Left 4 Dead DLC Not Free on Xbox 360: Why?

Gamer writes: "This week Valve cames with the news that a new campaign is to come for Left 4 Dead. The content is for PC users free to download, but people in possession of an Xbox 360 should be pay 560 Microsoft points. The question that this news is obviously called for Xbox 360 users must pay for something while the PC distribute this DLC for free?"

[KingKionic]

So it` all Microsoft fault...

-___-

[TIKUP]

Microsoft when will you learn....

[MGOelite]

i believe you are learning kionic

[fishd]

Lol@MGOelite

This is not the first time tho,remember this
http://www.n4g.com/industry...

[Hellsvacancy]

U can get ALL of the Call Of Duty dlc on the Pc 4 free but yet if u own a console u get charged an arm and a leg - i wouldnt expect anythin different 2b honest

[-Mezzo-]

But DLC should always be free.

[erathaol]

I'm sure Valve gets a cut of the profits made for the DLC sold, along with MS, so both parties share wealth in this sale. PC gamers got it made, free DLC and fun Mod's made by loyal fans.

[gamesR4fun]

doubt it if ur reading the comments here.

now if they gave something away free that would b news

[Blaze929]

lets not all put the blame on Microsoft here. Look at Valve and releasing L4D2 just a year after L4D1 again for $60. You all don't think that maybe they have become money hungry as with anyone else now?

I DOUBT they actually had this new DLC planned for L4D1 but cooked it up in result of all the backlash and broken L4D1 promises meaning they interrupted a tight business schedule. When you interrupt something like that, that cost TIME and MONEY. Of course they can't charge on PC becuase there it would be pointless. Modding community would just pirate it or make a version themselves. On the 360, that's the only place Valve could recover losses for making this DLC.

I doubt Microsoft chooses the price for DLC for EVERY game like people think so. That's complete BS. Otherwise ummm, why are DLC that comes out on the 360 and PS3 both similarly priced? Or for instance look at Stranglehold, was like 1200 points for a MAP pack. That was ALL Midway's doing. I really doubt Microsoft sets a price for anything they didn't publish and Left 4 Dead is something they are not involved with. Only thing they set prices for is for XBLA games and things they publish, like Halo maps being 800MSP for only three -_-

[Fox01]

Hmm... M$ isn't involved with LBP or Killzone 2 and yet both games DLCs aren't free.

[cRaZyLeGs 93]

Well when money can be made, why not? Those who don't get it will wait for L4D2. I'm getting this dlc.

[Pandamobile]

Valve could completely stop making games for ever and still turn out a higher yearly profit than most game developers.

And it IS up to Microsoft to set the price for the DLC even if they didn't publish the game. They have to download it using Microsoft's service, so that's why MS charges for stuff that the developer wants to be free.

When Valve makes a new DLC pack on PC, they have things called "Free weekends". I know, that term might be hard to understand for a console gamer but it's true. During the weekend of the DLC release, L4D is completely free to play for 3 days. This, in turn creates a HUGE spike of people buying the game that easily churns out more profit than paid DLC on the 360. This is why Valve is so profitable. Because they know what their customers want - and they give it to them.

@Fox01

I don't give two sh1ts about Sony. We're talking about L4D and Microsoft.

[raztad]

@Panda

This is a bit off topic but I want to get L4D on PC, however my intention is just to play it alone, not coop. Is your teammates AI good enough?

On topic: Sorry to say this but MS got the costumers it deserves. Faulty hardware? check, Pay for playing online? check, Pay for free DLC? check.

[Blaze929]

"And it IS up to Microsoft to set the price for the DLC even if they didn't publish the game."

NO it is not. You know how silly that sounds? So for EVERY game Microsoft sets the price? So DLC that also come out on the PS3 with a price similar to the 360's, it's Microsoft's fault since they chose the price on the 360? Call of Duty Map Pack 3 is $10 on PS3, that's Microsoft's fault for making it 800MSP on the 360? TMNT was SUPPOSED to come out for 1200MSP by UBISOFT...that price was dropped to 800MSP ironically soon after Ubisoft reported that they are at a 50% lost. So that's Microsoft saying "awww, lets help Ubi out"?

That is just stupid to think Microsoft choose the price for everything that gets put up on XBLA. Yes, they DO set the prices for some like the games they publish and XBLA games as well as Indie games. Also themes and gamer pics and avatar clothing now I would guess. But as far as games from third parties, that's complete non sense. Like saying Infinity Ward comes to them with a map pack they want to charge $10 on but Microsoft says "no no no, only $5, take it or leave it", riiiiight, thats what happens.

