Wait, don't they need to get the retail game out the door first?
Gearbox's loot-driven wasteland romp Borderlands ain't even on store shelves till next week--with a PC release following on Steam the week after that--but the developer is already spilling the beans about its post-release plans for downloadable content.
Described as "the first in a series" of add-ons, The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned will run you $10 on all three platforms. Here's a brief description of what's in there.
Tasked with keeping the workers of Jakobs Cove alive, Dr. Ned (who is not related to Dr. Zed from Fyrestone) does his job a little too well, creating zombies and other abominations that now run rampant in this region. Players will have to work alongside Dr. Ned as they embark on a quest to cure the inhabitants of Jakobs Cove in this full-fledged expansion filled with new enemies, new quests and rare loot drops.
More importantly, here's what it looks like.
The real question, of course, is exactly how much content and how big a landmass this pack entails. Jeff's closing in on the level cap in Borderlands right next to me, so we'll have a full review of the shipping game next week, and you can look for this DLC pack to hit "later this year."
Here's what I'm thinking. How big is this game? Because if Jeff is on his second playthrough just to hit the level cap, wouldnt that make the game's story or lenght short as it is? Yes sure there is multiplayer and all and thats fine., but in the long run it doesn't seam like its not very lenghty to begin charging what they are?.
Now you add in content that they could have been working on before certification. It seams like they could have given the fact it doesn't seam like there is enough content to begin with. The other problem is the how much they're charging. Now $10 is a bit for an area. If theyre adding in new shit ontop of that like guns and such then yea its worth the purchase.
Both sides of the arguement have good valid points. Me? I'm buying the game anyway regardless cause it looks fun, but these are the things I'm wondering. *shrugs*
Zityz, I doubt they need to add in 'new guns', considering the borderline infinite amount of guns currently in the game already.
I dunno, I think not hitting the level cap your first time is actually a good thing, it gives incentive to your second playthrough. Given that Jeff was at about level 38 early on in his second playthrough, the game seems to be balanced towards you hitting 50 by the end of your second time through.
Honestly, I don't mind that there's new DLC being made already, and I'll gladly pay the extra $10. I mean it's only $10, if it cost like $20-$25 or something ridiculous like that, yeah, then there'd be a problem. Also, to those who are canceling their preorders just because a company is making an addon that isn't mandatory, well, what the hell?
I don't get people who complain about DLC. If you hate DLC that much, DON'T BUY IT.
I agree, don't buy games that have DLC announced before the game is even out if you don't like DLC. "
Wow, nice job taking quotes out of context. I obviously meant don't buy the extra content that you seem to hate so much. Not buying a game for the sole reason that it has DLC makes absolutely no sense unless somebody is holding a gun to your head forcing you to buy all DLC for any game you purchase.
"The other problem is the how much they're charging. Now $10 is a bit for an area. If theyre adding in new shit ontop of that like guns and such then yea its worth the purchase.
at the end of the quote it mentions new enemies, new quests, and rare loot drops so im confused on if that means its the same loot just that harder to find ones are easier or rare as in only in the DLC..
and im still buying the game either way, the game has so many things going for it i think announcing dlc before release doesnt hurt it for me (i dont really like them announcing it so early like in MW2 cause it just make it sound like they could put it in the game but they probably started this about a month ago and about 3 weeks ago is when this went gold i think so it makes since that it didnt make it in the full version..)
" Wow... I just canceled my pre-order of this game... That is bullshit. "
You are seriously fucking kidding me, right? Bethesda was working on DLC for Fallout 3's Operation Anchorage during the time that they were making Fallout 3.
They are talking about this content still being at least a month or two out. You cancelled a pre-order on what looks to be a pretty fan-fucking-tastic game solely because they said "hey, we WILL be supporting this game post-release, and here's a sneak peek at what we're working on"?
Yeah, GOD FORBID the company gives me more confidence in their product by saying "we're still going to be making new shit for it after it comes out".
