Posted Wed Oct 29, 2014 at 09:00 AM PDT by Brian Hoss
Prices range from $60 to $120.
This is a big year for 'Call of Duty', and as most fans know, 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare' looks to change the formula with a new primary developer, new game mechanics, new era, and most central here, new buying options.
In fact, there are so many options that I've had multiple people ask which version they should buy for the 'Call of Duty' fan in their life. So many have asked that I decided to put together a buying guide.
In prior years, the game broke down into three versions, vanilla (game only), game plus DLC and some physical items, and then a crazy everything plus a remote control something $150 version.
This year, it's all changed. Activision has not only ditched almost of the physical goods that normally came with the more expensive versions, but they've also made the most obvious add-on, the season pass, exclusive to the most expensive versions.
And so, using the PS4 and Xbox One as a basis, here are all of the buying options. For the record, the Digital Pro Edition on either the Xbox One or the PS4 offers the best value of all versions. For my reasoning on this, please see below.
Here's the game's gameplay launch trailer:
At $59.99, either the physical of digital versions of 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Day Zero Edition' is the most basic option. Pre-ordering means access to the game on November 3rd, a day early and day where players will earn Double XP. Pre-ordering the Day Zero Edition also means access to four bonus items:
AK-12G Assault Rifle
CROSSBOW-B2
Advanced Arsenal Bullet Brass exoskeleton
EM1 Quantum directed energy weapon
Also, available for $59.99 is the 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Digital Standard Edition.' The digital standard versions include the above pre-order items but also have a very special bonus. Users who buy either the digital PS4 or Xbox One versions, will get both versions (either PS3 & PS4 or 360 and Xbox One) for free. Both digital console versions will continue to work after the other one is redeemed. (Upgrades within console family only, see Activision's FAQ)
Basically that means that buying someone a digital Xbox One version means that they will also get a digital 360 associated with their Gamertag account. Likewise, buying someone a digital PS4 version will net that user a PS3 version associated with their PSN ID.
The digital standard PS4 edition can be ordered here. The digital standard Xbox One Edition can be ordered here.
The next step up is the 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Atlas Limited Edition'. Checking in at $79.99 for either the PS4 or Xbox One. This version includes everything from the physical Day Zero version plus a mix of physical and digital content. This used to be the obvious sweet spot, but this year the extra $20 nets the user a motley mix. On the physical side, there is a SteelBook case, a printed Soldier Manual, and a soundtrack. On the digital side, there is the Atlas Gorge Multiplayer map and the Atlas Digital Content pack.
The Atlas Digital Content pack includes:
The Bal-27 AE Assault Rifle
Atlas 45 AE Pistol
Atlas Exoskeleton
Atlas Helmet
Atlas Player Card
Five Bonus Supply Drops
Single Player Exoskeleton Upgrade Token
Next up is the 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Atlas Pro Edition'. Checking in at $119.99, this is the most expensive version. While it may not be immediately obvious, the 'Atlas Pro Edition' includes everything in the 'Atlas Limited Edition' along with one noteworthy addition, the Season Pass.
That's right, the extra $40 dollars is for one item, the Season Pass. The Season Pass entitles the user to four $15 content packs (maps and other content) as they are released. That is a $20 savings over buying each pack as it releases, but only a $10 savings over buying the Season Pass.
Here's a trailer that is specific to the Season Pass.
As nice as the other bonus content is, the Season Pass is the one must for serious 'Call of Duty' players. These are the players that play year round and really take advantage of the new maps and other items as they are released.
Finally, there is the 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Digital Pro Edition'. At $99.99, this version includes of the digital content of the $119.99 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Atlas Pro Edition', but none of the physical content. This alone makes it a best buy in my book, but there is one more feature. Just like the Digital Standard version, Users who buy either the digital PS4 or Xbox One Digital versions, will get both versions (either PS3 & PS4 or 360 and Xbox One) for free. Both digital console versions will continue to work after the other one is redeemed. (Upgrades within console family only, see Activision's FAQ.)
The 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Digital Pro Edition' for the Xbox One can be ordered here using a $100 Xbox One digital code, which is available here.
While the above covers all versions of 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare' for the PS4, there is a little extra offering on the Xbox One. At $449, 'The Xbox One Limited Edition Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Bundle' bundles a 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Day Zero Edition' with a 1TB Xbox One console that features a custom 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare' paint scheme.
For those that like the custom design of the console, but only need a controller, there is the 'Xbox One Limited Edition Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Wireless Controller', which is priced at $69.99.
So that's it for the 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare' Buying Guide. It's likely that many will still be looking to gift 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare' come late December, so feel free to ask any questions below in the comments.
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