Comments on: Beware the Downloadable Content (DLC)

By: james braselton

james braselton — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:34:40 +0000

hi there wow can not wait for nintendo 3DS too come too market it will indeed download content auto madicly even during sleep mode all it needs is another 3DS too talk too or wi-fi

By: David

David — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:12:13 +0000

My issue comes with the game publisher essentially selling you an unfinished product, then charging you for the pleasure of an ending. Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more common.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:32:37 +0000

I don’t think it’s quite fair to just dismiss DLC out of hand. The length of any particular DLC is something that’s up to the individual developer. Some developers, like Ubisoft Montreal, won’t give you much for your money. However, other developers provide excellent bargains with their DLC. For instance, Fallout 3 (which is interestingly made by Bethesda, who is often maligned for one of the worst DLC packages ever, horse armor for $2 in Oblivion) has several lengthy DLC packages, each for $10, that add dozens of hours to the game.

The important thing is to do your research before you buy and determine if the amount of enjoyment that the DLC adds to the game is going to be worth the price you pay.

By: Tom Dziubek

Tom Dziubek — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:13:30 +0000

“We all need hobbies to unwind, but the amount of wasted time and effort on video games seems to be a questionable use of life.”

Fair point, but I think it’s up to each individual to decide how much down time they need in their own personal life and how they want to spend it. I’m sure just about any method that a person spends unwinding is open to critique in regards to its relative value. What if you or I decided we wanted to spend our down time sleeping, or sitting on a chair staring blankly at a wall? Would it be any different than someone who wants to play video games? I think it’s more important to address the amount of time performing such activities, as opposed to how that time is spent. As long as the person enjoys the time and it helps their mental well-being, more power to them.

By: steveDH

steveDH — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:37:59 +0000

Hey, it’s a good business model and it’s used in various forms throughout our lives. Even the evening news uses it. “Teasers are good for business”, is what it’s called. “Find out why so-and-so did (whatever) NEXT on Kxxx!! (Wxxx for easterners). Funny at best (new content for your game) and criminal at it’s worst (Tobacco giveaways) it is just a lever to get you to pass along those bucks. I like Tom’s thoughts; at a dollar an hour it beats going to the movies.

By: Salvatore

Salvatore — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:18:56 +0000

It’s funny, I thought you were going in a completely different direction with this post. I thought that this was going to be about how the downloadable content was a trap that sucks away your money instead of being something that you were upset about not having an opportunity to purchase. Researching every purchase of $50 or more seems like a good idea though.

By: Smithee

Smithee — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:46:11 +0000

Aye, I probably spent somewhere close to $20 on Rock Band songs, but I haven’t played in what seems like at least a year.

By: Curt

Curt — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:38:42 +0000

I really enjoy Con. Comm. Good advice that is practical. I try and get my kids to read your posts. Now, a question for you. If time is valuable, why is so much of it being spent on video games? One wonders if this may be, as many neuro-scientists contend, an addiction. We all need hobbies to unwind, but the amount of wasted time and effort on video games seems to be a questionable use of life. Not good economics in the long run. I’m not perfect and have areas to work on in my own life. It is useful to have them touched upon from time to time. Again, your blog is helpful – keep up the good work.

By: Tom Dziubek

Tom Dziubek — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:26:50 +0000

Hey Smithee, have you gotten sucked into Rock Band / Guitar Hero yet? Buying and downloading all of your favorite songs…especially from a particular artist you like…can be very tempting. I know someone who got so into Rock Band that he felt the need to download purchase EVERY song available.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:08:17 +0000

The question you must ask yourself: How much did it cost, per hour, for the enjoyment? Did the game give you 45 hours of fun for $1 an hour? Did the addon give you 4 more hours at $1 per hour? If so, then the value is the same. If the game took less than 45 hours, the addon was a better deal than the game itself.

DLC is nice, when done right. Clothing for my character in PSHome is not worth it.