Heavensward CE preorders not being released in AUS???

[Enkidoh]

I think everyone is being a little overly pessimistic here - EB Games only opens up preorders when the distributors/publishers inform them of the release date. SE stated preorders start on the 16th. Hence it's highly likely that day or sometime shortly after will be when EB Games will have 3.0 available for preorder.

And before you pass judgement, EB Games in Australia does indeed stock collectors editions of games - over the years it's how I got my CE versions of FFVIII, FFXIII, both Dissidias, FFXIV version 1.0 and ARR after all. Just have patience.

[OMEGA_HACK]

Enkidoh, I would love to be more optimistic however I was told yesterday (10th) that GameStop (the parent company and owner of EB Games) that it looks like I would have to purchase the physical Collector's Edition from SE's online store. This information did not come from a part-timer, Hourly Manager, Assistant Manager, Store Manager, or even a District Manager. This information came from a Warehouse supervisor, wherein it is their job to allocate space for product holding in their warehouses; they know what they will be getting at least 3 months in advance to prepare. Unless SE is deliberately shooting themselves in the foot by not giving these companies forewarning, I think it might be safe to say SE Online Store only, like the past couple collector editions have been.

Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Remix CE
Drakengard III CE
FF Type-0 (until it wasn't selling on their online store, was when they pushed to to the store level...and its still not selling; which will not be the case with Heavensward CE)
FF X/X-2 CE (not to be confused with the limited edition)
Lightning Return's CE

Just to name a few.

[Zofis]

I think it might be safe to say SE Online Store only, like the past couple collector editions have been.

Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Remix CE
Drakengard III CE
FF Type-0 (until it wasn't selling on their online store, was when they pushed to to the store level...and its still not selling; which will not be the case with Heavensward CE)
FF X/X-2 CE (not to be confused with the limited edition)
Lightning Return's CE

Just to name a few.

This. I think you covered all of the CEs other than Curtain Call and ARR PS4, both of which were also SE online store exclusives.

It's quite obvious at this point that the Heavensward CE will be an exclusive as well. A Realm Reborn (PC/PS3) was the last Square Enix collector's edition to be a proper, wide release. The new trend is to simply give retailers a first print "Limited Edition" that comes with little things like a pin or art cards and not release the proper CEs outside of the Square Enix store.

[Dijana]

I'd think, since you can't preorder before the 16th anyway, just wait until the 16th before you start panicking. Maybe I don't know how SE runs it (aside from XI and XIV Im not really a fan of any SE games) but seems a little weird if we could get the ARR collector's edition from EB and the such here in aus, but not the expansions. They probably can't say for sure, either rules or lack of knowledge, until the 16th. The manager at my local EB often tells me little bits of information (like just recently how certain companies dont care if the game is sold before streetdate but others, like nintendo games, will get you fired if they go before the date) and he makes it sound as though they often don't know whats going on.

*shrug*

But then I dont make, release, or sell games for a living, so I dont know. Best just to wait a few more days.

[Neenernina]

Aus player here. I called up EBGames Customer Contact Centre (133930) earlier in the day and spoke to a representative inquiring about CE preorders. While he did confirm it currently isnt on their systems AT THE MOMENT, he said he had called their procurement team who then relayed to me that they were attempting to gain information about the purchase from the vendor (SE) and advised me to either await official news from EB regarding the preorder or keep calling back every so often for news. He seemed optimistic that we will receive it because we received the 2.0 Collectors Edition, whats to stop us from receiving the Heavensward one?

[Zofis]

Aus player here. I called up EBGames Customer Contact Centre (133930) earlier in the day and spoke to a representative inquiring about CE preorders. While he did confirm it currently isnt on their systems AT THE MOMENT, he said he had called their procurement team who then relayed to me that they were attempting to gain information about the purchase from the vendor (SE) and advised me to either await official news from EB regarding the preorder or keep calling back every so often for news. He seemed optimistic that we will receive it because we received the 2.0 Collectors Edition, whats to stop us from receiving the Heavensward one?

It's just that there's been a huge shift in policy as to how Square Enix collector's editions are handled since the release of ARR. ARR was the last CE from SE to have a wide release.

We'll know what's going on for sure fairly soon, though.

[Mayoyama]

Aus player here. I called up EBGames Customer Contact Centre (133930) earlier in the day and spoke to a representative inquiring about CE preorders. While he did confirm it currently isnt on their systems AT THE MOMENT, he said he had called their procurement team who then relayed to me that they were attempting to gain information about the purchase from the vendor (SE) and advised me to either await official news from EB regarding the preorder or keep calling back every so often for news. He seemed optimistic that we will receive it because we received the 2.0 Collectors Edition, whats to stop us from receiving the Heavensward one?

I'm not sure which rep you spoke to but the one I spoke to said it was quite unlikely. 2.0 CE was released over 1.5 years ago and as others have said SE has seemingly changed its policy on releasing CEs outside of their online store.. which would leave us AUS/NZ players out without a chance....

NB: Even if I were to buy a USA CE, all I would be able to use is the statue.. the codes would be useless as they are region locked...

[alimdia]

Hijacking this thread to say that its the same problem for NZ(new zealand)

[Chiramu]

I don't expect much from retailers in Australia. I just buy digital collectors so I don't have to give them money lol.

[Altena]

Nothing really new here.

Expect to not have access to the physical merch. Best way would be ask an NA buddy of yours to pre-order one for you and have him/her ship it.