" Another one bites the dust. Chalk this up with Dragon Age as two games I was looking forward to but now am going to pass on because of ridiculous DLC scams to make the game more expensive. How about devs just put everything into the game until release, then start working on a large, PC-worthy expansion pack if you want to extend the game properly. "
I'd agree if the base game is pretty barren or broken in its initial release and made much better only via DLC. But if the base game is decent or good, then DLC is fine by me. DLC should be a way for ppl who like the game to experience more content in that universe, not to fix a shitty/broken game. Whether Borderlands or DA is okay out of the box or not remains to be seen.
But if you feel that having any DLC at all is nickle-and-diming enough the gamer, to the point that you boycott the game, well that's your perogative
"Zityz, I doubt they need to add in 'new guns', considering the borderline infinite amount of guns currently in the game already. I dunno, I think not hitting the level cap your first time is actually a good thing, it gives incentive to your second playthrough. Given that Jeff was at about level 38 early on in his second playthrough, the game seems to be balanced towards you hitting 50 by the end of your second time through. "
True. I'm just hoping that a second playthrough or harder diffficulty enables different challanges or hidden bosses that wouldnt be there the first time. Example would be Titans Quest where each difficulty had a different hidden boss that wouldnt have been there the previous time around. Keeps things fresh that way i think.
"Zityz, I doubt they need to add in 'new guns', considering the borderline infinite amount of guns currently in the game already. I dunno, I think not hitting the level cap your first time is actually a good thing, it gives incentive to your second playthrough. Given that Jeff was at about level 38 early on in his second playthrough, the game seems to be balanced towards you hitting 50 by the end of your second time through. "
True. I'm just hoping that a second playthrough or harder diffficulty enables different challanges or hidden bosses that wouldnt be there the first time. Example would be Titans Quest where each difficulty had a different hidden boss that wouldnt have been there the previous time around. Keeps things fresh that way i think. "
Yeah, that'd be good, extra bosses and things like that (or even things that just aren't possible your first time through cause of levels) would be really nice. I didn't get a sense of that from jeff's quick look, but he didn't mention a whole lot about the second playthrough. It does seem to scale everything up to keep it at least moderately more fresh though.
" Another one bites the dust. Chalk this up with Dragon Age as two games I was looking forward to but now am going to pass on because of ridiculous DLC scams to make the game more expensive. How about devs just put everything into the game until release, then start working on a large, PC-worthy expansion pack if you want to extend the game properly. "
I don't get people who complain about DLC. If you hate DLC that much, DON'T BUY IT.
I agree, don't buy games that have DLC announced before the game is even out if you don't like DLC. "
Wow, nice job taking quotes out of context. I obviously meant don't buy the extra content that you seem to hate so much. Not buying a game for the sole reason that it has DLC makes absolutely no sense unless somebody is holding a gun to your head forcing you to buy all DLC for any game you purchase.
Only way the out of touch CEOs are going to get the message.
I guess we are just gonna disagree because I don't see adding extra content to the game after release as some vile and horrible thing. Is it really different if you get four chunks of DLC for $10 each or 1 expansion pack with all 4 for $40? I'd rather get the DLC sooner than wait longer for an expansion pack. Or do you dislike the idea of expansion packs too?
Personally, I see continued support of a game a feature, not something to demonize the company for. I just don't see what the complaint here is as to why a game with DLC is worse than a game without it. Unless the game MAKES you buy the DLC, that would of course be lame.
Curse them for having DLC!!! I really wish this game would just keep getting pushed back. Yes, I would never be able to play it, but I could still LOOK and READ about the awesome stuff that will be in it!
