Fans are railing against 2K Games after it was suspected that the newly released BioShock 2 DLC, the Sinclair Solutions Test Pack, wasn't really downloadable content, but a mere key to unlock stuff already hidden on the disc. Like Namco Bandai does all the time.
Suspicions were aroused thanks to the small file size of the alleged download. The file is 108kb on Xbox 360, and 24kb on PC, which is pretty damn tiny. Naturally, people are upset to think that 2K is taking the piss out of them, and one poster on the official forums believes that it should be labeled "unlockable content" rather than downloadable content to reflect its true nature.
Honestly, publishers should be held to some advertising standards when it claims that unlockable extras are DLC. If you're merely purchasing a key to activate something on the disc, that's not downloadable content, and it's wrong for companies to advertise it as such. Whether 2K has gone this controversial route or not remains to be seen, but it does throw this issue back to the fore, and it's something that I believe should be examined.
What about you? Do you believe that unlockable content should not be called DLC, or do you think that it's fine to have such content masquerade as a download?
BioShock 2 DLC already on disc? [CVG]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:20 AM on 03.12.2010
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But it does come down to the ownership of the physical disc, or the application on the disc as it was intended.
I like to think that by buying a disc you own all the content on that disc and should have access to it.
THEN FUCK YOU 2k Games.
If it's on the disc, put it in the damn game.
Lets be honest no one is against dlc months later they couldn't put on this disc for a reasonable price. Codes to unlock disk content or content that looks like it was just cut (As in Assassins Creed).
But More importantly HOW ABOUT THEY FIX THE MOTHER FUCKING CUNTING LAG!
To some people, "unlockable" might mean just achieving something from the game to get those things for free. Ironically, this could lead those same people to be upset and wonder why they're being charged for a key. So "Downloadable Content" doesn't raise alarms in hopes people don't go around looking at file sizes.
One of the worst things to happen to this industry.
Yeah I get codes to unlock on-disc content are shit but there are certainly people, not namin' names but they're in this thread, who take it way too far and just generalize about DLC in general with no basis other than a few cherrypicked scenarios and their own cynicism.
/Devil's advocate
Not true. The difference is that the consumer already owns the disc, along with the content it contains.
It's a grey area.
Gaming DLC is a new sub-industry, which as all new industries do is testing the waters of legality. Gaming as a whole needs a little touch of industry fairness and could do with being looked at by the powers of law.
I mean, DLC that's already on the disc, "available on (insert console here)" on multiplat ads, and general exclusivity / timed exclusivity advertising etc could all do with some legal guidlines.
NO WAIT BAD EXAMPLE!!
Note, I am not against DLC as a whole. I'll gladly fork over a few bucks for something that really adds to a game, and gives it some re-playability. But I won't pay for something I already technically own.
Consumers - It's very fascinating. But I'm afraid I'm going to have to hurt you.
--courtesy of robin hood: men in tights
RETARDED STATEMENT!!
/Cockney bullshit
Devs should be paying US to even REMEMBER these crap games
You got a bug up your ass, mate? :D
Like others have said, it's a gray area. Do I simply own a piece of physical media (DVD/BD/whatever) and the publisher of said media owns the means of unlocking it, or do I own the content written to that media? Anymore, I just don't know, and it kinda sucks.
Just wanted to know what it was like being a snarky douche for no reason whatsoever. That alright with you, pal? :)
NO WAIT BAD EXAMPLE!!
-------------
HAHAHAHA Oh my Gawd, this is classic. I just lolled at my fucking desk. Thanks dude.
now tell that to AvP, AC2, etc...
Nah you're just pissy about something I said yesterday, so today you can't take a joke. Too bad dude but you gotta lighten up. Like my man SexualChocolate here!
@lolipantsu you are a brilliant genius.
Im against any DLC that doesnt have enough content to be called an expansion.
I love Live because thanks to my crappy broadband it's the only online console gaming that works, nonetheless I lol'd.
As regards this action: Frankly, if you enjoyed what you got with B2 and thought it justified the price why should you care that they developed a bit more but request you unlock it first?
If you want to pay more and discover the unlock was already on the disc why does that insult you more than DLC, or buying a new game altogeter? Is it not simply a different method of distribution ultimately delivering the same action? Why do people feel betrayed?
I don't know why getting bogged down in the semantics achieves anything. If it is a lucrative action, the developers will go where the lucre does. Other than that, good luck with trying to overturn this with blind fury and delusions of justification.
Yes, your man knows his humor. I got the joke but was snarky for no reason, understand?
I can see a whole scandal and lots of sues if this happened
I have a job (Marketing Executive), my own office, a fucking assistant (she is fucking ugly though), a wife, a kid, a house and a BMW. The fact that i can get to where I've got AND write multiple comments on this site a day makes me twice the winner @ life that you can ever hope to be.
We're all having fun and banter here, but you sir can suck my fucking dick.
Cum guzzling arse bandit.
Sorry guys, Crazy Ape pissed me off a little there.
Thanks. The irony above is something I haven't seen justified yet - it seems there's a thin line but none of us know exactly where.
It is a very douche bag move but they can do what ever they want because you don't actually own anything.