In the end this might actually be a boon for SteelBook/IronPack collectors.
While it is true that Scanavo, the makers of SteelBook, are not concerned with the tastes of individual collectors, they do listen to large studios, such as Disney, and large retailers, such as those in the US and Future Shop here in Canada.
Scanavo has had a taste of success with Future Shop's Disney SteelBook program last year. This year, they have lost a fairly substantial opportunity to IronPack. We are not talking about one or two titles -- this is a series (of at least four or five?) titles that have been lost to their competitor through a major movie studio (Disney).
I would think someone in Sales or Marketing at Scanavo should be fired if this was lost due to pricing. They actually had the advantage of being a previous vendor, and they have opened the door for the competitor to walk in and take the business.
Unless Disney or the US distributor had a strong preference for IronPack, and since we know that Future Shop preferred SteelBook, this was Scanavo's opportunity to lose.
Now that the new Disney promotion is heavily promoting IronPack, and most consumers see IronPacks and SteelBooks as equivalents, this could be a major change in the tide for metal packaging.
Scanavo could learn from their mistakes and offer more competitive pricing next year, or IronPack may decide to listen to feedback and improve on the nitpicks reported by some collectors.
Etiher way, I see this as good news for the long term viability of SteelBook/IronPack packaging. It is good news for Future Shop, the collector, and the IronPack makers. Scanavo is really the one who dropped the ball here and will end up paying for their mistake.
