Why aren’t collector’s editions of games sold without the game?

Assassin’s Creed IV is a great example. The limited edition gets you a pirate flag, statue, art book and soundtrack CDs. A nice package for a nice game. It also comes with the game itself… which you haven’t played. Game publishers have aggressive advertising teams but the consumers buying these special editions don’t know if they like the game yet. Steve Rogers wonders about the punishment coming after the crime, and I wonder about the affinity coming after the encounter.

I guess it’s a way of creating emotional investment by way of financial investment. If I had spent a lot of money on Assassin’s Creed IV I might work harder to convince myself that it’s good so I don’t feel like an idiot.

But what about the people - e.g. me - who buy the game and love it? I’m enjoying Assassin’s Creed IV more than any game in the series, but if I want the goodies from the limited edition I’m burning $60 to buy another copy of a game I already own.

There really needs to be a standalone version of these goody bags for those with the sense to look first and then leap.