With the rise of downloadable content for video games, some companies have now started releasing DLC on the same day as the main game is launched. Should this be allowed?
The latest game in BioWare’s fantasy role-playing series went through ten years of development turmoil
In early November, on the eve of the crucial holiday shopping season, staffers at the video-game studio BioWare were feeling optimistic. After an excruciating development cycle, they had finally released their latest game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and the early reception was largely positive. The role-playing game was topping sales charts on Steam, and solid, if not spectacular, reviews were rolling in.
Its easy they called the die hard fans people in their nerd caves who will buy anything and then went woke to reach modern audiences....insulting the nerds in their caves along the way showing utter contempt for their fan base. very hapy it failed and any company who insults their fan base and treat their customers with contempt and insults, in future, i also hope fail.
It’s disappointing but not surprising to see what's happening with Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the broader situation at BioWare. The layoffs are tragic — no one wants to see talented developers lose their jobs. But when studios repeatedly create games that alienate their own fanbase, outcomes like this become unfortunately predictable.
There’s a pattern we’re seeing far too often: beloved franchises are revived, only to be reshaped into something almost unrecognizable. Changes are made that no one asked for, often at the expense of what originally made these games special. Then, when long-time fans express concern or lose interest, they’re told, “This game might not be for you.” But when those same fans heed that advice and don’t buy the game, suddenly they're labeled as toxic, sexist, bigoted, or worse.
Let’s be clear: the overwhelming majority of gamers have no issue with diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, or strong female leads. In fact, some of the most iconic characters in gaming — like Aloy, Ellie, or FemShep — are proof that inclusivity and excellent storytelling can and do go hand in hand. The issue arises when diversity feels performative, forced, or disconnected from the narrative — when characters or themes are inserted not to serve the story, but to satisfy a corporate DEI checklist. Audiences can tell the difference.
When studios chase approval from a vocal minority that often doesn’t even buy games — while simultaneously dismissing loyal fans who actually do — they risk not just the success of individual titles, but the health of their entire studio. Telling your core customers “don’t buy it if you don’t like it” is not a viable business strategy. Because guess what? Many of us won’t. And when the game fails commercially, blaming those very fans for not supporting it is both unfair and self-defeating.
Gamers aren’t asking for less diversity or less progress. We’re asking for better writing, thoughtful character development, and a respect for the franchises we’ve supported for decades. When you give people great games that speak to them — whether they’re old fans or new players — they will show up. But if you keep making games for people who don’t play them, don’t be surprised when those who do stop showing up
I thought the writing and character development were fine. Sometimes things just dont resonate with people.
EA just hosted its quarterly financial conference call, and its executives have been asked to comment about the recent price hikes for games.
Today, Electronic Arts announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2025, alongside the full year.
Split Fiction has sold nearly 4 million copies, and the next battlefield is confirmed for a release by March 2026 with a reveal this Summer.
Day one DLC isn't a problem. What IS a problem is disc-locked content. Content that is already on the disc and you have to pay for the 'unlock' code, now that's a real middle finger.
Would them waiting a month to release DLC that isn't on the disc already somehow make that DLC have more merit? Games don't just get finished and released to the public instantly. It can take months for the finished game to be placed on discs and sent out to retailers. During this time if they want to work on some DLC to have released on the time of the street release, I don't see a problem.
Better to release DLC in the height of a games popularity rather than wait months when most people have probably traded their game in at gamestop.
Coincidentally, in response to the articles comment of "If they give away Zaeed for free, then why not Javik" I have to mention that Javik was free for anyone who purchased the Collectors Edition. He also isn't really that big of a deal to have.
Granted, you'd think the last prothean would be a big deal but its mostly just cosmetic. He doesn't change the story in anyway, the only real nice 'touch' the character adds to the game is if you take him with Liara to the Thessia mission. My point is that he's kinda like ME2's 'Arrival' DLC. He doesn't really matter at all. Least he's a biotic, something the games squad is seriously lacking.
Great article. The Video game industry is an Industry, a business. Those funding the development of games are in it for the profit. I doubt many shareholders care about videogames. They care about profits.
Still, DLC on the day of the Game release is pretty insulting. Makes me feel like, "I thought I just bought the whole game?, guess not"
It's way too late to ask this question. Enough people buy it to ensure it's continued existence. The market has spoken. Blame the market, not the devs or publishers, when day one dlc, locked content, online passes, and paying to play online become the norm instead of the exception.
If its free sure.
Disc locked content is the crime.