I'm not attacking you or defending Microsoft becuase alot of what they do is from them being the notoriously greedy fools that they are. But like I said on your other comment, show me proof of everything you are saying, where Microsoft sets the price for the DLC even if they didn't publish it because hey, maybe I AM WRONG.

[cmrbe]

if most if not all DLC on live is paid for?. MS is just setting standards. As some of you said. MS setting standards for xboxlive is better unlike PSN which we got mods for UT3 for free offcourse.

Its free on PC. This fact alone most likely means its not Valve behind this.

[Pandamobile]

The proof is that Valve doesn't want to charge for L4D DLC. Microsoft is forcing the price. So yes, Microsoft controls DLC prices.

Also what cmrbe said.

[Blaze929]

"The proof is that Valve doesn't want to charge for L4D DLC. Microsoft is forcing the price. So yes, Microsoft controls DLC prices."

ROFL GREAT response. Thanks, I'm threw.

[Eddie20101]

Microsoft just will not give DLC away for free even though the PC equivalent of the games almost always gets the DLC for free. They had this problem With Epic games and Gears Of War, Epic wanted to give the DLC away for free but Microsoft made them charge for it. Its a common practice for game developers to give PC game customers extra content for free (Epic, Valve, sometimes Activision, Atari with The Witcher).

Microsoft is greedy.

[HolaTarola]

Blaze929 reminding me the womans that take a beating from his drunk a**hole wife-beating husbands and still defended them, "wa-wa-wait officer, it's not his fault!!"

LOLTZ, pathetic fanboy is pathetic.

[likedamaster]

and charged us for it on Xbox live AND PSN but no one complained. It's the same here.

[Blaze929]

exactly!

[NCAzrael]

@Blaze929

It is actually a known fact that while Microsoft does not control the price of DLC, they do strong arm developers into charging for the content. Sony is guilty of the same thing. Valve doesn't need to charge PC customers for content since they own the distribution method that PC gamers get said content from. Since they have to use Microsoft's and Sony's servers to supply the DLC (obviously not Sony in this case, just making a broad example), they are charged for the files, and both Microsoft and Sony pressure developers into passing that cost onto customers.

As for your comment on whether or not Valve had any plans for additional content for L4D, I think you need to review your history. Valve has always been about supporting their games, regardless of what new titles they have in the works. Look at Counter-Strike. While they may not be making maps for it anymore, they still release updates for it all the time, despite the fact that Counter-Strike: Source has as many if not more people playing it. L4D will be no different.

[Shepherd 214]

Yep, using all that money from mowing a lawn really is kinda worse than an arm and a leg.

[cmrbe]

Panda wasn't talking about Sony. What is this you don't understand?. It's about ms and valve and who is to blame for charging for x360 l4d dlc. I blame MS and if l4d was on PS3 and this dlc is not free then I also blame Sony but this not about Sony. Do you kids understand now?.

[All-3]

> Microsoft just will not give DLC away for free even though the PC equivalent of the games almost always gets the DLC for free. They had this problem With Epic games and Gears Of War, Epic wanted to give the DLC away for free but Microsoft made them charge for it. Its a common practice for game developers to give PC game customers extra content for free (Epic, Valve, sometimes Activision, Atari with The Witcher).

Some DLC for Gears of War --> was released on Xbox Live for --> FREE.

Hidden Fronts and the Flashback map pack, as well as the gold hammerburst were all offered for free.

"Epic thinks the way to maximize the return on Gears of War is to give the maps away for free and Microsoft thinks the way to maximize the return on Gears of War is to sell the maps," said Rein. "So what we've agreed to do is to put these maps on sale at a reasonable price then make them free a few months later. They did this with the original Halo2 map pack and it was a huge success. Lots of people bought the maps and lots of people downloaded them when they became free. That's what is going to happen and it seems like a fair compromise for both companies and a win-win for Gears players."

[NCAzrael]

@All-3

Yeah, Microsoft ended up giving away the Gears DLC for free, but it was widely publicized that Epic fought with Microsoft for a long time to get it that way, and even then they tried to make money off of it first. Face it, most developers do not want to charge for their DLC, and thanks to the fact that no single entity holds the reins when it comes to releasing content for PC games, developers aren't forced to charge for it. Thanks to all the file hosting sites out there as well as peer-to-peer (when used for legal file sharing), a developer doesn't have to worry about paying the overhead for all the bandwidth that gets used to download the content.

