I have double feelings about the DLC model. It offers both positive and negative aspects and I'm not really sure if I prefer it over the 'old' game+expansion method. There certainly are possibilities but I wonder if the industry will use them.
The good
What I really like is that it keeps you engaged. With a new civ, scenario, mappack and whatnot it really gives a few games that feeling again when you first start playing. The feeling that new contents gives me is really what I appreciate, although this is of course also due to the far-stretching patches we've seen.
Which brings me to my second point. The only way to keep selling DLC is to keep players playing. This is positive as it means the developer must have a game that allows long-term engagement for players. In the last decade we've seen games become more commercial and also a lot shorter, much less play-hours per game. Games using the DLC-system are turning this trend around which is much needed in my opinion. I believe the patches would not have been as extensive if not for the prospect of DLC income.
Other positive factors are that developers are able to suit to players' needs better since they will receive much feedback. Also, it makes pirating a lot harder since pirates will have to crack every DLC and illegal players will need to look for it and download it every time again.
The bad
As for negative factors, one is obviously cost. As pointed out above DLC is pretty expensive. This is logical of course (buying twenty separate ice-cream cones is much more expensive than buying a 2 liter pack). But it still is expensive. If I would right now get the deal to buy all DLC for 40 bucks I certainly wouldn't do it, even though I payed more by getting every DLC separately.
Second I'm concerned about expansions. I believe Civ V will certainly have expansions but in the future expansions might stop completely to be replaced by alot of smaller DLC packages. I suppose this is not necessarily bad but I personally really like expansions. They feel like playing an entirely new game instead of a slightly changed one.
Conclusion
All in all I can't say I'm for or against it. If DLC becomes more common and will turn around the trend of fewer gameplay-hours per game that would be a very good thing. On the other hand, would I like games that get many small and medium additions overtime instead of a single huge expansion? It sure gives you the option to choose, to mix & match your game as you like. But will it be as affordable?
Personally I feel DLC could be a step in the right direction. But still developers are sitting in their office thinking about what the consumers want. The internet is ready for a better system. The current level of communication allows much more feedback and participation from the community than currently is the case. I see developers and modders working more closely together to create new content and to improve overall game quality. The tools are here for a close collaboration with the online community, hopefully the industry will dare to step off their old methods and embrace the possibilities the technology of today and tomorrow brings us.
The good
What I really like is that it keeps you engaged. With a new civ, scenario, mappack and whatnot it really gives a few games that feeling again when you first start playing. The feeling that new contents gives me is really what I appreciate, although this is of course also due to the far-stretching patches we've seen.
Which brings me to my second point. The only way to keep selling DLC is to keep players playing. This is positive as it means the developer must have a game that allows long-term engagement for players. In the last decade we've seen games become more commercial and also a lot shorter, much less play-hours per game. Games using the DLC-system are turning this trend around which is much needed in my opinion. I believe the patches would not have been as extensive if not for the prospect of DLC income.
Other positive factors are that developers are able to suit to players' needs better since they will receive much feedback. Also, it makes pirating a lot harder since pirates will have to crack every DLC and illegal players will need to look for it and download it every time again.
The bad
As for negative factors, one is obviously cost. As pointed out above DLC is pretty expensive. This is logical of course (buying twenty separate ice-cream cones is much more expensive than buying a 2 liter pack). But it still is expensive. If I would right now get the deal to buy all DLC for 40 bucks I certainly wouldn't do it, even though I payed more by getting every DLC separately.
Second I'm concerned about expansions. I believe Civ V will certainly have expansions but in the future expansions might stop completely to be replaced by alot of smaller DLC packages. I suppose this is not necessarily bad but I personally really like expansions. They feel like playing an entirely new game instead of a slightly changed one.
Conclusion
All in all I can't say I'm for or against it. If DLC becomes more common and will turn around the trend of fewer gameplay-hours per game that would be a very good thing. On the other hand, would I like games that get many small and medium additions overtime instead of a single huge expansion? It sure gives you the option to choose, to mix & match your game as you like. But will it be as affordable?
Personally I feel DLC could be a step in the right direction. But still developers are sitting in their office thinking about what the consumers want. The internet is ready for a better system. The current level of communication allows much more feedback and participation from the community than currently is the case. I see developers and modders working more closely together to create new content and to improve overall game quality. The tools are here for a close collaboration with the online community, hopefully the industry will dare to step off their old methods and embrace the possibilities the technology of today and tomorrow brings us.
), in any game, so this is merely FUD.
Here we go again with people thanking the developers for "free" patches!
