14 DAY TRIAL // Halo 3 is clearly the title of the year, considering the magnitude of its launch and the hype surrounding the event. However, Microsoft is not about to go commercial, after the game is released, so we won't see many Halo-branded items showing up on eBay. It's OK to release miniatures and models branded Halo 3, but the Master Chief pyjamas would surely spoil the toughness of the character.
Bungie are trying to make their title more accessible, so we can imagine that a kid who buys Halo action figures and doesn't own a game yet, will beg his parents to buy the title. Halo 3 branded lingerie and other sorts of strange choices for exclusive items would only appeal to hardcore fans of the phenomenon, who are open to see the game broadening its audience. This niche is so unimportant that the above-mentioned collectibles would only sell for a day or two, hitting rock bottom afterwards.
When you're the producer of a major gaming title, you should be careful what you brand, as many gamers can feel offended by certain choices. You know how hardcore fans are.... The best example is when a more commercial album of a certain band comes out and the fanclub goes nuts over it, criticizing the new approach. I'm not a Halo lover, but I couldn't help smiling when I saw that there's a special Halo 3 Mountain Dew drink.
I shouldn't be the one talking, since my favorite game is Final Fantasy VII and I've just witnessed the launch of a FF VII potion. Also, does anyone remember the ad for Coca Cola featuring characters from Final Fantasy IX? A great title can sell any media product, clothes or food risking however to be criticized by the fans for a so-called "sellout attitude".