently. I like to think these companies started out with good intentions, but were blinded by the $$$. It's happened before.

Yes, Castlevania Requiem is available for preprder on Best Buys site.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/castlevania-requiem-playstation-4/6514349.p?skuId=6514349

Still published by LRG. I've never ordered from LRG before, is it more expensive directly from them?

[aliensstudios]

Still published by LRG. I've never ordered from LRG before, is it more expensive directly from them?

It is slightly yes, because Best Buy's shipping is cheaper or you could pick it up in store for free. This is utter BS