[Infernal Mass]

yea, it's strategic marketing.

the publishing companies have the various regions catagorized, according to what audience will most likely buy what. Unfortunately, the majority of gamers outside of Japan just aren't likely to put the money down on the more extravagant editions of games..and the gamers who would buy these special editions lose to the majority.

Outside of specialty retailers like Gamestop lots of the LE/CE/SE/boxed sets..never make it outta Japan. Mostly due to the fact that Japanese gamers spend the money. That's slowly changing though, from what I've noticed there's been alot more LE/SE/CE games being released here in the United States. Example of this is the Final Fantasy XII Collectors Edition...this is the first type of Square/Enix release to come in a CE packaging. Although, it is limited to specialty retailers like Gamestop much like the MGS: Subsistence LE..it's still a start. These editions are nothing compared to the box sets Japan gets though, on that springs to mind is the Biohazard 4 box set..that was hardcore.

As for the Europeans always getting jyped/ I still disagree..as i mentioned ICO, an exclusive Sony title and one of the best games on ps2 was released in special packagin and printed on a DVD-rom, PAL version is superior to the NTSC version in every regard. Silent Hill 3 was released on PAL format almost half a year in advance. Futhermore Final Fantyasy X international never saw a NTSC release.