Xbox Addict

Prestige Edition to be Very Limited

Microsoft ventured into new retail ground back in 2007 when it released the Halo 3 Legendary Edition, which included the now famous Master Chief cat helmet. That edition of the game retailed for $129.99, but two years later the giant box from Bungie Games can still be found on store shelves. Even Amazon’s listing is $3 cheaper than the regular Limited edition, and can be found for about half its original price. Clearly, gamers weren’t interested in paying an extra $70 for more plastic.

So excuse our skepticism when Infinity Ward announced plans to release an even more expensive and outlandish version for Modern Warfare 2, calling it the Prestige Edition. Buyers who pony up $150 will get, among other things, a pair of working, real-life night vision goggles. But just how "limited" is this version? And what is Activision thinking releasing this thing during an economic recession?

IGN talked with Community Manager Robert Bowling about the developer’s thoughts and ideas for creating the Prestige Edition. He reassured us this edition isn’t something you’ll find in stores months after its release.

"We’ve already been asked by retailers to up the production numbers due to demand, which we immediately denied," Bowling said.

"We decided from the beginning that we want this to be for the hardcore fans and early adopters. The fact that it is actually limited is one of the coolest parts, which is why we’ve individually numbered every copy."

Bowling didn’t discuss details on how many are actually being produced, but he did offer up some insight for what the developer thought about including originally.

"We had a lot of really cool ideas, but nothing ever topped night vision goggles. We started out small and the longer we spent going around the table and asking the community for input the more and more insane it became," Bowling added.

"It started out with just a cool stylized case with a fake flashbang and some dogtags, but everyone does dogtags and cool cases. We wanted something that blew you way."

Bowling wanted to reiterate the Prestige Edition will not be seeing any second production runs. It’ll be a true one and done scenario.

"It was important to us that this be a true collectors’ edition and as such, we do one run, and it’s finished. The Prestige Edition is NOT something you’re going to be seeing on the cheap 2 months after launch."

Fans can pick up Modern Warfare 2 on November 10th