Dragon Age: The Veilguard special editions don’t even include the game

We got the news on Thursday that Dragon Age: The Veilguard is set to release on October 31, along with how best to preorder it. As with most AAA studio releases, there are multiple editions you can buy, from a standard edition with just the game and a preorder bonus to a deluxe edition with a bunch of cosmetics.

BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts are also offering special editions with some The Veilguard merchandise, but oddly, unlike other special editions, they don’t come with a copy of the game.

These packages are called “physical item bundles,” and they come with, well, physical items only. The biggest one is the Rook’s Coffer edition, which costs $150. The highlight of the set is the Lyrium Dagger replica, which lights up, but you’ll also get a card deck, an “enchanted” D12 die, a glass potion flask, a cloth map and quiver, a companion lithograph, and a thank you letter from the developers.

Then, there’s the Vyrantium Pack by Scanvo, which comes with a steelbook case for your physical game copy (that doesn’t come in the box), a metal print and magnet wall mount, a notebook, and a collector’s outerbox. There’s no pricing listed.

I can see the reasoning here. On one hand, people might just want the gear, especially if they happen to already own or be able to get a copy of the game. The BioWare store also has some merch available to purchase separately. On the other, these physical item bundles are still just as expensive as a collector’s edition if you have to buy the game separately (as most people will if they’re looking for preorder information). Plus, there are restrictions in place to dissuade scalpers; you can only buy the Rook’s Coffer edition on its own and not paired with other items from the BioWare store.

There’s other strange pricing discrepancies, too. A copy of The Veilguard on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S will cost $10 more than the PC version, regardless if you’re getting digital or physical or if you’re getting the deluxe edition or