74 réponses à ce sujet

[Zatche]

Maybe substitute beer for lattes and it might be harder for me? The DLC will still give me more value, though. If I had a buddy around, I might go with the beer. Maybe.

[Giantdeathrobot]

I detest coffee, so DLC wins by default.

 

If the question is how much Bioware (and more accurately, EA) price DLC, I'd say the price was about right for Trespasser. It was reasonably long and it was obvious that loads of work was put into it, what with all the cutscenes and possible choices and permutations.

 

However, due to being lighter in content, Descent and JoH aren't quite worth 15$ IMO. They are not anywhere near as ridiculously overpriced as many DLCs, but 10$ would be a fairer price point.

[lynroy]

I'm assuming boutique lattes are coffee of some sort? I don't do coffee. Nasty stuff. So between the two, DLC definitely wins.

[akbogert]

If the question is how much Bioware (and more accurately, EA) price DLC, I'd say the price was about right for Trespasser. It was reasonably long and it was obvious that loads of work was put into it, what with all the cutscenes and possible choices and permutations.

 

However, due to being lighter in content, Descent and JoH aren't quite worth 15$ IMO. They are not anywhere near as ridiculously overpriced as many DLCs, but 10$ would be a fairer price point.

 

I've seen this sentiment expressed pretty frequently, though Descent in particular seems to have polarized people (and value is at least in part a function of subjective enjoyment). 

 

To return to the thin metaphor of the topic: Dunkin Donuts charges less than Starbucks, and their lattes are arguably better. So really it depends on the latte.

[Orian Tabris]

I hate coffee. Can't think of a good reason why I'd drink 3 cups of latte, when I could play DLC for 3 nights instead.

 

I was hoping this thread was going to be about the cost of DLC; I like answering polls. How disappointing.

 

Mini rant below.

Spoiler

I also really hate it when people say things like "I can't function when I haven't had my coffee." On my sarcastic days, in my head, I'm like, "Oh, look at you! You're admitting one of your flaws, but you mention it like it's nothing! Gee, you're so fun and cool! You must have a great personality! Hahahaha!" On my serious days, I'm like, "Do you know why you can't function? It's because you rely on substance that's bad for you, so now you need that substance just so you can do anything."

 

And don't even get me started on people who use "a coffee" in a sentence, or pluralise coffee as "coffees". (Seriously, Gloria Jean's Coffees, your name gives me the sh!ts; GTFO.)

 

F.Y.I., if you've managed to reach this far into my rant; the plural of DLC is 'DLC', not 'DLCs'.

 

[Addictress]

I mean the base game is already 80 dollars. That's already 20 dollars more than what it should be.

Now I gotta spend 15 more dollars for DLC? Yeah sure it might be good and I'll enjoy it, but not totally, because I paid 15 bucks for it.

$80? I paid like $45

[nightscrawl]

This is a poor comparison.
 
Even if you REALLY like lattes, those three servings are a one-time (or three-time) experience, and if you want to repeat the experience you have to again pay $15. But the DLC is a one-time purchase, and you can continue to play them repeatedly without paying additional money.
 
Of course, this reasoning only works if you are the type of person to replay games (and their DLC). But even in that case it simply comes down to personal preference, like so many things do. What is more important to you? A good food/drink experience, or a good entertainment experience? I don't think there is a wrong answer.
 
I have played DAI for hundreds of hours, and will play more. I've definitely gotten my money's worth out of the game.

$80? I paid like $45

On release the Deluxe edition for PC was $69.96 pre-order on Amazon US, but I don't know about other retailers. And of course I have bought all of the story DLC on top of that. It's still pretty expensive at $60.99, but at that price you might as well just buy the GotY edition that includes all DLC.

[vbibbi]

First off, to all the people who don't like coffee...the OP is about price of DLC, not whether you enjoy coffee or not. Replace latte with a consumable item of your choice

 

 

 

 

There's a large amount of time before the game comes out that would be wasted if it wasn't used to work on DLC. Writers aren't writing new content towards the end of the dev cycle, artists aren't drawing up the content, etc. All that stuff is in the game, it's just the testers who still have to work on it checking for bugs, and the programmers to fix those bugs. And then there's a period after the game goes Gold, that even those people can't work on the game.

