Paying for additional game content

[Shattered Dreamer]

I was wonder what was the general consensus of the EoFF universe on paying for additional content for console games through Xbox Live & the Playstation store?

Personally I think unless its an expansion pack (it adds a few new levels to the campaign or story mode of a game) I think its greed on the part of the Gaming industry. I mean new games ain't cheap! I download a bunch of free content for Batman Arkham Asylum (I love the extra Joker challenge maps) but noticed as I looked around content for other games cost a few quid! I have friends who've had similar complaints of Xbox Live.

Anyway discuss

[Rocket Edge]

I'd like to see more come from the download content for the money I'm paying for it. For instance, Call of Duty: World at War content only gives out 4 maps for 10e. Bit of a rip off considering the game cost me 60e, which included the single player campaign, Nazi Zombies co-op, co-op itself, game packaging, & 12 multiplayer maps.

As for the rest of the download content on the PSN, some is definitely being whored out to the extreme. How much DLC can Little Big Planet have for example? I'd say theres a good 150e's worth alone. More for less ideally, but gaming developers are never gonna listen, and I can only see this continue. It's making nearly every game I buy come up to around 100e to get the max out of.

[Slothy]

As long as the cost is in line with the amount of content you get then DLC is great. Unfortunately it usually isn't. There is absolutely no reason for me to be charged $2 or more for something like new costumes for a character, or $10 for 4 multiplayer maps as Rocket Edge mentioned. I find actual expansions are more often than not priced appropriately, but costumes, levels, and additional characters are priced ridiculously high relative to the cost of a game more often than not.

Honestly, the best way to get companies to stop taking advantage of people with DLC is to just not buy it. Since buying the PS3, the only DLC I paid for was the Metal Gear Solid pack for Little Big Planet and I thought it was worth what I paid. I've never gotten anything else that wasn't free though because most of it isn't worth it. If enough people voted with their dollar then companies would probably take notice.

[KentaRawr!]

I hate when the additional content is planned before the game is even released. For example, in the new version of Cave Story, the developers plan to make a boss rush mode available as downloadable content. How silly is that?

[Formalhaut]

Ha, thats nothing compared to The Sims 3 (Which I own).

The Base game costs around 35 - 40 pounds.

Its first expansion pack, would cost around 30 pounds, or so sources say.

Im sorry but thats nearly the same price as the damn Base Game itself!

And don't get me started about paying real money to buy virtual chairs and curtains in the Store.

[Bolivar]

It's just an example of how console-only gamers are more easily exploited than PC gamers or hybrids. Costumes and additional levels are things people make on their own in the PC world for free and you patch it, it's done. It is a little crazy what can go on in consoles.

It all depends. The MGS expansion for Little Big Planet Vivi22 brought up was definitely worth it and I'm glad I bought it. Also got Pixel Junk Monsters Encore, except it's so damn challenging it's like I'm not able to access the levels I paid for!!! ...bad joke. I also typically got the Metal Gear Online expansions because they introduced and facilitated weekly tournaments that really got an active community, some of my best PSN friends were met there.

[Del Murder]

Usually I don't mind paying for an expansion to FFXI because usually that comes with a ton of new content and is worth the money. Lately they've been shipping out these mini-expansions for $10 that really don't add all that much except a new piece of exceptional equipment. Not sure how I feel about that, though I did buy both of them. :P

For other games it sounds like this is getting out of hand. $10 for new maps, $2 for a costume? Kind of silly. I bought Mega Man 9 for Wii download and I was surprised at all the additional stuff you have to buy to play. Luckily the standard game is good enough for me. I also want to get the FFIV sequel but I notice that I need to spend around $35 to access all the scenarios.

[Markus. D]

Content, definetly.

[Yeargdribble]

I think DLC is good for the industry. It's a definite necessary evil. We can all be greedy bastards as consumers, but let's look at the reality. Games cost far more to make now than they once did yet the price has barely increased. Something's got to give.

We can either pay $100 straight up or we can pay $40-60 and then buy DLC. Overall sales would drop drastically if the price tags were $100 (which is roughly how much FFXIII is selling for in Japan). It's a better strategy to have a bare bones version that more people will buy and some will be content with while the company can nickel and dime the remaining costs with DLC.

I'm not even bothered if a game comes out with DLC already existing at launch. Would it be nice for it to be included? Sure. Do I have some right to it? Not really. Game devs have to make ends meet too and if this is putting bread on their table it means I'll have more games to enjoy in the future.

I only start to get upset when the cost:content ratio is terrible or you can tell a company is literally trying to screw customers. I haven't felt this way about many things. I'm fine with $2 for horse armor or some outfit because I can choose to just not buy it. The Sims 3, however, reeked of crap to me.

It had less content than when TS2 was released (without expansions). They made it harder for people to make custom content and their downloadable furniture has ridiculous prices.

[Jiro]

New game prices are, on average, $109.95 here. I'm not going to pay anything extra for DLC unless it's smurfing good content.

[Madame Adequate]

Making a blanket statement abiout DLC is a bit like making a blanket statement about games themselves. Sometimes it's a good thing which is clearly worth the money - The Lost and Damned. Sometimes it's a blatant and total ripoff which deserves scorn and derision. Soul Caliber IV's Vader/Yoda shenanigans for example. Whether DLC is worthwhile depends on the game itself and whether the addition is justified as something worked on later, like map packs for Halo or Gears of War.

[Quindiana Jones]

When I first got on Live, I went purchase crazy. Must've spent buckets.

But now I'm not an idiot.

[Jiro]

When I first got on Live, I went purchase crazy. Must've spent buckets.

But now I'm not an idiot.

It was only by pure stupidity (derr you don't have any points) that I didn't spend a crap load of money on DLC. Lucky for me

[Shattered Dreamer]

Making a blanket statement abiout DLC is a bit like making a blanket statement about games themselves. Sometimes it's a good thing which is clearly worth the money - The Lost and Damned. Sometimes it's a blatant and total ripoff which deserves scorn and derision. Soul Caliber IV's Vader/Yoda shenanigans for example. Whether DLC is worthwhile depends on the game itself and whether the addition is justified as something worked on later, like map packs for Halo or Gears of War.

The Lost & Damned is an example of the type of DLC I don't mind paying for because it breaths new life into a game with a whole new story campaign. Map packs I would still begrudge paying for but I'm not much of an online gamer & wouldn't get the use of them!

[Deadwinter66950]

I don't mind having DLC but I don't always agree with it. For example take Halo 3, in order to continue to play ranked matches you need to have the new map packs which IMO is stupid. People have already dished out 60 to 70 buck for the game yet you have to pay more money for maps if you wanna play continue playing ranked matches. At less with games like Call of Duty buying the map packs are optional and doesn't restrict what you can do online.