Big Fish Collector Editions

I don't know about anyone else but I hate this new habit of putting out the best games on Big Fish as more expensive collector editions.

I have 7 game credits lined up and am not purchasing any of these collector editions.

Why don't both editions come out at the same time? Then people who want the extra bells and whistles can pay the higer amount and the rest of us can get the regular version.

These games have higher production costs then others and they deserve to recoup some profit. Actually we are blessed that they have games for 6.99 at all. Where else can you get so much entertainment for such few dollars? You can't even see a movie for that amount or have a lunch at McDonalds.

Ana

There is also a plan in the works for the future such that we will be able to use 2 game credits to purchase a Collector's Edition (monthly game credits, not punchcard credits). This is going to be icing on the cake.

Marian, does this mean that under the new plan Collector's Editions will stay CEs? They currently become regularly priced games after a couple of weeks. It sounds like that may change.

Cappy, no, I don't believe that is the case; my understanding is that there will still be both the Collector's Edition and the standard version, just like it is now.

Thanks, Marian. I'm one of those folks who don't use the extras so I appreciate being able to purchase standard versions of the games.

Orchid girl, The Collectors Edition games offer more than the standard. The strategy guide is intergrated in the game and their are extras that are not offered in the standard game and a bonus chapter. Well worth the price especially with the three punch card bonus to boot.

Yes, I know they have more than the standard edition, it's just that I don't want the extras, and I have 7 credits going begging.

Guess maybe I should put my membership on hold for a while as I am not using my monthly credits.

Question, do I lose my credits if I suspend my membership??

The credits expire 180 days after you cancel you membership.

Have you ever considered gifting your credits to someone as a birthday, Christmas or just a random act of kindness to a friend? There is an option on there for you to gift them.

That's what I do with mine.

Ana

I've only purchased one or two CE's. I'm just a thrifty gamer. I do appreciate the time and work that goes into each and every one of these games. And as has been noted, the developers deserve the chance to make money on their creations. If one looks at it from the perspective of value for your money, the 3 punch card credits are a fair exchange for the extra investment. Mathematically, that amounts to about $3.50. I agree that sometimes it's frustrating that we end up having to wait for some of the best games to be available in standard versions. But there are always plenty of other games available to keep busy in the meantime. I think the problem is that BFG has offered so many excellent games that the higher quality at the $6.99 price has now become expected. JMO

Marian...I was just wishing that Big Fish would do that...or at least allow one to use a bonus credit against the cost of the game....and pay the balance. With so many Collector's Editions being released....and the punch card bonuses, credits can really pile up...and quite honestly, I'd like to be able to use them versus putting additional charges on my credit card.

Any idea when this plan may come to fruition?

JK, they have been working on that since the collectors editions started being released. It requires a lot of programming changes so it's taking awhile. They have not given a date yet.

Ana

Ana is right. We were also told by BFG-Guy that the same team who is working right now on making some changes to Big Fish's international sites will begin working to change the system such that 2 monthly game credits can be purchased for 1 CE after they have finished this current project. I would suspect that we will see this CE/game-credit implementation sometime next year.

I was thinking the same thing but hated to say anything since I really think BFG is doing it's best to please the members. However, I also think they want to know how its members feel, so we should make a splash now and then.

My idea for Big Fish is to let us use our credit to buy 1/2 of the CE and we'd only pay 6.99 for the rest.Or... two credits. Myself, I'd rather pay a credit and 6.99. But the way it is right now.... if the game is any good it's a CE and more expensive. They really need to improve this in some way. And I know they will.

But until they do I'll have to pass on the CE's and my credits will have to go to waste. So I won't even try to buy 5 games a month because the credit will be almost useless. Like a lot of you know retirement is great but there are no raises or bonuses.

In reply to Ana about gifting credits... I only exchange gifts with family and I'm the only one who plays BFG. 10 grandkids and none of them play these types of games.

Thanks, Ana and Marian for the information. Did someone say I need to be patient????

I am still not interested in CEs. I just want the regular version. The waiting is not a problem, but by the time the regular version comes out, I have forgotten that it was a great game, and so still don't buy it. So BFG is losing a purchase...I used to buy several games a month but now I am not buying any. Unlike many gamers, I very seldom want to replay a game or a special version of it.

I guess it is a personal choice, for example when we rent a movie, I just like to see the movie, whereas my husband loves to watch the out-takes or the director's comments etc.

