6 réponses à ce sujet

[Baelin Firestorm]

I've read several posts about *added* content such as DLC. I'm not going to get into incentive items (e.g., items offered for pre-ordering, completing certain tasks such as the CC or DA:J, etc.) because those are just marketing gimmicks that focus on increasing anticipation. DLC, on the other hand, is all about continuation.

To side step for a moment, let's cover Mass Effect. When Mass Effect made it's debut on the PC, it had already scored very high marks with the console crowd. It continued to earn praise with the keyboard clan. While DLC wasn't exactly new at the time, it wasn't nearly as prevalent as it is now. BioWare stated they would offer at least two DLC packs for Mass Effect. "Bring Down the Sky" arrived with mixed results. Some felt it was a welcome addition while others felt it was a weak offering. Much later, "Pinnacle Station" arrived and it was poorly received. Many felt that it was a rushed and ill-conceived offering.

If Mass Effect had fared poorly in sales and recognition, I could understand BioWare's unwillingness to invest further in it. However, ME was lauded as a great game. Why then did BioWare fail to follow up with great DLC offerings?* It could very well be that they simply didn't have time. BioWare has several buns in the oven and they can only spread resources so far. However, I think they need to realize that anything that comes out of their offices is going to impact their fan base, even if it's just an add-on. In short, if they're going to offer up something as DLC, it should demonstrate as much thought and effort as the base product. ME DLC was (sorry to say) embarrassing.

* Note: It may sound like I'm bashing BioWare but I still think they are one of the best developers in the industry. However, just because I am a big fan doesn't mean I am a "they can do no wrong" fanboi.

Back to DA:O...

Bottom line, DLC is something that affords players an opportunity to continue on with a game, but it not as robust as a full-blown expansion. It's an after thought. Small pieces of content that keep fans playing and (from a marketing perspective) helps breathe new life into an aged release for potential new sales.

Personally, I don't expect to see a DLC offering until the game has been out for a while. Why then is there DLC present at a games launch? I can understand why many see instant DLC offerings and view it as odd. The instant take is, "Why wasn't it just included with the main game?" In truth, it could be that this content wasn't polished enough during the final phase. It could be that the developers felt they needed more bell and whistle incentives for first launch. Also, they could be trying to rope in the players that might be inclined to wait until a game has been out for a while and the price goes down ("Get it now and we'll throw in this free potato peeler, but if you wait it'll cost you!"). Regardless, it still seems odd. I'm trying to shake the "You're not fooling anybody!" cynicism, but it's a struggle.

Okay, I can get past the release day shinies and other offerings. I'm still worried about future DLC though. If I can excuse BioWare for being too busy to release quality DLC for ME because they had a full plate, then how should I view the potential with DA:O? Bioware will still have a hefty workload after DA:O releases. They have ME2 and SW:TOR in the works.

The one saving grace DA:O has over ME is the toolkit. Unlike ME, the players will have more power to build on the original release. I'm really looking forward to see what the creative few have to offer. Still, as talented as fans and players are, they is still nothing like getting content from the founding fathers. So where does that leave things?

Bioware!? If you're listening, then please don't repeat the DLC misgivings of ME. If you can offer up DA:O DLC that is rich and rewarding then I offer a sincere big thank you. If you find yourself struggling to manage your current workload and can't dedicate resources to create quality DLC, then maybe you should pass. An offering shouldn't be just chum for hungry sharks. Ideally, I'd love to see both quality DLC and lavish expansion packs, but then isn't it the nature of people to want it all?

As noted (above), this post may seem critical of BioWare but, as I wrote, I'm a big fan. I know what BioWare is capable of when they apply themselves. I just hope they apply themselves to future DLC and expansion pack content as they do to the original title.

My 2p.

/activate spell_anti_flame_shield

Modifié par Baelin Firestorm, 27 octobre 2009 - 02:37 .

[MrGOH]

ME DLC was problematic mainly due to Bioware's purchase by EA - it's a complicated process and DLC for ME was a casualty of restructuring and reprioritization by EA and Bioware. There is now an official DLC team dedicated to producing the current crop of DLC and any new content going forward - this was not true of ME. Warden's Keep was developed on its own schedule by this separate team (though some of the members undoubtedly worked on the full game before). It is offered not as a missing part of the game, but as an honest addition available at launch to showcase how DA:O DLC will be dealt with via the in-game purchasing options and how its quality measures up to the full game.

[Mr T Cracka]

I agree with the original poster on this one. I feel that they are spreading themselves to thin by attempting to work on too many projects at once. I personally am willing to wait for quality. I purchased the DLC's for DAO, and was greatly disappointed with the quality, particularly of the wardens keep.
The story was fine, but overall the whole thing seemed half-assed. Without giving any important details away; I was expecting a place you could go inside and have an actual warden base once you completed the quests within the keep. But to my surprise you are unable to re-enter the keep, and your "chest" for storing items is placed out in the courtyard. I don't know what they were thinking when the did this, but amateur modders for Fallout 3 and Oblivion produce better quality than this. The difference being this is official content. I honestly think that they could have done much better than this. Even copying an interior from another castle in game, and putting the personal chest within it would have sufficed.

Modifié par Mr T Cracka, 15 décembre 2009 - 09:12 .

[Wolfva2]

You felt so strongly you needed to resurect a month dead thread?

[Mr T Cracka]

Seeing as it was the only one that I could find pertaining to the topic, yes I did.

[Soretooth]

** SPOILER **



This post should be in the Spoiler forum.