Has DLC gone too far?

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

What I'm really asking, is has DLC had a negative impact on game sales or your desire to buy a game? Because I'm realising now that it has for me. Taking a most recent example, the release of "Saints Row IV" which, if its predecessor is anything to go buy, is likely to have upwards of 10-15 DLC packs ranging from extra missions and activities to costumes and weapons.

I really want to play it...right now, but knowing there's likely to be a lot of DLC in the future I actively avoided pre-ordering and still haven't yet bought it. Nor do I plan to until most if not all of the DLC that's inevitably coming is available and/or comes bundled into a "Complete" pack, perhaps in a Steam XMas sale.

I realise it's this precise thinking that spurs developers to create Day 1 DLC so that it's available at the same time as the game but that is frankly an abhorent practice anyway and unless it happens to be included for free in whatever edition I get, I'm not buying it.

Dishonored was another horribly handled release that had different bonuses for different retailers, leaving no one able to have a complete version of the game at release. They've since release the "Void Walker's Arsenal" DLC which I believe gives all the items, but it was so unfair and rotten I didn't pre-order and in fact, didn't buy it till last Xmas at a significantly reduced price.

Further, using Borderlands 2 as another example I consider dishonest and disreputable on the part of Gearbox, selling "Season Passes" ahead of time and later releasing DLC that is not included as part of it and is in fact, a further charge in addition.

All of these gross practices have not served to entice me to play those games and if anything, have put me off buying any games at release and never buying a season pass. Has the handling, release schedules and/or nature of DLC packs had a negative effect on your desire to buy or play a game? What game/platform?

 

[Cabisco]

As long as the "base" game has enough content to be worth the price, then I don't care how much DLC something gets

This.

I actually really enjoy DLC and think it adds much more than it takes away from our games. As long as you think the original game has enough content to begin with it's a great thing that you get a choice to add more to something you love.

I ean doesn't Saints row have enough costumes etc already? I doubt you are missing out on much and if it really bothers you that much doesn't that kinda show it's worth the money?

 

[WeepingAngels]

Yes, large amounts of DLC are a deterrent for me.

Does anyone ever think about how much money they will have lost when the current gens DLC is no longer available for download?

 

[Not Gabe Newell]

DLC is a mixed bag.

On one hand, you have amazing DLCs that enhance what is already a good experience (Episodes From Liberty City, Mothership Zeta, Lonesome Road, etc).

On the other hand, you have games with way too much DLC, such as Sleeping Dogs and Mafia II.

 

[Doom972]

The kinds of DLC that gone too far are:

Outfit DLC - These used to be in-game unlockables. Instead of achievements you would get new outfits. Now they actually charge you money for that little amount of content.

Weapon DLC - What's the point of messing the game balance with a new weapon(s)? If the game gives you all the tools you need to finish the game, anything else has no purpose.

Multiplayer map pack DLC - Dividing the players of a multiplayer game into groups, making it harder to find a good server to play on. Either give it away or don't bother, because it just makes things worse.

Day 1 DLC - Basically selling you an unfinished game, and then asking extra money for the complete experience.

 

[Voulan]

Lately I've become more disdainful towards DLC. I've only really got DLC as part of GOTY editions or if I desperately wanted an extension to my favourite game - namely Skyrim. But cosmetic DLCs I find extremely stupid and surprisingly pricey. And lately, I've found that DLCs are often incredibly short and not worth their price.

I'm not put off from games if they will have DLC, but I'll certainly almost never get them.

Edit: I also recently discovered that the BL2 season pass was $30, but I paid (or rather a friend gifted me) $60 for it. Granted I'm from New Zealand and I didn't spend money on it, but I'm not happy at all about that. Especially after hearing that there's a whole lot of new content planned that doesn't come under it. Effectively, I paid for the game twice over and I'll receive half the content for it.

 

[Bellvedere]

Yeah I'm with cloroxbb and Demon ID. If the base game is worth the cost then it doesn't matter whether or not it has or will have DLC.
The idea of future DLC hasn't really put me off. I don't want to play DLC for every game that comes out. I'll get a game when I want to play it then choose whether to buy existing/future DLC, skip all/some DLC or wait for the DLC itself to drop in price or go on sale.

The way I see it, waiting to buy a game until there's a complete edition isn't really any different to waiting for a price drop to buy a game. Either way, the earlier you get a game, the more expensive it's going to be. Waiting is always a good idea if you're frugal.

Further, using Borderlands 2 as another example I consider dishonest and disreputable on the part of Gearbox, selling "Season Passes" ahead of time and later releasing DLC that is not included as part of it and is in fact, a further charge in addition.

To defend the BL2 DLC for a moment, the Season Pass was only ever supposed to include the first 4 "major" DLC packs (which it does + UVH Upgrade pack). You can still buy the season pass for a cheaper price than buying them individually and the season pass itself has been part of sales (like the Steam midyear sale). It's actually a pretty fair deal...

 

[Norithics]

DLC is... well, it's like anything else- it can be used for good or ill. The kind of DLC I like is like that of, oh say, Super Street Fighter IV. You make a complete fighting game, then decide after you're done that, hey, why not give yourself something to do and include some more characters? That's a great use of the DLC model. However, the EA bog standard of setting up a concessions stand next to the spectacle of the game you're making is just... tasteless.

 

[shrekfan246]

The kinds of DLC that gone too far are:

Outfit DLC - These used to be in-game unlockables. Instead of achievements you would get new outfits. Now they actually charge you money for that little amount of content.

