DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

[Complex]

I was not sure where to put this. Mods, please move if need be.

I just do not understand how and why DLC is so under-utilized. This has to be one of the greatest innovations in gaming history. The ability to enhance, update, and better games opens a whole range of possibilities. The irony of it is that it is either non-existant or so slow to market that its not effective.

When I heard that it was being developed years ago, I was excited. I started to think of all the ways it could be used. Upate the main charcter of a GTA type game with new looks and weapons. Add vehicles to racing games, or any game with cars. Obtain new music via downloads as rewards for completion. Just to name a few.

But DLC has been very slow, if it even comes out. Do gaming companies not realize that additional content would enhance sales of a game? Its also a cost effective way for a gaming company to increase revenues for use on future titles.

Is it me or does any one else share my thoughts.

[Hooe]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

My thinking on this is that unless the DLC creation is a relatively easy process (like a new song for Guitar Hero or Rock Band), the release of extensive post-release content really isn't financially worthwhile. The time, in the eyes of developers, can more likely than not be better invested and provide a better monetary return in the form of a true sequel for the game, rather than extending the current game.

[fishepa]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

My thinking on this is that unless the DLC creation is a relatively easy process (like a new song for Guitar Hero or Rock Band), the release of extensive post-release content really isn't financially worthwhile. The time, in the eyes of developers, can more likely than not be better invested and provide a better monetary return in the form of a true sequel for the game, rather than extending the current game.

Yep, my thoughts as well.

[Complex]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

I am not so sure that its the case. It could be just more profitable to develop a new title that you can sell at $60-$70 vs DLC that is either free or sold at $9.99.

Some games would be enhanced by new weapons, clothes, or vehicles. Not all have to be new maps and huge levels.

[Cebby]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

IMO, DLC is the worst thing to happen to games. Anytime you give companies incentive to withhold parts of a game that they can sell later for more money, only bad things can happen.

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

IMO, DLC is the worst thing to happen to games. Anytime you give companies incentive to withhold parts of a game that they can sell later for more money, only bad things can happen.

A prime example of that would be Soul Calibur IV. Worst part of all is that the content is actually held on the disc, which means they knew about it well before they released the game, and were looking to make more money. If you are willing to buy their DLC, it's like you are willing to buy their game for $80-90.

At the same time, I think DLC is good if games like CoD have new maps (that are free) the developers think to release after the game is finished.

[goh]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

I don't think it is cost effective. The last numbers I saw were that there was 20 million 360s and 12 million XBL members and 12 million PS3s with 4 million PSN members. There's people that have multiple accounts,I've got 4 PSN accounts (normal,UK,Asia and Japan) and I lost track of how many 360 accounts I had to make cause of their stupid silver waits a week and doesn't get roster updates bull**** when I really couldn't wait the week or needed the update. So that's what,30% of PS3 users and 52% of 360 users? Then there's how much the game sold to take into account as not all those people that go online even bought the game.

No the SC IV stuff is NOT on the disc. Those updates just before it came out were the DLC and they did that so it could still be used online/everyone would be able to see it. Hot Shots and Pain on the PS3 do the exact same thing. The worst was Bulletwitch. The DLC stages were free in Japan and they charged for them here,I refused to buy any of course.

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

I don't think it is cost effective. The last numbers I saw were that there was 20 million 360s and 12 million XBL members and 12 million PS3s with 4 million PSN members. There's people that have multiple accounts,I've got 4 PSN accounts (normal,UK,Asia and Japan) and I lost track of how many 360 accounts I had to make cause of their stupid silver waits a week and doesn't get roster updates bull**** when I really couldn't wait the week or needed the update. So that's what,30% of PS3 users and 52% of 360 users? Then there's how much the game sold to take into account as not all those people that go online even bought the game.

No the SC IV stuff is NOT on the disc. Those updates just before it came out were the DLC and they did that so it could still be used online/everyone would be able to see it. Hot Shots and Pain on the PS3 do the exact same thing. The worst was Bulletwitch. The DLC stages were free in Japan and they charged for them here,I refused to buy any of course.

No, the people that made Soul Calibur released the information saying the DLC is already on the disc, and you have to unlock it.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

IMO, DLC is the worst thing to happen to games. Anytime you give companies incentive to withhold parts of a game that they can sell later for more money, only bad things can happen.

The only good and productive DLC is going to be the new GTA IV stuff, I don't play the game but for those who do you are getting a brand new full story line for a low price. Basically a brand new game minus it's the same city

[Skyboxer]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

The only good and productive DLC is going to be the new GTA IV stuff, I don't play the game but for those who do you are getting a brand new full story line for a low price. Basically a brand new game minus it's the same city

Same with Oblivion. Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles were cool DLC's and added a nice amount of extra play time.

[born_bad]

Re: DLC - Why is it sooo lacking

Unless they allow user-created mods (like on the PC), I wouldn't expect to see much in game-changing DLC. Like others have said, it just doesn't make sense for them to put the man-hours in when they could be working on a new game.