Microsoft, as well as Sony, have to pay for all of that bandwidth that they use to get that content to their consoles, and they pass that cost to either the developer or to the consumer. If the developer really wants to be financially responsible for the bandwidth they could probably get the content up for free, but most developers don't want to pony up the cash, especially if the console manufacturers charge them a bit more than the bandwidth costs in order to gain a bit of a profit. So really the developer is forced with a decision between spending a lot of money to get extra content to their customers or charing their customers a little bit of money and making some profit. In a business world it kind of makes sense to charge for it.

[evrfighter]

This has been an issue for Valve. They would like to give away their map packs for free but it is NOT up to them

http://kotaku.com/368047/te...

"We contacted Valve to clarify and their VP of marketing Doug Lombardi informed us that, "The platform holder owns the final call." So just as we'd suspected, whether or not we see these maps for free is indeed up to Sony and Microsoft"

so there you go. Straight from the horses mouth

[Raoh]

Read the article again people as well as compare your statements and look back at other free and paid dlc.

there is no other platform for killzone 2 to compare.

microsoft also has stated that publishers should charge.. but thats not only because they feel publishers should get paid (you know microsoft is actually selfless and thinks of developers and gamers first before thinking of themselves right?) LOL, it wouldn't be so that that they can charge a backdoor fee.

when it comes to multiplatform console games, microsoft cant charge DLC against free ps3 DLC for the same games, especially in the middle of a console war, but pc to console where the 360 is the only console with L4D they can make that decision. Epic games even spoke out about this.

Maintaining LIVE aint cheap?.. it would be free to gamers had MS used their money for the servers/service instead of buying out dlc that was actually a removed level that gamers were charged for. (tomb raider anyone?)

again the point is that if the developer wants to charge.. they should do so at their discretion. But if they don't want to charge, microsoft should not interfere.

please stop comparing sony exclusives by first and second party developers that are not on the pc to 360/pc games by a third party developer, its a terrible argument and comparison.

[All-3]

> Yeah, Microsoft ended up giving away the Gears DLC for free, but it was widely publicized that Epic fought with Microsoft for a long time to get it that way, and even then they tried to make money off of it first.

What about FREE Halo DLC?

Who fought with Microsoft about that? Microsoft owned Bungie and the Halo franchise.

What about Killzone 2 DLC? Who owns Guerrilla?

What about DLC for LittleBigPlanet... why isn't it ALL FREE?

The Console business isn't the same model as the PC business.

[Blackfrican]

I seriously believe that Microsoft allows for the blame to be put on them, while the companies choose to sell their content. Numerous games have had entirely free content. It is difficult to believe that Microsoft charges 560 points to the developer per download of content, especially considering that this price is higher than a more standard 400 point value. Therefor, some of that money has to be going to Valve, which I believe is the majority of this money.

[vhero]

Wow fishd your late GOW was the first one when they wanted to release their map packs for free and MS forced them to charge for them. Sure they made that stupid deal to get them free at a later date but they knew ppl would pay up to play them early as there was nothing worse than getting kicked off a map cycle mid way through a game every hour as you didn't have the latest maps.

[Pandamobile]

Microsoft will charge for anything. And they do. One thing I do know however is that there will be a number of comments in here that blame Valve for this.

Just to clarify: Valve does not want you to pay for DLC. This is strictly Microsoft's doing.

[Lou-Cipher]

Valve has said some silly things in the past, but they are not thieves.

Greed at this level only comes from a company such as Microsoft.

[STONEY4]

Yup, same goes for most companies who give PC gamers free DLC and make the console owners pay for DLC, Microsoft makes them charge for it.

[-Mezzo-]

i agree M4 is the one to blame no VALVE.

[mastiffchild]

I remember a similar argyment when PC and PS3 llowed keyboard and mouse support and mods for their versions of UT3 and the 360 got less support.

I got L4D for 360 and PC and the treatment you get for them has been very different with many of the promises Valve made not materialising on the 360-not yet anyway.

[Tehdaza]

Well what do you expect. PC versions of games always get better treatment because the devs have better and a more intimate interaction with the players. Especially with Valve games.

[Blaze929]

Can you show me where Valve said they do not want to charge for this DLC? I want to see that becuase apparently you read that somewhere.

[cmrbe]

this alone shows that Valve is not behind this as they would have charged for the PC as well if they wanted to.

[Pandamobile]

http://www.bingegamer.net/2...

“The platform holder owns the final call.”

So there's your definitive proof that Microsoft is in charge of DLC pricing.