Weapon DLC - What's the point of messing the game balance with a new weapon(s)? If the game gives you all the tools you need to finish the game, anything else has no purpose.

While I don't necessarily have anything against DLC, I have to admit I miss these two things in particular just being a part of a base game to unlock by doing stuff... you know... in the game.

I spend money on DLC either when it's a significant expansion to the content of the game or bundled together and on sale for cheaper than I might get the lone game off of sale. Otherwise, I don't really care about it one way or the other.

 

[Comic Sans]

Further, using Borderlands 2 as another example I consider dishonest and disreputable on the part of Gearbox, selling "Season Passes" ahead of time and later releasing DLC that is not included as part of it and is in fact, a further charge in addition.

They said from the start that the season pass was good for getting the four major DLC releases, and that it wouldn't cover characters and other content. Any confusion or other expectations is on the customer, not Gearbox.

 

[Ratties]

All I can say is that people adapt to the crap factor of anything. Remember watching a 2 hour documentary on it. Can pretty much make people think a certain way, as long as it gets steadily worse. Had these workers at this one plant that had a 5 minute window to be late. Eventually they brought it down to 3 minutes. Remember they made it so that if you were late at all, you were fired. As DLC gets worse and worse, people will adapt and eventually defend it.

 

[BarbaricGoose]

I like DLC, honestly. I don't buy new games anymore, in part due to DLC, but I just don't really give a shit anymore--I hold no grudge. I prefer to save $50 instead of getting to play something day one, and when I do buy it, I usually get the DLC at cost, so I'm generally getting a lot more game for less.

There are kinds of DLC that I like more than others though. I almost never buy the outfit packs unless they look exceptional, and I generally don't like the 2-4 hour DLCs. They're usually lackluster. I prefer the bigger, Shivering Isles or Awakening (technically a standalone game) kind of DLC. Too bad those are virtually nonexistent.

 

[Eve Charm]

it sucks, It feels like you don't have the complete game unless you shell out the rest of the money or your not really playing the full story without all the DLC, like Asura's wraith. Hell how do you feel spending hours or days unlocking something that someone just buys with their wallet for dlc unlocks?

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

As a general rule I don't like a lot of the style of DLC that most companies do as most of it I find over priced or very lacking.

 

[gavinmcinns]

DLC is... well, it's like anything else- it can be used for good or ill. The kind of DLC I like is like that of, oh say, Super Street Fighter IV. You make a complete fighting game, then decide after you're done that, hey, why not give yourself something to do and include some more characters? That's a great use of the DLC model. However, the EA bog standard of setting up a concessions stand next to the spectacle of the game you're making is just... tasteless.

It would be better if capcom just released 12 character expansion packs every couple years rather than the torrent of diarrhea pace they've been going at,

but generally I agree with you. Especially about EA. I wonder at the person who defends Mass Effect 3 and Dragon Age. Why the fuck is EA even in the rpg business, it is the anti-thesis of their game design philosophy. They are ruining rpgs.

 

[MCerberus]

The DLC horse has run too far for a long time now, in stylish elven armor.

As a PM here's my opinion, let's stop hating on day 1 DLC. Unless it was ripped out of the scope of the game, it was always slated to happen as another project completely. It's the best way to keep the team working on what they're best at instead of converting to QA (which devs and artists aren't exactly the best at) or have to reform for it later. When it's done in time for launch... that's great, it means you can have it out there immediately. Everyone wins.

That said, the infinite fires of hell await companies that willingly rip out content to sell it back for more. Looking at you Capcom. And you Gamestop. We know all about what happened to Ranger mode.

 

[JagermanXcell]

Yes and no.

Paying for things like costumes and weapons is the stupidest thing imaginable. And pretty greedy when you realize that Devs intentionally don't finish their games (CAPCOM) just so they can see how far they can nickel and dime you until they're satisfied.

On the other hand, we do get great DLC choked full of content that is made AFTER the game's initial sales: Undead Nightmare, Blood Dragon, Artorias of the Abyss, Old World Blues ect.

But on the other hand I am starting to see the death of YOU UNLOCKED _______ BECAUSE YOU PLAYED THE GAME, HERES A SHINY THING, YOU DESERVE IT, THERES MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM, HAVE FUN! because people keep buying smaller, pointless DLC packs.
And I don't like it.

 

[w@rew0lf]

Further, using Borderlands 2 as another example I consider dishonest and disreputable on the part of Gearbox, selling "Season Passes" ahead of time and later releasing DLC that is not included as part of it and is in fact, a further charge in addition.

Gearbox was straightforward about what would be part of their season pass, hell they even threw in a couple extra things for free. The common cause for disappointment regarding the Borderlands 2 Season Pass is the assumption made by the consumer upon hearing the term "Season Pass". This doesn't really make any sense to me for two reasons:

1. Assumptions should never be made about anything being purchased especially when the product is a form of entertainment
2. Seasons Passes are still fairly new things in the gaming industry and I find the "standard" for a season pass to be nebulous.

 

[Gatx]

I really dislike weapon pack DLCs. I mean usually they're not overpowered, but what tends to happen is that they get added to your inventory right away, or after a tutorial if there is one at least. In games were you have to earn new weapons by finding or unlocking them, it ruins the experience to just have mid-game level weapons sitting in your inventory from the get go. It also hurts that feeling of starting from nothing and working with what you have to being a total badass because you start with a bunch of cool looking weapons.