 

Why not make DLC in that time?

 

True, and it would be a waste of resources to have devs just sit around waiting for the release date before starting to work on DLC. What annoyed me, and I think a lot of fans, was how if we ordered the premium ME3 package we would get Javik included in it. I don't know how the game publishing industry works, but I don't know why if all of the DLC content manages to be ready in time for the game release, why Bio can't just include a Day One patch to upload all data that didn't make the release date. I know it's a business and they're in this to make money, but they have realized that customer service and satisfaction is also important in a business. And having additional content available on the day of release without any explanation as to the process of game approval and manufacturing upset a lot of people.

 

Why can't it be both? Game's "finished" and off for the process of being finalized, and the devs are sitting around with stuff that had to be cut because it wasn't finished by the deadline, so they package it up as DLC. No matter the scenario, you do realize that releasing that DLC helps with the profit margin, right?
 

Pretty sure I answered most of this in the first part of this post.

True, but as I say below, Shale was free Day One DLC, which was more customer friendly and seen as Bioware caring about the fans rather than profit. How true that is I don't know, but the entire Day One DLC issue is really one about marketing and communication with fans.

 

The latter is more likely the case for Bio games after DA:O, when Day 1 DLC was formal and declared EA policy; it's not credible that production plans would have been drawn up in ignorance of that policy. In the case of DA:O it's the former, though. Bio's been pretty clear that Shale would have simply been cut if it hadn't been for DLC, since they simply couldn't finish in time for release.
 

I'm not sure "could have" and "excuse" make any sense there. Why would EA put money into a feature except in anticipation of profit? Sure, EA could theoretically keep pumping money into the game until any feature you like gets made. But they wouldn't do that. Why should they? If you want more stuff in the plan, you need to be able to anticipate more revenue coming in.

That is what I appreciated about the Shale DLC. They didn't have time to finish it before main game deadline but released it as free DLC on day one. That is a lot more customer oriented than the same situation with Sebastian or Javik who had to be purchased separately. I could even make a case (stretching a lot, I know) that Sebastian was "plot relevant" in DA2 at the final showdown where he forces us to choose between him and Anders. Obviously, this is just a preference choice and doesn't actually affect the story at all, but I felt it did provide a bit more weight and consequence to our choices: whether we decide to spare Anders or not, we will lose a companion. It's not vital to the DA2 experience but I think it helps provide some meaningful substance at the end. (I've never played without Exiled Prince so don't know how it plays out without Sebastian).

 

Maybe substitute beer for lattes and it might be harder for me? The DLC will still give me more value, though. If I had a buddy around, I might go with the beer. Maybe.

Wait, if the buddy is there, do you have to split the beer? Or do they bring their own? That is the deciding factor.

[lynroy]

First off, to all the people who don't like coffee...the OP is about price of DLC, not whether you enjoy coffee or not. Replace latte with a consumable item of your choice

I know, I was being an idiot about that on purpose. This is just another 'is the entertainment value worth the price' threads.

[akbogert]

I feel like some people are missing the point (at least, as I see it) OP was trying to make:

 

That people who complain about how expensive the DLC is will happily drop a similar amount of money on a couple overpriced beverages (or, as someone else suggested, a movie ticket). It's not about coffee vs. games at all.

 

Edit: Precisely:

 

First off, to all the people who don't like coffee...the OP is about price of DLC, not whether you enjoy coffee or not. Replace latte with a consumable item of your choice 

 

[Akiza]

I mean the base game is already 80 dollars. That's already 20 dollars more than what it should be.

 

Now I gotta spend 15 more dollars for DLC? Yeah sure it might be good and  I'll enjoy it, but not totally, because I paid 15 bucks for it.

This is way i waited for the final edition ,bug free and complete lol

[Addictress]

This is a poor comparison.

Even if you REALLY like lattes, those three servings are a one-time (or three-time) experience, and if you want to repeat the experience you have to again pay $15. But the DLC is a one-time purchase, and you can continue to play them repeatedly without paying additional money.