[Blaze929]

Of course they hold the final call. If EA wants to charge $20-$30 for some Fight Night Round 4 content you think the platform owner would allow that? I still dont see where Valve says, WE WANT THIS CONTENT TO BE FREE ON THE 360. What's so hard in saying that if thats what they really wanted? Going against rules that you cant speak on what Microsoft does? Mmmhmm sure.

Aaron Greenburg directly in THIS article just clarified they DONT do what people are thinking, set the prices. The "regulate" yes and put the content in a price range if they think the publisher is out of line. But he JUST said they dont set the prices. Apparently he's lying and the only way to believe them is instead coming from someone directly at Microsoft, we gotta hear it from a 3rd party to say it so they as a company won't look bad for trying to nickle and dime.

Perfect example, EA games. You HONESTLY think Microsoft/Sony are the ones setting the price for 256KB-1MB DLC "unlocks" for $10? Like NFS Prostreet for example, had DLC for $10 which was 426KB. REALLY think Microsoft/Sony were the ones behind that?

All those other games that are just unlocks already on the disc and come in like 500KB in size for $10 and above, really Microsoft's and Sony's doing? I think not

[The Hunter]

Also the article stated that Valve doesnt want to charge DLC..

"It would be striking when Valve decided to make the content on the Xbox 360 at a cost to you. Especially after the recent deluge of criticism that the company has spread following the announcement of Left 4 Dead 2, which some fans too so soon after the release of Left 4 Dead is. It is also consistent with the philosophy of Valve, has always indicated that no money would charge for new content for their games."

So, especially also by the many criticisms regarding Left 4 Dead 2.. :)

[Ravenor]

http://xbox.joystiq.com/200...

Valve has always been about free DLC, if it were entirely up to them I'm sure it would be free on the Xbox 360 too. 560 points is probably the minimum for a map pack/achievements.

[Gun_Senshi]

COD Maps for PC are free and on Consoles they cost Cash

[rob6021]

But all in all Sony gives the option to give it out for free or have it paid for, Microsoft doesn't. So because InfinityWard/activitision has to charge for the maps on xbox live, they would have a huge backlash if they didn't charge the same price on PSN - so they charge (I wouldn't be surprised if MS has rules that in order to offer dlc on xbl you cannot charge less on a competing console). It's that simple. Microsoft kind of screws both consoles over in this way for multi-platform dlc.

[MetalGearBear]

that shame for Xbox360 owner.
I own PS3 and PC. tought luck.

edit: blame M$, not me.

[Pandamobile]

No you idiot. Valve has no control over this. Microsoft is forcing the priced DLC.

[Gamer1111]

me to...but only difference is i play my 360/pc more than my ps3...

///

@ dechapesgt its "I own a ps3 and pc" not "i owned ps3 and pc" ...i guess your not gaming at all.. sorry for you man

[The Hunter]

U didnt read the article, thats a shame for u!

[Xistan]

MS never learn.

[josh14399]

if i remember correctly microsoft tried to force epic to charge for the first lot of gears dlc but somehow epic managed to make it free. considering how much i pay a year they could at least let valve release it for free

[rob6021]

Not to mention later PS3 and PC owners got a FREE OF CHARGE Titan pack for UT3 courtesy of Epic, that was no where to be found on xbox live. If companies don't want to have to charge for DLC they shouldn't be forced to.

[Blaze929]

"that was no where to be found on xbox live."

lol...that's becuase the Titan Pack was already on the Xbox 360 version's disc.

[Kleptic]

^^^no it wasn't...only a few maps were...but all the new game modes and mutators and stuff that came with the pack were not in any retail version of the game...

but I do believe the 360 version did get a free update for UT3 right?...it just didn't get the maps it already had obviously...

[Ninji]

They are used to paying for overpriced DLC. I'm glad Sony gives us exclusive DLC for Free (Mirror's Edge map & Joker DLC for Batman: AA are both free).

[-MD-]

Did you guys not buy the 3 map packs for Killzone 2?

[xztence]

Were those freely available somewhere else? NO.
these are offered free for pc, but on 360 xbots like you get ripped off and you still defend M$.

I pity you.

Personally I have never bought any DLC, my policy has always been, it should be on the disc at release, ESPECIALLY for the ps3 because it has the space(except for games which really fill up the disc aka killzone 2, mgs4), and even then it has to be DLC which isnt more of the same.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Or even better how about the Call of Duty DLC which was free on PC but PSN and XBL had to pay. Is that a better example xztence? Now I expect you to defend Sony about it. You might want to pity yourself.