" So, Gearbox, you've already started designing this stuff, eh? Tell me then... Why is this not in the box of the actual game? *Cough* micro-transactions... *Cough* I'm not disappointed to see it, certainly looks great: I'm just disappointed to see such a blatant marketing strategy at work. "
Thats actually a good point and one I'm sure someone more intelligent than I could answer. "
This actually already has been answered a bunch of times. Gearbox announced that they started working on DLC after the game went into certification. A bunch of people were asking about if they were thinking about DLC and once the game went into certification they explained how instead of just doing nothing at that point, they decided to put people on working on DLC. at the point of certification no new content can be added to the game. So nothing that is DLC could be in the actual game. There is your answer
The Borderlands team crunched hard to get the game awesome and on-time. The momentum was inspiring. As people wrapped the game, work began on DLC and the momentum continued even after the game was on lock-down to get through certification.
This DLC could not be included with the game because it was started after the game was finished.
If this effort was part of the game's development, then the game would be coming weeks and weeks late *and* it would cost $10 more to account for the costs involved in creating it.
Given that - Anyone have some love for the Borderlands team who crunched their asses off to finish the game and then just kept on crunching in order to make more awesome happen for additional value?
BTW - This DLC is SICK! These shots are cool, but it's just scratching the surface.
" Wow... I just canceled my pre-order of this game... That is bullshit. "
You are seriously fucking kidding me, right? Bethesda was working on DLC for Fallout 3's Operation Anchorage during the time that they were making Fallout 3. They are talking about this content still being at least a month or two out. You cancelled a pre-order on what looks to be a pretty fan-fucking-tastic game solely because they said "hey, we WILL be supporting this game post-release, and here's a sneak peek at what we're working on"? Yeah, GOD FORBID the company gives me more confidence in their product by saying "we're still going to be making new shit for it after it comes out". "
settle down before you make him cry :P aslo I had no idea there was a cove on zombie island named after you
" Wow... I just canceled my pre-order of this game... That is bullshit. "
You are seriously fucking kidding me, right? Bethesda was working on DLC for Fallout 3's Operation Anchorage during the time that they were making Fallout 3. They are talking about this content still being at least a month or two out. You cancelled a pre-order on what looks to be a pretty fan-fucking-tastic game solely because they said "hey, we WILL be supporting this game post-release, and here's a sneak peek at what we're working on"? Yeah, GOD FORBID the company gives me more confidence in their product by saying "we're still going to be making new shit for it after it comes out". "
settle down before you make him cry :P aslo I had no idea there was a cove on zombie island named after you "
They even spelled it with a "K". Makes my heart all warm and fuzzy...and ready to shoot the shit out of some zombos!
Sadly, it's not my real name. That makes my heart a little less warm and fuzzy...but oh well.
" The Borderlands team crunched hard to get the game awesome and on-time. The momentum was inspiring. As people wrapped the game, work began on DLC and the momentum continued even after the game was on lock-down to get through certification. This DLC could not be included with the game because it was started after the game was finished. If this effort was part of the game's development, then the game would be coming weeks and weeks late *and* it would cost $10 more to account for the costs involved in creating it. Given that - Anyone have some love for the Borderlands team who crunched their asses off to finish the game and then just kept on crunching in order to make more awesome happen for additional value? BTW - This DLC is SICK! These shots are cool, but it's just scratching the surface. - Randy Pitchford "
Don't worry Randy, I understand how the process worked and how the DLC couldn't be added. Sad thing though is that people will complain and not listen no matter what. Keep up the good work man!
If this effort was part of the game's development, then the game would be coming weeks and weeks late *and* it would cost $10 more to account for the costs involved in creating it.
I know how important hitting a release date can be, but if the game sold more as a result of extra content that consumers were aware of you wouldn't have to charge $10 more. There's a logic that if games cost less you'd get more sales, and it hasn't been studied thoroughly. I personally know a lot of people who would buy high production value games more readily if they were priced lower. Sell a game for $30 and sell 3 times as much?