Of course, this reasoning only works if you are the type of person to replay games (and their DLC). But even in that case it simply comes down to personal preference, like so many things do. What is more important to you? A good food/drink experience, or a good entertainment experience? I don't think there is a wrong answer.

I have played DAI for hundreds of hours, and will play more. I've definitely gotten my money's worth out of the game.



On release the Deluxe edition for PC was $69.96 pre-order on Amazon US, but I don't know about other retailers. And of course I have bought all of the story DLC on top of that. It's still pretty expensive at $60.99, but at that price you might as well just buy the GotY edition that includes all DLC.

That's the whole point. However you compare them, they're both $15, end of story. $15 = $15. So while they are apples and oranges, how can they economically be equivalent.

[Zatche]

Wait, if the buddy is there, do you have to split the beer? Or do they bring their own? That is the deciding factor.

Good question.

In a normal situation, where it's not mutually exclusive, I'm cool with buying a friend a beer or two. But if I'm choosing between splitting 3 beers between me and a friend and getting the DLC, I'll get the DLC. If I'm choosing between splitting 6 beers and playing the DLC, friend + beer it is.

[nightscrawl]

That's the whole point. However you compare them, they're both $15, end of story. $15 = $15. So while they are apples and oranges, how can they economically be equivalent.

 

They may both be $15, but it's an experience vs price point issue, and that will vary from person to person. So while one person will think that a $15 DLC is totally "worth it," that same person may think that $15 for a latte is a rip off.

 

But there are some people who are simply offended at the mere existence of pay DLC, and no thread on any forum will convince them otherwise. Of course, I wonder how many of those people would feel the same way if the DLC had everything their little heart desired. Would they consider the price worthwhile then? /shrug Who knows?

 

I haven't bought either of the Spoils DLC because nothing in them interested me, but I'm not pissed at Bioware for offering them. However, if I were interested in, say, the Spoils of the Qunari, and bought it on release day, I would have been supremely pissed that I paid for such broken content. And then of course had to wait quite a bit for it to be fixed via patches. BUT, if I found a spider in my latte, I would certainly have the immediate satisfaction of screaming in the face of the barista, possibly the manager as well, getting a new, spider-free, latte, and possibly a refund. But DLC doesn't work that way.

[Navasha]

I never really understood the people who think DLC should for some reason be free.    Do you go to a restaurant and order a meal only to get upset that the drink wasn't included in the price of the sandwich?

 

Its $15 bucks!  Its not like you are putting down a payment on a car or something.   We live in a 'quasi' free market society.   You get to pick and choose what you spend your money on (for the most part).    If you don't think its worth $15, then don't buy it.   Obviously, people feel that its worth playing and has value or it wouldn't be an issue.   They think they should get it for free, which is just plain silly to me.   If you want a product or service that someone else is offering you pay them for it.   Simple as that.    If you don't like the 'price' then don't buy it.    If enough people start to believe its a poor value and stop buying it, the price will come down or they will stop making it.

 

$15 bucks seriously?   That's not even enough to be considered a rounding error in the larger picture.   

[vbibbi]

They may both be $15, but it's an experience vs price point issue, and that will vary from person to person. So while one person will think that a $15 DLC is totally "worth it," that same person may think that $15 for a latte is a rip off.

 

But there are some people who are simply offended at the mere existence of pay DLC, and no thread on any forum will convince them otherwise. Of course, I wonder how many of those people would feel the same way if the DLC had everything their little heart desired. Would they consider the price worthwhile then? /shrug Who knows?

 

I haven't bought either of the Spoils DLC because nothing in them interested me, but I'm not pissed at Bioware for offering them. However, if I were interested in, say, the Spoils of the Qunari, and bought it on release day, I would have been supremely pissed that I paid for such broken content. And then of course had to wait quite a bit for it to be fixed via patches. BUT, if I found a spider in my latte, I would certainly have the immediate satisfaction of screaming in the face of the barista, possibly the manager as well, getting a new, spider-free, latte, and possibly a refund. But DLC doesn't work that way.