I've downloaded several pieces of free DLC from XBL as well. So what is your point Ninji?

[Mo0eY]

That's what I do not understand either.

Burnout Paradise DLC was free for both consoles. So I'm not sure why Call of Duty DLC or L4D DLC costs something on one platform and free on the other. It makes no sense.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

@Everyone Above

Because activision are greedy bastards duh. They want to nickel and dime us for everything they can.

[likedamaster]

I swear these droids have selective memory.

[emk2004]

Microsoft screwing people out of money big suprise.

[Gamer1111]

yeah i thought i bought a ps3 with BC...turns out i didnt....but its cool

[-Mezzo-]

The DLC that have a place on my HDD are the ones that are free.

[betrayed gamer]

what about Sony charging for maps? isn't Sony charging 6 and change for two maps for Killzone? is that evil?the only reason you almost never see charging for maps or most dlc on computers is because there is always a way to get it for free.i dont like the fact that i get charged tax on the sony network. so i pay more for the same dlc on the psn store then i would on the 360.

[Morbius420]

Yeah but you don't pay anything to go online with the PlayStation like we do for Xbox Live.

[name]

Epic doesn't like charging for maps just like valve. Gears of war's maps on 360 cost money. Unreal tournament 3's maps on ps3 are free.

[betrayed gamer]

and yes ms does do some evil moves, but every cosole does especially the nintendo wii, i have a friend who worked in united radio, its a factory that fixes electronics, and he found out that the wii has a time chip that will burn out after a maximum of 7 yrs game time. that was part of a contract deal with nintendo and united radio

[betrayed gamer]

you dont pay a dime to go online on the 360 u pay to play most of the games yes, but u can still downlod items, and other things as well, also there are games that u can play for free

[freitox]

you don't pay to download multiplayer dlc, but you do PAY to use them, so what's the difference?

[KingKionic]

There is free dlc on live .

Microsoft cant be that greedy .

[Kamikaze8]

Guys look at the bright side. Because it is paid, it has to be of a higher quality. So what PC gets it for free. Practically everything on PC is free. Plus, this allows for achievements to be added. I personally dont have a problem paying for this because Valve deserves it.

[Tehdaza]

What? PC version will get new achievements too.

It's the exact same on 360 and PC, but we get it for free.

[Ravenor]

Don't be a moron, I pay for my games.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

I don't like it and I won't buy it.

[kaveti6616]

Is this news to anyone? Didn't people already know that Microsoft like money?

[betrayed gamer]

if ppl r complaining about dlc being charged on a system while not on a pc, they should complain at all companies involved.especially about the cod games instead of saying boohoo, pc gets it for free it must be ms's fault thats childish, as for the valve thing i dunno i was and never will be a pc gamer. i like the idea, but i prefer the systems i own for gaming.ne wayi say screw all big corps. hate them all, but i will still buy what i want, cause there aint nuthin out there thats better for cheaper. also for any console fanboys who take wat i just said as an insult grow a pair. i am not attacking any individual system i love and hate both systems equally.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Because it's milking season for the 360 kids.

GTA DLC
Fallout DLC
Gears DLC
L4D DLC
Halo DLC

Poooor bots :(

[KingKionic]

All those dlc`s...are good.

I dont understand .

[TheMART]

Nobody understand $lowny fantards, they get Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet and other DLC for free you know... NOT!

[Stryfeno2]

Yeah I'm sure Fallout DLC will be free on PS3...Riiigghhttt.

[wxer]

simple
Microsoft love $

[Amir51]

because microsoft is greedy

[Persistantthug]

I didn't know that.

[Neo604]

ya'll should be please.

[Saaking]

Look, the bots loved getting ripped off so just leave the poor guys alone. If they want to pay for something that's free on another platform then so be it.

[Ninji]

I mean they already pay for the ability to play online. lol

[TheMART]

I think I missed something....

KZ2 DLC is free?

LBP DLC is free?

COD DLC on PSN is free?

[Saaking]

They pay their internet provider, buy the game, and still have to pay MS just so they can play it. @Mart, PSN offer free online gaming. DLC costs money on both consoles (or at least most DLC).

[TheMART]

saaking stop twisting the stuff.

We're talking about:

L4D DLC not free on xbox 360

Well, the same reason COD content isn't free on PSN, but is free on PC.

Does that get through your thick skull through that small brain of yours?