" The Borderlands team crunched hard to get the game awesome and on-time. The momentum was inspiring. As people wrapped the game, work began on DLC and the momentum continued even after the game was on lock-down to get through certification. This DLC could not be included with the game because it was started after the game was finished. If this effort was part of the game's development, then the game would be coming weeks and weeks late *and* it would cost $10 more to account for the costs involved in creating it. Given that - Anyone have some love for the Borderlands team who crunched their asses off to finish the game and then just kept on crunching in order to make more awesome happen for additional value? BTW - This DLC is SICK! These shots are cool, but it's just scratching the surface. - Randy Pitchford "
If this is seriously Randy...
Thanks for taking my name into consideration for the cove. I won't let you down, bucko.
Give the guys my thanks, as well as give 2K Games my thanks (as well as to you) for the sweet muthafucking hookup iGames is giving gaming centers to get the word out about this game!!! I'm psyched as shit, and unlike most of these fuckers, I'm going to have A BORDERLANDS MUTHAFUCKIN' T-SHIRT!!! WOOT!
I appreciate the fact that you guys worked your asses off to make what looks like a solid and quality game. Thank you.
If it makes you feel any better, I've already got six guys that have pre-ordered the game solely on the Quick Look that Giant Bomb put up today. Waco, Texas has love for Gearbox, sir!!!
Would you mind coming to Lansharx Gaming Center in Waco, Texas on October 30th for our launch party for YOUR game? It's gonna be a Halloween Lock-in PLUS launch party for Borderlands, and we're incredibly psyched for it!
Man... If only we could redirect all this bogus rage to things that actually do suck, like locking out content on the disc so that only people who pre-order, especially from a terrible place like Gamestop, get everything on the disc.
I hate how it's pretty much been accepted that DLC can be announced before a game's release. It always just looks so shady to the customer and discourages them from the product.
Any DLC announced before the game ships seems to only infuriate the masses. I still don't think this is as bad as DLC that's available the day of release. That really pisses me off.
" Another one bites the dust. Chalk this up with Dragon Age as two games I was looking forward to but now am going to pass on because of ridiculous DLC scams to make the game more expensive. How about devs just put everything into the game until release, then start working on a large, PC-worthy expansion pack if you want to extend the game properly. "
Nobody's twisting your arm to buy DLC. You don't have to. For me, I'm going to wait until the DLC is available on disk before purchase. If I'd known Fallout 3 would put its DLC on disk later, I would have waited.
I'm getting more & more stoked about Borderlands. I'm probably gonna buy it on release day or just a few days after.
"ehhh, I'm sorry, but this kind of DLC announcement is what I dislike. Something like this could've been put in the actual game, but instead they're trying to milk the consumer. Not saying the content is bad or anything, and heck, it would be ok even if it was announced after the game came out by a few months, but the game isn't even in stores yet. And yet they already got stuff in finished for this. It would sit well with me if they actually worked on it AFTER the game was released, not during the game's actual development. "
this is what most of the people in this thread should be saying
I'm kinda bummed this costs 10 bucks for the PC version. I'll just grab it off the torrents, I'm not going to let them overcharge for DLC like they do on consoles.
Remember when full expansion packs for PC games cost 30 bucks?
"ehhh, I'm sorry, but this kind of DLC announcement is what I dislike. Something like this could've been put in the actual game, but instead they're trying to milk the consumer. Not saying the content is bad or anything, and heck, it would be ok even if it was announced after the game came out by a few months, but the game isn't even in stores yet. And yet they already got stuff in finished for this. It would sit well with me if they actually worked on it AFTER the game was released, not during the game's actual development. "
this is what most of the people in this thread should be saying "
Wow...You sir are an idiot...Most people in this thread should be using their brain and realize this DLC couldn't be put in the actual game. Instead people jump to conclusions without doing research and bitch and moan.
