Explosion.com's Dave Walsh takes a look at the DLC trend going on in gaming today and the pros and cons of it. Is DLC always evil? Can it be good? Do cool companies still wring gamers dry?
(Activision, Culture, EA, Industry, Microsoft, Nintendo, PC, PS3, Sony, Wii U, Xbox 360)
Essentially that's it really. It is nice to have expansion packs to games but what is happening is games are deliberately being cut short or missing stuff just so they can release DLC a week later (or even the same day of release)
So who is to blame? Actually, blame really isnt the right word. It is so overused these days because people will not take any personal responsibility. That is an argument for a different time.
Anyway, I see the devs as being in the middle of a squeeze play by us (the consumers) and the publishers/bigger companies. Mainly because the bigger companies want results cheaply and quickly and we (the consumers) are getting impatient and just cant seem to wait anymore.
I grew up in a generation where you didnt have this instant ability to add content to a console game. But like everything that starts out as a good idea. Someone will come along and ruin it for the rest of us.
Expansion packs?! Where? I'd love to buy those! (Some games like FEAR 2 actually do it)
Others? No, its just DLC. 4 multiplayer maps isn't an Expansion pack.... no PC gamer will ever agree to that. Expansion packs add tons of content. Consoles still don't get them, heck Sims 3 doesn't even get them....
DLC is just downloaded content that should be on the disc 90 percent of the time.
There are no advantages of DLC (Disk Locked Content) because nobody (Well, maybe 2 or 3 games) have done it right. Everyone else gouges you for money with it.
I think it makes sense to buy shooters and MP games day 1 and ignore DLC.
All other games... wait for GOTY editions which is actually the true full game.
Devs dont want people to buy used games yet nickel and dime us at every corner. Here is an idea. Offer full DLC to people who purchase games new and your problem might just become easier to deal with.
I'll tell you what. If a game like Skyrim comes out for $60, and I enjoy the amount of content and gameplay that much, then I'm glad to pay $20 for a big add on that makes the world larger, gives me more skills and powers, and makes me want to play even more. They've gotten over $100 out of me already in this past year, and I honestly hope that they keep em coming. Of course, games like this aren't all that common. But other developers should take a cue from what they are doing. It feels good as a gamer to know that I've spent that much money on a game and be happy about it. To feel like I'm getting my money's worth, and helping to support this type of game development.
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Cons: Everything has become "expansion packs".
Actually, blame really isnt the right word. It is so overused these days because people will not take any personal responsibility. That is an argument for a different time.
Anyway, I see the devs as being in the middle of a squeeze play by us (the consumers) and the publishers/bigger companies. Mainly because the bigger companies want results cheaply and quickly and we (the consumers) are getting impatient and just cant seem to wait anymore.
I grew up in a generation where you didnt have this instant ability to add content to a console game. But like everything that starts out as a good idea. Someone will come along and ruin it for the rest of us.
Others? No, its just DLC. 4 multiplayer maps isn't an Expansion pack.... no PC gamer will ever agree to that. Expansion packs add tons of content. Consoles still don't get them, heck Sims 3 doesn't even get them....
DLC is just downloaded content that should be on the disc 90 percent of the time.
I think rockstar are one of the only teams that get DLC right
Unfortunately too many idiots keep buying them, so it's never going to change.
I don't blame the publishers, I blame the stupid sheep enabling said publishers. It's ruining my favorite hobby.
All other games... wait for GOTY editions which is actually the true full game.
Devs dont want people to buy used games yet nickel and dime us at every corner. Here is an idea. Offer full DLC to people who purchase games new and your problem might just become easier to deal with.