Paying for XBL gives you a premium online social community instead of a dead PSN. Something like paying for great food in a restaurant together with other people and having fun (XBL), or eating from the trashbin in the park alone and die from a terrible food poisening (PSN).

[Etseix]

sorry Mart but u fail this time
the article's name is: * Left 4 Dead DLC Not Free on Xbox 360: Why?*

the name is a question, WHY? well, its a question because VALVE said it was goin to be FREE!!!

why u think there were a lot of ppl angry at L4D2?, BECAUSE IT WAS GOIN TO BE FREE all those DLC from VALVE.

[Saaking]

@Mart, I answered the question by saying "DLC costs money on both consoles" What am I not understanding?

[JonnyBigBoss]

Once again, if you want to play 360 games just upgrade your PC (if you even need to). Modablity, larger community, free online, etc. Trust me.

[mephixto]

Maybe M$ is charging for the cost distribution of the DLC, there are many things like server space, bandwidth, and others... Valve owns Steam so they can distribute their own content for free. Many gamings sites like fileplanet, filefront etc. offer DLC for free because offering it gives them clicks and maybe even new subscriptions to thei premium services. Some companies even distribute their content throught torrents.

[Eric Cartman]

Haha... Are they still using the archaic point system?

Valve should marry Microsoft. They are perfect for each other. So should Ballmer and Gabe.

[Pandamobile]

Valve doesn't even like Microsoft.

[Eric Cartman]

So it's just Gabe and Ballmer then.

[Pandamobile]

No, I mean Gabe doesn't like Microsoft. He's a former MS employee. I mean, way back in the mid 90's. He hate's Microsoft's attitude and how they charge for every little insignificant thing.

Valve is nothing like Microsoft.

[Saaking]

Valve hates all consoles equally, they develop for the 360 because it's easy and because of their friendly relation with MS.

[divideby0]

I am stopping support for MS and Valve....they are lol at console gamers supporting them...

[Tehdaza]

Yes, stop supporting Valve because Microsoft dictates the price of their DLC.

That makes a lot of sense, dipshit.

[divideby0]

wow..namecalling....lmao.

I dont care for the way Valve is handling their biz toward gamers...2 examples...L4D2 and the diss of the PS3

grade school will be back in session in a few weeks and posters like you who name calls for anothers opinon will not be around so much
but in the meantime ignore +1..grow up

[TheMART]

Same reason COD content on the PS3 is free and costs $$$$ on PSN and XBL maybe???

[Bladestar]

This is just ammo for Sony leg humpers to bash Microsoft.

It's common knowledge for content to be free on the PC and cost money on consoles. It's a different market.

Developers and companies will sell wherever people are willing to buy.

As a PC gamers I can't think of any games where Map packs are sold for money... and it's common for developers for games like Kill Zone 2, Call of duty, gears, etc making content and selling it on consoles.

Do you know why this is the case? Because PC gamers wouldn't buy it and console gamers will. Why on earth is this the case? well if you some brain and aren't stupid enough to understand that though PC and consoles gamers are both "Gamers" they are not part of the same gaming culture.

Console gamers are not accustom to get their games updated. Prior to the PS3 and xbox 360 on the PS2 if your game had a bug you were screwed. Most console games didn't have an online component. Before games didn't have much replay value.. console gamers would pay $50-$60 for a game, play the campaign and have the game collect dust for ever... DLC for console gamers is a better alternative than what (buy another game) and how much money they had to spend on previous generations.

Console gamers are more tolerable to pay for DLC because unlike PC gamers they get more bang for their buck. PC gamers in many cases have to upgrade their games every 1-2 years to play their games and this includes buying video cards that cost more than consoles. Since they have to spend so much money on hardware and the game... they wouldn't pay for DLC.

Let's also not forget that the PC as a game platform makes it very difficult for content to not be distributed illegally.

Also, PC game developers make DLC with the hope of selling more games.
PC games usually come with a registration code and PC games do not suffer the same fate as console games that are sold USED on Gamestop over and over while the developers make no money.

The reality is that when a developer make DLC on PC it helps them sell more games.

When developers make console DLC and is free... gamers can just walk to gamestop and get a game where the developer make no money.

You see... maybe as games are distributed digitally and developers make money on games and the Gamestop/ripoff is brought under control and developers benefit from it we will see more free DLC.

Do you know that Left 4 Dead DLC on the PC benefit the developer because people go and buy the game? How many used PC Left for dead you see at gamestop?

Do you know that what happens if a DLC is so good and people feel encourage to buy the game? yeah... the go to gamestop and buy it use and only Gamestop makes money...

so, we have developers spending money and resources for old dear Gamestop.