"ehhh, I'm sorry, but this kind of DLC announcement is what I dislike. Something like this could've been put in the actual game, but instead they're trying to milk the consumer. Not saying the content is bad or anything, and heck, it would be ok even if it was announced after the game came out by a few months, but the game isn't even in stores yet. And yet they already got stuff in finished for this. It would sit well with me if they actually worked on it AFTER the game was released, not during the game's actual development. "
this is what most of the people in this thread should be saying "
Wow...You sir are an idiot...Most people in this thread should be using their brain and realize this DLC couldn't be put in the actual game. Instead people jump to conclusions without doing research and bitch and moan. "
dude, shut up. people in this thread have been complaining and telling people to "stop bitching" but only people like you are the ones who actually cross the line and insult another person. i've been the most verbal on this thread, and i think i've managed to convey my thoughts on the subject without attacking anyone, yet you call him an idiot.
Somehow, in light of what the rest of the game is offering - bajillion guns, presumably huge world and sizeable story - I highly doubt the DLC would add $10 to the full game price if they were to put it on the disc.. surely assets will be re-used, and the team making it will be smaller as the rest of the studio focuses on future projects..
Apparently the ignorance level is too high to be announcing grade A, post-release support at this time. Seems Gearbox asked Valve's PR people to spot them or something. But hey ...
I'll take solace in the fact that knowledge is bliss in this case. And knowing that this was never intended for the full game (how weird would it be for Gearbox to say, "oh, by the way, there's now franken-zombies in Borderlands native story mode"?) makes me happier that it can be part of my Borderlands instance if I want to pony up the $10 support for support.
A lot of teams promise and FAIL at delivering worthwhile DLC. A lot of it never sees the light of day. Be happy this team is delivering something it talked smack about, unlike many other companies. They talk shit, make the sale, then disappear. This is supposed to be an incentive. It is to me, but I know what to expect from Borderlands. A lot of people seem to be having trouble with that.
"ehhh, I'm sorry, but this kind of DLC announcement is what I dislike. Something like this could've been put in the actual game, but instead they're trying to milk the consumer. Not saying the content is bad or anything, and heck, it would be ok even if it was announced after the game came out by a few months, but the game isn't even in stores yet. And yet they already got stuff in finished for this. It would sit well with me if they actually worked on it AFTER the game was released, not during the game's actual development. "
this is what most of the people in this thread should be saying "
Wow...You sir are an idiot...Most people in this thread should be using their brain and realize this DLC couldn't be put in the actual game. Instead people jump to conclusions without doing research and bitch and moan. "
dude, shut up. people in this thread have been complaining and telling people to "stop bitching" but only people like you are the ones who actually cross the line and insult another person. i've been the most verbal on this thread, and i think i've managed to convey my thoughts on the subject without attacking anyone, yet you call him an idiot. "
When people jump to asinine conclusions...and don't bother thinking before they make stupid comments.... They deserve to be insulted. Just because you are on the internet that doesn't mean you get a free pass to act dumb. People just read the article and then just whine and moan without actually thinking or maybe reading just a few of the comments explaining the DLC
I'm not gonna spend too much time bitching, but I am sick of DLC announcements before the release of games, and sick of DLC in general. I would feel much better about dropping 30 bucks on a huge and well defined expansion. You know like the good old days...
Although I will say that some DLC has been good like this. Point Lookout ALMOST reached that state of being a full expansion.
On another note this one does look interesting. Hopefully it will be large and in charge.
Ok so maybe I was out of line but the ignorance in the majority of these comments is just overwhelming. It's fucking annoying seeing people just whine and moan. And when you try to be nice and explain how it actually is, people just ignore it and continue to bitch.
only a few people pissed great! the dragon age DLC seemed to have everyone up in arms. i think what people should start doing is before complain wait for a review. Uncharted reviewed off the charts and I'm sure there will be DLC at some point, probably extra maps. if they offered a map pack the day the game came out are you going to skip on the game?
" Ok so maybe I was out of line but the ignorance in the majority of these comments is just overwhelming. It's fucking annoying seeing people just whine and moan. And when you try to be nice and explain how it actually is, people just ignore it and continue to bitch. "
looks like you just flat out called them an "idiot". Nice guy huh?
Luckily the Quicklook of this game looked boring so them announcing DLC before the game is even out....not so bothersome for me. Too many other games that look better.
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