I would like to think intentions from DLC started out well. I think when the rise of MMOs became a thing, non-mmo games wanted to feel relevant for longer periods of time, so they created add-on content to keep their games going. The issue, however, is this needed to make more money, thus DLC was born.
I can't quite pinpoint when the first DLC was implemented, but I would wager it had to be towards the end of the PS2 Era/Xbox with their Xbox Live service.
So what is the main approach of this topic? Do Dlc/Micros ruin modern day gaming?
Unlike my last topic, this one isn't so white and black. There is a huge shade of grey in this topic. Id executed right Mini-transactions can be done right. Look at Super Smash Bros. 4. The way they are doing DLC/Mini Transactions is very well. In a lot of instances they even group mini's with big DLCs like characters and stages.
As for full-fledged DLC, I'm mostly okay with it. I've played MMOs all my gaming career, so I'm used to paying a monthly fee for server upkeep/additional content. That being said, the concept of "DLC" isn't a taboo to me.
Now I said this was a grey issue, and the reason why is because a concept that should not pervert the gaming community does because companies are greedy.
The problem lies in that creation of mini-add ons (Micro) or extra content (DLC) is a great addition, but this leads developers to be pushed too hard / be lazy. We wind up with 4-5 DLCs that are mediocre to meet the quota, when 1~2 good ones would have sufficed. (Borderlands 2 in my opinion saw this)
Another issue is ON DISC DLC. Now if you're going the route of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and you release the dlc free to gate your content, then sure fine whatever. When you lock content then charge to unlock it though? No. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was my first experience of this, locking Shuma Gorath and that other player I can't remember. This is basically taking a completed product and taking parts of it out to charge you extra. Imagine if you went to buy a Car and they took the radio out to buy as additional parts? Crazy right?
I wish I could say we see the good effects of DLC/Micro more than bad, but it hasn't seemed to go that way. Honestly, Nintendo is probably the only company not being overly stingy and they are lol'd amongst the hardcore community so no one cares. (I care Nintendo!)
To say this ruins modern day gaming I disagree and agree simultaneously. DLC can bring a lot of extra playtime, rekindle a game for you, and is basically the whole concept of an mmo. Micros let you customize your game with extra content and if your an aesthetic person it is usually up your isle. To argue "well it should all be in the game from start" is ignorant because this is Post-release development, or a different sect of the dev. team is working on it for DLC. Now if they pull the main dev. team away for DLC which is already out but delayed to be DLC for more money... now that is messed up.
I hate how this went down because in theory DLC/Micro should be breeding grounds for games to have increased longevity and keep player bases around even longer on things that lack online competitiveness or an mmo aspect. It merely ends up just causing the original product to be lackluster, mediocre dlc, content cut out of the game (seriously quit this), etc.
So git gud game developers and pull your asses out of your wallet!
I'd also like to add, I'm sure there are good games with good dlc out there; Nintendo is just my go to. Off the top of my head, the best i'm coming up with is...Dark Souls? hahaha.
As always, enjoy~
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