God of War Laufey’s Collector Edition Highlights Ongoing Frustrations

After an early leak from Sony Spain, the U.S. edition of the God of War Laufey collector’s box has been officially unveiled. Priced at $149.99, this bundle features three collectible items: a Faye statue, a 51-card Oracle deck, and a mini artbook. However, it’s worth noting that this edition does not come with a disc or a digital download code for the game, as indicated in the fine print stating, “God of War Laufey game sold separately.”

It’s puzzling that a collector’s edition for a video game would omit the actual game, but Sony isn’t alone in this approach. Rockstar recently introduced a $399.99 collector’s box for Grand Theft Auto 6 that also lacks the game itself, instead offering a collection of merchandise inspired by a fictional show from the yet-to-be-released title. This box includes sunglasses, hats, shot glasses, and other items, which many feel don’t justify the steep price tag.

In defense of Laufey’s collector’s edition, resin statues can be quite expensive, typically ranging from $50 to $200 for similar-sized pieces like the “Light-Up Faye Statue” (though the product page doesn’t specify exact dimensions). The Oracle deck features “stunning bespoke illustrations” on each card, inspired by Faye’s journey. The Mini Artbook promises “incredible concept art that shaped the world of God of War Laufey.” This bundle is set to launch on February 16, 2027, alongside the game.

The trend of these “collector’s boxes” seems to reflect a growing fandom-driven collector culture, with prices for trading cards and other collectibles soaring in secondary markets. Both Rockstar and Sony have faced criticism for moving away from physical game support. The physical version of Grand Theft Auto 6 will not include a disc, opting instead for a download code in a case.

While Laufey will have a physical release with a disc, Sony has controversially announced plans to cease production of physical copies of its games starting in 2028. These collector’s boxes appear to signal a shift toward an all-digital future, where the focus is on selling (likely overpriced) trinkets rather than physical game cases and discs. It’s a somewhat disheartening outlook.

Faye definitely has some moves.