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Why you're paying for 'Crash Course' on the 360 photo

Well this is just great. Not only am I not at PAX, but now I remember that I have to pay for Left 4 Dead's new DLC, "Crash Course." Just fan-frickin-tastic. See, while the PC owners of Left 4 Dead gets the new downloadable content for free, the 360 owners of the game have to pay 560 Microsoft points. I call shenanigans! Boycott Left 4 Dead 2! Punish Valve for charging us 360 gamers! Grab your torches and pitchforks! Burn Valve, burn!

What's that? Oh, it's Microsoft's fault. Heh. Hey, Valve remember when I said all that stuff about burning you? I didn't mean that. Thanks for the exclusive preview of "Crash Course," by the way. That was really cool of you. We're good right? See, I hadn't read Left 4 Dead writer Chet Faliszek's quote on the matter yet, and I guess I've got some egg on my face now. He explained it all by telling Eurogamer that, “We own our platform, Steam. Microsoft owns their platform. They wanted to make sure there’s an economy of value there ... It’s not like [Valve is] looking at this as ‘we need some money, we’re going to charge,’ obviously, or we’d do it on the PC. So it’s just kind of the way the system works right now.”

For those of you who have already lit your torch and grabbed your pitchfork, we're heading for Microsoft instead! Burn baby, burn!

 


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68 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Axonn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:02
Axonn
Wasn't this a similar issue with TF2's updates?
But nevertheless,to Microsoft!
Krow's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:03
Krow
Well, that sucks.
Super Drybones's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:08
Super Drybones
I lit my hand of fire by accident...
MasterBalls's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:08
MasterBalls
560 isn't that much considering how much playtime I'll get out of it.

Can't say I wouldnt rather have it free.

I'm just worried thisll go by unnoticed in the L4D2 frenzy.
Havoc Fang's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:09
Havoc Fang
God damn Powersoft.
Gyrael's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:10
Gyrael
Those cunts.
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:12
Los255
Motherfuckers....

I bet it was 400 points and they added 160 as punishment for releasing the last bit of DLC for free.
de BLOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:20
de BLOO
Wait people didn't know it was just Microsoft wanting cash before?


...
Dangsterr's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:21
Dangsterr
Why we're paying?Microsoft sucks cause they're cheap bastards.
Super Drybones's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:23
Super Drybones
Louis looks like he's about to pistol whip a bitch.
Gamernerd101's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:26
Gamernerd101
Microsoft's policy (from what I've heard) is that to add new achievements with DLC the publisher is required to charge a set amount. So, yeah I wasn't suprised when I heard I'd be charged for the DLC anyway I don't have a problem dishing out money to a company that's proven over and over again they rightfully deserve it. Hah dishing out money 7 banana bucks never hurt anyway.
Shin Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:31
Shin Oni
well so much for me possibly picking this up and getting back into L4D big. Looks like i'll be VERY behind once L4D2 drops.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:31
DaedHead8
Hey guess what microsoft? Because of this, I'm finally gonna by the PC version of L4D, like I should have done a long time ago. Enjoy not getting any more of money for shit that should be free (and is, elsewhere).
wastedyears's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:36
wastedyears
I'm sure Valve is just broken hearted over Microsoft 'forcing' them to charge money. Poor, poor Valve being forced to make more money. What a sad day it is.
ghets's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:36
ghets
So since Valve intended to give it away for free, really we're punishing Microsoft if we dont buy it? Alright, not SOLD! Anyways i think im all Left for Deaded out at the moment. Im just gonna wait to drop my $60 on L4D2
Coldbrand's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:38
Coldbrand
@DaedHead8

...Uh, you do realize who designed the OS for your PC, right?
danthuman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:39
danthuman
I love me some l4d
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:40
DaedHead8
@Coldbrand

The same people who aren't getting any money for L4D DLC, that's who.
PEICanada7's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:42
PEICanada7
Why do they have to put it at 560 points? That's so stupid. Why not just charge 400 points for it, which is only $5. We know they have to charge for it, but why such a stupid amount of uneven points?
dwolfwood's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:52
dwolfwood
Little crap like this all adds up and is keeping people like myself from purchasing a 360. I actually really enjoyed Gears 2. At least I got my PC, though I'm still a sad Panda since Windows has a complete monopoly over the OS. :(
Timmeh's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:54
Timmeh
Gotta love Microsuck. It's impressive that they can charge not only for services that are free on every other platform, but also content that is free on other platforms. It's more impressive that people continue to hand over money, fully aware that this is the case.
matrixdude171's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 12:59
matrixdude171
Well, it sounds like yet another reason Microsoft sux hard. In addition to already paying to be online.
pmhgrwx's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:02
pmhgrwx
If it was 400 points I would probably buy it despite the bullshit involved. The main reason I wont buy it is what the fuck am I going to do with 240 leftover points? Buy some of their other bullshit that no one needs? (Im lookin at you, avatar clothes...) No thanks.
Yehat's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:08
Yehat
I've never been a fan of pay DLC that isn't an expansion pack.

