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Launching downloadable content on day one is a sticky situation. You just bought a game. You want to jump right in and experience everything, but before you can do that you have to enter a bunch of DLC codes or purchase some additional content. After dropping $60, shouldn’t you be entitled to experience everything a game has to offer as soon as you pop it into your system of choice?
Free DLC I can totally understand. Some developers are using free DLC to combat piracy. It’s still a minor inconvenience, but it helps out a larger problem. What I do have an issue with is DLC you have to pay for on day one. I’m alarmed that some games — even ones I adore like Dragon Age: Origins
I understand that game budgets are getting bigger all the time, but gamer’s budgets have been shrinking over the last few years. Combating piracy is one thing, but essentially raising the initial cost of the game is another.
What are you thoughts on day one DLC? Does it bother you that paid content is available when a game ships? Or do you think it’s the future of the business and that we’ll be paying more money at launch between the retail copy and DLC?
Yes. I don't buy games that introduce DLC on day 1. It's a sham and nothing more than a cheap money grab. The games with day 1 DLC are damn near 100 dollars now when all totaled. That is half of an xbox 360 or 1/3 of a PS3. Ridiculous.
Day 1 DLC, TO ME, feels like a rip off. I seriously doubt anything will change about it though since there is someone somewhere always willing to spend money on stuff.
If we're talking about content available in a higher tiered release (collector's edition) or content that encourages new game sales over used game sales or rentals, than I don't see the problem. If it's "here's our game, and here's the first $10 DLC we're offering" than I do have a problem with it. There's a difference between the two. Thus I have no issue with Dragon Age's day one DLC.
This seems like Fight Night Round 4 conversation all over again! They promoted that game with ODH and he wasn't available until like a couple of weeks or month later for 10.00, which a friend of mine has picked up FN Round 4 and it says it is available for 4.99 now. I feel ripped off.
@Nightshade
If the DLC is there to encourage a new sale or prevent a rental then it should in no way effect the way the game plays. It should not add new story, or explore story content in the game for that matter.
I second with everything that Smartguy said.
@Smartguy Your first post reminds me of a future Coffee Talk I'll be writing…probably Friday's.
@tokz_21 Yeah, that was a little dicey. Considering De La Hoya's popularity, everyone knew he'd be in the game. It was smart and devious to "save" him for DLC.
@Rpad
I guess but people are fighting back. I saw on gamespot that they posted a $391 million loss. Also, I'm heading to Vegas this week to catch the Cotto v. Pacquiao, I'm interested to hear your thoughts. Watching 24/7 Cotto seems to be more focused, whereas there a lot of distractions happening in Camp Pacquiao. I think if Manny isn't careful he might actually lose in a KO.
If it can be available day one, and it's not part of a tiered release like Nightshade mentioned, then it should be in the game already, especially with DLC that an use from the beginning of a play through, ala DA:O. A week or two after, sure start feeding me DLC. But fresh out of the box… that leads to greed friends.
@tokz_21 Manny always has distractions. I don't think this is anything new; 24/7 just made it known. There are interesting arguments for both sides. Pac fans will point to his vastly superior speed. Cotto supporters will stress his power and accuracy. To me, the big unknown is what Cotto has left in the tank. The Margarito fight took a lot out of him and I'm not sure he's gotten it all back. If these two were fighting before the Margarito fight took place, I'd pick Cotto. Right now, I'm not sure.
@Rpad
I think Margarito getting caught using illegal substances in his glove, made it clear that he might've done it for the Cotto fight as well. I've been Cotto take some punches before but he was bloody and bruised, basically destroyed. I'm still confident that Cotto has something left in the tank I'm just hoping it's going to be enough to stop Manny.
@tokz_21 Being beaten to hell with a guy with plaster under his gloves takes a toll. It might be one of those beatings you never fully recover from. Remember, when Cotto was fighting at 140, his ability to take a punch wasn't as good as it was at 147. Will fighting at 145 after taking a pounding from Margacheato be a factor?
@RROD
Thanks.
So yesterday I got my MW2 PE from Amazon. The goggles are really neat. I didn't get to play the game though. I plan on rushing through and beating it this evening after I finish up Uncharted 2.
The plan yesterday was to play some UC2 then pop in MW2 and beat the campaign. Well I got sucked into UC2 (went from chapter 14 to 25) and never got around to it. Point is, Uncharted 2 is without a doubt the best single player experience this generation bar-none. It competes with the likes of MGS2 and San Andreas of last gen. In many ways it definitely eclipses those two titles.
Just wanted to chime in on what I think is GOTY.
@smartguy It's certainly an excellent game — the most impressive I've seen this generation. That said, I'm having way more fun with Dragon Age because I'm way more of an RPG guy.
I always laugh when I get a new game and notice on the PSN that there is already DLC for purchase only to realize it is DLC to get all of the costumes in a game at the beginning for a price. 5.99 to get all the cars, or costumes, or anything else you would typically play to unlock.
@slicky
I don't mind that DLC. I don't like the DLC that adds levels or weapons (that are not mere skin changes for existing weapons) or adds story on Day 1. That is a crock.
