@Jcarlo
Aye I think you have the right of it. Also with respect to the whole DLC/microtransaction issue; over the last few years especially this practice has grown at an alarming (and really, a ridiculous) pace. I don't mind a game developer producing a good quality and lenghty expansion to a game that is successful with the fans, because as a fan, of course I would love nothing better than to continue my adventures in that game world.
The problem arises with the introduction of DLC - which in my mind are small addons to the main game, ranging from a new campaign quest (with a possible side quest or two)... to a few weapons and/or gear. You can call it DLC or addon but generally it's short in length (providing perhaps 2 or 3 hours of adventuring on average)... and the developer continues to churn out these pieces of DLC and charging however much they want for it.
I do miss the days of when the game was released in FULL with possibly a full expansion later down the line, instead of just the SHELL of the main game, followed by a slew of varrying quality of DLCs/addons and whatnot. This point was especially driven home for me with the release of DA2 and the day 1 DLC - Sebastian. It was SO obvious that that particular DLC was actually part of the main game... it hurts for me to even think of it as DLC. Bioware's reasoning was that due to time limits, they had to leave 'hooks' in the main game, so that they could insert the Sebastian material (like, companion banter, for example). I do not understand that. It was so obvious that that material was actually part of the main game. And I don't understand the time limit argument, because Sebastian was available on the very same day as the main game launched. So what gives? Unless you got the Signature Edition, you had to fork over - what was it? $10 or $7 - to enjoy material that was supposed to be part of the main game in the first place!
I have been trying to comprehend the idea behind these DLCs/microtransactions and have been unable to come up with anything beyond the developers continuing to punish the consumers by producing less and less content (as in the main game) and charging them more and more. Before long, we will have to shell out $60 for Act 1 of the main game... followed by another $60 for Act 2 of the main game, etc.
So what can we, as consumers, do about this? Judging by the trends in the industry, there is always an option of waiting a full year (or perhaps more) for the Game of the Year/Ultimate Edition of the game to be released before actually purchasing the game. That way we ensure that we get all of the content in one nice package for the (generally) same price as we would have to pay for the shell of the game on launch day and also ensure that most of the main bugs have been addressed with any patches. But there are two problems with this route. One, there are no guarantees that the developer WILL actually release all of the content in one nice package. Two, with our beloved titles being hyped so much as well as our own inherent impatience, could you wait a year or more for Mass Effect 3 to be released in one nice package (which is not guaranteed in the first place) while the main game is available to you to either download or on the store shelf in your neighbourhood?
*sigh* I admit, I am as guilty as anyone of buying some DLC on release day and thus supporting the mindset that DLCs are the way to go. Although I have become more cautious lately, both due to this latest trend in the industry that I do take offence at AND because of DA2 being a disappointing experience for me (after having jumped through the pre-ordering hoop for the first time even as well as the multitude of bonus item promotions). I have yet to decide on Legacy, despite it getting generally good fan reviews, because I am unsure whether I wish to continue to support DA2 (the product that in my view is a bit low on the list of things I wish to support) and because I certainly do not wish to continue to support this DLC/microtransaction trend. So I do not yet know whether I will actually get to experience any of the DA2 additional content that I have to pay extra for. Since I have already bought the main game, spent my $60, I most certainly do not wish to spend another $60 for a package with the main game and all the additional content, which may or may not appear some time in the future. I mean, why pay for the main product twice, right?
eh, I know that I will be spending my money on ME3, that's a given. Depending on how that experience plays out, I will be in a better position to form an opinion on whether to grab any additional content that may come for ME3. And after that, I will have to take a long, hard look at any games/developers who are known for their affair with DLC and decide whether my love for and enjoyment of their games outweigths my distaste for additional content I have to pay for AFTER spending money on the main but stripped game. Perhaps it's time to look into the smaller developers?
Ah, that is why I LOVE The Witcher 2 and CD Projekt so much. Yes, they have DLC/additional content that didn't make it into the main game by the deadline... but they offer it for FREE!
PS. I bought my copy of The Witcher 2 specifically from GoG because I wanted to support the DRM-free option they offered. I could have easily gotten it from Steam, where I have a sizable collection of games but I put my money where my mouth is... and more importantly, where the trends I wish to support are... and you know what? The decision couldn't have made me feel better even if I tried. Instead of leaving that bad taste in my mouth or that feeling of being taken advantage of when it comes to my experience with the latter DA:O DLCs or the whole pre-order and bonus items for DA2.
Edit: fixed some typos, added a PS and apologies for the rant.
Modifié par AloraKast, 27 juillet 2011 - 04:34 .
Retour en haut
