High-profile games and sequels tend to launch with both standard editions (just the game) and premium-special-ultra-limited-legendary editions (the game plus a number of hardware and software trinkets that will be lost in a desk drawer or garage). Those trinkets can be posters, special jewel cases, figurines, and — what seems to be exceptionally popular today — headgear. Helmets and masks that can be adorned to a human head and worn in public places (at least theoretically) or hung on wall (preferably).
E3 2016’s unexpected trend: video game preorder masks
Today we have two helmets you can look forward to in the near future: a Titanfall 2 helmet (above) and now a Dishonored 2 face mask from Bethesda.
Celebrate Emily and Corvo w/ #Dishonored2's Collector's Edition feat.Corvo's mask replica and Emily's ring pic.twitter.com/yFC0njzNgG
— Bethesda Softworks (@bethesda) June 13, 2016
The novelty game helmet isn’t entirely a new trend. In 2007, Halo 3 launched with a $130 Legendary Edition that included a “cat-sized helmet” — though whether or not it could actually fit a cat was debatable (a bigger collection of Halo helmets was later created by WETA). Last year, Capcom released a wearable Mega Man helmet but forgot to include a game (tsk tsk). Technically, Fallout 4 had a wearable for its Pip-Boy Edition, but that was wristwear. Snooze.
So here we are. Two special editions that you can actually wear on your face — announced on the same day.
Without any further ado, and with no actual knowledge, here are a list of games that I hope will be paired with something I can wear on my face:
- Final Fantasy XV: impressive shaggy bangs.
- Watch Dogs 2: a bandana and baseball hat. They're sewn together so separation is not an option.
- Tekken 7: King's jaguar head.
- More Witcher 3 DLC: a white wig with preset ponytail.
- Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens: BB-8, but you put it on like a SCUBA helmet. There might be eye and mouth holes, or you might just suffocate in the name of fandom.
- Legend of Zelda: fake elf ears. The right side has a special glowing blue dog that screams "HEY! LISTEN!" at random times. It has no volume dial.
- A new Forza: a steering wheel that attaches on the nose and spins wheeeeeee!
- Civilization 6: a voice modulator that changes every other thing you say to "we're now at war."
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