It's just the way things are though, the Xbox 360 is a closed system if they said "You have to jump 3' to get this." then you're going to have to jump 3 feet to get it.


@Timmeh

This is disturbingly true which is why I feel the majority of gamers, regardless of their platform allegiance, are some of the dumbest consumers there are in this world. I mean look at Battlefield Heroes a free game in which people are paying money for totally arbitrary aesthetic items.

I mean just stop and say that out loud to yourself: "Paying money for a free game."
JohnnyJustice's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:09
JohnnyJustice
As far as I'm concerned, 360 people should have to pay double. Valve was ours first, and they're the last kickass thing we have going for us. There are others but most of them give a big fat priority to console gamers. Know why?
Because in the end they get a big fat check from Microsoft, who's making 300 dollars per 360 (really, only 80 dollars per OS).
In the end, 360 is more expensive for the gamer than PC, and I think the charge for the L4D DLC will serve as a lesson for it. At least I hope it will :D.
Freefall's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:12
Freefall
That campaign poster is weird: Bill looks senile, Francis looks confused, Louis looks badass and Zoey looks ill.
witthaus's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:18
witthaus
I think Valve just wants to get this product out there for fans of this game. It's simple: if you're against paying 560 moon bucks then you won't buy it. If you love it and want to see it through to the end then you will.

And to those re-buying the PC version instead of paying for the DLC, you just have to spend more money on the game than the DLC will cost. If your standpoint is Valve gets the majority of that money and not Microsoft then I understand completely.
Soulwax's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:37
Soulwax
If this DLC had came out earlier I probably would have bought it in an instant but with L4D2 just around the corner I don't think I'll bother.
Shirley Temple's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:37
Shirley Temple
@witthaus

Well I don't blame them for rebuying it for PC. It's not just this little bit of DLC, but also custom campaigns and mods.
wanderingpixel's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:43
wanderingpixel
This sucks. I'm still going to get it though. If there is any company that deserves my money it's Valve.
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:51
Los255
This article shouldve been titled:

"Why you're paying such an arbitrary number of points"

Even then we wouldn't get the answer.....
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 13:56
Snaileb
Hamburgers.
Daxelman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:02
Daxelman
Yehat: BattleField Heroes deserves that money though. I don't play it enough, but for what it does, being free and kinda browser based, I'd be willing to drop a couple of cents for a hat or a medal, just to give that game some extra money.
MasterBalls's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:03
MasterBalls
@Johnny Justice

No they're just REALLY sick of being torrented
the GAMEGOBLIN's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:08
the GAMEGOBLIN
Wow, that's shitty, I liked L4D but only in short bursts and I wouldn't pay that much for a campaign ESPECIALLY if I can get it for free elsewhere. And the PC version even has a mod scene so I'd rather just pick up a PC copy and increase my playtime ten-fold.

And as I see Microsoft's "economy": If someone's offering DLC with achievements for a price and another guy is offering DLC with achievements for free people could go to that game over the other (goddamn cheevo-whores) so to play fair they have to charge so nobody get's undercut. There's a law in real life like this that I fail to remember but I think it's just the principle of the thing. 'Prolly the same reason they charge for most gamerpics and themes too, if you could get decent ones free then a lot of people wouldn't buy what other companies are offering

It sucks when a dev legitimately wants to give back to their fans and they can't though. So yeah, fuck MS on that one
runtheplacered's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:08
runtheplacered
@MasterBalls,

Eh, I don't think that's really the reason at all.
dwolfwood's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:16
dwolfwood
Can someone explain to me why achievements are worth money? I play on PC. Sounds like a scam to me.
JQM78's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:19
JQM78
I'm still trying to figure out whats all this hoopla about L4D in the first place. I rented it and thought it was pretty lame. Of course, I judge it upon its single player campaign mostly......but otherwise, I just don't see what the big deal is...

On another note, I'm done with xbox live......I don't play pc games, but I've now got a ps3 with free online gaming, so xbox live can kiss my ass and shove those points up theirs.........have a nice day.
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:22
GoldenGamerXero
Just wait till L4D2 comes out and buy the Valve complete pack on Steam! The games don't take a MONDO computer to use at full power, they cost less, you get all the updates and you can give fuck all to Microsoft.
Yehat's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:39
Yehat
@Daxelman

Then it's a matter of preference then since paying Battlefield Heroes feels like a total waste to me since it's for a game that isn't even all there. If it was a retail product I'd only venture a curiosity purchase if it was swimming around the 3-4 dollar area.

