No, I'm not kidding. So far, I haven't bought a game that has season passes with them (lucky, I guess.) Today's Jimquisition made me realize that season passes are apparently a thing in video games and that I've been completely shielded from them so far. So, what are they, what do they do and why are they detestable? If possible, please thoroughly explain why. Thanks guys!
So... What are season passes?
- Thread starter Magmabear
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They are essentially pre-orders for DLC.
By paying in advance you get some money off some or all of the DLC to be released for the game.
By paying in advance you get some money off some or all of the DLC to be released for the game.
Its the start of a slide the industry is taking towards a dream state. Basically they want you to pay for something they haven't even made yet. And in fact haven't even decided on what to make yet. You pay up front for all the DLC they plan to release for the game. Weather that DLC is worth the money they charge up front is entirely besides the point. Keep in mind, this is the only industry on the planet that does this.Magmabear said:
The idea is that you pay a discounted price for all the DLC that will be available to the game. The justification is something like "4 DLC packages of considerable size will be released at some point over the year, at $ 10 each. You can buy them when they release, or you can pay $ 25 now and get access to all of them as soon as they are available". The point is that, if you think you will buy all of them anyway, you save money by buying them as a pack.
The reason people don't like this is because: a) you can't be sure about the value of the DLC (or the value of the game, for what is worth). If most of them are good, its a good value proposition. If they are not, you can't be selective since you already payed more than the individual few that are worthy; and b) because it reminds people that DLC are planned and dated before the game is released. Most gamers equate that to content being left out to charge you later, but that is not really the same thing.
The reason people don't like this is because: a) you can't be sure about the value of the DLC (or the value of the game, for what is worth). If most of them are good, its a good value proposition. If they are not, you can't be selective since you already payed more than the individual few that are worthy; and b) because it reminds people that DLC are planned and dated before the game is released. Most gamers equate that to content being left out to charge you later, but that is not really the same thing.
I've only bought a season pass once (or twice I suppose if you count the game before it) and that was for...
Yup, Call of Duty (should I get behind the flame shield now or wait until I'm done with the post?)
Season Passes CAN be alright but the biggest issue with them as others have stated is that you have no idea what you might be getting but it comes at a discount. It's a risk on the consumer part which is why I so rarely partake.
The Call of Duty season pass I was fine with because Treyarch/Infinity Ward have shown exactly what we will be getting in the past and have developed the track record with me to make me go for it. Short of having their headquarters explode, I know exactly what I'm getting and to me, that makes this season pass an acceptable risk for a $10 reward.
Yup, Call of Duty (should I get behind the flame shield now or wait until I'm done with the post?)
Season Passes CAN be alright but the biggest issue with them as others have stated is that you have no idea what you might be getting but it comes at a discount. It's a risk on the consumer part which is why I so rarely partake.
The Call of Duty season pass I was fine with because Treyarch/Infinity Ward have shown exactly what we will be getting in the past and have developed the track record with me to make me go for it. Short of having their headquarters explode, I know exactly what I'm getting and to me, that makes this season pass an acceptable risk for a $10 reward.
TV Shows (specifically iTunes) has been doing this for years. That doesn't make it right or wrong, I'm just pointing out that video games are not the only ones who have rolled with this idea.Antari said:
I bought the BL2 season pass because I knew I was going to buy all the DLC anyway (not to mention I got it together with BLops2 for $55).
You mean the "pay for preorders" right? Because there are tons of "pay before you get it" industries out there. Movies, food service, etc.Antari said:
For me, a season pass is only worth it if
1. I would want to get the dlc for the game day of release. I base that on how much I liked the core game. If I loved it, then the dlc will most likely be appealing to me. If it was meh, I'll wait for a price drop before i'll reconsider. If it was bad, they got enough of my money.
2. The Season Pass gives a discount on the whole package. Kind of a no brainer, but gotta cover the bases.
So far, I've gotten such passes for Borderlands 2, Halo 4, Assassin's Creed III, and Gears of War 3 (this one I got a sale, so even better). So far, I've been pretty pleased with my purchases. But your mileage may vary.
1. I would want to get the dlc for the game day of release. I base that on how much I liked the core game. If I loved it, then the dlc will most likely be appealing to me. If it was meh, I'll wait for a price drop before i'll reconsider. If it was bad, they got enough of my money.
2. The Season Pass gives a discount on the whole package. Kind of a no brainer, but gotta cover the bases.
So far, I've gotten such passes for Borderlands 2, Halo 4, Assassin's Creed III, and Gears of War 3 (this one I got a sale, so even better). So far, I've been pretty pleased with my purchases. But your mileage may vary.
No not quite ... if this were like that. TV provider's would be charging you for shows that haven't even been made yet. Think of it like Kickstarter, but the developer doesn't tell you what they are making. You just give them money and hope they come up with something you agree with.tippy2k2 said:
DoPo said:
Shut up and take my money
I am not a fan of seasons passes as it buy it now and just hope its good
If I bought a season pass for Show A, I have no clue what kind of quality those later episodes are going to be. Is it going to be awesome-sauce or a turd-sandwich? Season Pass for DLC or Season Pass for TV equals the same risk to the consumer. Just like the map-packs I pre-bought for Call of Duty could be awesome or they could be terrible and I'd have no way to counter it.Antari said:
So I suppose yes, you are technically correct that they are different but TV SP present the same risk/reward that DLC SP present.
People realize they can buy a season pass once all DLC is out, that way you get it all cheaper once you can find out whether the content is worth it. I did it with Gears of War 3, Mortal Kombat(9) and I'm doing it with Borderlands 2.
My problem is I'm impatient and I want to play them as soon as they come out haha. But if you can wait, yeah your plan makes a ton of sense. =Dchozo_hybrid said:
For me it comes down to how much I trust the developer, how much I enjoy the game and how much I know about what I'm getting. I loved Halo 4's matchmaking and I knew upfront I'd be getting 4 DLCs with 3 MP maps in each, so I was happy to pay. When it comes to RPGs it's generally a lot less clear about what you're getting, but I'll happily place my faith in companies like Bethesda and Bioware (even though the latter is occasionally hit and miss). But I wouldn't buy a pass for something like Far Cry 3 (even though I enjoy the game) as I have no knowledge of the quality of the developers previous DLC.
I'm not a big fan of the idea, but it's not as bad as day 1 DLC or online passes. At least a season pass has it's place (for those who know they'll be buying all the DLC).
I'm not a big fan of the idea, but it's not as bad as day 1 DLC or online passes. At least a season pass has it's place (for those who know they'll be buying all the DLC).
Oh please.Xarathox said:
The Saints Row the Third season pass was great. It was active the entire time that the three dlc packs active were on sale, meanin if you decide you wanted all three after readin reviews for them you could get all 3 for a discounted price. If you thought that 1 of the 3 was a turd you bought 2 and saved money that way.
Its only bad if you are impatient, buy it as soon as its out, then realize you got stuck with a bunch of dlc thats ass.