Recently, we've seen a lot of activity on the forums about a particular topic: downloadable content. Specifically, we've seen two very differing sides. On one end, we see someone saying "this should've been included in the box". Meanwhile, the other side is saying "shut the fuck up".
Which side is correct? Well, ladies and germs, I'm here to tell you this: it depends. Let's break down a couple of instances and see exactly when DLC is a bad thing and when it's not a problem.
Resident Evil 5
While the quality of the game as an entry into the franchise is subjective, there's no doubt that Resident Evil 5 made a big splash upon release. Maybe it's because it seemed to make a great dive worthy of 9's and 10's, but quickly started losing its ability to execute a good dive. When the Slayer mode was announced for RE5, people were up in arms over it. Why? Because the content was already located on the disc but merely locked by the publisher and developers. Purchase of the DLC supposedly just unlocked that content. Is this bad? FUCK YES! If something is present on the disc but you are not allowed to play it, then that means the product you purchased is incom-fucking-plete!Left 4 Dead
The granddaddy of controversy this year (thanks to the announcement of Valve not taking seven years to release a fucking sequel), Left 4 Dead was under heavy scrutiny due to a distinct lack of downloadable content showing up, as well as a late SDK kit. Valve had already initially said they would support L4D with free updates as well as an SDK kit, but now we are two months before launch. We've seen one additional update, in the fun-but-broken-as-Hell Crash Course DLC, and we've seen the release of the SDK since the announcement of L4D2 at E3. Regardless, the question is begged: was L4D a thin package upon release? Yes. It was also a thin package that happened to be a killer fucking game that many people have enjoyed and the console communities decided to turn into a trolling war by acting like their usual dickish selves. To be quite honest, you console muthafuckers don't deserve any FREE DLC for that game solely based on your love of team-killing everyone and acting like fuckwads. So...enjoy your buggy-as-shit Crash Course and VIVA LA L4D2!!!Red Faction Guerrilla
Having proven to be quite popular in the multiplayer arena (to the point that it's listed on MLG), RFG caught some flack from the community due to two weak DLC packs, in the form of a single player expansion called Demons of the Badlands and a wrecking crew package. Demons of the Badlands provided a short 4-mission long story that provided less than 30 minutes of total gameplay for $10, while the latest wrecking crew package simply added new levels to a mode that is already pretty useless in the first place. Meanwhile, two new multiplayer modes and eight new maps were added in their second DLC pack, coming in at $7.00. This has begged the question: why hasn't there just been multiplayer add-ons for the game where the multiplayer has been keeping it alive? It's understandable if a company is wanting to offer something in all the areas of their game, but expecting people to pay $10 for a 30 minute single player expansion is bonkers. Meanwhile, asking far less for something that you'll get more playtime out of is just a bit baffling in nature. Given the reputation that Volition gained with their infamously bad DLC for the Saint's Row franchise, we can only hope they are planning more DLC content in the right department for the future, but most signs are pointing to no in that department.Halo 3 Mythic
In a weird instance of reverse ideology, there are people who are actually complaining about a game including ALL of the DLC, as well as three exclusive maps. Packaged along with ODST at a price of $60, Halo 3 Mythic features all of the Halo 3 multiplayer component from the 2007 hit, INCLUDING all the DLC packages up to Mythic and three exclusive maps to the disc itself. Halo fans have found it to be bullshit that this has occurred. There is only one logical way for me to address this: go talk to someone who has played Everquest since day 1...and bought every expansion brand new...and then saw the release of the Titanium Edition of Everquest for $19.95. -_- If you are seriously so die-hard about the game, then you'll be wanting ODST anyways. If you aren't that die-hard, it's not like you NEED those three maps in order to play your favorite playlists online still. So...quichabitchin.Dragon Age Origins
The new hack 'n' slash RPG from veteran beat-shit-up company BioWare has been taking hit after hit over the course of the year. First was the trailer featuring the Marilyn Manson track "This is The New Shit", followed by a seeming lack of faith by BioWare in the product in exchange for building hype around The Old Republic, and then came news that the BioWare doctors were going to be taking the reins of Mythic Entertainment and EA's new RPG/MMO division. Despite positive press coming out saying that the game doesn't suck, that hasn't stopped people from being pissed about the announcement of DLC being launched day 1 of release for DAO. While the DLC is developed by a different studio, the question has been begged as to whether the DLC was already completed before the game went gold or not. Should the DLC have been included on the disc? Well, given the coinciding release date, it would seem there's no reason it shouldn't have been. With the fact that it will simply be adding a new quest line in a small new area, along with six new abilities, it doesn't seem like something nearly as significant as Fallout 3's DLC expansion sets. However, is it the equivalent of horse armor in Oblivion? Probably not, but it's close...and it costs $7.00 to boot.Forza 3
People are pissed off that Turn10 announced 10 additional cars will be packed in with BRAND NEW copies of Forza 3, as an incentive for consumers to purchase the game new rather than waiting for it be come secondhand through used game stores like GameStop. People have then gone on to call Turn10 "evil" and "corporate"...even though they were going to go pay someone who isn't the game developer money for a secondhand copy of the game they were bitching about wanting so bad. To make matters even worse...that secondhand company...happens to be "evil" and "corporate" as well...and they don't even make high-quality video games.Borderlands
The newest cat to the controversy (possibly just as sarcasm and irony), Borderlands has not even hit shelves yet, and the first DLC pack has already been announced. This DLC will be adding an entire new area as well new quests, items, enemy types, etc. Should it have been included on the disc? Look, folks...they've already said it'll be before the end of the year, but that simply means we've got between October 20th and December 31st. There's absolutely no reason why it should be expected on the disc at all...so lay the fuck off it.In essence, here's what we have to ask ourselves when we decide to try and make controversy over something like DLC:
- Will the DLC be coming out day and date of the retail game? If so, is it something so small that it could've been included in the disc but instead is being used to reap more money from people?
- Will the DLC be a significant change to the gameplay, warranting the price it is being offered at? For instance, World at War's Map Pack 3 contained one Nazi Zombie map for $10, while Red Faction Guerrilla's second DLC pack contained two new modes of play and eight new maps for $7.00.
- What is the general amount of gameplay you've gotten from the base game? If it seems incredibly short, then is the DLC simply present to finally give you the REST of the game?
- How meaningful is the DLC? Does it work to the strengths of the game in question?
People, just please...for fuck's sake...think for once before you open your mouths...or type your words at least.
Thank you, and good night.
Log in to comment