Why DLC Should Be Free
If you are like me, then you are tired of your favorite games receiving DLC that costs 20$ for each pack. Some people argue that DLC shouldn't be free. They claim that the developers put effort into it and therefore it should be worth money. While I'm not against all paid DLC, I do hate the outrageous prices on some of them. There are a few exception in rare occasions though. Here are three reasons why DLC should be free.
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3. They Are Planned Ahead Of Time
Game developers usually don't just all of a sudden have inspiration for DLC content. They plan to make them ahead of time. They purposely keep some ideas that they have for the game out of the final product even if they have time to put it in. In other words it's just a pure cash grab. Some games' DLC isn't even worth the cost. Like I said before though, sometimes the cost is worth the content.
For example, Final Fantasy XV has an afordable price on it's main DLC content so far. You get a fair bit of story and extra game modes and features for a pretty cheap cost. On the other hand, you have games like Call Of Duty that charge ridiculous prices for multiple DLC packs. In some games it even forces you to buy it if you want to have a fair match up with any opponents. This brings me to my next point.
2. It Can Make Games Pay To Win
This is a huge problem in the gaming world right now. People who have money are able to drop it on games and easily get overpowered weapons through DLC. This means that a person who works hard and fair to get to their level will pretty much always be beaten by someone who payed for the win.
This problem encourages less skill and thoughts. Also in the process it makes others buy their DLC just to have a fair chance and actually enjoy the game. It's unfair and wrong. Sometimes people have to stop playing because they simply can't afford it. DLC is making the future of Gaming less about skill and having fun, and more about who has the most cash to throw around.
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1. You Bought It, So It Should Be Complete
Remember my first point in the list? That they are planned ahead of time? Well this is where I say I firmly believe that you bought the game, so you should own everything that comes with it. You already dropped $60 on the game. You own it. If they intentionally kept content out of it to make you pay later on, it's almost like theft. You pay for something in full, but they only give you a part and charge more for a second part later that should be In the first.
I understand DLCs take time to make, but other people work to afford it as well. Either make the whole game and sell it at once, or give DLC free. There is no excuse for charging people twice for something they should already own. The only other solution I can't think of is, charge less and be more reasonable about the price. Maybe then people would actually buy more DLC.
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Thanks to the wonderful companies and workers who put countless hours into these games! The effort you put into them to entertain us is astounding and really touching. However please stop milking us for cash. Thank you for reading this post of mine! If you liked my post please up-vote, resteem, and follow me for future content! I really appreciate the support.
As a gamer it's disappointing this see this happen more and more, I remember when a company release previews of a game and launched it with half of the stuff. I remember saying they will put rest towards an expansion and sure enough it happened that way. I like finding free to play games that have micro-transactions as an option at least that way everything is straightforward and agreed upon.
I remember the horse armor dlc for Oblivion, the worst.
Great read! Micro transactions.. killing games. Why don't they just give it to us all like they use to :(
I'm fine with games being DLC supported if the base game is free. If you charge me $60 for a game, and then you expect me to buy $70 more DLC for levels and stupid crap then I hate you.
DLC should be paid. But only if it provides enough content for the price. I don't ever remember anyone saying that expansions should be free in the old days and those were just DLC on a larger scale.
So - paid DLC - yes, but for a good price relatively to what it offers.
Great post! Would you mind if I included it in today's "best of gaming"?
Go ahead
I was considering writing a piece on GTA 5, and how they've grossed more during the last four years than some MMOs have made in their lifetime - without selling a piece of DLC.
Their business model is ingenious. They make the DLC free, but the paywall of [in game money] so high that only people that dedicate hundreds of hours into the game can afford it. Then those people are seen riding around the city with their new things and people without the in-game cash become envious, using real money to buy in-game currency so they can afford the new items, and experience the new DLC.
I think it's an incredible thought process. The DLC is free, no one can complain it's not, but only the players that are extremely dedicated to your game can afford it, while everyone else is subconsciously pressured into opening their wallets.
If you take a look at The Sims 4 website, you'll see how many DLCs expansions The Sims 4 have. For this game, I'm not sure if they are worth to buy or not, because the expansions looks good, but there is too many of them.