DLC is a very expressive term when it comes to providing additional content through an online network. It stands for Downloadable Content and illustrates the package of extras that are released to players via the respective online channel of each console. There are cases, of course, in which the DLCs are also grouped with the original title and distributed in the form of physical disks, as in Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition. Remember that distribution channels via the Internet are becoming increasingly ratified as the means of buying not only to DLCs, but full games, movies and other content. It is hard to deny that the "digital entertainment" is evolving in a frightening way. So the ideal way of releasing an extra game is via the internet. In some cases, additional content sets have so absurd sizes that are considered by many people as true expansion packs. Want an example? How about The taxidermist, Heavy Rain? This is actually an expansion available as a DLC as it offers many new features and covers a chapter of Heavy Rain Chronicles. Even short (20 minutes), this plot has five different endings.
Investment? Profit?
From a less consuming perspective, the story changes. Observing the DLCs on the side of developers and distributors, there are many factors that must be considered. Is it really worth it to offer new items, game modes, extra fans in general for a game? The cost / benefit analysis, some times, does not pay. Okay, there are occasions where the extras are ready, however, put them together perfectly in the context of the game without creating new problems is not an easy task. Bugs were always the main enemies of the developers, right? When it comes to one successful franchise, it is easier to trow extra attractive DLC and inviting newcomers to know about it. Just a few items or new challenging game modes? Whatever, because the success of the original title has been previously established donot depend on DLCs to advertise the series.
Guitar Hero, Rock Band ... franchises that typically offer extra content, usually new tracks from famous artists. Weekly, the staff at Harmonix offers diverse challenges in the form of various songs for those who have mastered practically all the original tracks of rhythm games. Mass Effect 2 and Cerberus Network are also great examples. The access code to the Cerberus Network comes together with a copy of the game and, once the player records the number in the game there are free updates when the time comes.
Meanwhile, Kasumi's Stolen Memory costs 560 Microsoft Points (560 BioWare Points on PC), all Alternate Appearance Pack costs 160 Microsoft Points (160 BioWare Points on PC) and packages Squad Picture Pack 1 and 2 (exclusive for Xbox 360) cost 80 Microsoft Points each. Interestingly, Cross Edge is a title that was so well received by critics and RPG fans, but the amount of additional items is impressive. Several packages of items can be purchased by those who approved the work of NIS America. Since ideas about extra features for a famous game began to grow wildly, a new possibility always comes in mind: A new game? In this case, developers must know how to work the ideas in an unique way in order to differentiate the new title from previous games of the series.
Always optional, thankfully
Few items and no significant addition? So low price, please. " But if there are new game modes and extras that really add surprising challenges to the formula already known, the financial value increases. Extra. Therefore, there is no need to stress and chasing the DLCs for fun. Just buy the original game, which in theory is enough. Except that, returning to the initial thought, it is important to seek additional content if you missed something during your time playing the game. The extras are increasingly large and attractive. Thus, companies end up poking people, and the player who is not fully satisfied with the game has the option of sending some money to the companies responsible for the title and have fun for more time or ... Be happy with the original content.
It is crucial that DLCs have a close connection with the original game. For several more that are the novelties presented, there can be no doubt as to the connection of extras with the initial formula. It is extremely annoying to spend money on additional content that have nothing to do with the game supposedly related to them. Worse still is burning money - virtually, in the case - with bonuses that add almost nothing to the experience. By purchasing a DLC, the gamer must always be aware of the contents of the package and not to be disappointed with new items, either in quantity or intensity. When spending becomes an investment, is a beauty to try the new content created by developers. This is the case of Episodes of Liberty City, a title that covers two DLCs (The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Tony Gay and can be played separately from Grand Theft Auto IV. Less in the pocket, but lots of fun ahead.
The Future?
There is no way of knowing, of course, as will be the future of DLCs. But reviews of major figures in the world of gaming trends show that there are alternatives for the distribution of extras. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, the president of Epic Games has made some interesting predictions. Michael Capps believes that the extras of the future may be conveyed to consumers that buy or rent used games. Capps said the main dealer of Epic games has a higher profit in the second hand market. Thus, he says that some developers are planning to charge $ 20 for those who buy an used game that consumers used to unlock the full game. The title would be reduced to a demo version if the release was not effected. The DLCs in this case would be mandatory for those who just want a demo. But this is only a possibility which focuses on the used and rented games. Only time will tell how the extras will be distributed and what new types of additional content that developers can create.
Very nicely written. DLC brings a hell lot of credit to after sales of the games. GTA IV mastered this. However I am bit concerned that devs and publishers may end up milking it with Activision being quite shameless about it in some games. EA sometimes are guilty for this. They make mediocre DLC missions. Even the free mission pack that users make for the Neverwinter Nights game and distribute through a site are hell lot better.
A blog worth reading. I don't have much to say about DLC since I never buy any. And, you are absolutely right about it. DLCs are a great way to expand business or money whatever you wish to call it.
I like DLCs when they are valuable, for example, WipEout Fury (every developers should look at Fury to see what true additional content is) or any DLC that actually adds a stage or two to the game like some sort of expension (such as Trails HD where the DLC added more stages to the game), but a lot of DLC's are plain disappointing and a complete rip-off. Why would I need to pay $10 for 2 or 3 new guns? or new costumes? These do not add anything to the game itself, they could have simply been made the same way as games from back in the days: Unlockables. Nowadays, instead of giving us nice unlockables, they throw it to the people as DLC with a price tag on it.
Some are even more ridiculous, such as Skate 2 & 3 where users can buy DLC that unlocks everything in the game. I really feel sorry for those who buy it, as I thought the goal of purchasing a game was to complete it on your own and not pay for a DLC that does it for you.
However, I don't mind the whole idea about games requiring DLC if bought used. UFC 2010 has that, where the Online mode is a downloadable DLC offered for free when you buy a new copy of the game (a code is given to download it), and so if you buy it used/pre-played, you need to buy the Online mode to play Online. That, in my mind, isn't a bad thing, but that's probably because I always buy my games new. After all, these companies don't make much of a profit if half of the people bought the game used.
I did buy my share of useless DLC's every now and then though, as with most people too. I guess when you really like a game, it doesn't matter if it's just another costume, weapon or even a complete new level, you will still buy it. Same as when they released harder difficulties for Megaman 9: They are a rip-off and should have been in the game from the beginning, but I still bought them because I'm addicted to Megaman.
A debatable subject indeed, as the DLCs are often somwhere between a regular mod and a add-on/expantion pack. While the companies' desire to make more money based on their IPs in any way possible is justified the fact that the price sometimes is higher that the content delievers is not that justified. At the same time it's the end user who ballances his needs and enjoyment with his wallet and decides wether or not a DLC is worth the trouble. To a certain degree it's just like opting to play a free-to-play game with money, though the difference is that you won't bother the other players with your decission.
@Sleven : Remember when you talked about page rank in your rant? Because of that reason, no blogs or article will be featured if it's posted in any other site. I think Marco has posted it in GS too.
Hey I like the new banner. Just need time to get used to. Hope that you all are doing well. Blessings of March on the way!
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I liked it in the old days when DLCs were preceded by their more worthy ancestors, the expansion pack. You know, because all (not like DLCs, where some are pointless) expansion packs were usually worth the money you paid for them.