Videogames’s as we know them have come a long way since the day’s of buying a game meant logically that you bought the game in it’s entirety. Of course game publisher’s and developers have something to say about that, hence the advent of “extra” downloadable content. No one can begrudge anyone for wanting to make more money. So here’s comes more content that extends the life of a product past that first purchase play through that is usually all that is achieved from a game, but not all that seems good is in fact good.
With each and every release of a new game for the Xbox 360 comes the inevitable question of whether or not it’s going to have new content added after release. More content is good isn’t it? More equals good, doesn’t it? The conspiracy theorist will certainly tell you that “extra content” is content that used to be in the initial game release, so why should I have to pay more money for something that was not to long ago already in the game from the get go?
Conspiracies aside, something fishy is definitely going on about how downloadable content is being handled at the moment. Not everything is created equal, but why is it that some games are in the business of forcing you to buy more content whether you want it or not?
Publishers will tell you how all of these things are about choice. Buy it if you want it! That’s what it’s all about right? Choice, choice, choice. Of course, that’s not the game that everyone is playing.
Everyone should know the importance of Halo to the Xbox Platform, so why hasn’t there been a uproar when Bungie releases more maps for Halo2 that eventually end up on the gametype playlist that in turn locks out anyone that hasn’t purchased the latest two new maps from some of the most played game types like Team Slayer and Team Snipers for example. Even so, I myself decided to give in and buy the new maps only to get an error that keeps preventing me from buying them anyway. Another example of this is Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2. While not being nearly as serious, the inclusion of the GRAW 1 map Nowhere as a content download from the get go only for those who have a Ubi.com account can’t be to bad right. It’s free, it can’t be that bad, but if you don’t have the map you’ll get the pleasure of viewing a error message informing you that you can’t join a lobby where content is being used that you do not have.
None of this in theory should have any real impact, that is until you find out that when you go to play with one of your friends that has content that you don’t. Downloadable content shouldn’t be a barrier between those who chose to buy more over those who don’t.
Why should anyone be punished for choosing not to buy extra content? In a case like Halo 2, you really don’t have a choice when it comes down to buying the newest two maps. Sadly it’s the same for nearly every other game as well. Rainbow Six:Vegas, Gears of War, and so on, are victims of this as well.
As much as we all love the theory of having additional things added to the games we buy, there’s always the fact that not everyone is going be so inclined to shell out more money for a product that we thought we had already paid for. Funny enough, it turns out that all this in the long run does is just splinter the player base. Hopefully this is just a temporary road block for the moment, because I’m getting pretty tired of being punished for not spending more money on a game that I already paid for.
-William “thewilleffect” Bell-
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May 27, 2007
#1
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I realize that many are upset over the evolution of downloaded content, particularly the stuff you have to pay for. But even so, when a friend of yours has this “new hotness content” for a game and you don’t, whose fault is it? It’s just the same as if you didn’t own that game.
Everything aside I see the real problem being the difference between hardcore gamers and casual gamers. To a hardcore gamer, such as myself, if I want it I’ll go buy it. This isn’t the case with casual gamers who own a game or two and maybe think about buying games after a price drop. As insulting as this may sound, to me that is the price of being a casual gamer. Seriously, who whines about 5 bucks? I’m not rich or wealthy by any account. I have a serving job at a nice restaurant and I pay for my car, apartment, and college. I still buy stuff the day it comes out if it’s something I want. The hardcore gamers really aren’t the ones complaining about this stuff. We know the cost of gaming and we pay it.
~Nick
So please quit whining, if you really cared about it, you would buy. Many people don’t care enough about games so instead they complain in forums and posts online.
By the way, this isn’t directed at you Will, it’s mainly my thoughts towards a whole group of people who call themselves gamers but really don’t game. This group is the same people who complain about costs of everything, what’s wrong with Halo in their mind, and what’s wrong with every other game. Cause honestly, most people don’t have a clue what makes a good game.
May 27, 2007
#2
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Great opinion Nick. I myself have no problem buying downloadable content. This was meant to just point out the fact that downloadable content is splitting up the player base between the people who buy and the people who don’t. If you buy content that one of your friends doesn’t, that shouldn’t prevent you from playing with them only because they didn’t buy also. Some games don’t behave in this way, but none of them should.
The day Desolation and Tombstone where added to the playlist in Halo 2, I went on to play only to find out that I couldn’t play half of the gametypes because I was “missing maps”. Something like that is all I’m talking about. The last few content packs for GRAW 2, RB:Vegas, and Gears of War (Yes I know it will be free) have been bought by me, so cost isn’t a issue.
May 27, 2007
#3
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Yes, I agree that people shouldn’t have to pay to play halo 2 online as a result of new content. I agree completely. That is rather unfair, but it kinda makes sense to charge for it(bungie did hire another company to make those maps, so how would they get paid?). I was just ranting a bit because of the continual battle with paying money for content. I had just finished posting over on x3fanboy on a halo 3 related issue, so that had be pepped up already. I just watch how the gaming industry has evolved and how the population of gamers has become split between hardcore and casual gamers. It’s unfortunate but the split will only divide as time goes on. More games available and the increase in the cost of gaming has caused this. At least, that is my opinion, it could be far off. So ya, I agree with you, as you put it, “splitting up the player base between the people who buy and the people who don’t.” I couldn’t put it better.
~Nick
May 28, 2007
#4
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Man i already pay for enough things without having to pay for new content...