Gamers are being “overcharged” for DLC, according to The Witcher 2 dev

Just last month, CD Projekt RED co-founder and joint CEO Marcin Iwinski commented on the unfortunate state of DLC in today's modern game industry as well as his company's belief that DLC should provide a full add-on experience to players paying extra cash rather than force them to pay for something that should have been included on-disc at launch. "Sadly I see the industry trending toward over-exploiting the gamer, and I think this will come back to the publishers that are doing that, and eventually, people will stop buying their stuff," he said.

[dasbeer88]

I love the guys working at CD Projekt RED. Hell I would buy ten copies of The Witcher 2 if I had the money. But seriously, this developer truly obtained my support and respect.

[ThanatosDMC]

I bought 2 since my disk base one wouldnt save itself on steam.

[tehpees3]

We know we are. Companies are greedy and acting entitled to our cash. They need to stop dictating what we are entitled to. The customer is always right. ALWAYS! No exceptions.

Entitled greed isn't going to fly forever. Ask Capcom and their SF X T flop. Free DLC is a good way to get customers on your side. Good on them. People will keep buying their stuff.

[h311rais3r]

Yea but they don't care cuz YOU keep buying it!!

[MysticStrummer]

Yup. They'll charge what the market bears. People bitch about overpriced dlc and yet enough buy it to ensure the price stays high. By the same token, games with online passes could be boycotted, but they aren't. Paying to play online is another example. At some point gamers have to look in the mirror. Call the companies greedy all you want to, but they won't sell it if you won't buy it.

[BuffMordecai]

A smart consumer minority cannot override a dumb mass market majority.

[MadLad]

I am not against dlc by any means. It's a good way for players to expand the games they enjoy, and it's a good way for developers to make extra cash per release. Win-win.

However, I do agree that there is a large disconnect between the quality and quantity of what you get to what you paid for it.

These micro-transactions, despite what many people claim, are just fine. None of it feels forced, and it's there for those who feel it is worth it.

For major pieces of content, however, especially that which expands upon the game's story, people should expect more for their cash, and developers/publishers should be willing to offer more.

[vortis]

LOL @ fail comment.

I was considering buying Saints Row 3's DLC until I saw how much they wanted for a weapon and a costume. I could buy a brand new game from Steam for the price of a weapon and a simple costume. Guess which one I went with?

[MadLad]

And yet another person who can't read, apparently.

Micro-transactions are fine. They are non-essential and only worth it for those who really want to spend the cash for it.

But please, keep agreeing with the points I am making while not actually grasping them at all.

[vortis]

No dude, you're young and you're uninformed.

You don't get my comment at all because you're too busy circle-jerking.

Back in the day, a weapon and costume was unlocked in a game. You didn't pay to unlock minor items in a full priced retail game via microtransactions, the absurdity of using both methods of monetization is proof enough of greed.

In today's gen you're missing out on content that used to be rewarded via simply playing the game. That is, unless you pay extra for it.

I'll break it down for you real slow: Stuff already in the game that's already finished, is locked away until you pay more for it.

Can you grasp that? Can you see why I simply decided to buy a new game instead of paying to unlock something in a game I already paid for?

[MadLad]

Do you get the concept of optional content?

Do you get that not all games offered such content, past or present? Not to mention a game like Saint's Row offers a large amount of said content in the game proper to begin with?

This is stuff made post-release, and is there for those who want to buy it. If it's worth it to you, purchase it. If not, quit bitching just because it isn't free.

I find it hilarious that you look at my comment, decide it's "lol teh failzore herp derp", based, apparently, on the fact that you are self-entitled and don't get the concept of optional content at a set price.

Have a feeling my point is falling on deaf ears. I am sure you are thinking the same thing as far as I go.

So, I'll just leave this conversation on a note that will give me a laugh and you the response that you want -

I have been outwitted, wholely and truly. Please, hold your head up high and enjoy the rest of your day, winner!

But please, respond with whatever cheeky reply you choose. I am not going to be reading it either way.

[vortis]

Just in case someone else does read it, you don't seem to grasp a very BLATANT concept in game design: EVERYTHING THAT ISN'T THE TITLE SCREEN AND END CREDITS IS OPTIONAL!

Do you get that? THQ could make EVERY single custom character part a microtransaction and it would be optional. Just like Capcom stripped already completed characters and put them behind a paywall for Street Fighter X Tekken and Dragon's Dogma. Yes, those characters are optional, but then again EVERY character in a fighting game is optional. Which characters aren't?

Oh hey, guess what EVERY gun in a shooting game other than the default weapons are optional, too. And guess what? Premium games are charging for these extra guns just like F2P titles because in a video game there is no set value for the amount of content you get. EVERYTHING can be made into a microtransaction and made "optional". You're defending an idiotic cause because you don't understand that there is no such thing in a game as non-optional content other than starting the game and watching the credits.

But whatever, there's a reason you only have three bubbles and it's because you're the type who don't understand gaming culture but you come to places like this and preach false testimonies about gaming culture you HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING of whatsoever.

[fossilfern]

" Back when retail games were dominant, we had expansion packs. These were really large chunks of content, which were worth their price"

YES! I have no issues with expansion packs because they were charged accordingly but taking out missions, stages etc and charging like £8 or whatever for something that lasts about 30 minutes is a joke.

[Roper316]

Not me because I refuse to by DLC keys, I have bought a handful of DLC all of which was decent size, FO3 ( picked up GOTY for $30 which had all 5 DLCs), Borderlands and Valkyria Chronicles Behind her blue flame. All was actual content that was actually a add-on and not just locked on the disc.

[Redempteur]

Thing like :

-burnout paradise big surf
-wipeout hd fury

Are really lost ..i don't see them anymore it's been so long since i saw a real extension from a game and not just a cut chapter or 2 to take more of my money ...

[R_aVe_N]

CD Projekt RED hero's of the gamer. I applaud you good sir I applaud you! I have been saying this all gen long. I only buy DLC that adds quality to the game. I have actually gotten The Witcher 2 on PC and the 360(enhanced edition) One of the only games this gen that really had no issues playing virtually bug free.

[Locksus]

CD Projekt RED is among the best developers on the planet. They've earned my full support by providing free awesome content for the Witcher 2 and, of course, they make superb games. Bring on the Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk!

[pandehz]

I've only ever bought like 4 dlcs in my life and that too on a steam sale.

Once im done with a game and got my closure im done with it unless its multiplayer that i play a lot of. Only dlc i would buy now is BF3 dlc's which are themed and quite unique and of course i love its MP.

Dlc's being made to prolong a games story is bs. Im sure most gamers can imagine better environments and stories and even imaginary soundtracks on their way to work on the tube or bus etc Why pay for stuff with no decent intro , act structures or proper closure or in any sense a proper gameplay experience even if its pinball. Thank goodness pinball doesn't have dlc.
Or does it?