There's a difference between microtransactions involving actually adding add-ons or expansion content and Squareenix actually removing parts of the CORE game and then charging you for something you should have already BOUGHT.

It actually is Square's fault for being such bastards and giving in and going the "greedy a-holes" route.

lol @ M$ and their love for money. Why can't they just do it for the love of making people happy like the other console makers? I heard that Nintendo was going to accept smiles as currency for their online games before M$ came along with the whole "we want money" thing.

Its their fault for giving in

So I'm going to have to pay to use a Selkie in Life as a King?

Darn it Square, don't you have enough money already?!

But seriously. From what I've heard from the press, the fundamental problem here is that the Japanese (developers) still don't fully grasp the concept of DLC.

For example:
On the 1up Yours podcast, previews editor Bryan Intihar mentioned that when he went to see the developers of Beautiful Katamari before it was out, they showed him the DLC levels which were already done. He asked them why they didn't just include it on the disc and they said something to the effect of "because the Western audience loves DLC". In other words, they were just keeping pre-made stuff out just because they thought the West really liked DLC for the sake of DLC. They didn't understand that we like DLC when it expands the life of the game later on, not when you arbitrarily hold stuff back.

Also,
that is why I never wanted to give Microsoft the chance in the gaming market. Because of that exact reason. Nintendo and Sony did it for the love of the game and profits, M$ for the love of profit, nickels, dimes and pennies and your house cat."

I hope you're fucking joking about that one. If you're not, then you are truly lost.

@Dr. Nutt: haha yeah, I just didn't have the heart to tell him.

GA's right on this. The DLC that is done for Rock Band has been tremendous. They understand how DLC is supposed to work. On the other hand Japanese devs do not have a clue what there are doing. One example of this is Sega putting out several packs for in game items.

I don't really think its fair to blame this on MS sure they opened the door for DLC on the console but without them there would not be a VC or PSN. And there are tons of these Download able games that truly rule and so I more glad they opened these doors that not. And lets be fair the content that MS has sold them self for their games have for the most part been honest to goodness add-on's and not unlocked off the disk. I have no issues with DLC when its a good value and is an actually addition to the game.

We might be premature in the assessment that Square is screwing us on this title. I do hate they present it like this as it feels like they are holding back content even though they are selling this for a premium. But if they had said here is a new playble character with a unique quest line and story arch then I would be less offended. The main game just better be hella fun and worth the cash. I personally dont like to pay for cosmetic things on games but seems really popular on a lot of the free games(even though some add stats etc).

I agree with GuitarAtomic though thinking that Nintendo or Sony were in in solely for the love of gaming is pretty silly companies are there to make money. All three companies have done some dastardly things for the almighty dollar/yen/whatever.

@Crunshii: If you want to blame anyone, blame Blizzard for proving that you can get people to keep paying month after month for a game they've already purchased. For what it's worth, at least if there is crap that M$ is shoveling out, I have the choice not to buy it, and the same for any other company offering DLC.

actually I would prefer Epic games and such. but unfortunately, many companies will be testing the water such as SE did. Yes I agree some games like Rock Band, uses DLC the right way, for many reasons.

Now what saddens me is the whole DLC for single player games that can be released full version, but instead, most companies might try the same crap as SE, selling half assed games, and if you want the full experience, you will need to dish out more dough through PSN, XBL, PaynPlay.

Yea I do agree I exaggerated a little with the title, my apologies for that (it served its purpose getting the attention!); but I think it is fundamentally important for all of us to be on the same page on the DLC topic on specific games and at least try to reject it when it is used inappropriately.

Such as just now, FFCC And I believe this includes GTA4, but wont count it till the game is released and we see whats this "expanding experience" is.

I blame the Republicans. And Israel.