We should really petition MS, Sony or Nintendo to put Mutant League Football on their network.
@smartguy
I agree on the DLC. I was saying it cracks me up that people are too lazy to play through games and would buy that stuff. I can't recall any games that required me to get more DLC before I played the game or added content that I needed for a price.
And yes Mutant League games should be on the at least one of the console stores.
Imho, most DLC is a rip off. Deadlines and budgets aside, I don't think there should be day of launch DLC. It should have already came with the package. And some games come with map packs and costumes that should be unlockable as you play, not essentially "cheat" and buy them already. Sadly I'm hypocritical of my own statements b/c I've bought 2 or 3 outfits for my Sackgirl…..
@Rpad
We'll see, i'll be watching in person with no bias commentating to sway me from the action.
@CamiKitten A-ha! You'll want to check out Friday's Coffee Talk. What you and Smartguy have posted will probably be used as examples.
@Ray – Uh oh lol. I'll be sure to check, already curious as to what's gonna be said!
@tokz_21 Sure, but crowd reactions can sway just as much as commentators. A lot of times, people with bad seats will got nuts for a flurry of punches that aren't connecting cleanly.
cheap seats are where the real fans are.
@Rpad
I see your point but i will try my best to see. I've seen many live boxing events especially here at home in Chicago and sometimes you can get distracted by the crowd or be too drunk to know what happened, (that happened at the Morales fight v. David Diaz) Myself and 5 other friends went, we waited in line for beer when we got in at 730p and didn't stop until they stopped serving at the beginning of the morales fight.
I'm glad to see that they are trying to bring more big name fights to this area. I'm looking forward to Malignaggi V. Juan Diaz fight at the UIC Pavillion.
@Smartguy
Now you see why I can't shut up about Uncharted 2. With all do respect, I thought you were crazy to put Uncharted 2 aside for Brutal Legend.
@Smartguy
I definitely think that Uncharted 2 should win GOTY everywhere but I'm sure the media wants that accolade to go to MW2.
@smartguy That's not true. It's just where real fans that don't have big money or access sit. I'm a real boxing and WWE fan, but I've had brilliant seats thanks to some connections.
@tokz_21 I'm not a Paulie fan, but he totally got jobbed in the first Diaz fight. As a gamer and a New Yorker, I feel like I should support him. (He was in the Punch-Out!! commercials.) He's just such a prick though.
@RROD
Brutal Legend was very fun, and I had been looking forward to it for quite a while longer. UC2 is in a league of its own though. Just an amazing piece of work.
While playing it the other day, it made me ask myself a question though: Should a game this good be as long as it is? Is it the right length? Too short? I think it falls into the category of just the right length.
@Ray
It was a half jest. Whenever you go to the Superdome the loge level (see very expensive) is quite relaxed. The Terrace (see nosebleed/cheap) are nonstop drinking and loud. The Plaza (seats for connections/tickets that are bequest) are a decent mix.
I still like the loge level though.
@Smartguy
It took me exactly 12 hours and 17 minutes to complete Uncharted 2 on my first play through on normal. You'd be lucky to get 7 hours out of most games.
@RROD
I had to ask myself that because sometimes a song is really good but way too long or a movie suffers from the same issue. Dazed and Confused the Live version is way too long as are all of the LOTR special editions. I can make an argument that Green Mile is substantially too long. I think if UC2 was over 14-15 hours, I'd like it a bit less.
@Smartguy
That's where we differ. If a game is great then I want it as long as possible. I don't understand how a great game can be too long.
@RROD
A story has to end sometime. Great games that never end have that covered in the MP area.
@Smartguy
What about sitcoms? If you buy a complete season of 24 it will be much longer than a movie but the story just keeps going and even on into the next season.
@RROD
I much prefer a mini-series. Something like ShoGun. In the case of 24….very well done for season 1. Good story. Season 2, nice encore. It should have ended there though. I lost interest after that.
I was kinda sad in a way to see the Sopranos end, but I'm glad it did. The same with Rome really. Eventually Dexter has to be caught or killed…..
@ Smartguy
Are you saying the Simpsons have been on too long? If so, we might have to fight.
I think the Saints have been winning for too long and apparently, you do too… That story has to end sometime.
Also, I petition to change the survey question to something about Chris Jericho.
@N8R Your petition has been answered.
@N8R
Simpsons are an anomaly. The stories while they do call upon one another sometimes, aren't really necessary for continuance. I do think they have run their course though. Much the same as Family Guy, Futurama, etc.
Nah, the Saints must keep it up all year. Remember, it's only 1 season.
<——I really hate this stupid picture. Where do I go to fix this again?
@ Nightshade
https://rpad.tv/2009/10/12/housekeeping-custom-ava…
Instructions are go!
Well I was out of work yesterday so I didn't get to chime in on this. I think the free DLC Dragon Age offered day one is a great reason for people to buy new and not wait for a used copy. I was dismayed however to find that there was one piece of additional content I didn't get for free. lame.