If the subject was paying for Savage 2 when the game is already legally free then I would agree with you.

http://www.savage2.com
Yehat's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:42
Yehat
Clarification:

I mean a retail purchase assuming all the fancy aesthetic items were unlocked with this single purchase.
Retrofraction's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 14:53
Retrofraction
Yeah, I have learned its much better to play "PC" games on PC.

not that it wouldn't be cool to have split screen, but generally if there is a game that is avalible on PC it includes , free DLC (most of the time ), better graphics, better sound support.

well microsoft like to charge for anything online, they charge people to use "thier" internet; so naturally I am not surrprised that they are charging developers for DLC.


It is sort of sad cause I bet that there would be a ton more DLC updates to a lot of games if microsoft didn't charge the developers.

but thats why I have a PC and not a 360 cause I can get all the same games, and I really don't care for halo anyway ( UT3 is much better )

yeah, I know some one if going to dissagree. And thats the awsome power of free speach.
Velt's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 15:14
Velt
Well at least I get something free, I havent played l4d in ages, a lot fo TF2 though... strange thing but I have get so much fun from playing TF2 so much that I think Im actually stealing from Valve.
PhazonYoshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 15:25
PhazonYoshi
@runtheplacered; Moreso than that, Steam and VAC make pirated copies of their games somewhat difficult to use properly. It's literally easier to buy a game off steam than pirate it, which is what all digital distribution services should strive for (step one, get rid of moon money)
StingingVelvet's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 15:28
StingingVelvet
Hopefully with another 100 or so articles like this, people wake the hell up about Microsoft raping their wallets and buy a different system. I personally find their fee for playing online to be the most disgusting thing, but millions of people pay for it... makes me sad.

Microsoft is trying to lead people away from other platforms in order to cement their closed system, everything controlled by the company and charged for paradigm. People will wake up eventually, I hope.

You bought the game, you bought the Internet, you bought the game player... MS actively blocks the content in your game until you give them money. Ludicrous... and in this case, MS blocks Valve from supplying their fans with content they want to give them.

Go PC, or PS3, and stop supporting this crap.
bart999's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 16:17
bart999
Hmmm, personally I buy Valve products for the PC only...I wonder why?
dwolfwood's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 16:28
dwolfwood
Yea, PC-only for Valve. 360 = extra costs. PS3 = Crappy ports(ala Orange Box)
X V1's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 16:47
X V1
@Everyone saying 360 buyers are dumb.

The only reason that we(or I atleast) put up with this BS from microsoft, is because the 360 was cheaper. I know its not like that in the long run, but if you're a schoolkid like me, you dont have the money to but a €400 game system. To us it's better to buy a €200 (pro) 360, and pay for online, because most schoolkids get a monthly allowance, so it's more BUT it seems less.

A gaming PC is waay to expensive for any regular child. If I had the choice, I would of gone for the PS3 or the PC but based on price I HAD to go for the 360 EVEN though there's a charge for playing online (and I agree it's gay, but that microsoft for you).
X V1's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 16:47
X V1
@Everyone saying 360 buyers are dumb.

The only reason that we(or I atleast) put up with this BS from microsoft, is because the 360 was cheaper. I know its not like that in the long run, but if you're a schoolkid like me, you dont have the money to but a €400 game system. To us it's better to buy a €200 (pro) 360, and pay for online, because most schoolkids get a monthly allowance, so it's more BUT it seems less.

A gaming PC is waay to expensive for any regular child. If I had the choice, I would of gone for the PS3 or the PC but based on price I HAD to go for the 360 EVEN though there's a charge for playing online (and I agree it's gay, but that microsoft for you).
JohnnyJustice's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/06/2009 16:52
JohnnyJustice
@ Masterballs
They wouldn't get torrented if they'd stop treating us like shit (How often to you hear about Valve piracy? Because Valve treats us right.)
If companies like Eidos are going to charge us 60 dollars for Arkham Asylum, while telling us that we have to wait 3 weeks until after all their precious console owners have the game (Apparently so they can implement "physx", which was working perfectly in the demo. BULLSHIT.) most PC gamers aren't going to put up with that.
I haven't pirated a game since I was very young, and all those pirated games are long and gone from my system, but I hold no grudge against pirates. If they're not going to take being treated like shit by developers, I have no problem with that.
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