There’s Already too much DLC at E3

With two press conferences down, and a few more to go, it appears as if downloadable content is going to once again be a big thing at E3 2014. DLC comes with its own praises and criticisms, but in general, it is a idea that has worked out for both developers and gamers. Developers can extend the life of their titles while also gaining more revenue, while players get more content for the games they love. There are a few issues that have always, and will always, surround DLC, and they’ve all been on display tonight.

Since very few individuals will deny the idea that DLC, if priced right, is excellent for all parties involved, I think it best that we use that as the basis for examining two contentious DLC ideas: Exclusive Timed DLC and Day One DLC.

Exclusive Timed DLC

At their E3 2014 press conference, Microsoft announced exclusive timed DLC for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Evolve. Extra content for both games will release on Xbox before being available on Windows or Playstation 4. Exclusive DLC has always been more of a Microsoft thing than a Sony thing, although both companies are guilty of using it to lure fans to a certain multiplatform game. Microsoft has done deals with the Call of Duty franchise many times in the past, and Playstation locked up exclusive deals with two of Ubisoft’s biggest titles, Assassins Creed 4 and Watchdogs.

For those that owned PS3 and PS4 exclusively, having Watchdogs and Assassins Creed 4 DLC first was a bonus, rather than a selling point. The same can be said today for those that already own an Xbox One. Timed DLC is GREAT for developers, as it is just extra money in their pockets at the end of the day. However, timed DLC is never, and will never be, great for gamers.

In today’s current economical market, very few hardcore gamers own both a Playstation 4 and an Xbox One. Those that have either console, or are anticipating getting one, are rarely going to base their decision on which title will timed DLC. With consoles costing more and more, the decision is based on available franchises and console features.

When it comes to timed DLC, gamers lose, always. If you currently own and Xbox, congratulations: you will get content for Evolve and Call of Duty first. But be warned, when Sony completes their own press conference, you are going to be missing out on DLC for other popular franchises. Unless you own every console, you will never completely win.

Day One DLC

Day One DLC is way more common than it ever should be. At times, it’s appropriate. Generally, these times are only when the DLC is free. I believe day one DLC is also appropriate when you analyze what is being offered, and what the cost of the title is. An excellent example of this is the latest Mario Golf title on 3DS. Day one DLC featured 2 extra courses and another playable character. While some condemned the game for not including it within the actual release of the title, I was very OK with it. Mario Golf was already packed with over 10 courses, and over 140 holes. For me, this was a ton of content for a measly 34.99. An extra 5.99 (or 14.99 for the season pass) was incredibly reasonable.

What I do not like, however, are games that are short on content for the price they are charging, having DLC on the first day. It makes gamers upset, and doesn’t look good on the developers either. The general feeling amongst many that have experienced the day one DLC dilemma is that the game was completed, content was removed, and then sold back to the end consumer. This is problematic, and once again, it for the profit of everyone else except those whom the title is made for.

Why developers feel the need to release day one DLC is also confusing. The only logical conclusion is that they feel the amount of content available for the retail price is not enough to lure consumers. So, they add DLC to make the game appear to be more then it is. This is fine, but make it free, or wait to release it after consumers have had time to consume the content already available.

Conclusion

Both types of DLC – Day One and Timed Exclusive – are insulting to gamers. It will be interesting to see when gamers as a whole decide to stand up to Microsoft and Sony and the laundry list of developers who are unfortunately milking consumers of their hard earned money. The economy is not great, and the sooner developers and console makers get on the same page as consumers the better.