How DLC changed my gaming habits

[tme]

With the number of game media personas talking about DLC, I took a loo at how my gaming (and game buying) habits changed with the introduction of DLC to most high profile games.

I hadn't really thought about what changed with DLC. I can remember being angry at fuckups with Fallout 3 (which I bought in english, although it's available in my native language), where the DLC suddenly turned out to be installed in a different language. I remember thinking that it sucked that I had to wait for quite some time until I can play a full game. I remember needing a matrix table to see which content was included and which was not in the Borderlands 2 DLC/version rumble.

And now, looking at how I buy and play games, I can say how DLC changed games for me. I do not buy games anymore before they're complete. This is not out of spite, not some kind of "I vote with my wallet" stand. I just don't buy incomplete games anymore.

All developers always stress that DLC is not some tacked on addon content separate from the original game. And that's fine, although I smell that this is a lie more often than not.

I've had some fantastic experiences with DLC. Fallout 3's DLC was excellent (despite the hickup with the language), and I think it's a better game for it. Borderlands 2's DLC was absolutely fantastic.

So, now I find myself buying mostly "Game of the year" editions of triple A titles, or games with no expectation of DLC. Somehow, in their quest for longevity for their games, developers have lost a full price customer. I like the irony of that.

 

[Ruzinus]

It's not really ironic. People have been predicting this for years.

The question is, are they losing more than they're gaining? That's hard to know. There's people like you waiting for GOTY editions, but theres also people rushing to buy say, BF4 and its $50 season pass at launch.

While there is some weirdness like the Borderlands 2 confusion caused by just how much DLC it had, in most cases buying game+season pass means you have the complete game... eventually, and it seems like plenty of people are willing to just buy $80+ at launch for a complete game... eventually.

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

Got to admit I've started doing the same, waiting for the GOTY before buying. Not only is it cheaper, but you also (usually) don't have to wait for anymore content, and while I wait it gives me a chance to play all the other games I have and never finished.

 

[Eve Charm]

It's kind of the new thing now, the game disc or download may cost 60 bucks, but your either gonna be asked for an season pass or dlc, or micro-transactions Off the bat. Every game is trying to squeeze at least an extra 20 bucks out of the people that buy it.

People only have so much money and in the end it will just mean people won't be able to buy as many games, Yay for the big publishers losses for the not as big niche game companies.

I just wish season passes would go away, paying 20-50 bucks at launch for a sliver of dlc exclusive to the pass then the rest of what they want spoon feed to you over months at an whole discount of 5 or 10 bucks is pretty bs, I rather pay more for what I want when I want, not at time of purchase even before I played the damn game.

 

[tme]

Come to think of it, DLC is kinda like americans use their money. It's buying in slices, like with a credit payment. I might not be good with money, but I would prefer to buy a game with all content, right on the spot. Sure, let them take 4 years making it, then selling it for 120? or so, instead of releasing for 50? after 2 years, then charge 70? for content that's integral to the game over the next 2 years. And to figure out the real price of it all, you need some math, you can't just look at the price at any given moment.

But people would not buy a game that large for 120?, I guess.

 

[Pink Gregory]

It's becoming an issue, but I could never say that I think post-release support is a bad thing.

Whether it's marketed in a consumer-friendly manner or well designed is a more specific matter.

 

[Cpt. Lozan]

DLC is not inherently evil. Developers have been making expansions for PC games ever since the mid 90's and that's A-OK. The biggest problem with DLC is the current trend of selling you a 60$ game, then charging you 10~15$ day one for all the content they ACTUALLY had done by launch. THEN charging you 20~30$ for content you know nothing about.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

I don't just buy the GOTY. I buy GOTY for $15. And if I do buy a game on launch, it's because it's probably a single player open world game with lots of content and I can get the DLC later when it's $2 or something.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Ya I'm in the same boat, when damn near all DLC is just so horrifically underequipped / overpriced and possibly taken from the game in the first place I really have no intention of going near it.
I guess I don't have quite your self-restraint because I'll still get the vanilla version, then sell it once GOTY is announced and then get GOTY, except in day one DLC cases because if your shit isn't in one package I will not be touching it with a 10 foot pole.

But it has to be pointed out Gearbox are already a step ahead of the DLC hustle curve, not only did they fuck over season pass buyers when they conveniently forgot to tell people there is far more DLC then they are getting, but also released a GOTY version that is far from a complete package on top of that it also comes with cosmetic items which you pay for a second time in the fucking DLC store.

