Sony has unveiled the collector's edition for the upcoming game God of War Laufey, a $149.99 bundle that notably omits a copy of the game itself. The U.S. edition of the collector's box includes a Faye statue, a 51-card Oracle deck, and a mini artbook, with the fine print confirming that the "God of War Laufey game sold separately." The bundle is slated for release on February 16, 2027, coinciding with the game's launch.
This exclusion mirrors a similar move by Rockstar Games, which recently announced a $399.99 collector's box for Grand Theft Auto 6. That bundle, also without a game, features merchandise such as sunglasses, hats, and shot glasses, based on fictional content within the game.
In defense of the Laufey collector's edition, the included items may contribute to its cost. Resin statues can range from $50 to $200 depending on size and quality. The Oracle deck is described as featuring "stunning bespoke illustrations" inspired by Faye's journey, while the Mini Artbook promises "incredible concept art that shaped the world of God of War Laufey."
The Rise of Game-Less Collectibles
This trend appears to be driven by a surge in fandom-driven collector culture and booming secondary markets for trading cards and other merchandise. Both Rockstar and Sony have faced criticism for shifting away from physical game releases. Grand Theft Auto 6 will reportedly not feature physical discs, instead opting for download codes in cases. While Laufey will retain a physical disc release, Sony's broader decision to cease producing physical game copies by 2028 suggests that future collector's editions may increasingly focus on merchandise over physical game media, potentially signaling a move towards an all-digital future for game collections.