Are DLCs a good or bad thing? Back in the day, developers issued new content either by pushing out patches or by releasing an expansion pack, but nowadays instead of a huge expansion, developers have opted for smaller updates and content through DLCs. It is understandable that some gamers might not have been too thrilled at the start, but are DLCs welcomed with open arms now?
According to Ubisoft’s VP of digital publishing, Chris Early, the answer is yes. Early believes that gamers these days aren’t as resistant to DLCs as they used to be. Speaking to Games Industry about Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag’s Time Saver DLC, Early reported that there wasn’t much resistance from gamers regarding the DLC. He noted that maybe there were a few who complained, but in general it wasn’t a big deal.
“I think there are some models that are accepted now. DLC is pretty much accepted. Season pass is pretty much accepted. Now it’s interesting when you start to think of Season Pass as a Service Pass. For our Season Pass holders, I know we hold events for them specifically, so it’s little bit more than just DLC content. So there’s an evolution going on there,” Early says.
He also mentions that developers should position DLCs to make players feel like it is enhancing the game, versus filling in gaps that developers left out on purpose, but what do you guys think? Have you come to embrace the new model where DLCs are common and are to be expected? Or do you think that it is just an excuse for a money grab by developers and publishers?
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