I have been playing WoW since it all began (was even in the beta). This review is not about the game itself, however. There are more than enough reviews about that. As far as that is concerned, I've played pretty much all of the major titles (LotRo, AoC, EQ, UO, AC, AC2, DAoC... etc.), and I keep coming back to Wow, still going strong for 4 years with 3 accounts for me and my sons.
So, what about the Collectors Edition? This is my first CE version of WoW, not having gathered up the previous versions. I can say that this was a very satisfactory purchase. The Art Book is great, with small color commentary as well as the beautiful artwork, about certain areas of the game. I only wish they would have been expanded more as it really does wet your appetite for the rich back story of Warcraft. As a result, I am now looking for even more literature on the story-line. It really does bring the world to life.
You also get the Audio CD Soundtrack, and it is excellent. All of the theme music you are familiar with is there, and I really enjoy playing them in the background some days when away from the game. Yes, I know: I am addicted, but I look at WoW as a hobby, and a really inexpensive and fun one at that. Some people fix up old cars, knit quilts, paint landscapes, watch TV ... I play WoW :)
You also receive a very colorful mouse pad that I am afraid to even use, because it looks so nice. I want to keep it in prestine condition, so I won't use it. I love it! You also will get an ingame pet, Frosty. It is a great edition to the game and sort of a bragging right to other players. I keep Frosty with me at all times.
The last item is the 'making of' DVD with interviews and other interesting bits of information about the game. It includes the awesome trailer, which is just visually stunning and beautiful. If you love the game as much as I do, you will be showing family and friends this trailer at every chance you get.
This is overall a GREAT collectors edition, with lots of stuff included for the fan and hobbyist of WoW. I am very, very pleased with the purchase.
Something of Collectors Editions you should know: they are truly COLLECTORS editions, worth every penny. This is why -- Back in 1996, I bought the 'Charter' edition of Ultima Online (UO). It came with a Pin, a cloth map, and nice packaging. I still have the map, but lost the pin when it fell off a backpack in college. I am SO UPSET I lost that little pin. Why? Try to find one ANYWHERE and you will see my pain. This charter set is now worth several hundred dollars to a Ultima collector. I LOVE the cloth map, even though I haven't played that game in years. It's nostaligia. Brings back soooo many memories of friends I never met in person, but are still dear to me. WoW is no different.
Someday I will move on from the game, but the friends I made, the fun I had... I want to keep that with me always, and the Collectors Edition is a keepsake that will help me remember people who I will never know in real-life, but had names like Youskajin, Stromblade, Nyota, Sef... and we fought epic battles together, had more than a few laughs, pretended we were great heroes every once in awhile. Oh, and the set will probably be worth a lot of money someday ;)