Jimquisition: On-Disc DLC Cannot Be Justified

[Jimothy Sterling]

The thing is, Jim contradicts the title of this video in the video itself. In a round-about way he said that on disk DLC is justifiable if you say you did it as a money grab.

That's one way of looking at it. I look at it the same way their "it makes it easier to ensure everyone has the content" line -- it's a reason. It's just a more honest reason than one made to sound like the dev had no choice.

 

[Eric the Orange]

Extra Credits makes an interesting counterpoint.

http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/mass-effect-3-dlc

 

[MB202]

But Jim! That's the way the developers wanted the game to be! Don't you understand asking them to get rid of On-Disk DLC would impune the artistic integrity of the game! Do you WANT to set gaming back 10 years (to when they knew better)? It's THEIR game! Think how the developers must feel every time you point out something they shouldn't have done! LEAVE THE POOR DEVELOPERS ALONE! LEAVE THEM ALONE!Kony 2012!
-Movie Bob

But seriously that is one sweat ax!

Oh wow, you're OH so mature about dealing with MovieBob's opinions on things. I just love how you sneaked in the Kony 2012 thing, as if you weren't sure whether or not people would get you're purposefully antagonizing Mr. Chipman. 9_9

Anyway, about the actual video.

This is going to be about the Street Fighter x Tekken on-disc "DLC", where the characters were complete and fully playable? Among other things... Yeah, that's pretty messed up, ESPECIALLY considering Capcom wasn't going to actually RELEASE the DLC until MONTHS LATER! It's just, I just... WHY?!?!?

 

[Lvl 64 Klutz]

So the argument in this video is that companies are trying to get more money from their consumers and how dare they? I'm not saying on-disk DLC is the best way for these companies to go about increasing their profit, but this argument sounded like it was coming from someone who just doesn't like the idea of spending money on something they want.

I find it very enlightening that Jim's argument is almost the exact opposite of the folks over at Extra Credits in an episode on a similar topic, but at least they brought up better evidence than heresay. As for Cliff Blezinski's statement: there's a big difference between lying and being diplomatic.

 

[Redd the Sock]

The thing is, Jim contradicts the title of this video in the video itself. In a round-about way he said that on disk DLC is justifiable if you say you did it as a money grab. I completely agree with that sentiment; in business terms it is completely justifiable to lock off part of a finished product to try and get extra money for it, it's money for literally nothing. BUT (before the hate responses start flooding my inbox) it is also completely justifiable to refuse to purchase a product on the grounds you are not getting everything you paid for. You wouldn't buy a car if you had to pay extra for the keys to the trunk.

I can see this heading in a very insidious direction (especially with the rise in downloadable purchases), a move towards games becoming $10 more expensive with an option to purchase a discounted product with content removed in an attempt to train consumers to accept this model with reverse psychology.

It's not that it's justifiable, it'd just be nice for some honesty rather than the pitty trip. They know it's a money grab, and know that we know it's a money grab, but are desperte to put on the "customer first" mask so that we don't do exactly what you say: stop buying their games. Capitalism is far less the product than the PR.

 

[teebeeohh]

for some reason i can see a company with a sense of humor use this as a marketing slogan: "GET EVERYTHING ON THE DISC BY BUYING IT"

 

[Eric the Orange]

Can't argue with Jim on any of that.

OT, though: I've been out of the series for awhile. When did "M. Bison" become "Vega?"

He was always Vega in japan. I have no Idea why but In Street Fight 2 the translation team switched around all the Boss Characters (except Sagat cause his name was already pre-established)

Balrog was M.Bison (Mike Bison, for the obvious reference)

Vega was Balrog

And Bison was Vega

 

[Nurb]

Hear hear!

Publishers created the situation, they created their problem, and they're making customers put up with something on a full priced game for the sole purpose of soaking an extra 2-15 dollars from them.

