Image via Complex Original
Are gamers being conditioned to accept microtransactions and DLC (down-loadable content) as a normative and essential components of new releases?
EA CEO Andrew Wilson discussed what role DLC will play in that company's future releases. Speaking at the Credit Suisse 2013 Technology Conference, Wilson tried to justify what is widely seen as institutionalized nickel and diming, squeezing consumers long after their initial $59.99 purchase.
DLC is all about extending profits and ballooning the bottom line, but that doesn't mean it always has to take the form of a slapdash, hastily developed product.
Wilson continues,
"You would think if you play the game for five weeks and then put it away, by the time the next version come around, you would have an appetite that would have build up over the last 10, 11 months to play that game again," Wilson said. "And actually, the reverse is true. The closer we can get you in terms of engagement to the next launch, the greater propensity you have to purchase."
Avalanche Studios founder, Creative Director Christofer Sundberg, recently said on his Twitter page, “Micro-transactions, subscriptions, and other biz models will be the next generation of games. It is that simple…basically that's where we're heading. There will be f-ups for sure. Hopefully we can lower the initial and build the game with the community instead."
Railing against the often times greedy and underhanded DLC and microtransaction policies to an audience that is already well acquainted with them may seem redundant, but not every piece of content released post-launch has to be terrible.
Here are eight pieces of gaming down-loadable content you should actually spend your money on.
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Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Set in the “future” (2007) Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is the stand alone DLC for Far Cry 3. The DLC has nothing to do with the core story of Far Cry 3, but that is ir-fucking-relevant. Far Cry 3 was mercilessly enjoyable and Blood Dragon is a shorter uppercut that flourished with its own stylized technique.
Blood Dragon tips its hat to Terminator, Aliens, Predator, RoboCop, and every other welcome cliche from 80s action films. The game succeeds on the merit of its excess because nothing in Blood Dragon is subtle. From the titular Blood Dragons to the one liners that accompany stealth kills, the game is neon bright and reveling in its inner eighth grader. The DLC begs for a sequel all its own.
Grand Theft Auto IV - Episodes from Liberty City
Doe a Grand Theft Auto title really need DLC?
In a series that is seemingly without borders, where players are encouraged to uncover even the most oblique and well-hidden secrets Rockstar has scattered throughout their world.
The sandbox worlds offer up more than enough to distract players. From gambling to seducing a potential mate, what could Rockstar add to make the game seem even more immersive?
How about not one, but two pieces of single player DLC, for Grand Theft Auto IV?
The Lost and the Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony had nothing to do with perma-bummer Nico Bellic, but they succeeded marvelously each in their own right. Following the stories of Johnny Klebitz and Luis Fernando Lopez respectively, the two stories weaved through Nico's tale.
The two DLC installments also added new weapons and vehicles, and allowed you to replay missions. The case has been made by some that the DLC was actually better than the main game itself considering, once again, how much of a tortured downer Nico tended to be. The DLC, however, was amazing and somehow made GTA IV an even more expanded experience.
Fallout: New Vegas
New Vegas was even more ambitious than its predecessor in terms of DLC.
Six installments all added up to one story, told in episodic fashion. With a subdued more introspective ending The New Vegas DLC offered developers the opportunity to do short stories within the Fallout universe. And, most importantly, these short stories were actually worth the money.
Borderlands 2, Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep
Borderlands 2 has been releasing consistently solid season pass DLC for the year plus since the game first dropped.
Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep was one of the most creative, outside of the box approaches to DLC we've seen. Tiny Tina plays the dungeon master in a game of Bunkers & Badasses—Gearbox’s homage to Dungeons & Dragons. Skeletons, dragons, and other creatures found in the fantasy realms replace the normal roster of psychos found on Pandora. A legit Dungeons & Dragons homage that satisfied both Borderlands and table top gaming fans.
Dishonored, The Knife of Dunwall
The Knife of Dunwall utilizes a criminally under-used plot device that more games should occasionally dip into: Let us play as the murderer.
Always let us play as the murderer.
The Knife of Dunwall has players taking on the role of master assassin, Daud. Daud was the hired blade that set the events of Corvo's tale into motion when he murdered the Empress at the onset of Dishonored.
Once again incorporating all of the stealth, magic, and sword-fighting, that made Dishohonored so amazing, Knife adds new missions, powers, and, amazingly, a whole new character that played and felt uniquely different from the standalone Dishonored title. Money well spent.
Bioshock 2 - Minerva's Den
BioShock 2 always seemed like it was given short shrift when compared directly with the first BioShock.
Forever in the shadow of the first title, Bioshock 2 was a great game in its own right and the Minerva's Den DLC expands on the already robust world of Rapture.
Minerva's Den puts you in control of another prototype Big Daddy and instead of going up against Sophia Lamb for a rematch, you're battling a sentient intelligence construct known as The Thinker.
The DLC serves up more phenomenal gameplay and built further upon the series already moving narrative. Interestingly enough, some of the developers who worked on Minerva's Den went on to produce Gone Home.
Red Dead Redemption - Undead Nightmare
Has Rockstar ever let you down when it comes to DLC?
We'd go as far as stating that Undead Nightmare for Red Dead Redemption is best DLC we've ever played because, fuck, the thing is damn near flawless. This is how you do DLC correctly, this is how you extend the shelf life of your title, and this is how engender good will on the part of the people who've already shelled out $60 for your title.
Undead Nightmare is chocolate and peanut butter. Some enterprising genius, who's still cashing residuals, brought together two genres that are the video game equivalent to Independence Day and firecrackers. Stick an M80 into a tomato and tell us you aren't having the time of your short life.
Two genres that succeeded on their own separate merits,were finally brought together, Rockstar created the zombie-Western hybrid that evolved into its own genre entirely. Keeping the mechanics of RDR in place, Undead Nightmare forced players to revamp their strategy when facing off against massive numbers of the undead. Headshots were the key to not being devoured. The DLC was such a succcess that it was eventually released as a stand alone title.
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn
Who would've thought that Bethesda would ever recover after releasing the still hysterical 'Horse Armour' for Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion,
(Seems like a completely sound investment)
Bethesda more than made up for the bedazzled saddle by letting players FLY A FUCKING DRAGON in the Dragonborn DLC for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. In a game that could easily devour 80 plus hours, the introduction of a whole new map area, new quests, and, again, DRAGONS provided a massive addition to the already intimidating amount of content found in the original game.
Dragonborn, alongside Dawngaurd and Hearthfire, made Skyrim that much more time consuming in all the right ways. Bethesda's DLC added to both the established narrative and provided value beyond the initial investment game's purchase.
Less horse armor, more dragon riding and werewolf hunting.