Fans of games tend to lovehigh-quality product tie-ins, fromThe Witcherfigures, throughMariostuffed toys, to expensive limited-edition statues such asResident Evil’s Ada Wong. However the latest tie-in announcement from Intel has come under fire from gamers, namely for being extremely superficial. The products in question are theMarvel’s AvengersEdition processors, a tie-in for the upcoming game of the same name, featuring on certain unlocked versions of i9, i7, and i5 CPUs.
Intel announced the processor range with a tweet and short promotional video, showing the creation of the artwork based on Avengers characters from muralist Tristan Eaton, which features on the packaging. The issue gamers are having is that according to a leaked retail image from Twitter user Momomo_us, the promotional CPUs don’t actually include the gameMarvel’s Avengers, or potentially anything else to differentiate it from the regular products.
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While there is a possibility that the package will include other promotional items or trinkets, similar to limited edition versions of game releases, the very specific wording on the launch video suggests this will not be the case: “Intel Core Desktop Processors FeaturingMarvel’s AvengersCollector’s Edition Packaging.” A recent leak does suggest thata special in-game skin or skins could be available for those who buy the CPUs, but they appear to be very similar to regular in-game skins, so are unlikely to make disappointed gamers happy. PC Gamer has also noted that the product details on leaked retail images show the processor specifications to be exactly the same as the standard KA unlocked editions.
Hardware components such asgraphics cards and processors are known for regularly shipping with promotional gamesor download codes, often designed to show-off players' newly boosted specifications with titles optimized for the products. These offers are generally well-liked by players because the games included are essentially free, and either provide titles the player might have considered paying for, or provide a chance to try something new and unknown. So it is not unexpected that gamers would expect such a high-profile hardware tie-in to include the game it is promoting.
While the artwork from Tristan Eaton undoubtedly looks good, gamers can be forgiven for expecting something more than a pretty box and simple in-game skinswhen buying a substantial piece of hardwarelike a $450 i9 CPU, particularly as theMarvel’s Avengerspromotion is clearly designed to entice PC gamers to upgrade, and to choose Intel when doing so.
However given theMarvel’s AvengersEdition processors have not yet been launched, Intel still has time to surprise gamers with real-life promotional items, further in-game items,or currency for the microtransactions.
Marvel’s Avengerswill launch on PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One on September 4. Intel’sMarvel’s AvengersEdition Processors are rumored to be launching at the same time.
