The world of video gaming has improved drastically in the last decade with the introduction of online gaming and fantastic visuals. However, what I want to talk about is Downloadable Content (DLC). Years ago this was unheard of, but in today’s gaming world DLC is quite literally essential to adding length to a game or adding new features for the online options. I recently played through two expansion DLC packs for Fallout 3 and it got me thinking whether all DLC is worth the money.
DLC comes at a price, and sometimes this price is in no way proportional to the amount of the content the packs brings. A prime example is the Call of Duty expansions. In the last two years the DLC packs for MW2 and Black Ops have been over £10 each. The price doesn’t bug me, it’s the very little content we have in each pack that does. Each pack only contains a handful of online maps which £10 doesn’t justify in my opinion. Only a few years ago the packs were £3-4 cheaper and providing the same amount of content. This is not fair and quite clearly shows the greediness of the publishers. What baffles me even more is how people actually buy these packs knowing that they are being exploited. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the Call of Duty multiplayer but I am not willing to pay over £10 for a handful of new maps, and I’m sure others would agree with me.
Quite literally a handful of maps for over £11
Then we have the complete opposite – a DLC pack which has a lot of content for a reasonable price. From playing the Fallout 3 packs I can use them as a great example. Each DLC has provided me with at least 3 hours of extra playtime to the overall game. They have also presented a whole new environment to explore in each pack, with new weapons and collectibles. This shows that the developers have put a lot of time and effort into these packs, and it shows in the quality. These packs are £7.99 each on the store, and I would have no quarrels over purchasing. I also know that the Fallout New Vegas Old World Blues pack is going for best DLC this year.
Another issue with DLC is the fact that some packs appear on the PS store or Marketplace before a game is released. This happens quite frequently with EA games. I have seen DLC packs for Tiger Woods and Dead Space 2 appear on the PS days before the game has hit the shelves. Why not include this content on the actual disc? The only reason that comes to mind is money. It may be possible for that content to be on disc if it was completed before it went gold, but the publishers want just that extra bit of revenue. It feels like the publishers are taking advantage of gamers. Instead of a reward for purchasing their game early instead they release DLC before it’s released to get just a bit more cash from our pockets.
As seen above not all publishers are like this. Most PS3 exclusive games are other great examples in my opinion of fairly priced DLC for a decent amount of content. For example, Uncharted and Killzone games have appropriately priced DLC. As a result gamers have grown a fondness with the Naughty Dog and Guerrilla games. This is something I would like to see with all publishers and developers. At the moment this isn’t possible as some DLC leaves gamers, including myself, angered at the greediness of certain publishers. This is clearly the case with Call of Duty.
I have expressed my opinion towards DLC but what is yours? Do you feel all DLC is priced correctly given the amount of content? And is there DLC packs which you have thoroughly enjoyed and helped you to become to like a certain publisher or developer? Let us know.
I have to agree on this one with you. DLC is often use as an easy way to earn extra money as developer. DLC that’s released on the day of the official game release or even before, really isn’t fair at all. They’ve could have completed the game, including the DLC and sold it in stores but instead they ask more and more money.
On the other hand however, DLC can add something to your game, the DLC’s from GTA or inFamous are examples of these things.
I’m not really confinced about most of the DLC and hope developers will use it in better ways in the future.
yea like the COD DLC’s are pure map packs and always come in 4 maps each or 5. most of the DLC’s we see now are very small even the Mortal Kombat DLC’s are just 1 fighter each, even too some of them are cool its too few to even call it a DLC. Best DLC makers are Bethesda. just look at the Fallout 3 and Vegas DLC and hopefully the DLC on Skyrim will also be grand like they did with Oblivion. They bring you an entire new story in stead of just some new weapons and perks. sometimes less is more but not for DLC.. Give me MORE!! 🙂