Something has been bothering me about this generation of gaming. It's not the sequels, the over-hype, or the general spoiled attitude of the general gaming populace. It's the scummy, backhanded rape of the consumer caused by the big companies that almost run this industry. For example, Activision raising the price on Modern Warfare 2 and trying to basically manipulate the online community to see if it can squeeze more buck from the community's bang. As wrong as that last sentence sounded, I fear this trend is continuing into other companies. Another good example is Capcom and Resident Evil 5. Not even a month after releasing that game, Capcom decides to release a multiplayer "add-on." I have a good feeling that they just released it a month later so they can make a bit of extra money.
As we all know, this isn't a recent trend. Once companies found out about downloadable content, micropayments and the online stores MS and Sony were launching, dollar signs appeared in their eyes. They immediately thought, "More ways to make money!" which is fine to me, as long as the money I spend is worth it. Then, they started getting greedy .....
They thought "Say, instead of having the players unlock costumes as a reward for beating the game, why don't we just charge them instead?" So they knowingly withhold content from the game to make extra cash. To me, that is the biggest insult you can make to the consumer. It's basically saying "You're stupid enough to buy this crap!" Unfortunately, there are people out there actually buying horse armor, costumes, gamer pictures, and avatar clothes as we speak.
I really have no problem with downloadable content. I think they're a great way to add life to a video game, as long as it is worth the price. Expansion packs for RPGs (Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, etc.), multiplayer maps with bonus game modes and Xbox Live Arcade games are probably the only things worth buying on the Marketplace.
The faults that these companies are making are going to bite them in the ass very soon. With ten dollar map-packs, avatar clothes, alienation of consumers, and overpricing of the companies products, people are going to stop buying games and start going outside. It's 1983 all over again and Modern Warfare 2 may be our E.T.
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It's Colin Mochrie!! <3
Also, I agree with many of your points. If the only "free bonuses" we're unlocking are Achievements/Trophies, then we have a problem.
Also, that add-on for RE5? It was on the disc the whole time. the download is just a key that's like 50 kb.
@Pedrovay2003
That is the EXACT kind of behavior I am talking about. They're selling us stuff that should already be in the game in the first place! It's only a matter of time until everyone else sees what's up and abandons gaming completely.
Dragon Age: Origins is a good example of this. The game is released and DLC is already available - and you seemingly need to buy the DLC in order to get the platinum trophy.
I WON'T be buying their DLC. If DLC is available when the game is launched and they charge for it, it's not DLC, it's a part of the game being withheld for profit. DLC should extend the gameplay for those who have finished the game but want a bit "more", or it should revive and refresh the online play offering new value and interest in playing through the offer of new maps/modes. DLC shouldn't even be offered until at least a month or two after a games' release.
Warhawk did DLC right. Every dev should look closely at what they did. The created the content AFTER the game was out. The content was directly created in response to what fans of the game wanted (the dropships, jet packs, the snow/night maps) and the DLC actually changed the way the game was played... adding new vehicles that impacted gameplay and not simply a new map.