Assassins Creed 3 Collectors Edition Details

It's safe to say that anyone who will be buying Assassin's Creed 3 has already made up their mind to do so. Now, the question - as it so often does these days - turns to exactly which edition of the game to pick up on launch day. Unfortunately the Freedom Edition and Join or Die Edition of Assassin's Creed 3 are only confirmed for sale in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. But if any of these goodies make their way over to North America, fans will have a hard choice to make.

We should say right off the bat that no, there will not be a life-sized replica of Connor's Assassin tomahawk included in either of them. And considering the violence it can inflict, we're willing to bet that the chances of ever seeing one officially released by Ubisoft are less than slim. The official details on these special editions of the game aren't really a surprise since an Italian site leaked images of the Join or Die Edition a bit early. While the Assassin medallion featured in those images remains mysteriously unexplained, the confirmation of launch day DLC is one thing we can take away from these official details.

Bonus multiplayer skins and characters are nothing new to the series, as both previous titles featured the same online component we can expect from AC3. But singleplayer missions, if they are available at launch as is the impression given by these images, is sure to stir up a debate that is occurring at an increasing rate. For what it's worth, the Freedom Edition of the game does include two singleplayer missions resulting in two weapons being unlocked.

In keeping with the inclusion of America's founding fathers in the game's campaign, a copy of George Washington's personal diary is included with both versions. If our theories on a Washington/Charles Lee/Templar conspiracy prove accurate, then it's a safe bet that the diary will contain more than a few juicy bits of information for fans of the series.

So far Ubisoft is promising a steelbook case featuring that stunning painted artwork by Alex Ross for anyone who pre-orders the game. But if you have just got to have a bit more, here's a good sign of what choices may soon be coming to North America courtesy of CVG:

Freedom Edition

  • Assassin's Creed III game
  • A 24-cm figurine of Connor (a.k.a. Ratohnhake':ton)
  • A steelbook case with art drawn by comic artist Alex Ross
  • George Washington's notebook, containing secrets about the Assassins and Templars during the American Revolution
  • One exclusive Lithograph

2 Single Player Missions:

  • Lost Mayan Ruins: Connor's mission leads him to an ancient Mayan pyramid, unlocking Captain Kidd's fabled cutlass
  • Ghost of War: The tide of the Revolution turns in the Templars' favor. Defeat them and unlock The Pontiac's War Club, a powerful Native American weapon

1 Multiplayer Package:

  • The Sharpshooter: 1 new multiplayer character, 1 Relic, 1 Emblem, 1 special Picture and the Title of "The Jester"

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If you're the kind of person who hates freedom, or would prefer a replica of Connor's own Assassin pendant, then the Join or Die Edition might be more to your liking. While much of the content may be shared between the two editions, the Join or Die does feature a special Collector's box with a far more New World/American style:

Join or Die Edition

  • Assassin's Creed III game
  • The medallion of the Assassins, emblazoned with the title of Benjamin Franklin's political cartoon "Join or Die"
  • George Washington's notebook, containing secrets about the Assassins and Templars during the American Revolution

1 Single Player Mission:

  • Ghost of War: The tide of the Revolution turns in the Templars' favor. Defeat them and unlock The Pontiac's War Club, a powerful Native American weapon

1 Multiplayer Package:

  • The Sharpshooter: 1 new multiplayer character, 1 Relic, 1 Emblem, 1 special Picture and the Title of "The Jester"

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Special Edition

The Special Edition features a special packaging, the retail copy of the game and an exclusive single player mission:

  • A Dangerous Secret: Face a secret that could jeopardize the funding of the entire Revolution. Unlocks a Flintlock Musket.

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Collector's Editions tend to cater to the hardcore fan base, and that's no exception here. But with so much dedication and interest in the people and events of the American Revolution, perhaps even history buffs will think about picking up a special edition.

What do you think of the bonus items and content in these editions of Assassin’s Creed 3? Is the thought of launch day DLC something that continues to bother you, or have you expected it as a part of modern business models? Let us know in the comments.

Assassin’s Creed 3 will be released on October 30, 2012 for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

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Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce.

Source: CVG