49 replies to this topic

[Vigilante]

I know we have a separate thread for collector's edition strategy guides, but I thought this was a good enough deal to deserve its own thread in the event that people don't frequent the complete thread.

The Collector's Edition guide for the soon-to-be-released Assassin's Creed III is $20.99 (40% off of $34.99) at Amazon: http://www.amazon.co...assin's creed 3. It was about $24 a day or two ago, so it's possible that this price point won't last long.

Piggyback wrote this guide, just as they did the ACII, AC:B, and AC:R guides, and I consider them one of the two best guide makers in the business (along with FuturePress).

Edited by Vigilante, 31 October 2012 - 03:14 PM.

[Raven6009]

$6 cheaper than Best Buy but without the exclusive lithograph. Not sure if it's worth the difference or not.

[Vigilante]

$6 cheaper than Best Buy but without the exclusive lithograph. Not sure if it's worth the difference or not.

To be more specific, you also have to factor in tax (if you don't pay tax on Amazon) and the gas needed to get to BBY.

You could also try to get BBY to PM this price on the guide in-store. It's YMMV as to whether it will work, but you would get the lithograph in that case. The only potential drawback is that this price could change between now and when you go to the store, so it's up to you whether it's worth the risk.

[Flacksguy]

$6 cheaper than Best Buy but without the exclusive lithograph. Not sure if it's worth the difference or not.

Actually this is $14 cheaper than Best Buy.
The Hardcover Edition is $34.99 at BB.

Was thinking of PMing this tomorrow, but I might just order it and also get a couple of thos cheap guides to get over $25

[ragingst0rm6]

First time I'm hearing about an exclusive lithograph from Best Buy....

Is it a separate bonus or inside the packaging? What's featured?

[jr1016]

Actually this is $14 cheaper than Best Buy.
The Hardcover Edition is $34.99 at BB.

Was thinking of PMing this tomorrow, but I might just order it and also get a couple of thos cheap guides to get over $25

BBY gives you 25% off for buying the guide along with the game. I bet if you're able to PM this the 25% off will still kick in after they total it. Will try it tomorrow when I pick up my LE copy.

[Raven6009]

Actually this is $14 cheaper than Best Buy.
The Hardcover Edition is $34.99 at BB.

Sorry I should have clarified. It's $26 at BB with the purchase of ACIII (25% off).

First time I'm hearing about an exclusive lithograph from Best Buy....

Is it a separate bonus or inside the packaging? What's featured?

It's pictured in the weekly ad. Probably shrink-wrapped inside the book.

[superhippy1986]

Who spends $21 on a game guide...

[ragingst0rm6]

Who spends $21 on a game guide...

Obviously, the kind of people who don't mind spending some money to A) get a high-quality, hardcover, collectible, physical item with text AND pictures to flip through, and / or B) support a reputable guide publisher in order to prevent / delay them from going out of the physical print business.

Would I mind if it were cheaper? Hell, no! But I would rather get some discount (here, 40%) off MSRP rather than risk it going OOS and paying more later on. And I would rather pay some money for a physical item, because there would need to be a damn good reason to convince me to pay money for a digital guide.

A more reasonable question would be, "Who spends MSRP on a game guide (when there is a cheaper alternative)?" Or, "Who spends money on a digital game guide?" And even then it depends on preference.

Edited by ragingst0rm6, 29 October 2012 - 10:19 PM.
added in an "or" to be more "general"

[Yanksfan]

Who spends $21 on a game guide...

If the guide is high quality and its for a game I enjoy, I will.

[cold_young_thug]

Obviously, the kind of people who don't mind spending some money to A) get a high-quality, hardcover, collectible, physical item with text AND pictures to flip through, and B) support a reputable guide publisher in order to prevent / delay them from going out of the physical print business.

Would I mind if it were cheaper? Hell, no! But I would rather get some discount (here, 40%) off MSRP rather than risk it going OOS and paying more later on. And I would rather pay some money for a physical item, because there would need to be a damn good reason to convince me to pay money for a digital guide.

A more reasonable question would be, "Who spends MSRP on a game guide (when there is a cheaper alternative)?" Or, "Who spends money on a digital game guide?" And even then it depends on preference.

