Originally on the NeoGaf forums, a user that goes buy the name of A Master Ninja has started a thread about suspicious file sizes of Marketplace downloads of Content that should be much larger than listed. Numerous files of 108.00 KB from several different games are up for purchase on the marketplace that only seem to unlock content that’s already present on the DVD purchased.
As uncool as this is, why isn’t Microsoft putting a stop to this? It’s one thing to put content up on the Marketplace to add value, but it’s another to hold content hostage on a disc we already paid for until we pay even more to get access to it. Come on Microsoft. You can see as clearly as we can when your platform owners are being ripped off. I think it’s about time to end this so-called experimental period publishers are going through and take control of the Marketplace away from them. Something has to give when consumers obviously don’t know when there being swindled.
Please speak with your wallet so things like this aren’t continually repeated.
[via Kotaku]
-thewilleffect-
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December 21, 2006
#1
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I noticed that the new (and miraculously free) car bundle for Need for Speed Carbon is only 122KB (oddly a tad larger than the 108KB “keys”. But still, it’s impossible to have 6 cars packed into 122KB. What I think happened is EA is taking major heat for charging for stuff that’s already on the disc and this is their “we’re sorry” instead of charging for it.
Greed only begets hate. When will they learn?
December 21, 2006
#2
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They’re not actually keeping it away from us until we pay for it. Take the Carbon downloads as an example. Most if it has the 108 KB size. However, these can be obtained in the game. They’re basically offering us to pay for cheats. The downloads are stuff for example lets you start the game with a fully equipped Gallardo or whatever, but it’s not like the car isn’t available in the game.
December 21, 2006
#3
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The EA stuff is a different matter. Charging for something that’s unavailable in the game from the get go, but on the disc you already paid for until you pay for it is what this is about. What EA is doing isn’t the same thing.
December 21, 2006
#4
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I can appreciate what EA is doing because it’s just replacing the old 1-900 hotline. Honestly, if someone has so much money to waste and so little gaming skill as to buy a winnable feature, then so be it; no sweat off my back. But it HAS to stay that way. It cannot, under any circumstance, become an “extended purchase”. That’s like buying World of Warcraft and then paying Blizzard $20 to “unlock” Burning Crusade already on the disc. When it devolves to that state, I will no longer game. Thankfully, I don’t think it will come to that. That’s why I’m not up in arms about the stuff so long as it’s worth it.
The simple rule is: if I pay $60 for a game, I want total access to all the content. I don’t want to pay more for stuff if its not readily accessible to me.
December 22, 2006
#5
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I think there are 2 issues here:
1) Selling in-game assets that are on the disk that can be unlocked through normal game-play (this is for the lazy or someone who wants everything NOW)
2) Selling in-game assets that are on the disk that cannot be unlocked through normal game-play (this is holding back content for the sole purpose of selling it to you later)
I’m not sure of the official Microsoft stance, but for me personally, I’m ok with #1 (vote with the wallet), #2 is a much more grey area. I think it would depend on context (marketing, box art/descriptions/etc). If you give me a wrestling game that doesn’t include Hulk Hogan, or Andre the Giant, but make me pay $1.00 for each of them to be unlocked – that’s kind of deceptive.
December 22, 2006
#6
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Good point Chris. I would hope that Microsoft could screen Marketplace content before its placed on the Marketplace to prevent publishers from squeezing the customer without there knowing. A descriptor in the field on the right of the content to say that the item is already located on the disc, but needs to be bought for access. I believe that would force people to make sure that they are buying exactly what they want. That does go against the impulse purchases most content is made for though.
I liked the Gears of War tips you posted on the Gamerscore Blog Chris. Are you really that good with the shotgun(boom shot)? I have to think that I’d fair pretty well. I could use the bragging rights of blasting a Microsoft Employee. Bring on Major Nelson to.