With the advent of the "Next-Generation Consoles", downloadable content following a game's launch is almost a certainty these days. In fact, according to the folks at Lionhead, a DLC plan is a requirement for any first-party Microsoft game-- DLC is planned from the game's inception. So, with that in mind, we come to the subject of this blog, Fable II and it's DLC.

Now, in case you weren't aware, Fable II is releasing a downloadable island with three new quests and several new areas to explore. This DLC was announced sometime in November, and originally planned for a release on December 13th. I was going to buy this DLC when I first heard about it- Fable II was a good experience and I wouldn't mind paying for more of it. However, the DLC recieved a delay of ten days for whatever reason, and was pushed back to December 23rd. Now I am no longer going to purchase it.

Now why would a delay of ten days affect my purchasing decision? The content will not be different, nor will the price. It is the exact same package I was promised, but the interest is no longer enough to justify dropping ten dollars on it. Why? It's a subject I've touched on before. As someone who completed Fable II's main story in roughly a week, and the sidequests and achievements about another week later, my attention for the game was waning ever since I finished it. Generally, as "gamers" we only think about a game for perhaps a week or two after finishing it, after which it is supplanted by something else within the popular consciousness- at this point, I suppose I should not, I'm primarily addressing single-player DLC. I know the situation is different for multiplayer content.

With the advent of the "Next-Generation Consoles", downloadable content following a game's launch is almost a certainty these days. In fact, according to the folks at Lionhead, a DLC plan is a requirement for any first-party Microsoft game-- DLC is planned from the game's inception. So, with that in mind, we come to the subject of this blog, Fable II and it's DLC.

Now, in case you weren't aware, Fable II is releasing a downloadable island with three new quests and several new areas to explore. This DLC was announced sometime in November, and originally planned for a release on December 13th. I was going to buy this DLC when I first heard about it- Fable II was a good experience and I wouldn't mind paying for more of it. However, the DLC recieved a delay of ten days for whatever reason, and was pushed back to December 23rd. Now I am no longer going to purchase it.

Now why would a delay of ten days affect my purchasing decision? The content will not be different, nor will the price. It is the exact same package I was promised, but the interest is no longer enough to justify dropping ten dollars on it. Why? It's a subject I've touched on before. As someone who completed Fable II's main story in roughly a week, and the sidequests and achievements about another week later, my attention for the game was waning ever since I finished it. Generally, as "gamers" we only think about a game for perhaps a week or two after finishing it, after which it is supplanted by something else within the popular consciousness- at this point, I suppose I should not, I'm primarily addressing single-player DLC. I know the situation is different for multiplayer content.

the exception is that you (yes, you lies) will buy TFU dlc anytime it comes out....

"the exception is that you (yes, you lies) will buy TFU dlc anytime it comes out...."

I played through Fallout 3 (58 hrs.) and started another character, but I've been holding off in playing too much of it. I might just let it go until the first DLC comes out. As for Fable 2, I'm planning on getting it for Christmas, so the window of DLC for that game is perfect for me. I think developers are still trying to figure out when a good time to release DLC is and what kind of DLC will it be. Is it to breath new life into a game? Is something minor added for the people who have the game? Is it more of an expansion? Many flavors... Which do I choose.

DUDE you totally stole my blog title!! We cant both blog about windows!!

I completely disagree. Actually, it's quite the opposite for me. DLC can get me back into a game. For example, after Criterion released their content updates for Burnout Paradise, I started playing the game even more. And no, not just the new content, but all of the content that was available in the base game as well.

Also, not all gamers are constantly moving on from game to game. I'd rather play a few games, but completely dominate each of those games than play a ton of different games that I'll just rush through the single player story or something and then move on. I like to go slow and thoroughly than just have a bunch of quickies. (yes, that was meant to be innuendo)

Wait, Lies, I have news that is even worse than you may think. According to 1up, the Fable II DLC is delayed until late January, so yikes!

"Wait, Lies, I have news that is even worse than you may think. According to 1up, the Fable II DLC is delayed until late January, so yikes!"

Hmm. Not sure I entirely agree. I know I'm a special case, but I finished Fallout 3 in a couple of days. All of it, all the achievement quests. But yeah, I spent copious amounts of time playing. Regardless, it's not like  Fallout 3's main quest is very long at all, it's roughly comparable to Fable 2's, but both have very generous offerings of side quests and additional content. I spent about as long on one playthrough of Fable 2 as I did with one playthrough of Fallout 3. I might get the Fallout 3 DLC, because I've been wanting to replay that game as a Good character anyway, but my interest in Fable 2 has definitely waned as I don't feel the choices you make in that game impact the experience significantly, unlike in Fallout 3.

Fable 2 was a major disappointment for me.
I thought that I'd be playing it for months like the first one.
But once again my expectations were shattered and now I have no desire to play it.

Yeah, Fable 2 certainly didn't have much staying power at all. Maybe if they release a bigger expansion like Lost Chapters, that'll be enough of an impetus to pick it up again, but my interest is pretty much gone.