The Game Genie grants you three wishes...

[Mirage]

DLC is necessary because...

Game prices were on the rise for awhile, but then hit an industry "cap" at $50-$70 (console). The games released today cost more to develop than ever and let's not forget inflation (console games have been at that $50-$70 mark for, what seems like, 20 years). Developers needed to find ways to recoup development, turn a profit, without selling a retail copy for $100+. DLC makes sense, you can get the game on the cheap and if you like it, purchase the DLC as it is released (sweet). What if you don't like the game? Had you shelled out $120, you'd be twice as pissed. With DLC, you get to "invest" in those you like, and "cut your losses" with those you don't. DLC also allows the developer to release the game earlier and begin recouping those costs, to put more time and money into developing it further (DLC). Without DLC, you'd either end up with a half assed version, or wait an extra year+ for a game that will cost you twice as much.


Don't get me started on freaking Skylanders, my son has every game/figure up to Swap Force, and most of Trap Team (he's "outgrown" it).

Except of course that there are still good and seemingly complete games that retail for 60 bucks that don't have another 40 bucks of DLC within the first 6 months.

I'm fine with DLC showing up eventually, because that's how it always has been. Expansion packs served this same purpose before the internet became a viable distribution method.

Shameless cash-grabs such as on-disc locked content and day one DLC, or DLC that up until this generation would almost always be part of the base game is just flicking the customers the finger, showing us that they have no real interest in making a good game, only making money. Of course, all companies want to make money, but when it becomes the sole driving factor, it really shows in the quality of the games.

At that point, you could start asking why they are even making games in the first place, and in a way, Konami did in fact ask themselves just that. Most of their revenue is from gambling machines, not triple-A games, so it's no real surprise that they just went ahead and cut back on their game development.