I'm not offended by paying for DLC and I don't think OP is either (not saying you're implying anyone in this thread is). I think that DLC should be handled more carefully by companies, as recent experience has shown that DLC seems to be much less monitored than the base game, so companies can get away with releasing subpar products without fear of as much attention as they would for the main game. This makes sense, of course, since the number of buyers for DLC is going to be smaller than the base game, and people aren't going to bother buying DLC if they didn't like the base game, even if they don't mind paying for it.

 

But some of the tactics used in DLCs seem very sneaky to me and I don't want a slippery slope where fans are understanding of increasing prices, separate release dates, bugs in small DLC (item packs), dropping support of some systems, lack of communication overall. This just allows companies to continue these practices with no deterrents.

[Abyss108]

 

True, and it would be a waste of resources to have devs just sit around waiting for the release date before starting to work on DLC. What annoyed me, and I think a lot of fans, was how if we ordered the premium ME3 package we would get Javik included in it. I don't know how the game publishing industry works, but I don't know why if all of the DLC content manages to be ready in time for the game release, why Bio can't just include a Day One patch to upload all data that didn't make the release date. I know it's a business and they're in this to make money, but they have realized that customer service and satisfaction is also important in a business. And having additional content available on the day of release without any explanation as to the process of game approval and manufacturing upset a lot of people.

 

 

I think Javik was a terrible idea for DLC in the first place, because of how important he was. He should have been in the base game. 

 

There's a way to do day-one DLC right, and a way to do it wrong. Whilst I'm OK with the idea of day-one DLC, I don't think Bioware has handled it very well in the past.

[AlanC9]

I never saw why Javik was important in the first place. The protheans are just another exterminated cycle.

[Cobra's_back]

 I'll buy the DLC for 15.00.

[MrMrPendragon]

$80? I paid like $45

 

Yep 80 dollars. Around 83-84 dollars including tax.

 

This price is brought to you by the video game industry and the weak-*ss Canadian dollar

[giveamanafish...]

Better idea, if you can afford it. Pay the $15 for the DLC, and while it's downloading go out to the place-where-you-buy-your-expensive-coffee and drink $15 worth of lattes. You will have gotten out of the house and the caffeine rush will (possibly) help you enjoy the freshly downloaded game add-on more. Best of both worlds. Problem solved.

[Cantina]

In a controlled setting, a genie offers you a choice:

Three boutique lattes, or

Three nights of solid DLC gaming, of reasonable 8/10 quality.

Which do you choose?

 

I'd knock the Genie over the head. Drag his ass off to a shed in the middle of nowhere and tell him unless he grants my wish of more wishes, he can say goodbye to his kneecaps <holds up a rusty wrench>.

[DarkAmaranth1966]

Definitely the DLC.

 

I have a drip coffee maker, a percolator, a French press, a Keurig and, an espresso machine that steams and froths milk as well as brew espresso. I've got three coffee grinders and, at the moment, five varieties of coffee beans, a gallon of milk, half a gallon of soy milk and, a quart of cream as well as five boxes of K-cups for the Keurig, caramel, vanilla and chocolate flavorings I could add so, I think I can manage enough latte to play the DLC all night for three days without buying more coffee or coffee related items.

 

(Self confessed coffee addict here.)

[Shechinah]

I think Javik was a terrible idea for DLC in the first place, because of how important he was. He should have been in the base game. 

 

I disagree on his importance: on my first run of Mass Effect 3, I did not have Javik in my game but I did on my second run of the game. Personally, I do not remember finding him terrible important though he is one of my favorites of the squadmates.

 

Why is it you consider Javik important?
 

[berelinde]

Definitely the DLC.

 

I have a drip coffee maker, a percolator, a French press, a Keurig and, an espresso machine that steams and froths milk as well as brew espresso. I've got three coffee grinders and, at the moment, five varieties of coffee beans, a gallon of milk, half a gallon of soy milk and, a quart of cream as well as five boxes of K-cups for the Keurig, caramel, vanilla and chocolate flavorings I could add so, I think I can manage enough latte to play the DLC all night for three days without buying more coffee or coffee related items.

 

(Self confessed coffee addict here.)

I like your priorities. (And I prefer the French press coffee to the percolator, but I"m not picky. I'll take my cafffeine any way I can get it.)