Portal 2 - DLC Backlash

[StriderShinryu]

Didn't see this in the review here as, due to availability of copy for a timely review, they reviewed the 360 version instead of the PC. I am, however, curious what everyone here thinks about the major fan backlash going on at metacritic. Apparently the game is averaging about a 5/10 on fan reviews there due to the extremely copious amounts of day 1 DLC.

Granted, the DLC is generally all cosmetic, but I know users here often rage against Day 1 DLC but also seem to love Valve unconditionally.

Maybe it's just the fact I started gaming in the days when cosmetic things were included in the game as unlockables, but $80 worth of DLC on Day 1 seems a tad excessive.

 

[AlternatePFG]

It's all cosmetic, so I don't really care. I know TF2 did this, and I used it couple times for some weapons I couldn't be arsed to unlocked, but I'm going to ignore this.

This isn't the same kind of day 1 DLC that other games have pulled, it does not add anything to the game and is completely optional.

 

[oliveira8]

It's ALL cosmetic, is it not? I don't see it as a big deal. That said, does anybody know if you can unlock some these items in-game without paying for them, ala TF2? Or is there no way to get any of it without buying?

You get a hat for completing the game in SP. Maybe you get another if you finish Co-OP and other harder achievements.

 

[Hydro14]

My 2 cents on this: I hear a lot of 'It should have been included with the game.' and I have just one question. Why? Until I get an answer I don't give the complaints any credibility. That said I come from a heavily MMO-based background to gaming so this whole idea of your game and all its associated files being a single-purchase is a little alien to me.

EDIT: Also, it's not DLC, it's a microtransaction.

 

[i7omahawki]

My 2 cents on this: I hear a lot of 'It should have been included with the game.' and I have just one question. Why? Until I get an answer I don't give the complaints any credibility. That said I come from a heavily MMO-based background to gaming so this whole idea of your game and all its associated files being a single-purchase is a little alien to me.

I guess the reasoning is that it isn't additional content, and easily could have been put on the disc...it's not like in buying this DLC you are helping the developer to further develop the game you like, you're paying them extra to not both adding anything new, just taking stuff out of the final product.

That said.

OT: This idea that the DLC should've come with the disk presumes that the game is done right before its release. I'm pretty sure that's not the case, and in between readying the game for its release I don't see why they can't work on a few additional bits and bobs.

Still, why not release it a week after? I don't get day-one DLC 's purpose other than to annoy fans.

 

[Bill Bread]

It's all cosmetic, so I don't really care. I know TF2 did this, and I used it couple times for some weapons I couldn't be arsed to unlocked, but I'm going to ignore this.

This isn't the same kind of day 1 DLC that other games have pulled, it does not add anything to the game and is completely optional.

you'd better start explaining, right this second, how TF2 had Day 1 DLC.

 

[Dense_Electric]

Some of you guys sound like the people bitching about the fast-travel in Oblivion. It's OPTIONAL, and frankly not a big deal. Don't like it? Don't buy it. End of discussion.

 

[AlternatePFG]

It's all cosmetic, so I don't really care. I know TF2 did this, and I used it couple times for some weapons I couldn't be arsed to unlocked, but I'm going to ignore this.

This isn't the same kind of day 1 DLC that other games have pulled, it does not add anything to the game and is completely optional.

you'd better start explaining, right this second, how TF2 had Day 1 DLC.

I never said TF2 had day 1 DLC, all I'm saying is that it's the exact same thing. It's not like it's an extra level, or anything other than stupid hats.

 

[Bill Bread]

No, actually, it's not. How about you stop being so obnoxious. If I spend £30 on a game I expect that to be EVERYTHING, not 'that minus the sum of £28 of DLC'.

I never said TF2 had day 1 DLC,

You said 'TF2 did this', when it didn't. Take it back.
The issue is that this is all day 1 DLC. The TF2 stuff was added later, that's excusable. This isn't.

 

[Palademon]

Some of you guys sound like the people bitching about the fast-travel in Oblivion. It's OPTIONAL, and frankly not a big deal. Don't like it? Don't buy it. End of discussion.

What if you want it, but find it unfair to pay extra money on day one?

 

[blankedboy]

It's ALL cosmetic, is it not? I don't see it as a big deal. That said, does anybody know if you can unlock some these items in-game without paying for them, ala TF2? Or is there no way to get any of it without buying?

I assume alot of playing and stuff will get you free stuff. The Potato Sack also gets you a skin...? It'll become alot like TF2, I assume. Eventually we might get useful items too, and the game can really expand on multiplayer, maybe even into deathmatch and stuff.

 

[Smooth Operator]

It's quite a worry when Valve dives into such bullshit money making methods, but this is where the consumers should make a stand, if there is no user backlash the bullshit will continue and escalate.

But seriously Valve, Steam doesn't bring in enough cash, did Gabe start eating money and now there is no other way to feed him?

 

[Megacherv]

It's /v/ metabombing the site, it's not actually true

 

[binvjoh]

I'd rather see people complain about the game having a campaign clockin in at about five hours and no challenge mode or advanced chambers.

 

[Mr. Omega]

I have been awaiting this: what will win out between two major mentalities the Escapist has:

The general gaming community hatred of a company for DLC that is not only completely optional, but stupid, and do not affect the game at all ("Lol, Horse Armor, Bethesda are stupid!" or "Haha, Capcom are ripping off gamers with costume packs")

or the undying devotion and zealousness of the Church of Freeman (EVERYTHING VALVE DOES IS AWESOME! TF2 Crates? What are you talking about? Valve can do no wrong!)

 

[Dr_Steve_Brule]

I have been awaiting this: what will win out between two major mentalities the Escapist has:

The general gaming community hatred of a company for DLC that is not only completely optional, but stupid, and do not affect the game at all ("Lol, Horse Armor, Bethesda are stupid!" or "Haha, Capcom are ripping off gamers with costume packs")

or the undying devotion and zealousness of the Church of Freeman (EVERYTHING VALVE DOES IS AWESOME! TF2 Crates? What are you talking about? Valve can do no wrong!)

Score-5/10
Reason- Theres hats in it that you can buy only if you want to

How in the name of Lord Fuck does that make ANY god damn sense?

 

[Legion]

I despise Day One DLC, but at least it's only cosmetic crap rather than "Give us money for the real ending".

The odd things is that I keep hearing complaints about the DLC, but no details on what exactly the DLC is.

Some of you guys sound like the people bitching about the fast-travel in Oblivion. It's OPTIONAL, and frankly not a big deal. Don't like it? Don't buy it. End of discussion.

What if you want it, but find it unfair to pay extra money on day one?

You have to pay for extra features when you buy a car do you not?

I agree when companies hold back content that should be in the game originally (like a proper ending, or anything like that), but pointless cosmetic stuff isn't "out of order" as it is purely optional and does not detract from the game itself.

It's still a little bit desperate, and it sets a dangerous precedent (like Bioware removing customisable armour purely so they can release appearance packs) but it isn't ripping people off, most of this small cosmetic stuff is made in between the game being finished and it's release, it's not normally held back during the creation process for later release, not usually anyway.