Calling Out DLC Price Gouging

[Rurouni_Fencer]

So SNK Playmore formally announced it's XBLA shmup 'Trouble Witches Neo' yesterday to be released April 27.

Today, (Friday @ midnight,) they announced a new character 'Luca' to be released as DLC on May 11.

I love SNK, but I'm so sick of companies releasing premium DLC the day of, or within a week of a game's release! It's bullshit when you're paying for a game, only to have them dangle the rest of it in front of you, but only if you pay them more money!

Here's my response on their facebook page - immediately after it was announced.

You just announced the game's release date the other day. Already, there's DLC announced for it. How about you just include the extra character with the standard release? Otherwise, it sounds like just another company price gouging consumers with content that is already ready to go if the price is right. Come on, SNK - you're better than that!

link here, if anyone else wants to chime in and voice their opinion:
http://www.facebook.com/SNKPonXBLA

[Flake]

The only way people are going to be able to chime in and have it matter is by NOT buying DLC.

If people by it and make it profitable, it's not the company's fault for pursuing an avenue that increases their revenue.

Besides, SNK kinda needs the money these days. You think they're going to pass up free coin?

[Rurouni_Fencer]

The only way people are going to be able to chime in and have it matter is by NOT buying DLC.

If people by it and make it profitable, it's not the company's fault for pursuing an avenue that increases their revenue.

Besides, SNK kinda needs the money these days. You think they're going to pass up free coin?

I definitely see your point. But couldn't they just, oh I don't know - release a full, good quality game. Not to mention one that's brand new, isn't a port, or sucking the teet of an already established IP?

SNK: you want to be a successful game company again? Release a King of Fighters that doesn't feature shallow gameplay, or try making a new IP. Hell, I'd be happy with a proper Fatal Fury reboot...

[Xeogred]

This has been going on for at least the last two years or so. I've said it before and I'll say it again, DLC is the worst thing to happen to gaming this generation. Purely abused.

[JordanPlayer]

DLC has become a nuisance... yes it's great that developers can extend the life of a game by adding new things in but extra DLC that comes out near the game's release date or shortly after just feels like a cash-in... just like how sometimes the content is actually on the disc and it's just an unlock code. I find it humorous that developers and publishers complain about the used game market; when extensive DLC additions come out for a game I am more inclined to wait to see if there will be a GOTY version of the game a year later I also like comprehensive versions that include this content since I'm not really sure what is going to happen for future consoles and digital items.

[brunoafh]

DLC is definitely one of the worst things to happen to gaming, if not the.

I have to agree with Flake though, it's our fault as the consumers of the market (collectively, not specifically us on here) for making such things profitable and acceptable.

Sadly, most of the things wrong with the industry today are the result of our decisions, and the sky high expectations of the current generation of gamers. Gamers want the latest and greatest everything now, so with stuff like COD tearing up the sales charts, lesser developers/publishers sometimes feel the need to resort to lame tactics like this to jack the profits up (That's not to say the big names don't do the exact same thing, though.) The decision to throw out some day one DLC seems almost natural given the competition out there now.

[Flake]

There are some good points to DLC as well, though. DLC can be a safety valve for companies considering titles that may be too niche to be profitable if they cannot keep the price low enough.

Using Megaman 9 and 10 as an example, Capcom released those two games at what was actually a bargain price for how good the content was. But there was a lot of debate over whether the hype would outstrip actual demand.

Yeah, DLC was ready almost from the get go but by having that DLC on hand, Capcom could release a quality game at a lower price. This made the pool of potential customers that much larger. Since they (reasonably) expected everyone to want at least one DLC pack, they could expect to make all their money despite that lower price point.

So essentially - a lot of people got to play Megaman 9 and 10, Capcom mitigated their own risk by having a cheap product, and those who wanted more got it for another couple of bucks.

DLC can be annoying but there are also instances where it can be a good thing. It's up to the customers to decide what to support or not and send the developers a clear message of where they draw the line.

[Inazuma]

This is one of the many reasons why I completely avoid Xbox 360 and PS3. I'm so fed up with this shit. And yes, most of the blame is on us, the consumers. The game companies are doing what they are supposed to do; make money.

Stop buying DLC! The game companies think we are a bunch of mindless idiots, and they are right! They put out bullshit like this and we buy it. How pathetic. How about we teach the assholes in the gaming industry that we want 100% complete games for a fair price on day one?

I love video games but I can't buy most modern games because my morals prevent me. Stop supporting this bullshit so people like me can enjoy new video games again.

[Xeogred]

Typically when I hear about DLC for a game thesedays (as we've already covered in this thread, often the day a game is released, or even before, or simply a few weeks later), all that does is basically bring down my interest in said game entirely. Seriously, that's all it does thesedays. $60 is already pushing it for me as it is and if that's not enough to get a complete full game, then I'm just kind of through with this shit.

Clearly it's not a lot of us here that are the issue, but yeah. Companies are doing what they do best and making money because the consumers want it. Too bad gaming has gone too mainstream this generation and trends like these are unstoppable.

[AmishSamurai]

While I can see some DLC as being good, expanding the playtime of the game with new levels and missions, you have some that just unlocks content on the disc and adds in trivial shit. Only DLC I've bought was the Polynesian Civ pack for Civ V, and Magicka: Vietnam. I've been tempted to buy Lair of the Shadow Broker for ME2 though.