BigFish does an amazing job in providing these games and I really appreciate their hard work, but to pay a 100% more for a few extras just doesn't push my buttons.

orchid girl ...I have to agree with you..

I tend to forget also by the time the regular game comes out....I don't like waiting at all

There are so many games I would of bought without the CE, but now have forgot...

I wish I could afford the CE, but between buying AG's plus casual games...It tends to get to be much pricey

55.96 is what it will cost you a month to buy one game a week at 13.99.

I don't know about you but I was buying several a week. No more.

And I'm not saying they aren't worth that much because I know they are... just that the average person will have to stop buying so many of them.

I stopped doing the demos on them because it's too tempting to go over budget when you try it.

It may be true that there is more cost involved in the CE's, but isn't it better to sell to 4 people at $6.99, rather than to one person at $13.99?

Once a game is made the cost is finished, and the number of sales becomes the important point.

I have not played any of the CE versions. For 100% increase in cost do you get a game that is twice as long as the original?

The added walkthrough means nothing as there are already walkthroughs available for free.

You don't have to buy them, just wait 3 weeks and buy them at a reduced price but there are plenty that do enjoy them and the developers certainly appreciate the additional income so they can go ahead and develop other top notch games so what's the big deal? Why do we have to keep rehashing the same complaints? They already reduced the price for club members but instead of being thankful, they are stomped on. Sorry, but I just don't understand why everything has to be so negative all the time. Makes me sad....

I for one love the CEs. They are usually a little bit longer, the Walkthrough is right there and does not require stopping the game or alt tabbing to go to it and I want to help the developers to keep doing great games. I was looking at replaying a couple of old games (2009) and I noticed right away that the colors are more muted, the graphics not as sharp and the puzzles were more run of the mill. We as gamers have grown and now demand games that are clear in graphics, colorful and have interesting and fun puzzles. I am sure that Big Fish will figure out a way to use credits for CEs, but in the mean time I cannot wait for the CE for Mystery Files!

I usually download the CE until it becomes a 6.99 game and then I will purchase it. I'm not interested in the extras and I agree that putting them both out (the 13.99 and the 6.99) at the same time would really be to BF's advantage. I think there are many of us who would go for the cheaper and not use the extras anyway.

I just got done with the trial of "Fear for Sale" and I have come to the conclusion that I can wait for a few weeks to purchase this game. There are other Collector's Editions that I have not been able to wait for and I decide on the spot to buy them.

I always remember a great game, even if it's just the trial. I think it's just a matter of wanting the game right now and not being in the position to purchase it, for whatever reason. But, it's not the fault of Big Fish or the developer. I am happy to be in the position to decide for myself if I can wait for 3 weeks or if I this is a "have to have" game. If I were to purchase elsewhere, I could easily pay $19.99 for the same $13.99 collector's edition. And this comes from someone who has 4 game credits and a few punch card credits just waiting to do their job.

Thanks Ana. Couldn't have been better said. I agree with you all the way.

there are people trying to get rid of them at big fish. i had to buy fiction fixerce at spintop and hotelce at sandlot. rhank you.

Also agree with Ana. As far as I'm concerned, BFG is a top-notch site that offers quality games at a reasonable price. You can be confident that the games are safe to download and BFG provides excellent customer service whenever there's a problem. I'll admit that I sometimes get frustrated waiting for a CE to come out in the standard version. But there are usually enough $6.99 games available to play in the interim. BFG is not a charity and has every right to establish pricing that keeps their business viable. In fact, I think it's quite amazing that I can download so many great games for such a reasonable price any day of the week and play them as much as I want. If I don't want to pay the price for a CE, it's my choice. As far as I'm concerned, BFG has no obligation to change their business model to suit my personal finances.

..ditto Sparkle...when we compare the cost of Adventure games over the past years the BF cost is cheap for lots of pleasure..rather one pays for a CE or regular price...and then with all the potential for free games via the Punch Card? Gosh...seems we have a fabulous deal at BF. I am personally spending lots less money these days for lots of fun. I feel I'm saving money.

Happy Gamer

You got that right, Happy G. If it weren't for BFG, I'd be out shopping. And I very rarely spend $13.99 or less when I hit Target, Wal-Mart, etc.