I understand the anger of people... but it would be great for a change if people educate themselves and understand the reasons why this is different between console and PC when it comes to DLC price.

[Shadow017]

Wall of Text no wonder you only have two bubbles left. Really shouldn't try to explain this doubt people give that much of a sh!t and if you think they do go to gamer zone and preach there.

[Etseix]

LOL indeed

wonder why some ppl think that typing a wall of text will get them the reason .......

anyways, go to gamerzone, in here alot of US dont care about reading a post like these, and more when its coming from a known xbox lawyer.

[Pandamobile]

Bladestar speaks the truth.

[Xistan]

start with:

"This is just ammo for Sony leg humpers to bash Microsoft"

stopped reading there.

[likedamaster]

Yeah, he does.

[wxer]

Bladestar dude
if i need to read all of this i'll grab a book
lol

[Sleebs]

If there are achievements for this DLC on 360, then of course you have to pay for it. I don't recall any DLC that was free which included achievements. Of course, I could be wrong but from my recollection, there hasn't yet.

[Tehdaza]

Why the hell does having achievements automatically make it cost money.

[maka]

there are heaps of games that got a trophy patch and it was free.

[rjgbyrne]

I hope your all signing the petition,
http://www.petitiononline.c...

I got this story denied but it is important to let these companies know whats going on...

[Tehdaza]

Yes. A petition with 8 freaking signatures is going to turn MS, Sony and publishers from charging for DLC and offering bonus content for preorders.

[rjgbyrne]

No petitions allowed yet this one gets through, whats with the moderators!?! Cheers mate, am glad you approve though!

[Neo604]

good to see RROD article again.
I got RROD 9 times article.

[solar]

i love free mods, DLC, etc. thats why PC gaming > console gaming.

[keysy420]

yo udont pay to paly games online with the pc either. i buy map packs but arent they releasing another game a year later for full retail . wtf is going on in the game industry its like we are under bush's control again.

[Solotov]

Microsoft pressures game companies to charge for DLC because Microsoft gets a piece of the DLC profit.
Just don't buy any DLC.

[maka]

M$ know all the people who own a Xbox 360 are STUPID, and even tho we are talking about how unacceptable this is they will still pay for it, because they are STUPID, M$ knows this fact when these people still bought 360 when they got RROD, after M$ knew this they been scamming these FOOLS ever since with Live and DLC fees and using points instead of real money so that you cant tell how much your paying for it..that why people call them XBOX 360 SHEEPS.

[Pandamobile]

Well, this could be said for the PS3 and 360. LIVE and the PSN both have paid DLC which people will buy. COD map packs for example.

[freitox]

yeah put sony doesn't force any company to put a price tag on their dlc and besides psn is FREE, if there was any network that had the moral ground to force a price on dlc it would be the psn.

[PS360PCROCKS]

Valve and Activision suck

[Knightofelemia]

I am getting bord of the game running the same campaigns over and over again and actually I am thinking about trading L4D in for something newer.

[RAM MAGNUMS]

The way it should be.
Wanna socialize? Use the browser or take it to home & stop fckn up competitive gaming.
Only xbutts wanna socialize like little girls. Tell microsoft you don't need it & you ain't paying for "social features"
You must be retarded.

[Shendow]

This sucks, most of PS3's DLC is free most of the time an I think the highest one I seen was 9.99 (COD:WAW) but other then that, good prices.

[betrayed gamer]

dont forget the tax

[Shendow]

TAX!!!! >_< I hate you now for saying the evil word, just joking, but really this kind of thing should be for free. I mean isn't L4D2 coming out soon? so why not give people free DLC until the game comes out? Just sounds like a smart move to build up more people to play L4D2.

[RAM MAGNUMS]

You don't pay for "socializing".
You have a free browser to "socialize" with myspace, facebook & twitter.
You can view your pictures on kodakgallery.com while listening to music.
Wanna meet people ? You go into home & socialize for free.
I'll throw in a bluray player in there for you too for free.

But give me $400 & I'll let you play ps3 games & I'll give you the online free.

Or
You can just shut up & pay for everything minus the browser, home, bluray player & ps3/psn exclusives.

Hold on a sec! I'll let you connect your psp to the ps3 if you stop supporting xbox360 & bring your friends to the hardcore system. It's time to grow up.

