Bioshock 2 DLC was already on the retail disc, gamers find

[Nurb]

Trouble is brewing in Rapture. The recently released Sinclair Solutions multiplayer pack for BioShock 2 is facing upset players over the revelation that the content is already on the disc, and the $5 premium is an unlock code. It started when users on the 2K Forums noticed that the content is incredibly small: 24KB on the PC, 103KB on the PlayStation 3, and 108KB on the Xbox 360. 2K Games responded with a post explaining that the decision was made in order to keep the player base in tact, without splitting it between the haves and have-nots.

"The way our engine and game structure works is that people need to have the exact same content for people to play together," wrote community manager 2K Elizabeth. "One of the challenges with post launch content for MP is that it can split the player base, and we want to avoid that whenever possible. For this content, creating the DLC package the way we did allowed for us to not split the player base - so whether you purchase the new content or not, you can still play with your friends." The answer may not be enough to satisfy upset fans who would've preferred on-disc content unlocked from the beginning. But as Shacknews notes, it's possible this content was made on a separate DLC budget. That would essentially force the company to recoup the development costs through DLC charges.

It does raise the question of what will happen with future DLC. This pack is a large boost to the multiplayer, but 2K has promised more packs coming in the future, which could include more multiplayer expansions. If this move was made to keep from splitting the player base, one has to wonder if future multiplayer DLC is already on the disc as well. The effort to keep everyone playing together is noble, but if it leads to more instances like this one months down the line, fans will probably grow increasingly annoyed.

For their part, 2K is handling this pretty modestly. "I know some of you have strong beliefs about DLC, and I'm not here to sway your opinion or convince you to buy our stuff," wrote 2K Elizabeth. "If you like what we're offering, I hope you get it and enjoy it. If it's not your speed, enjoy BioShock 2 as we released it." Unfortunately for 2K, since these controversies tend to ruffle feathers, some potential buyers might just enjoy BioShock 2 as it was released out of principle.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3178326

DLC just keeps getting to be more and more crooked and a rip off of paying customers, and I thought Day-one DLC/Online Shops were bad. Now you have the content on the disk you pay full price for, only to have to pay more to unlock it.

 

[Irridium]

Hey, don't want to split the player base? Make it free damnit!

It should be available now, for free. Since they aren't working on it, its done and ready to go, so why the hell wait and charge for stuff I already payed for?

This is completely stupid, and wrong. What about the other packs then? Are they on the disk as well?

I'm all for DLC. After all, you have like 3 months to polish your game, and during those months quite a few employees don't have much to do, so you put them to work. I get that.

But this? Just fucking unbelievable.

And anyone who says "just don't buy it" is missing the point. The data is already there! They expect you to essentially re-buy stuff you already fucking payed for!

 

[Maze1125]

And if anyone says "just don't buy it" is missing the point. The data is already there! You are paying for stuff you already fucking payed for!

No you're not.
Having a copy of the data in your hand does not mean you own the rights to use that data.
That is what you are paying for.

 

[Nurb]

And if anyone says "just don't buy it" is missing the point. The data is already there! You are paying for stuff you already fucking payed for!

No you're not.
Having a copy of the data in your hand does not mean you own the rights to use that data.
That is what you are paying for.

No. People paid FULL PRICE for the disc, by any average person's viewpoint, what's on it is theirs.

Think about it, they put extra work into keeping people locked out from what's on the disc! It's bullshit.

 

[Mr. Gency]

This is complete BULLSHIT!

It doesn't mater how they rationalize it, this is twenty different kinds of fucked up!

 

[squid5580]

And if anyone says "just don't buy it" is missing the point. The data is already there! You are paying for stuff you already fucking payed for!

No you're not.
Having a copy of the data in your hand does not mean you own the rights to use that data.
That is what you are paying for.

Did you even think about what you just said? By that logic I could drop 60 bucks on a game. Get it home then get a message saying if you want to play it you need to buy this code.

 

[Angry Caterpillar]

What the argument against this seems to be is "if it's on the disc it's mine". What the argument for this is "lets not split the player base with different sets of content". So, assuming the devs are going to do their thing, the other option would be day-one downloading of content, then once again, an unlock code. So you people can choose to either have it on the disc or wait and download it later. I'd rather have it on the disc; screw principle, it doesn't matter to me where it's at as long as I can play.

 

[Amnestic]

Capcom did the same thing with Resi 5 as I recall.

Apparently there weren't enough people calling them on it to make it clear that this shit will not fly.

 

[Nurb]

What the argument against this seems to be is "if it's on the disc it's mine". What the argument for this is "lets not split the player base with different sets of content". So, assuming the devs are going to do their thing, the other option would be day-one downloading of content, then once again, an unlock code. So you people can choose to either have it on the disc or wait and download it later. I'd rather have it on the disc; screw principle, it doesn't matter to me where it's at as long as I can play.

So you're fine with content they developed along with the game, put it on the same disc as a game, charged full price to play the game, but you have to pay extra for what should have been free with the game?

It's already split the player base.. people who are mad about this dirty trick and people who are ok with it and let companies see what else they can get away with.

 

[Angry Caterpillar]

So you're fine with content they developed along with the game, put it on the same disc as a game, charged full price to play the game, but you have to pay extra for what should have been free with the game?

