Regardless of how Dragon Age: The Veilguard is received, it is sure to be one of the most interesting games of the year. Pros and cons” seems to be the word of the hour.

It continues its convoluted feel by offering a $150 edition that does not include the actual game, an artbook that does not include the actual game (which is divided into three sub-editions), and, you guessed it, an apparently priceless “Villantium Pack” that does not include the actual game! . But there is a case to be made for this.

As outlined in this blog on the EA website, there are currently a large number of packs and bundles of “The Veilguard. There are regular and deluxe versions ($60 and $80 respectively), both of which will get you the key, but it must be reiterated to buyers that everything else detailed here is merely a cosmetic supplement.

First up is Rook's Coffer, or confusingly in the copy, “‘Rook's Coffer’ Edition (Does NOT Include Game),” which includes a 22-inch glowing dagger, map, card deck, potion flask, and dice for $150. You get.

Then there is the currently unpriced Vyrantium Pack, which comes with a Dragon Age: The Veilguard steelbook case (which does not specifically include the game), metallic prints, notebook, and a “collector's rigid outer box.” The artbook also comes in regular ($50), deluxe ($100), and Bioware ($55) editions, the most expensive of which comes with additional prints, an exclusive slipcase, and different covers.

In other words, considering the artbook in the most expensive version, it is possible to spend $250 on Dragon Age: The Veilguard before actually purchasing it. It also allows you to stare lovingly at the shiny but empty case of a game you don't own, not taking into account the mysterious “Vyrantium Pack” (amount undisclosed) that makes you feel like you've purchased Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

This whole thing is a bit baffling, though I'm not sure if it's scummier than usual; EA is essentially just trying to sell a large amount of fantasy merchandise aimed at players who have disposable income and shelf space. That said, I might not be too concerned about the fact that it separates the game from these editions.

The combined price of the digital deluxe edition and Rook's Coffer is $230. As a comparison, the collector's edition of World of Warcraft costs about $180: The War Within collector's edition costs about $180 and includes expansion content, digital goods, a statue, pin badge, box, and art book.

Given the above, this is pretty much business as usual, with the only eye-opening caveat being the deluxe edition and the cosmetic items that can be purchased with that cash. However, it is a novel and slightly confusing way to separate the two, which makes me wonder if EA would have been better off selling them separately in the merchandise store.