Abusing Downloadable Content

In recent years video game developers and publishers have been able to provide us extensions to the games we all know and love thanks to the wonders of modern technology and the internet. This is known as Downloadable Content. (DLC)

Downloadable Content involves purchasing extensions and add-ons for games that you already own. The DLC will usually come at a price but in some instances it can be free of charge. The DLC is paid for using either a credit card, pre paid card or a redeemable code and it is bought through an online service (e.g Xbox Live) and it is then downloaded to a hard drive ready for you to use.

In theory DLC is a great way to extend and prolong the life of video games and believe me in many cases it is very effective and enjoyable. It's when big companies decide to abuse this ability is when Downloadable Content Suffers.

Many companies now use DLC as a way to milk every single cent out of its consumer. This is achieved by taking content out of a game that should be included in the final retail product but instead of that they offer it as DLC and of course it is at a price. Many companies find this way effective in returning a greater profit without any extra effort. Sure it's great for the company but all us consumers find ourselves getting consistently screwed over all the time.

One thing that frustrates the hell out of me is when I find that Downloadable Content is available the first day a game is released and that I have to pay for it. Why couldn't the company include the friggen DLC in the retail disc? Is an extra $5 really worth screwing over your customer for? Apparently it is worth it.

Sometimes it is acceptable if the DLC is of a substantial amount but when certain pieces are deliberately taken out of the game instead of being added really pisses me off. Why should I have to pay for a crappy gun or car that should already be included? That is just blatant money grabbing and for big companies to have to resort to this kind of thing is disgraceful.

Developers and Publishers take Downloadable content out of context. It is meant to be made after a game is released to prolong the gaming experience. It's not meant to be made during the development process. If it was made during that process add the fucking thing to the game! It is not hard.

And another thing. Why should I have to pay for any DLC in the first place? Isn't my $100 purchase of your god damn product good enough for you. The added content is meant to reward me for my purchase. It wasn't intended to be made to screw your customers over with extra fees. Who the hell came up with the idea for having to pay for extra content? If I find out who you are I will track you down and cut you!

There is one company in particular that shoves another form of DLC down your throat. The company is called Microsoft (you may of heard of them) and they cram Micro Transactions into your face.

Micro-transactions are similar to DLC but it doesn't involve in-game content. It is non critical items like pictures or themes that Microsoft makes you pay for even though the crap should be free. This is occurring more and more frequently. Why should I spend my hard earned cash on a shitty 50x50 pixel picture when it should cost nothing at all?



Microsoft are the kings of making their customers pay more. Xbox Live costs money, new themes for their console costs money, hell even gamer pictures cost money. Anything the company can think of, they make you pay for and most of the things don't deserve one cent of your money. No wonder half of Microsoft's name is in Micro Transactions. They pretty much own the system.

Now with the New Xbox Experience (NXE) finally launched on Microsoft's gaming platform, there are new features (or borrowed features) available for us all to use. One borrowed feature is called Avatars which as the name states is your own customisable character. The one thing I noticed with them is that there was a shortage of items that I could customise my Avatar with. Then it hit me. Microsoft is delaying items so they can offer them later on as Micro Transactions that cost money. Sure enough I was right and the items will be available at a cost later in the future. NOW THAT IS COMPLETE BULLSHIT!

Now sure I have been fairly hard on Microsoft with this issue but they deserve the criticism they get. They are true entrepreneurs when it comes to sucking every drop of cash out of their customers. There are also other companies that are almost as bad as Microsoft. EA YOU BASTARDS I AM LOOKING AT YOU!!!

It makes me want to fucking go on a massive rampage and take down all the assholes that made DLC such a money graber for companies. DLC is a great concept but as usual it has been used, abused and has had its face wiped by peoples anal region. It is simply NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!

Also if you are wondering why I care so much on this pointless issue, well the answer is: I simply have no life.

Read More...