 

[TrevHead]

Yep GoTY are what I go for, shame EA isn't that big on them, I'd love one for ME2 & 3

 

[StriderShinryu]

The rise of DLC hasn't really changed my buying habits at all. I almost never buy any DLC regardless of when it's released. That means I basically judge a game based on what I get when I buy the box (or get in the initial download). It's not really a stand against DLC or anything, it's simply because I rarely find your standard DLC to be worth it. By the time I'd be considering buying DLC, I'm done with the game and I've moved on to something else.

 

[Phantom Kat]

I don't mind buying DLC for a game I enjoy (if I think it's reasonably priced) but I tend to find ways to get around paying full price for the base game anyway. I either use proxies to get games at launch for a discount or I wait until there's a sale.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Typically, I use DLC as a tip-jar.

If I like a game, and it has some DLC that extends gameplay, then I'll buy it to show my appreciation to the developer.

If the game has DLC that is just costumes or weapons or similar, then I don't buy it (because I don't care about any of those things). Unless, as was the case once, I really liked the game - so I bought one weapon pack. For two bucks, as a tip to the developers.

 

[Chaos Isaac]

Typically, I use DLC as a tip-jar.

If I like a game, and it has some DLC that extends gameplay, then I'll buy it to show my appreciation to the developer.

If the game has DLC that is just costumes or weapons or similar, then I don't buy it (because I don't care about any of those things). Unless, as was the case once, I really liked the game - so I bought one weapon pack. For two bucks, as a tip to the developers.

Kinda like this. But sometimes I do buy costumes or weapons because I really like the game.

Costumes 'cause I like to look cool, and will do so accordingly as long as it's not a palette swap like in... every fighting game i've seen lately. Weapons is a rarer one, and have only done so in GRFS, because I adore that game and during the time was still actively playing and going through all the little customizations you can do on the weapons.

 

[tme]

The pause problem is another matter.

Usually, when DLC comes out (not the day 1 stuff), I'm done with a game. Either I have beaten it, or I'm bored with it. With a beaten game, do I want to return to a character that has been laid to rest probably several months ago, reload a save before completion, then go somewhere, when I already know how everything is going to end?

End-changing DLC aside, I find this way of dealing with characters a bit stupid. The problem is magnified by me playing most games for the story. Most games are not Mememto, inserting something inbetween doesn't change the outcome.

 

[Frozengale]

In all honesty DLC is a double edge sword for me. I approach it in a similar manner as you do.

I really like it when they come out with GOTY editions of games so that I can just buy it and never have to worry about DLC. But sometimes games don't do that, and then I get real mad. Then I have to go research what all the DLC is and how it affects the game, and if it is even worth getting. The worst is when they have all those little costume packs and weapon packs that each cost like 2$. Normally I don't care about them, but there are a few games (Like Saints Row games) where I really want that kind of stuff. Sometimes it gets so insane that I just say SCREW IT and pirate the DLC if I can. That's what I ended up doing with Mass Effect 2. It was so much more simple, I just downloaded a simple .exe, ran it, and I suddenly had every single piece of DLC for the entire game. It was pain free and easy to find. I wish more companies would be "kinder" in their DLC excursions. I'm tired of piece mealing the game out and then I have to research what is and isn't worth the money. I just want the game, and I just want all the cool stuff with it. DLC is a great idea, but it's been implemented in such an atrocious way that I can barely stand it. It's usually worth it to NOT buy a game when it first comes out because it will be cheaper overall to just wait for the GOTY edition or some sort of DLC bundle. And I don't think I will ever by a Bioware game out of the gate again. I'm JUST getting around to ME3, I got it for 20 bucks on sale, and was waiting/hoping for a DLC sale. Don't think I'll be seeing that anytime soon so I'll just play it Vanilla I guess. So tired of EA's BS marketing.

 

[OldDirtyCrusty]

I wish i could say "I always get the GOTY-edition" but in some cases if i really like a game and/or i have the feeling it`s worth the money i bought the DLC. GTA 4 and RDR are my examples for DLC beeing worth the money on the other side (shame on me) i bought the extra costumes for Batman Arkham City. A example for a game milking the customer base is Dragons Dogma which i bought twice (normal version+Dark Arisen). I love it but it`s Capcom at it`s best not being able or wanting to make a DLC and selling the game twice.

 

[porous_shield]

I don't buy many games that have dlc, but when I do buy games that have it, I don't buy the dlc. I always get the feeling that the publishers are saying "If you want the full game you have to buy this $10 dlc" and that just isn't appealing.