How developers are abusing Downloadable Content for Games – Part 2
Take Capcom for example, they are second to none in releasing rubbish downloadable content that should’ve already been part of the main game. It’s become the norm for Capcom to re-release an entire game, slap the word ‘Super’ or ‘Turbo’ on the game’s cover
and just add some extra character which already should’ve been in the original game but were probably cut because Capcom wanted to make some extra bucks with the $15 DLC character packs.
After a few months Capcom brings out the complete version of the game with all the DLC released already included on the disc. With this strategy Capcom is punishing the day one buyers, as they end up paying much more than those who hold out on buying the
incomplete game and wait for the complete version and sending a simple and clear message to its fans: Don’t buy a new Capcom game, wait for a few months and get the re-release with all the DLC included for much cheaper.
Capcom aren’t the only offenders. This list consists of many popular developers such as Paradox Entertainment, Namco, Electronic Arts, Activision, Square Enix and Crytek.
Another common malpractice regarding downloadable content is when developers cut out important chunks of the game just to sell it to the gamers as DLC. This is infuriating when gamers find that the so called DLC was developed as a part of the original game
and was even included on the game disc but was locked away. Developers are selling gamers an incomplete game and charging them again for a product they have already bought.
Many developers have suffered because of this practice as cutting out important parts of the game and holding it back to release later as DLC caused their games to score less on review sites which in turn affected their sales. Remedy is a prime example with
their Xbox 360 game Alan Wake. This game which averages on Metacritic in the 80s could’ve score much higher if the last two levels, which were clearly part of the main story weren’t locked or cut out to be later released as DLC.
Mercurysteam, the developers of ‘Castlevania: Lords of Shadow’, admitted that cutting back the last level from the game for DLC was a mistake since not many people bought that DLC. Many fans didn’t know how the game truly ends thus Mercurysteam will have
to explain the original ending again in the sequel which is in development right now.
The aim of downloadable content was to extend the life of the game but now developers make it the main focus of game development. They design the game in such a way so that they could continue to release DLC throughout the year for it.
This practice is getting worse each day and more developers are adopting it as it slowly becomes the norm. What gamers fail to realise is that they end up paying twice the price of the game just to get something that should’ve already been included in the
game. It will be interesting to see what direction developers will take as the consumer is seemingly tired of having to pay extra for things that they already paid for when they bought the game.
DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policy of bettor.com.
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