It's already split the player base.. people who are mad about this dirty trick and people who are ok with it and let companies see what else they can get away with.

Yeah, I am okay with it. Because they made the game. What they do with it is their business, and I find it hilarious that, as opposed to reducing the number of people who can play together, they included it on the disc, and now you people are pissed. I really think you need to get off your high horse and realize that they put the work into it, they can charge what they want.

 

[Zephel]

I haven't had the desire to play Bioshock 1 or 2 (my roommate plays it though) but whatever the title, if it's on the disk and you pay for the disk, the content should be free. Anyone who wants to argue this and try to justify it are...I just don't even know.

Listen, don't roll over and take it or try to defend them or justify their actions. You can still enjoy the game and all. Being pissed about being screwed out of content you should have free access (seeing as you paid for it) to doesn't change that. It (hopefully) just sends a message to companies that pulling this shit isn't cool.

Cause in my opinion, what they did is all kinds of messed up. Anyway, that's my two cents. now to mention this to my roommate when they get home from work. I'm sure they'll be thrilled.

 

[TheLefty]

This is becoming more and more common to the point where I'm not even surprised anymore.

 

[DoctorWhat]

Capcom did the same thing with Resi 5 as I recall.

Apparently there weren't enough people calling them on it to make it clear that this shit will not fly.

However, if companies keep doing this, shit will start to fly, when it hits the collective fans of everyone who feels conned.

The whole point of Downloadable Content is just that: it's extra content that you DOWNLOAD. You can choose to pay extra to add extra data to the stuff that's already on your disc. Therefore, this kind of scheme that seems to becoming popular, is probably a great business model, but it's not a great crowd pleaser...

 

[Nurb]

So you're fine with content they developed along with the game, put it on the same disc as a game, charged full price to play the game, but you have to pay extra for what should have been free with the game?

It's already split the player base.. people who are mad about this dirty trick and people who are ok with it and let companies see what else they can get away with.

Yeah, I am okay with it. Because they made the game. What they do with it is their business, and I find it hilarious that, as opposed to reducing the number of people who can play together, they included it on the disc, and now you people are pissed. I really think you need to get off your high horse and realize that they put the work into it, they can charge what they want.

There is no 'high horse' about expecting companies not to be a dick and locking out part of what's on a disc people already paid full price for. People are also bitter because they remember when little bits of DLC used to be free rewards to loyal paying customers of a developer between expansions and sequels, now they're just viewed as suckers.

It's "well it's our game, and if you don't like what we do, screw off" when it comes to legitimate complaints and criticm lately, but when their game doesn't sell well and/or they piss off enough people it's "Baaaww, shrinking market, PC dying, etc"

 

[Maze1125]

I would think paying for the data and the disc it's on would grant someone the right to use it.

You'd think wrong then.

No. People paid FULL PRICE for the disc, by any average person's viewpoint, what's on it is theirs.

By the average person's view point, Quantum Mechanics is nonsensical rubbish.
The average person rarely has the most accurate or intelligent point of view.

Think about it, they put extra work into keeping people locked out from what's on the disc! It's bullshit.

Yep, they put extra work in to gain extra money, sounds like capitalism to me.

Did you even think about what you just said? By that logic I could drop 60 bucks on a game. Get it home then get a message saying if you want to play it you need to buy this code.

If that happened without a disclaimer on the box, then they could be sued for deceiving their customers, that is not the case with this DLC.

When you buy a game, you are buying the rights to play it. The data on the disc is irrelevant. If you can play the game, you got what you paid for. You bought the rights to Bioshock 2, you got to play Bioshock 2, you got what you paid for. If you want the rights to use the DLC, you can pay for that too or, if you want, you can choose not to. The physical location of the data is irrelevant.

If you bought a game that didn't work without an extra code, you would have not got what you paid for, which would be illegal.

 

[Johnnyallstar]

It bugs me when this kind of thing happens. I'd rather see that the DLC is actually downloaded content either cut from the original game, or created new as payed DLC. Putting the info on the disc and then locked is a bit condescending.

 

[Gladion]

Stop whining. You paid for the game itself, knowing nothing about the DLC. Are you saying you wouldn't have bought the game if that extra content wasn't on your copy? If you are, you're lying, because you DID buy it.

snip

This person is absolutely correct and saved me several minutes of my life trying to explain the subject matter to you. Listen to him.

 

[Angry Caterpillar]

There is no 'high horse' about expecting companies not to be a dick and locking out part of what's on a disc people already paid full price for. People are also bitter because they remember when little bits of DLC used to be free rewards to loyal paying customers of a developer between expansions and sequels, now they're just viewed as suckers.

It's "well it's our game, and if you don't like what we do, screw off" when it comes to legitimate complaints and criticm lately, but when their game doesn't sell well and/or they piss off enough people it's "Baaaww, shrinking market, PC dying, etc"

Then they'll learn sooner or later, or go out of business. But if they get paid enough as to where it isn't a real concern, then they won't do anything about it. And if that happens, then obviously you're a minority here, and people tend to want to make money off the majority. There's simply more there to be made.

It just confuses me that, by your reckoning, if they had waited and made everyone download a patch for this a month later, you'd apparently be a-okay with it. It makes no sense. You may as well have the option now, and you may as well not have to download something off the bat for it.