One discerning thing I’ve noticed is that nearly every new EA game coming out has a “Limited Edition” release. These aren’t LEs that are sold along side the regular edition, rather these are “First Edition” releases.

For those who don’t know a First Edition is basically an LE or CE that is the only version of a game that is available around the time of the games release date, where a less special regular edition comes out at a later date. This occurs frequently with books where the First edition is generally more expensive and hard bound while subsequent releases are cheaper paperbacks.

It would seem that EA is employing the book publisher’s strategy by rewarding release-day buyers of their games. Most of these only really provide a few in-game perks, like bonus XP or access to cars and weapons earlier in the game that players of the regular edition would have to play a bit before they could use.

They’ve employed this tactic with Battlefield Bad Company 2 “Limited Edition” already and so far three upcoming games have a similar LE announced:

• Crysis 2
• Medal of Honor
• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit

It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or if other publishers will follow suit. I personally will not be adding any of these games to my collection unless I happen to be buying it anyway. I think it’s a great for the average gamer but seems to cheapen the “Limited Edition” title a bit.

The Gold Edition includes 5 in-game weapons, one per kit, each with  its own characteristics. Really these are nothing more than weapons that would otherwise be unlocked at 25 simply unlocked right from the beginning.

Also on the disc is a behind the scenes “making of” documentary and eight multi-player strategy videos. In addition to the special game disc there is also a Battlefield: Bad Company poster.

North Americans get a standard keep case with a shiny cardboard slip cover, meanwhile European Gamers are treated to a SteelBook case for their Gold Edition. Check out the lined pages below for pictures and additional info.

All we know at this point is that the Gold Edition has an MSRP of $69.99 (USD) and will be released on the same day as the regular version, March 24, 2008.

No word on a PAL region version of this Gold Edition.