The DLC model - a misused option?

[Guts]

Rockstar did the DLC right with GTA IV. Completely new content, many hours of game time for an affordable price IN ADDITION to the main game.

I don't like pre-launch DLC that gives you a new item that should have been in the final game in the first place.

[eastyy]

problem with dlc is when it gives the impression there screwing the customers

like on disc dlc

dlc released before the game is released

with holding content for future dlc release

the company that got dlc right was gearbox...they released substantial addons and with feedback made the next ones much better

i am curious with what capcom will do with marvel vs capcom 3

think with some games better waiting for the enevitable game of the year/ultimate editions ....which is what i plan to do for dragons age 2

i think DLC can be awesome i mean the idea of a company adding something to a game based on feedback is such a good idea

[Flabio]

Rockstar did the DLC right with GTA IV. Completely new content, many hours of game time for an affordable price IN ADDITION to the main game.

Don't think they actually made any profit on it though, vaguely remember seeing them on record saying they weren't going to do it again.

[Skull Commander]

I'm with the OP on this. I'm increasingly becoming disgusted with DLC this gen, and the unfinished state of some new games.

As for the 2nd hand market, I think publishers will find they are shooting themselves in the foot by standing against it. Trading in games allows more people access to these new games, and without it new sales will surely suffer. They need to work with 2nd hand, not against it.

[JSR]

Most big games with a number of DLC packs, end up coming in "Complete Edition" or similar, where all the content is bundled. For me as a games consumer, it's more appealing to wait for that package. Not only do I get everything bundled on a single disc, but I also save a lot of money. But this is ultimately a bit scary to me. If I want to have the best version of the upcoming game I've been waiting for, I have to wait an extra year, to see if it even gets such a treatment.

[Dogg Thang]

There was nothing like the finality of cartridge manufacturing to make developers put their all into a product, and never once was there the feeling of 'am I missing out?'

They were simpler times.

I must say though, for all my DLC fears, I've enjoyed some absolutely cracking DLC - the aforementioned GTAIV episodes standing out. But the negatives, the half-assed buggy releases, the feeling of withheld content or just that incomplete feeling do sometimes sour the whole concept.

[englishbob]

DLC, to me, is like a lot of things in life. mis-sold. You are told its a good thing to get you on-board and then it totally screws you over.

When I first moved to my current house, the council introduced a residents parking scheme. They told us it would be totally free and it would help keep others from parking in the road that don't need to be there.

Now 10 years on it now costs me ?100 to park outside in my road. For a piece of paper in my windscreen, that cost nothing initially, just to sucker you in and then ****s you over later on.

Clever idea and one that has grown tired on me. I've grown wise to it now, you can see things coming off by a mile now! Just wait until digital downloads are the only way you can buy games, then the complaints will really ramp up!

[moonwhistle]

I think dlc is mostly garbage but it's existence doesn't bother me as I'm not tempted by it even in games that I put alot of mileage into like the stupid extra clothes in super street fighter 4.

The only extra contect I've ever bought was the exp pack for worms 2 xbla and frankly it was a load of rubbish and added nothing to the game.

[nakamura]

I must admit I still haven't downloaded any pay for xlba content. I simply refuse to do it.

[Brad]

Apart from patching online multiplayer aspects of a game and additional multiplayer maps I think everything about DLC is nothing but bad news for consumers.

Game do not pay a publisher to make MORE content for one of their exclusives. They pay them to REMOVE it form other versions.

In the past, games either came out fully working or the publisher had to recall the game and or offer cartridge / disc exchanges to customers. So, being able to patch online benefits.... the publisher.

Online passes make the resale value of a game significantly less that it would be otherwise. This benefits... the publisher. It confuses the second hand buyer too. Often leaving them without online access yet - in my experience - this fact is never displayed on the 2nd hand game.

Just my opinion of course.

[JSR]

Not only is it an item reserved for first time purchasers, but it has to be activated within a set date to be redeemed. This picture is taken of new game in a store. Meaning that all Dragon Age copies out there are missing a feature advertised on the cover.

[Family Fry]

I must admit I still haven't downloaded any pay for xlba content. I simply refuse to do it.

Man that really is your loss, seriously why be that way?

[Mayhem]

Not only is it an item reserved for first time purchasers, but it has to be activated within a set date to be redeemed. This picture is taken of new game in a store. Meaning that all Dragon Age copies out there are missing a feature advertised on the cover.

Actually more than one person I know used the code well after the date and it still worked, so I'm not sure quite how true it was...

[Brad]

Dragon Age is one of the worst offenders as Alex pointed out. In game characters talking about a quest and then being to you have to pay to do the quest. Terrible. Soured the whole experience.

[Phar]

Dragon Age is one of the worst offenders.

Add Disgaea 3 to the list as well, theres a ****load of it, you can also buy it all in one bundle for ?39.99 iirc, I could buy another game for that price.