Jimquisition: On-Disc DLC Cannot Be Justified

[Jimothy Sterling]

On-Disc DLC Cannot Be Justified

There are explanations for games that ship with downloadable content already included. There are, however, no excuses. While you may have a reason, you do not have validation, because on-disc DLC is a problem willingly created by the industry, and it doesn't have to exist in the first place. You cannot justify a problem arranged by design, no matter how much you try and pretend it's out of your hands.

This week, the Jimquisition takes on one of this generation's growing aggravations, and you won't even get charged for it.

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[Alexander Competitor]

Thankyou sterling, this is one thing that severely pisses me off

 

[Qitz]

On-Disc DLC will go away, not because of Jim, but because it's cracked within 24 hours of the games release. As it should be really, I don't care if the EULA / TOS says, I paid for the disc so I'm going to do whatever I want with it. If that includes using it as skeet, yay for me.

 

[Something Amyss]

Jim, one thing you seem to miss is that games have released compatibility downloads for free that allows gamers to play against people with the content.

It's not an "nfortunate reality," because it was never, ever required. Not even because of the advent of competent online components. This is complete and utter bull.

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

I love you, man.

...

*awkward silence*

 

[RaikuFA]

Whats with all the worms, Jim?

Also, put this vid on Capcoms site and watch the shitstorm.

 

[JaymesFogarty]

DLC is part of the game developer's vision, right? Demanding that they stop DLC would surely be ruining the artistic... bollocks, there just is no prancing around it. On-disk DLC is counter-intuitive to the trust that developers build with consumers, that they are there to provide a meaningful experience at least as much as they want to make a living!

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

So true. Other games dont have that issue, look at Fallout and Oblivion? Huge game, with some huge DLC released, they managed to make them compatible with their game. So why cant others developers? It is disgusting for a beat em up because you used to unlock them by playing the game, not by buying a code. Why not have both ways? You can unlock via playing or, if your bored, unlock via paying. At least then you have the choice.

I guess its value for money. Especially when you spend £10 and the download is only 128kb, you just feel ripped off. DLC is meant to feel like extra content, you pay for that big chunk of MB's you are downloading to your hard drive. When you just download a key, the content is already there, you already had it so why are you paying for it again?

 

[ComplexedOne]

I totally agree that Cliffy B (and other develpers who tout the same line) are basically making shit up, but for me on disc dlc doesn't bother me much. If I want it, I will pay for it, but most of the time it just crap that I don't see the need for and as such I ignore it.

That being said, the Catwoman levels that had to be activated with a new purchase code or a $10 key on Batman: AC was complete shit. The main reason why (IMO) was that the game had used those levels in its marketing and then wanted to put them behind a locked wall.

 

[Mouse_Crouse]

Jim, one thing you seem to miss is that games have released compatibility downloads for free that allows gamers to play against people with the content.

It's not an "nfortunate reality," because it was never, ever required. Not even because of the advent of competent online components. This is complete and utter bull.

Exactly this. Perfect example from recent gaming (2011) WWE: Allstars has 13 DLC characters available over 4 different DLC packs. Since you have to be online anyway to play other people over Xbox live (or PSN), they simply include a compatibility update each time a DLC is released. They took advantage of these by also including the patch fixes in these updates, so they saved on having to release extra separate updates. It isn't that hard.

 

[tmande2nd]

Yeah I really enjoy seeing companies flail about defending their practices.

"Oh but our right to lie, rip you off, and rob you is ours! ARTISTIC INTEGRITY!"

I also can just laugh in your face, not buy your game...OR BUY IT USED.
If anything developers need to learn that they cant keep doing this.

Bioware is going to see some lagging sales for anything they do. Dont get me wrong ME3/DA2 had good PARTS, but on the whole they were not worth 60 dollars.
You keep doing that and people will just stop buying your stuff.

No matter how artistically you maintain your integrity.

 

[thiosk]

The first time I noticed it was in the first Dragon Age. Where a not insubstantial portion of the game, and one of the best charachters, was declared "extra DLC!" and was locked off until I gave them more money.

I don't think I would smear my fecal hatred all over a company for admitting that they had monetized premium content to help pay their bills; so I agree- a little more honesty, and a little less treating me like a mindless twat would be refreshing.

 

[Baresark]

Cliffy B.... When I see that guy on an interview I just want to punch his face! He is so pompous it's ridiculous.

 

[Sis]

I like to bring up the example of DC Universe Online. It offers content that is already in the original packet, but offers it as Unlockable Content. Content that they made as a bonus. Then they have DLC packages, with stuff like Fight for the Light. Now, if developers started using the term Unlockable Content, there wouldn't have been an argument in the first place. Well, not as big, anyways. Just the usual bitching and whining from people that don't like to pay for bonus content.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

Most developers just patch the game whenever DLC is released for compatibility. So in that respect the argument holds little weight.

Also, why doesn't it take months to certify the DLC? Especially for consoles.

 

[MonkeyPunch]

A quick heads up: Capcom doesn't actually use the word "DLC" as "downloadable content" but as "Disk Locked Content" (in regards to the on-disk stuff for SFxT). True story and if I can be bothered to find the article, I will link it. T'was a quote from some Capcom bod in a Shoryuken.com article.

I'm not as pissed off with on-disk DLC as most. (I can justify as to why, but I doubt anyone really cares so I'll save us both the time) but I'm also disliking the trend I'm seeing were it's happening more and more with less justification.

The gripes I have with the on-disk stuff and normal DLC are pretty much identical. It's not the fact that it's on the disk that makes it worse for me. In fact I think in a lot of cases it's better. I don't quite understand the people who are angry at the on-disk stuff but are more than happy to shell out for DLC.

 

[GasparNolasco]

For once, at least, I completely agree with Jim! DLC sucks!

 

[Mr. Omega]

Cliffy B. is the embodiment of everything that is wrong with the modern game industry, at least in term of a single person.

DLC was a good concept. Hell, putting stuff on-disc had a couple practical uses. But as usual, some greedy motherfuckers decide to ruin it for everyone. We're paying $60 for a glorified beta test. And people wonder why I've been getting more enjoyment out of the Wii this generation...

snip

Classy. Taking a defense for a completely unrelated matter on an unrelated video to take a shot at someone.

Retake Mass Effect: Because everyone who disagrees with us is either retarded or bought by EA.

 

[AbstractStream]

Have I just fallen in love with Jim? I think I have.

Thanks for voicing how most of us feel towards on-disc dlc. (Which shouldn't even be called dlc, just like you said.)

Who's worse with the dlc stuff? Capcom or EA?