[Shendow]

What a PC? sorry out dated tech isn't hardcore an lol hardcore systems don't have Mii's or planing on using a cam to play games that are just like the Wii ones. Here is one other thing about your so called hardcore system, so of your games are on Wii or DS (Look them up an they were 360) an so far you guys aren't getting Joker or some of the other DLC that is on PS3.

In the end, buy a PS3 for the Bluray power or just buy a PC an play PC games that come on 360 to or just get the file to play 360 games, so simple to almost do anything on a PC.

[devilhunterx]

bwahahaha

[kornbeaner]

Cause you suckers pay for it. I have yet to pay for any DLC for any game that I own. Don't care how much I love the game if the developer has the nerve to charge me more than the $60 I already paid for the game then I have the nerve to stop playing the game. Unless the DLC falls into the "expansion" category which adds actual gameplay by adding side missions and more story like say the Ratchet and clank or GTA 4 DLC packs then yeah I will pay more money. But 3 to 4 new maps or outfits for the characters no thanks, unless that sh!t is free I won't be getting those packs and if the packs break up the user base like map packs happen to do I just stop playing the game. No game is that important to me where I feel obligated to pay more because of some fear to keep playing or risk getting stuck with a reducing user base.

[topdawg122]

Greedy f*cks

[zok310]

...has been a great wake up call to all gamers, between Activision and MS not to mention the cost of the PS3 we have been getting raped, and it is going to get worse. Instead of being conscious consumers we choose to be fan boys and lined ourselves to a particular brand/developer/publisher, and for that loyalty we got price increases, DLC, and very little new and original ip's. Sorry to say it, but we did it to ourselves, our fan boy loyalties was our Judas and now we pay the price for it. I hope that after reviewing this past week big news we all learn that we either stick together as gamers, or we all just accept the new trend in this industry and get second, or 3rd jobs just to feed our increasingly expensive game habits.

[00000000000000000001]

When you want to purchase an item and you think the price is to high, you just don't buy it. MS is in business to make money not give everything away for free. When a store buys an item to sell they mark it up to make a profit, usually around 40%. It is the same for MS, they purchase an item and mark it up to sell on live. Same as all the stores you shop at.

[NaiNaiNai]

My god I wish half of the people here would just vanish. T_T DLC for free. Yea since I paid for my car, I want GAS to be free to.

makes as much sense huh.

idiots.

[kornbeaner]

Yeah, because I go into a purchase of a car not knowing the other cost that purchase comes with, right? You're the idiot. If I were to buy a Car or House, I go into the purchase knowing that I have to take care of the maintenance for that purchase. Bills, gas and in case anything goes wrong I know I am responsible for those cost. When I buy a $60 dollar game I don't expect to be charged $4 for costumes, $5 for a Vs. mode, $4 for a "Special" character, $2 to unlock a car and so on. That's the problem, If the DLC adds something to the overall experience then I'm all for it, but to pay for extra maps, characters or modes is ridiculous, because while some see it as paying to keep the experience fresh, I see it as the first nail in the coffin as these DLC packs usually break up the user base in 2 groups, those who pay and those who don't. That is usually when I stop playing those games and move on.

[FadeToBlack]

That these companies are running a busniess and not a charity. If want charity go to a church. The fact is that you do not need to buy these games or DLC. Its purly entertainment, so as long as the product sells at a current price point it will stay at that price untill it stops selling. Im so sick and tired of people crying like school girls about having to pay for a product from a business that objective is to make money.

[Shendow]

True but how does Sony get off by giving some of their add ons for free? Ridge Racer 7 has all free add ons and the list is maybe over 20. So I don't see why they can't give it away for free an their coming out with a new game. So they aren't losing anything, as much as they are gaining more people.

[Allowen]

It is a shame that these "small"expansions that they call DLC are free for on the PC's games and for video games they do cost $6-15 each one.

For the PC's games only real expansions are not free and it should be the same thing for video games.

I am a PS3 fanboy but I adimit that this matter in question here is not Microsoft's fault this time.
Seems that the only reason for devs to launch their DLCs for their games on Vgs is if they can charge $$ per copy.

I remember this like if it was the other day... on my PS3 they made that game Kung Fu some thing free for a while.... then they put a DLC for $1.99 .... in other words the game was not free but it was costing(for many @$%$% that was smart enough to buy it)$1.99 !!

[devilhunterx]

that missing thumb is up every single xbots' asses.

enjoy!

[GamerscoreWhores]

Once again console owners get shafted. Bad enough when we missed out on those extra levels in the first Gears of War that the PC gamers got access to. PC gamers pay less for their games and they still get all the perks, f*ck microsoft man, f*ck em.