Game Downloads, Are They Worth It?
Although PC gamers have enjoyed it for a while, the use of downloadable content is something that has started with this generation of consoles. It can be exhilarating for a gamer to pick up a game that has sat idle for months and play it again because some new content has expanded the gameplay, perhaps adding new multiplayer maps, new weapons, new characters, or new gameplay modes. However, downloadable content can be a double-edged blade, as gamers might find themselves paying for more and more content, whether its worth it or not. And how much is too much, considering that the games cost around $60, but content, which ranges usually from $5 to $20 for expansions, doesn't really measure up proportionately.
This week, Cheat Code Central sounds off about downloadable content.
D'Marcus Beatty, Co-Site Director
I have always been impressed by the idea of downloadable content. The idea that gamers can get new additions to the game after purchase has always boggled my mind, considering that I've been a gamer since the days of the Atari 2600. However, I do think that downloadable content has the potential to milk gamers dry, especially if we don't remain vigilant.
Consider this scenario. A developer has almost finished with a highly anticipated game but has a section that is unfinished and may delay the game's release. Instead of cutting the content or finishing it as usual, the developer may decide to filter out the content to sell later as a download. For the developer this is a win-win situation, as they get to produce the game on time and treat consumers to the unfinished product at their leisure. However, the consumer, who isn't aware that the developer's initial plans were to have the content in the game, winds up paying an extra $5-$20 for something that was intended to be in the game from the beginning.
Gaming is a business. Developers and publishers wouldn't continue to exist if they didn't make money, and the pursuit of money isn't a crime. Downloadable content is a boon for both gamers and developers, as gamers get to enjoy games longer while developers can profit from their games a little longer. However, this formula only works well if consumers are careful about what we purchase and who we support.
Maria Montoro, Co-Site Director
As any good business, the gaming industry is always looking for new ways to expand and make their initial investments as profitable as possible. After spending a big sum in resources and developers, it's really not going to cost them that much more to create some extra content that they can sell online at a later date, which enhances both the consumer's experience and the publisher's pockets.
Here are a few examples where the downloads could come in handy:
In most situations, like the ones mentioned above, you'll be hesitant to spend the extra money; however, it's probably worth it if you're so much into that game that you truly want to expand your experience. Just do good research on the content that is being offered to you, look in your pockets to see if you have the extra cash, and don't make rushed decisions! You can even find out online if that download is really worth it, as I'm sure there are people that talk about it openly in forums and blogs. If it's a bigger expansion, you're sure to find a review for it right here, so you have lots of options!
I like the extra content that is provided, and I like downloading classic and arcade games even more. However, I only put my money in the ones that are really going to be worth my time, and the rest get nothing. With that said, we still don't have new content for the Elder Scrolls or new songs for Guitar Hero II; we're far away from mastering that game!
Jonathan Marx, Freelance Writer
Downloadable content, on the whole, is a good thing. It provides a profitable outlet for both developers and the big three. The high cost of development these days dictates new business models that capitalize on the huge sums of money already spent on initial development. It is a win-win situation for all involved with the production of gaming.
For the consumer, it's more of a mixed bag. On the one hand, additional content extends the life of a particular game. Fresh gaming experiences allow engaged gamers to continue playing the game they love. I have certainly purchased extra levels for Call of Duty 3, and I feel I have gotten my ten dollars worth out of them. On the other hand, some content is junk, and gamers may feel they have been swindled. Additionally, some games feel unfinished. You just know they're going to release subsequent downloads to round out the experience. Case in point is Shadowrun. Shadowrun is an empty shell of a game that plays like a Beta. If they don't release more content, then I'm a monkey's uncle.
Furthermore, games are being developed and time-framed with downloadable content in mind. We already know that GTA IV will have exclusive content on the Xbox 360, and Microsoft is shelling out fat cash for the rights. This is a blatant statement by the developers revealing their intention to release just a portion of the game for your $60. That has left me scratching my head. Games should be complete entities unto themselves. Add-on content should be just that, add-ons. If developers think they can continue to sell games for $60, and then stick it to the consumer for successive downloads, they're sorely mistaken. However, if developers can continue to produce dynamite experiences, and then revisit that material via additional content, then they are on the fast track to big profits and a satisfied customer base.
Read on! There's more on the next page!
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