That was not the right explanation. lol Above all, you would buy it because you want to get the most out of your game, and find every crack and crevice there is to find, not because u want to help the publisher who would do fine with or without you buying the book. but thats just me. :shrug:

[ragingst0rm6]

That was not the right explanation. lol Above all, you would buy it because you want to get the most out of your game, and find every crack and crevice there is to find, not because u want to help the publisher who would do fine with or without you buying the book. but thats just me. :shrug:

Granted, not everyone buys guides to support the publisher. But in the case of CE guides, it does factor into my decision to buy, especially for a publisher like Piggyback which doesn't seem as prolific in the States as Brady or Prima.

With sites like GameFAQs and youtube (for video walkthroughs), I'm fairly sure paperback guides in general have seen a decrease in sales over the last decade. Maybe CE guides haven't been hit quite as hard (since they're geared towards collectors), but I still think it would be a shame if publishers stopped creating physical CE guides entirely. But since I have no idea what their profit margins are like, I could be entirely wrong.

[linkbear]

What are the odds I can get a pm at BB and then use my welcome coupon for 50% off a guide? I don't have too high of hopes, but it would be a great deal if it worked. Just wondering if anyone had experience with this.

[Vigilante]

What are the odds I can get a pm at BB and then use my welcome coupon for 50% off a guide? I don't have too high of hopes, but it would be a great deal if it worked. Just wondering if anyone had experience with this.

Probably nonexistent since that would be considered double-dipping.

[strizay]

so will BB pm this tomorrow when the guide is released? If I survive the storm I'm gonna check it out.

[Vigilante]

Jumped back up to $23.09. Still 34% off, but slightly less of a deal. :\

[LoveDragonDon]

What's collectible about this? Just hardcover or more than that?

[Steelpen2]

Are there any photos of this lithograph posted somewhere?

[snatcher33]

May have to jump on this. All the previous CE Assassin's Creed guides are going for some decent $$$$$!!!!!!

[htz]

Jumped back up to $23.09. Still 34% off, but slightly less of a deal. :\

It's back down to $20.99 again. I love piggyback guides they are great content and quality wise compared to prima and bradygames.

[jer7583]

i've stopped buying these because i simply don't use them. Modern games have so many assists and things to help you find everything there's no point.

[Raven6009]

i've stopped buying these because i simply don't use them. Modern games have so many assists and things to help you find everything there's no point.

Most people who buy these hardcover guides do so for the illustrations and to collect them. I doubt anyone is buying this for in-game help.

[htz]

Most people who buy these hardcover guides do so for the illustrations and to collect them. I doubt anyone is buying this for in-game help.

Pretty much this^. If you want in-game help, most trophy/achievement guides cover everything in the game online.

[Raven6009]

Pics of the BB exclusive lithograph.

[henry00x]

the lithograph is pretty badass

[Jodou]

Who spends $21 on a game guide...

Yeah, I don't get it for a game like this. Long ago when they hid all the feathers or w/e nonsense collectibles it sort of made sense, but now they have maps you can buy in-game to highlight them all. That and internet works well enough.

[SailorDaravon]

I can't say for sure about this one, but the past CE guides for the series have had pretty large chunks devoted specifically to explain the story with information and speculation that was actually useful and interesting. If you're into that crazyness it was totally worth it for that, although I'm not sure if anything in there is any better or worthwhile if you also have the Encyclopedia.

[ithebigc]

Granted, not everyone buys guides to support the publisher. But in the case of CE guides, it does factor into my decision to buy, especially for a publisher like Piggyback which doesn't seem as prolific in the States as Brady or Prima.

With sites like GameFAQs and youtube (for video walkthroughs), I'm fairly sure paperback guides in general have seen a decrease in sales over the last decade. Maybe CE guides haven't been hit quite as hard (since they're geared towards collectors), but I still think it would be a shame if publishers stopped creating physical CE guides entirely. But since I have no idea what their profit margins are like, I could be entirely wrong.

This. I buy all Piggyback CE guides at release because they're simply such good guides, in terms of walkthroughs but also art and layout and overall quality. They're really nice books to have in my collection. I wish Piggyback would take over the guide business here in the US. Prima and Brady are way too hit or miss, and usually, even if the guide is good, the layout is worse.

I'm so unhappy that RE6 was done by Prima, when Piggyback's RE5 guide was amazing.

[Pookymeister]

hmmm, i might have to order this - AC CE guides usually cost more than MSRP after they run out.

[Steelpen2]

Thanks for uploading the pics. That lithograph does look kind of cool. However, I decided to purchase one at Amazon.