Downloadable content

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Downloadable content , download extension or literally downloadable content shortly DLC called, is a form of video game enhancements . This typically chargeable download content is offered and distributed over the Internet , for example Internet sales platforms such as Xbox Live , PlayStation Network , Nintendo eShop , Steam or manufacturer websites . They represent an important form of distribution in the field of video games .

description

The name only describes the originally used sales channel, while the extensions can be both add-ons and add-ins . If at all, DLCs are not published until later on a conventional medium. Additionally downloaded content usually costs less than conventional extensions, but also offers less scope.

Season Pass

If the manufacturer plans to publish a number of download extensions, he sometimes offers a so-called Season Pass. This is a bundle offer that grants the buyer access to future and / or already published download extensions. The exact design of the offer is at the discretion of the manufacturer, for example the Season Pass does not always grant access to all DLCs ever published. In most cases, however, the purchase of the Season Pass is cheaper than the individual purchase of the included expansions.

motivation

Advantages for the manufacturer are savings in the distribution media, transport costs and possibly also for the distributor. As a further motivation of the manufacturers for increasingly chargeable DLC parts in current games, it is also speculated that this is a sales measure that is primarily directed against buyers of used games. In contrast to licenses that are tied to media, individualized licenses (e.g. Steam licenses) cannot be transferred.

reception

There are controversies about DLCs because of their scope of content, which is often small compared to the basic product, and is therefore perceived as overpriced or afflicted with a poor price-performance ratio . The notorious prime example of useless and overpriced DLC content is the Horse Armor Pack for the role-playing game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion .

DLCs ​​also receive criticism in the form of continuously necessary microtransactions in games. A well-known example is EA managing director John Riccitiello's idea of ​​collecting $ 1 every time for reloading ammunition in Battlefield 3 , which he presented at a shareholders' meeting.

The term “Day-One-DLC” criticizes the possibility of breaking down existing content into small, individually sellable DLCs that are already available on the first day of publication in order to maximize profit. When EA was voted “Worst Company in America” by The Consumerist in April 2012, with the “Golden Po” trophy, the use of this practice was cited as one of the reasons for choosing EA.

There was further criticism in cases in which content was distributed as DLC, but it was found that this supposedly new content was already part of the original game and was only unlocked. For example, an additional game character for Street Fighter X Tekken sold as DLC was already included on the original installation medium.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ What is a Season Pass? Explanation and examples of dummies
  2. ^ Daniel Raumer: Electronic Arts - ... fights against used games . In: GameStar . IDG . February 18, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  3. ↑ Adam Satariano, Cliff Edwards: Electronic Arts: Lost in an Alien Landscape . businessweek.com. February 10, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2013: " Project Ten Dollar," a coupon program to reward people who purchase a new game with downloadable content and upgrades. People who buy used games pay an extra $ 10 or more for the same goodies. "
  4. ↑ John Walker: Thought: Do We Own Our Steam Games? ( English ) Rock, Paper, Shotgun . February 1, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  5. ↑ Jim Sterling: Oblivion's Horse Armor DLC still selling! ( English ) Destructoid. March 13, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2013: " The" Horse Armor "downloadable content for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has become notorious as the premier example of bad DLC. It's a pointless waste of money that gives something totally useful to a non-character you'll barely use. "
  6. ↑ James Ransom-Wiley: Download Oblivion's horse armor, for a price ( English ) Joystiq. April 3, 2006. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  7. ↑ Tim Smith: Remembered: EA's CEO and Charging for In-Game Ammo - Micro-transactions lead EA's John Riccitiello to charge for Battlefield Reloads ( English ) spong.com. July 3, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  8. ↑ EA CEO John Riccitiello On Gaming Microtransactions (June 27, 2011, English)
  9. ↑ Erik Kain: Why Day-One DLC Isn't Just Bad For Gamers, It's Bad For Business ( English ) Forbes Magazine . November 14, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  10. ↑ Chris Morran: The Voters Have Spoken: EA Is Your Worst Company In America For 2012! ( English ) April 4, 2012. Retrieved on September 23, 2013: “ EA and its ilk deliberately hold back game content with the sole intent of charging a fee for it at a later date. It's one thing to support a game with new content that is worth the price. It's another to put out an inferior - and occasionally broken - product with the mindset of "ah, we'll fix it later and make some money for doing so." "
  11. ↑ Electronic Arts: 'Worst company in America'? Consumerist says yes ( English ) Retrieved on September 23, 2013.
  12. ↑ Paying for content already on the disc, the EVIL side of the Xbox Live Marketplace . December 20, 2006. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  13. ^ Ian Dransfield: Capcom Includes Paid DLC On The Disc, Hilariously . Play. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  14. ↑ Brendan Sinclair: On-Disc DLC Outrage Is Off the Mark . GameSpot. March 16, 2012. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved on February 23, 2016.