DLC

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Just this week, the DLC issue has been epitomised for me. Three games, three different companies, three very different strategies.

 

Dragon's Dogma, an open-world RPG from Capcom, probably the most Westernised RPG they've ever done, and although there's been some differing opinions, it's quite a fine game and selling quite quickly. Created by the biggest team they've ever put together (600 people, I think?).

The on-disc DLC (retch...now) available for sale from Day 1, using the charming approach my American cousins call "nickel and diming." Some not-very-substantial DLC quests available right away, quite cheaply, but it's a 10-part series. So you pay out a little, and a little, and a little, and a little. If the releases are spaced out enough, you never notice you're paying out a lot of money. Complete this cynical approach with DLC pop-up adverts in-game.

 

Batman Arkham City, another rather fine game, critically acclaimed, sold well, decent developer, big publisher, etc etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee5satbYHg4

A more traditional approach to DLC. There's been some skins and characters for sale, a few challenge maps, but nothing really that substantial. This is a decent chunk of content that adds to the end of the single player game. Been a bit of a gap between the game's release and this (8-9 months?). Not rushed or anything. Nothing unseemly anyway. The price is a bit expensive, (£6.49, IIRC, in my region).

 

Then we have Frozen Synapse, turn-based tactical game from indie devs Mode7.

DLC released a year after the game's release, plenty of content for single and multiplayer, works with people who don't own the DLC, remixes content you've probably already played through, not to mention the extras (soundtrack, wallpaper, etc) for a very reasonable price indeed (about £6).

 

I don't think DLC is a bad thing. I think it's a good thing. But you can see from the contrasting approaches here that it can be used badly.

[silencer_pl]

You forgot Warlock Master Of Arcane todays dlc but pretty much I miss the old days when something was unlock able.