# video game edition

> video game packaged with bonus materials and enhancements not available in the standard release

**Wikidata**: [Q60997816](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60997816)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/video-game-edition

## Summary
A video game edition is a version of a game packaged with bonus materials or enhancements not found in the standard release. These special versions can range from releases with extra in-game content and technical improvements to collector's packages with physical merchandise. They are distinct from a game's standard retail package.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: A video game edition is a subclass of video game.
- **Core Definition**: A version of a video game that includes bonus materials and enhancements unavailable in the standard release.
- **Common Aliases**: Also known as "limited edition," "collectors' edition," "Special Edition," "Enhanced Edition," or "Director's Cut."
- **International Aliases**: "Videospiel-Edition" (German), "игровое издание" / "издание игры" (Russian).
- **Distinction**: It is considered different from a standard video game retail package.
- **Examples**: Notable examples include `The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition`, `Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut`, `Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition`, and `FIFA 21: Legacy Edition`.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between a standard game and a special edition?
A: A special edition contains content not available in the standard version. This can include bonus materials, such as extra levels and character skins, or enhancements like improved graphics and performance.

### Q: What are some common names for video game editions?
A: Common names include "Special Edition," "Enhanced Edition," "Director's Cut," "Legacy Edition," "Collector's Edition," and "Limited Edition." Platform-specific versions may also use suffixes, such as the "+" branding for games like `Monument Valley+` and `Fruit Ninja Classic+`.

### Q: Are video game editions only physical releases?
A: No, video game editions can be both physical and digital. While "Collector's Editions" often include physical items, others like an "Enhanced Edition" or an "Unrated" version (e.g., `Agony Unrated`) are often digital releases that offer technical improvements or restored content.

## Why It Matters
Video game editions are significant because they provide publishers with a way to extend the commercial life and appeal of a title. For consumers, they offer more value, cater to dedicated fans, and can provide the definitive version of a game. Editions like "Enhanced" or "Director's Cut" often serve as a re-release on new platforms, bundling previously sold downloadable content and technical upgrades, making an older game accessible and appealing to a new audience.

For collectors, "Limited" or "Collector's" editions create scarcity and offer exclusive physical merchandise, deepening the connection between the fan and the game world. Furthermore, editions tied to subscription services, such as the numerous "+" titles, represent a modern distribution model, offering curated versions of games as part of a bundle. Ultimately, the practice of creating different editions allows the video game market to segment its audience, targeting everyone from casual players to hardcore collectors with tailored packages.

## Notable For
- **Exclusive Content**: The primary characteristic is the inclusion of bonus materials or enhancements—such as new story content, characters, or technical upgrades—that are not part of the standard release.
- **Varied Naming Conventions**: Editions are distinguished by specific suffixes that often indicate the type of new content, such as "Special Edition," "Enhanced Edition," "Director's Cut," or "Unrated."
- **Platform-Specific Versions**: Editions are frequently created for a specific console or service, such as the PlayStation 2 edition `Cel Damage Overdrive` or the many "+" editions for Apple Arcade.
- **Remastering and Re-Releasing**: Many editions, like `Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut`, serve as a vehicle to remaster a game for a new generation of hardware, often bundling all post-launch content.

## Body
### Definition and Characteristics
A video game edition is formally defined as a video game packaged with bonus materials and enhancements that are not available in its standard release. It is classified as a subclass of "video game" but is distinct from a typical "video game retail package." These editions are often marketed under specific names that signify their unique content. Common aliases include "limited edition" and "collectors' edition."

### Types of Editions
The provided source material highlights several distinct categories of video game editions based on their naming and content:

*   **Content-Focused Editions**: These versions add or restore gameplay content.
    *   **Special Edition**: e.g., `Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition`
    *   **Director's Cut**: e.g., `Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut` (a 2021 remaster and edition)
    *   **Unrated Edition**: e.g., `Agony Unrated` (an uncensored version of the 2018 game `Agony`)

*   **Technically-Focused Editions**: These versions focus on technical improvements or updates.
    *   **Enhanced Edition**: e.g., `The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition` (2012)
    *   **Remasters**: Many editions, such as Director's Cuts, function as remasters for new hardware.

*   **Platform-Specific Editions**: These are versions tailored for a particular console, service, or port.
    *   **Ports**: e.g., `Grand Theft Auto` (1999 Game Boy Color port)
    *   **Console Editions**: e.g., `Cel Damage Overdrive` (PlayStation 2 edition of `Cel Damage`)
    *   **Subscription Service Editions**: A large number of titles from 2021 use a "+" suffix, such as `Mini Metro+`, `Monument Valley+`, `Fruit Ninja Classic+`, and `Don't Starve: Pocket Edition+`. Other examples include `NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition`.

*   **Other Editions**:
    *   **Legacy Edition**: e.g., `FIFA 21: Legacy Edition`
    *   **Promotional Editions**: e.g., `WipEout Pure: Stealth Edition` (also a demo for the 2005 game `WipEout Pure`)

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "video game edition",
  "description": "A video game packaged with bonus materials and enhancements not available in the standard release.",
  "alternateName": [
    "limited edition",
    "collectors' edition",
    "Videospiel-Edition",
    "игровое издание",
    "издание игры"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://schema.org/VideoGame"
}