Many of my recent discussions have revolved around DLC (Download content) for various console games. The conversations tends to be about how poorly executed a recently released game is. Other times it is not a discussion of poor execution of the game itself, but how bad or useless the DLC content is, and finally there is always the occasional promised fix that will be sent out via DLC. In all the cases other then the last, the DLC is something the gamer has to pay for, it is generally never earned with in game progress, and only occasionally used as support for the game. Most typical is that if you pre-order or purchase at midnight releases you are then able to qualify for the extra content or if you buy special collector editions these copies often come with some DLC code to unlock different content. The simple premise of today's discussion is: Is it worth it and to briefly analyze DLC.
I believe that DLC is really neither a good or bad thing in and of itself. It is in fact a simply a tool, a new strategy at employing the common technology that we as modern gamers are blessed with. DLC is most visible when it is being purchased by the game/console owner to augment their own play experience. In other cases DLC is employed by the production teams of the games and system manufactures, but these are typically framed linguistically as 'updates' because there is typically no cost to the user. So when Bioware sends out an 'update' this is in effect DLC because it is changing the gameplay experience, but most often players quickly dismiss these fix's and choose instead to concentrate on the type of DLC that is purchased. Not that many years ago there was no DLC, systems could not update software easily, and thus if a game was buggy or plagued with issues their would need to be a recall, or simply the game sales would drop due to bad reviews.
More recently I have been hearing a great number of games have been having issues at release, that the players themselves feel 'cheated' or let down by the content of the game, while simultaneously upon release of the game DLC is already generated! A prime example in my mind is Street Fighter X Tekken, when the game released in early march of 2012 there was 14 characters already slotted for DLC. Now lets take a step back from the situation, DLC is a win win right? The production company gets to generate more income for a game already sold to a player which typically costs $60 USD, and the player gets to expand their experience in the game they love. However when taking a large portion of the content of the game out and 'reserving' it for DLC purposing, the production company leaves the gamer with a sour taste because their experience has been diminished. As such the game which would typically hold its price at the release price stays at approximately $60 USD for 6 months to a year depending on popularity of the game and the market interest. Within 1 month of its release Street Fighter X Tekken dropped its price, first $10 then another $10 in certain retail locations. Instead of the game generating profits of $60 from each sale, it is cut down to $40, not to mention the number of players who have resold the game after being disappointed therefore not purchasing DLC. Now I am not discussing whether the game is of good quality or not, but rather the reason behind profiteering, and the long term effects of a decision to make so much paid DLC instead of either core content or free DLC. What is the total loss in profit, and sales due to a decision such as this? More indirectly, does this translate to a worse gaming experience without the DLC thus creating a bad name for the companies future releases?
Another recent complaint arose shortly after the release of Mass Effect 3, the highly anticipated title (which I was also waiting for eagerly) dropped in Early March. The game has some excellent features, and offers fans the next chapter (and supposedly last) chapter in the story. However as gamers ripped through the content at a furious pace since the midnight release quickly active online discussions appeared on how poorly executed the ending of the game is. I personally have still not finished the game (unfortunately) but the major complaint is that the end of the game is unfinished. Bioware announced that in the upcoming summer they will offer a free DLC 'extended cut' ending to give more detail to the games conclusion. First off, I want to compliment Bioware for acknowledging the fan outcry and taking appropriate action, by attempting to rectify a known issue! Not all players are going to be happy with the development of a game, and the direction that is applied to characters they become intensely fascinated by, however in this case Bioware taking note of the complaint is stepping up and taking action. That being said, did the game get released without being finished? Was the ending that was released really what was envisioned for the ending of the game? My contention is that prior to DLC becoming as popular as it now is, most games when released used to be completed! There seems to be a disturbing trend that is taking place that the full game as envisioned is not actually released. It is forgivable, and entirely understanding that some content needs to be reworked after release, and patches for content need to be released because of errors in delivery/programming, but something as intrinsic as a dramatic conclusion to the ending of a game IS important.
I believe the case is clear that in some cases DLC has begun to become abused by production companies to exploit game profits. In others it is being offered to placate the fan base and make corrections which is certainly of great value to both the player and the producer. The company helps to repair its tarnished name by 'giving' away content, and the game player is given additional content to let them explore the storyline more. But this is again not the real purpose behind DLC, the player is getting what he wants with the original release of the game but well after the fact and the Company is not making money nor expounding upon the already established game experience in a 'new' fashion. Bioware, has released DLC for other games successfully even on their Mass Effect titles previous to #3, and these were successful! I am certainly not complaining about additional content being released, or it being free, on the contrary I am very grateful but I believe that companies must hold game development to a higher standard, to ensure that the game play experience is complete before looking to DLC to fix the game.
So back to the core issue, how should DLC be used? I believe that DLC can and should be continually used to fix errors in game-play/experience, but the augmentation of game play needs to become the focus. One of the best cases that exemplifies the use of DLC that I personally came across was with the game Borderlands. This game was incredibly successful in the game play, a fully developed story-line, and the various DLC packages that were offered allowed a vigorous continuation of the game content. The DLC was not something that was so shallow as to play through in only an hour or so, and really gave additional flavor to the game which in itself was complete, an additional note: I did not mind paying for it! This is because I was fulfilled by the original game experience, but also satisfied by the DLC too! Although this game may not be the best example out there, it stands out in my mind as a prime example of how to successfully employ this tool. Again my conclusion DLC is simply a tool which must be used properly, and if done so will encourage players, and profits simultaneously. Gamers don't mind spending money on games, assuming that the play is fun, the game is accessible and works the way it is designed, and we like new content, new games, new features, that is why all gamers are not still playing original Super Mario Bros. or other games. Gamers don't mind paying for the experience because there is inherent value to the individual, but make it good and worth our while. Discussing how to determine value will be up and coming. I hope you enjoy please feel free to comment or email me about any technical errors.
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