When I would find a game at Best Buy, Target, Walmart, etc and it would be 19.99, I would think it was "cheap" especially when a lot of games were pricing at 10 and 20 bucks higher when they first came out. Granted, the old adventure games lasted longer and the $13.99 price point seems about right. The best Collector's Edition so far for me, in what you get for your money is Sherlock Holmes The Hound of the Baskervilles. I spend 6 hours 12 minutes playing on hard/advanced and then the counter was at 9 hours exactly when I finished the bonus section. Then there is a Book of Mysteries, a puzzle section to complete, and then any HOG or puzzle can be chosen and replayed. Really a lot to do for the price, far more than other CE's. The CE continued the story and added more to the ending. The developers of this game really deserve a lot of praise for this one. It was mostly an adventure type game, so it was great to play for us old adventure gamers!

Koalanut

On the record... I have no problem with the pricing. The CE games are worth every penny and more. My only problem (which is hopefully soon to be solved) is that you "have" to buy a credit every month and I'm spoiled on the better games and no longer like very many of the 6.99 ones so my credits are useless to me. If they weren't going to fix it I would quit my membership because there is no sense in paying for something you cannot use.

I'm not complaining... just wanted Big Fish to know that we have the problem and now I hear it's being fixed so I'll just keep saving the credits up until they make some sort of announcement, which I hope is soon. I feel it is a valid concern and not complaining. The games are worth 14.00 and even more for some of them. They are Great. If I sounded like complaining I apologize. I guess I'm getting crotchety in my old age. LOL.

Sorry. Changed my mind.

You are so right NYLady....I thought folks were complaining because they couldn't find games to play....I get it. You love the more expensive games....and I agree now that the monthly fee we pay shouldn't just be limited to $6.99 games.

Happy Gamer

But the membership fee entitles members to get the CE's for $13.99. So, you end up just about recouping the fee with the purchase of one CE game. I suppose if you buy just one CE a month, you could say you're losing 99 cents. Otherwise, it's no different than getting a $6.99 game with the membership fee. Bottom line is that the membership fee is a wash.

The CEs have the extras but once they become the 6.99 edition they are usually the same quality as any other 6.99 game. So unless you want the minor extras (IMO) for the higher price, I don't see the point in buying them. I've bought a few CEs and I thought (when they were new) that they did offer some neat things that were worth the extra bucks... Like the morphing objects. Now it's seems its just wallpaper and in game strategy guide. I don't use either. One game gave 25% more game play so that was good. And I do like that BFG gives extra credits for the CEs so if one comes along that looks worth the extra $ to me I'll buy it. But, I try to keep my purchases to one 6.99 game a month. And if I get those extra credits from a CE I'm going to want to finish filling up my card. Which I suspect is pretty typical human behavior and the marketing dept knows that. So, I get carried away and buy games I don't really want just to fill the card! There goes my 6.99 limit for the month.

Agree. In my experience, the only real advantage to buying a CE is that you get to have it early on instead of having to wait for the standard version. I've caved once or twice for a CE when I was out of other games and already had some punches. For me, only one of them ended up being worth the extra cost due to the bonus content. Anyway, I tend to get bored once the basic game is over and am not interested in playing more of the same. For the most part, I've found plenty of games to keep me busy while I'm waiting for a CE to go standard. But I'm one who likes to change things up every so often and appreciate some of the "lighter", simpler games once in a while. I think BFG does a great job of having something for everyone. And that's the key. It wouldn't work for them to cater to a certain type of gamer at the expense of leaving others out. I started as an avid adventure gamer when PC adventure games were easy to find in retail stores or at Amazon for reasonable prices. Now I find myself waiting for longer and longer periods of time before I can justify the cost of the new games. The choices on BFG give me something to enjoy while I'm waiting.

I agree, Sparkle, it's nice to get the game when most of the others do and are all excited and talking about it... very hard to wait. I've caved in a few times too. Now I don't try the demo's of the CE's until it comes out at 6.99 and it makes the waiting a big easier.

I do understand why BFG operates as it does... but I also feel the new credit adjustments will make everyone happy. Hope it is soon.

Zookeeper, I did the very same thing just two months ago. I needed one more credit for the free one and quickly bought "anything" close to midnight on the last day just to get my 6.99 credit before I realized that it was a "wash".
I spent 6.99 to get 6.99. Had I not purchased it I"d have saved 6.99 but not gotten the free one... there's something magical about the word FREE.

Just a suggestion NYLady: If you haven't already played "Phantom of the Opera", it's an absolute steal for $6.99. Absolutely gorgeous game and plenty to explore. Hours of gameplay.

Thanks Sparkle... I have that one. Loved it.

Thought you would, NYLady. We often seem to enjoy the same games.