For those who bought the Special Edition (concerning the behind-the-scenes DVD)

[Stanislaw]

Forgive me if a subject like this has already been posted, but with the general trend of posting that seems to go on these days, I thought I might try attempting at inserting a batch of fresh air in the ongoing endlessly debate of we-all-know-what. I'm sure something like this is supposed to go on General Discussions, right?

My question, representing the many who simply bought or downloaded the regular versions, is to ask the people who bought the Special Editions for the 176-page artbook, the "behind-the-scenes" DVD, the 2-CD game soundtracks, and 5 metal figurines of in-game units: what do you think of them? And more importantly, what's in it?

If someone would be willing to shed some light over it, I'm sure a lot of us would appreciate it. I'm especially curious to the insides of the behind-the-scenes DVD that's included in the special edition, and was wondering if there was any footage of the process in making the game, as well as interviews of key programmers who made Civilization V, especially anything that might shed light to why Firaxis designed the game the way it is now, which might lay some issues to rest by answering some questions asked by many over these forums.

And let's at least try to keep this topic's discussion relatively civil. Please?

 

[bhavv]

Its better to pay 10 of whatever currency less and get the digital deluxe which also has the soundtrack, behind the scenes, and more importantly, Babylon.

Without the Babylon Civ, getting the boxed CE is a waste of money.

 

[Stanislaw]

Its better to pay 10 of whatever currency less and get the digital deluxe which also has the soundtrack, behind the scenes, and more importantly, Babylon.

Without the Babylon Civ, getting the boxed CE is a waste of money.

Ah. I didn't know the digital deluxe version had those as well. But it doesn't have the artbook or the figures, right? (since those would have to be shipped)

 

[spopeblue]

In regards to it being a "waste of money" that is surely down to your point of view, isn't it?
I have the Civ 3 and Civ 4 special editions. I have been avidly playing this series for the better part of 20 years. No other series has even come close to providing me the same amount of entertainment as Civ has. Dropping an extra few dollars on the boxed collectors edition is absolutely not a waste of money from my perspective.

But in regards to the OP.
The artbook is really nice. It's hardcover, there are detailed breakdowns of each of the individual civs, and it is full of good concept sketches and things like that. I think the book alone would justify the extra cost, if you are into that sort of thing.
The figurines are interesting, but they are cheap, and they are not overly detailed or well made. A novelty at best, really.
I haven't watched the behind the scenes dvd yet, but I will do this weekend. I believe it is the same as the one that is available with the digital deluxe version.
As far as missing out on Babylon, I think just having the collectors edition is worth it, I am guessing (hoping?) that Babylon will be available either as part of an expansion or as DLC at some stage.
Oh, and the digital deluxe edition has nothing physical, at all. It is all just downloaded.