More Irrational Games Limited Editon Items

[flatout]

Originally Posted by Clusks

Maybe they should make less merch and get a good start on that DLC they've promised us

Originally Posted by Boinkzoink

Phew, I'm glad I don't need this one. Already owned C&B's "Falling" which I feel looks much better..

It is the same picture is it not?

Or was the other one printed in a different way like that Giclee (I do not even know what the heck that is really... I only know what the description of them tells me... lol).


But yeah Irrational (really it is 2K's/Take Two's marketing team) is going overboard.

[toxicatom5]

Agree. This is a run away train now. Ken will sign anything apparently, and the quality of the pieces is in no way proportionate to the price -- particularly when you compare this Falling Poster with the C&B piece (which is also signed btw). In fact, I think the quality is going down with each new limited edition item, but the same is certainly not true about the prices. Ridiculous.

[SwiftDeath]

Wow a signed poster for sale

They're not even bother calling it a lithograph

Awesome

God I wonder what they're profit for this year is going to be

Imagine someone's getting a nice bonus out of all this

[blingaling]

Originally Posted by flatout

It is the same picture is it not?

Or was the other one printed in a different way like that Giclee (I do not even know what the heck that is really... I only know what the description of them tells me... lol).


But yeah Irrational (really it is 2K's/Take Two's marketing team) is going overboard.

It's a portion of the same picture used in C&B's giclee. (GEE-CLAY it took me forever to start saying it correctly.)
Most posters are printed from plates with 4 colors, generally "lithograph" means the same thing as "poster".
Of course, giclee and lithographs are just labels. Quality varies wildly by manufacturer.

[bazzaffc]

Originally Posted by flatout

Signed Falling LE (250) Litho:

https://store.irrationalgames.com/Pr...-BS-FALLINGSIG
7.

Nice but know where near as nice as my C&B falling!!

So I'm more than happy!

[flatout]

I just noticed that the regular unsigned one is $15... that is $85 for a LE Sig.

[toxicatom5]

Pricing has just become totally... irrational (bad pun, I know). Like Swift said, it's just a POSTER. Not a giclee or even a lithograph (which, let's be honest are just posters on heavy duty, easily creased card stock). And Ken's sig is not worth $85.00,particularly now that we know how common it is for him to sign items now.

[Madigan]

Yeah, his signature is becoming less valuable and unique, same thing happen with voice actors when they go to conventions to sign stuff.

[blingaling]

So I figured I would try to bring the general Irrational Games store general discussion back to it's original home with a possibly inflammatory post.
These are just my (unprofessional) opinions. I welcome dissenting thoughts and am looking forward to discussing some issues with you all


Signed Editions:
Having things signed by Ken is nice, but having older signed items (litho trio/fitzroy book) also including signatures by artists and writers was much nicer. The markup is all over the place too.

Just looking at the in-stock items-
Devil's Kiss Bottle: unsigned 350, signed 600. 71% markup.
Fitzroy canvas print: unsigned 50, signed 150. 200% markup.
"Falling" poster: unsigned 15, signed 100. 566% markup.

It seems completely arbitrary and makes no sense. Between just these 3 items that's 400 signed items. Rare? Nope. Still collectible? I guess that's up to us, the collectors to decide.

I personally would not ever again pay extra to have something signed by him. A signed edition of an open edition item feels like a cash grab. You want to reward loyal collectors? Throw some randomly signed objects into inventory. Or just don't charge extra for the first 50 or 100 you sell that just happen to be signed. And don't advertise it.


"First Edition" vs. "Open Edition"
Calling something a first edition with a possibility of more if demand calls for it is BS. I don't care about dollar value appreciation. I don't care if subsequent editions are unnumbered. Leaving yourself an easy out like that is unfair to early purchasers who will just never know what they've bought.

Open editions are fine, as long as there is full disclosure. I would never not buy something because it was open and not limited. For something high priced like the Devil's Kiss it makes a big difference though, especially if you lack unlimited funds and need to prioritize your purchases. It's a heckuva burn to miss something this month because you thought you had to get in quickly on something that will still be available next year.


Resellers/Secondary market:
It happens deal with it. In the art world, the toy world, or anything people collect: %10 of anything go to resellers, and they will scalp you if you let them. If it burns you that bad: Don't buy. Learn to live with things you missed out on. Be a grown-up. Pretty please.

On the other hand, for high demand items, one per household is a good policy if you are a retailer who cares about curtailing resellers. You can't stop it, but you can give fans a better chance.

Current pricing on the signed edition items will undoubtedly burn resellers purchasing multiples, but it also burns everyone who just loves Ken and wants something signed by him. Have you seen the bay lately? Stuff's not moving.


So there's my 2 cents. Be gentle on me

[flatout]

I agree with everything you said... although I think some people wont.