The large publishers and their developers are not worth supporting anymore, and I have no sympathy at all when they're crying to me about piracy, then try to screw me out of content already on a disc I buy but can't access without shelling out more cash or need an internet connection and a damn account somewhere to play it.

So fuck those guys, I hope pirates take a huge chunk out of their profits the size of all day-one and story-essential DLC

 

[babinro]

Gotta disagree here. On-Disc DLC is no different than regular DLC.

Developers can start creating the DLC content on day 1 of the development cycle and have it completed months of years before a game is ready for launch if they want.

I don't agree with trying to hide the truth behind it in PR talk, as companies love to do. But there's nothing wrong with companies planning DLC to be part of their game and making that content upfront.

It doesn't matter when the DLC was made or how it's delivered to the end user. All that matters is that it doesn't feel required to enjoy the core gaming experience.

 

[Eric the Orange]

The games industry is a business. And in the business to make money. If something will make them more money then they were making before than they will do it. True they are lying or at least obfuscating behind other reasoning. If they were to flat out say, we want more money, that would be bad PR. And thus decrease sales. So they're not going to do that.

Now on the other hand if people A didn't buy Day one DLC, or B didn't buy games that have Day one DLC at all, they would lose money. And then probably stop doing the practice.

You don't have to like it but yeah, it is what it is.

 

[Hazy992]

Whats with all the worms, Jim?

Jim and Cliffy B don't like each other very much, so I imagine he's doing it to take the piss.

 

[CatmanStu]

The thing is, Jim contradicts the title of this video in the video itself. In a round-about way he said that on disk DLC is justifiable if you say you did it as a money grab.

That's one way of looking at it. I look at it the same way their "it makes it easier to ensure everyone has the content" line -- it's a reason. It's just a more honest reason than one made to sound like the dev had no choice.

I see your point. I guess justification is like beauty; it only exists in the eye of the beholder.
If your moral compass points towards offering value for money or good service then on disk DLC is akin to buying a house only to find the top floor is occupied by a tiger; if your compass points to making profit then any decision that makes money will be justified.
Hell, tradesmen have been doing the whole "oooh, don't like the look of that, I'll have to get a new part" trick to get extra money for years; it's an unfortunate bi-product of greedy business people and specialised labour.

 

[targren]

Can't argue with Jim on any of that.

OT, though: I've been out of the series for awhile. When did "M. Bison" become "Vega?"

He was always Vega in japan. I have no Idea why but In Street Fight 2 the translation team switched around all the Boss Characters (except Sagat cause his name was already pre-established)

Balrog was M.Bison (Mike Bison, for the obvious reference)

Vega was Balrog

And Bison was Vega

I was not aware of that.

Cool. Learned something new today.

 

[remnant_phoenix]

Jim is fast becoming the best thing on The Escapist. Funnier than Yahtzee and talk more sense than Moviebob (much more as of late).

I was just thinking the same thing. The Jimquisition has significantly grown on me. Today I started and ended the episode with a grin on my face. At the same time, watching Yahtzee and MovieBob doesn't entertain me nearly as much as it used to.

Keep up the good work, Jim.

 

[LazyAza]

Yep Jim hit the nail on the head again. Man is next gen going to be rough when we're buying half a game for a 100 dollars and then the other half is unlocked for a further 50 dollars and they tell us "THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY GUYS BOO HOO WAHHH FEEL SORRY FOR US"

 

[esperandote]

He was always Vega in japan. I have no Idea why but In Street Fight 2 the translation team switched around all the Boss Characters (except Sagat cause his name was already pre-established)

Balrog was M.Bison (Mike Bison, for the obvious reference)

Vega was Balrog

And Bison was Vega

I was not aware of that.

Cool. Learned something new today.

Akuma is Gouki too . I didn't know about Mike Bison either.

What games just give you a 'key' as DLC that unlocks content already on the disk? What DLC has ever been mandatory for a game?

Is this just about Street Fighter additional characters?

The King of fighters XIII does that too.

Edit: Apparently Mortal Kombat too.