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Metroid: Other M pre-orders include 'art folio' at GameStop
For most of us, "it's a new Metroid" is sufficient to ensure a pre-order of Metroid: Other M. That makes any extra items given away by retailers fully extraneous, though, of course, we'll take them. GameStop is offering a "collectible art folio" with pre-orders, containing 16 cards with art from Other M. The single preview image looks super classy. The "folio" design, by the way, means that these pieces of art will be easy to scan for use as desktop wallpapers. We appreciate that kind of convenience. It's safer than creasing the spine on an art book. [Via GoNintendo]
Enormous Uncharted 2 artbook is a costly relic
While some special edition artbooks could be politely identified as "pamphlets," Naughty Dog has taken a different approach with its illustration-filled tome based on Uncharted 2. The studio (with help from Ballistic Publishing) is releasing a 272-page book featuring the game's "concept art ... character studies, environment art, character modeling, game art, cinematics, motion-capture, animation, and effects." However, all these half-tucked works of art exact a fairly high price from those who wish to acquire them. There are three versions of the art book: a softcover print which costs $59.99, a leather-bound "special edition" which costs $129.99, and a $300 Limited Folio Edition, which is bound in suede leather, embossed in gold, placed within another suede leather-bound presentation case, and includes a certificate of authenticity signed by the game's designers. Only 200 ostentatiously rich Nate Drake enthusiasts will get their hands on this limited print, so interested parties should hop off their money-chairs and pre-order now. [Via Press The Buttons]
Win yourself a Guild Wars 2 art book from Massively
During PAX this summer, ArenaNet announced a new art book, showcasing the amazing talent that they've somehow been able to harness all in one studio. This book was given away at the convention and is now sold at their Penny Arcade or NCsoft online store, but will not be available anywhere else. That's why we're extra happy to announce that we're giving one away to a lucky winner this week.As part of our commitment to never accept gifts from publishers, we're giving away this art book (valued at $30) in a random drawing. To enter, simply reply to this post between now and Friday, October 16th at 8am EDT. At that time, a winner will be chosen and contacted. Limit one entry per person. Winners must 18+ and live in the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Check out our complete contest rules page for more information on eligibility.Before we pry our hands from this coveted hardcover book, we took some photos of a few pages to let you know what you're trying for. Follow along in the gallery below for only a sample of what to expect.[Update: Comments are now closed, winner to be contacted shortly]%Gallery-75334%
The art of Guild Wars 2 to be available in book form
Feeling in an artsy mood? Then you'll be happy to know that Guild Wars 2 now has a forthcoming official art book entitled The Art of Guild Wars 2. The book will be hardbound and stuffed with 128 pages of work by ArenaNet's award-winning artists.The official website touts that this book is a must-have for Guild Wars fans. If the concept art available online is any indication, that doesn't really seem like an overstatement. We wouldn't be too shy about putting some of these pieces of art on our walls in a nice frame, so huge a hardbound art book wouldn't be such a bad coffee table item. If you don't believe us, just take a look at the gallery. %Gallery-70495%
Phoenix Wright artbook is Exhibit A in the case of Udon vs. our wallets
Udon Entertainment has announced its next Capcom artbook, following collections of Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, and Mega Man art: The Art of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, featuring 240 pages of improbably dramatic images of lawyers and their teenage friends. The book features covers, promotional art, and character designs and profiles from the three Phoenix Wright graphical text adventures, as well as "the complete artwork" from Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Udon plans to release this in October -- the same month in which it will release the Mega Man Official Complete Works, potentially causing a problem for people with only enough money in their artbook budget for one book about a blue-clad Capcom character per month. [Via Kotaku]
The Chronicles of Spellborn art book now available as free PDF
The newly launched fantasy game The Chronicles of Spellborn is a (air quote) freemium massively multiplayer online title from Acclaim, where three areas of the game are available for free, while subscriptions truly open the game up for its players. Those gamers in the EU who jump into The Chronicles of Spellborn are able to buy the title as a boxed product and thus get the art book which accompanies the box release, but no such luck for North American players. That is, until now. Acclaim has opted to release the art book as a free PDF file, which you can find over at MMORPG.com. It's a nice, in-depth look at the game spanning 151 pages of art content and lore. The High Houses, the game's myriad Inhabitants, and of course weapons and armor are all included in The Chronicles of Spellborn art book. If you're already into TCoS or are just curious about it, be sure to grab your free download at MMORPG.com.
Suikoden Tierkreis pre-order customers obtain not-so rare bonuses
Pre-ordering Suikoden Tierkreis will net gamers the not-so rare combo of an art book and soundtrack at Amazon or GameStop. Tierkreis (the German word for Zodiac) is another in a long line of Suikoden role-playing titles from publisher Konami, this time offering players a unique online experience. The mode allows Tierkreis players to trade items and characters and battle exclusive online monsters to obtain rare (phat) loots. Suikoden Tierkreis hits the Nintendo DS on March 17. Seriously, few things entice consumers like the art book / soundtrack combo. If only the rest of the competitive retail world realized bundling collectible tchotchkes could drive more business, we'd always pre-order our beer.[Via Go Nintendo]
Surprise! Atlus including free stuff with Knights in the Nightmare
Atlus has gotten into the habit of releasing bonus stuff of some kind with all of its games. Legacy of Ys, The Dark Spire, and Super Robot Taisen Etc. all come with free soundtracks, and Hammerin' Hero on the PSP includes irresistible figurines for preorders. Knights in the Nightmare is no exception. The company just announced that, like its other recent DS offerings, all copies of Knights will come in an oversized box with a bundled CD soundtrack disc. In addition, preorders from "participating retailers" will include an art book! In its press release about the bundle, Atlus blamed Charlie the Chimpanzee, the ape in charge of the Spoils program, for recent excesses. "In hindsight, hiring a non-human for this position may have been a mistake," said Atlus PR manager Aram Jabbari.New screenshots are available in our gallery, and we've got a second gallery after the break featuring preview images from the art book.%Gallery-21499%
Immerse yourself in the art of Okami
If there's one thing to be said about Okami, it's that the game is stunningly beautiful. The cel-shaded characters and environments evoke a lovely, traditional feel that would be soothing if it wasn't quite so incredibly kick ass. If Capcom's new Okami art site is any indication, it's also incredibly inspirational, because there's a section dedicated to fan art, as well as a number of official pieces. And if you're interested in brushing up your desktop, there are several gorgeous wallpapers, available in sizes to suit even the biggest desktops. We've got previews tucked away in our gallery below.If the web site isn't enough to fulfill all your visual Okami needs, you can order the official art book for $39.99. That only seems like a lot until you get a peek at the package.%Gallery-16485%
