A short open letter to the video game industry

Status
Not open for further replies.
Frank

Frank

(that only some people here will read)

Hello games industry,

I am one of those people that feeds your children. I am the guy that buys many, many new games a year. I like to buy games. I'm not a big fan of piracy (dumb word). If I buy a game, let's call it Deus Ex: Human Revolution, from Steam I get nothing for it but a copy of an old game I've owned for over 10 years. If I had pre-ordered it from Gamestop (never) I would have gotten DLC for some extra equipment (lame). If I had pre-ordered it from Play UK, I would have gotten the extra equipment and extra ingame missions. This is unacceptable.

From now on, whenever I see that I have to preorder your game from a certain retailer in order to get the full game, I will not be doing so. I may not even pirate it. I will just not be giving you any money. Thank you for making me see the error in my ways. This may not change anything for you, the industry, but I will be saving a ton of money by not paying for this bullshit.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pretend it's 1999 and I can go into a store to buy a game and not be hassled by people trying to sell me shit that won't be out for 6 months.

Fuck off sincerely,
Franklin Quentin Watterschmidt Bassett
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

I buy the base game and pirate the shit out of the "special location" DLC. And I don't feel even the least bit bad about it.
 
Espy

Espy

I'm with you for the most part, my only question is how are we defining "the whole game." I heard a lot of people whining about the "Sebastion" thing in DA2. In no way was his character or quests necessary to the main game. Hell, they weren't even very good and he was a redundant character. So was his stuff bonus or main gameplay? Since we don't know if it was developed to be main gameplay or bonus content can we know? Honestly, 99% of the "bonus" content, especially extra locations, seem to be pretty boring in my experience. Gimme some good gear for a bonus, not a half assed map thankyouverymuch.
 
Frank

Frank

DLC doesn't generally bother me. DLC that is retailer pre-order specific fucking does.

LA Noire is a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE fucking perpetrator of the ripped content DLC. All of the DLC episodes were torn out of the game to milk more money out of that overbudget mess.
 
Espy

Espy

Frankie Williamson said:
LA Noire is a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE fucking perpetrator of the ripped content DLC. All of the DLC episodes were torn out of the game to milk more money out of that overbudget mess.
Click to expand...
Well sure, that is... a horrible thing. It's really bad. I am, in no way a fan of this. My question is more, how do we know that they were torn out of the game? Did someone leak that or did they openly say it?
 
Jay

Jay

I hate how I can't just buy the game from one place and get everything I want without feeling pressured to make the right decision. I need to shop around different places, with different prices thrown at me with labels that scream "EXTRA SHIT if you buy with us, LESS with them" when in reality, ALL of that "EXTRA" content is already in the game on launch day.

Different situation, let's say you go to the baker's shop to buy a tasty baguette, you proceed to buy the bagette but notice that one of the ends is missing, like about 15% of the baguette. You look up, a confused look on your face, you feel somewhat upset and your anus feels especially vulnerable at this point and time.

You take two deep breaths as you shake the cobwebs of confusion from your mind and fight the instant urge to gut the guy in front of you with your car keys because quite frankly, that would mean jail time and that means, no more gaming. You take a step back and ask him politely what happened, he opens his palm towards you and asks for a "taste" and quickly offers the piece that has been "enhanced for you" for extra awesomeness and that you'd be a fool to say no.

You contemplate the offer but notice that OJ is also working at the other counter with a sign over his head saying, "FREE DLCS - TRUST ME". Your first instinct to run over there and get that free shit but then you realize... you don't want to buy from OJ, OJ is a fucken asshole and has a reputation of putting his hands on things he should and well... he's a fucken murderer.

Suddenly, Carrottop appears on the other side of the room and goes, "PSSST!" You turn to him wondering what the fuck this gingerhead fuck wants from you. He offers you the same piece that was missing from your original baguette but this time it's labeled differently and he promises that the missing baguette piece tastes extra garlicky.

You ponder as you rub your goat chin beard. "I do indeed like the garlicky."

You agree to his offer and front the fee, Carrottop skips away fleefully... probably to smoke some crack balls. You jump in your car with the new purchase(s) and go home and enjoy the fuit of your labors.

The question reminds, why is it so complicated to buy a fucken baguette these days?
 
Frank

Frank

Espy said:
Well sure, that is... a horrible thing. It's really bad. I am, in no way a fan of this. My question is more, how do we know that they were torn out of the game? Did someone leak that or did they openly say it?
Click to expand...
Because the lead designer said they were because the game WAS TOOO BIIIIIIIG.

As to what Jay's saying, DLC on the disc when I buy it that needs me to pay for an unlock code? Unfuckingacceptable.
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

I've only pre-ordered two games since getting my PS3: Dead Rising 2 and LA Noire. In both cases, I didn't give a shit about the DLC that came with it, but it was a nice added bonus.

Most of my other purchases have been used. Because I'm sure as hell not going to pay $60-70 for a game that I'll beat in a couple of weeks.
 
Shegokigo

Shegokigo

Jay said:
I hate how I can't just buy the game from one place and get everything I want without feeling pressured to make the right decision. I need to shop around different places, with different prices thrown at me with labels that scream "EXTRA SHIT if you buy with us, LESS with them" when in reality, ALL of that "EXTRA" content is already in the game on launch day.

Different situation, let's say you go to the baker's shop to buy a tasty baguette, you proceed to buy the bagette but notice that one of the ends is missing, like about 15% of the baguette. You look up, a confused look on your face, you feel somewhat upset and your anus feels especially vulnerable at this point and time.

You take two deep breaths as you shake the cobwebs of confusion from your mind and fight the instant urge to gut the guy in front of you with your car keys because quite frankly, that would mean jail time and that means, no more gaming. You take a step back and ask him politely what happened, he opens his palm towards you and asks for a "taste" and quickly offers the piece that has been "enhanced for you" for extra awesomeness and that you'd be a fool to say no.

You contemplate the offer but notice that OJ is also working at the other counter with a sign over his head saying, "FREE DLCS - TRUST ME". Your first instinct to run over there and get that free shit but then you realize... you don't want to buy from OJ, OJ is a fucken asshole and has a reputation of putting his hands on things he should and well... he's a fucken murderer.

Suddenly, Carrottop appears on the other side of the room and goes, "PSSST!" You turn to him wondering what the fuck this gingerhead fuck wants from you. He offers you the same piece that was missing from your original baguette but this time it's labeled differently and he promises that the missing baguette piece tastes extra garlicky.

You ponder as you rub your goat chin beard. "I do indeed like the garlicky."

You agree to his offer and front the fee, Carrottop skips away fleefully... probably to smoke some crack balls. You jump in your car with the new purchase(s) and go home and enjoy the fuit of your labors.

The question reminds, why is it so complicated to buy a fucken baguette these days?
Click to expand...
Kanye has nothing on you Jay. You're a lyrical mastermind!
 
Espy

Espy

Frankie Williamson said:
Because the lead designer said they were because the game WAS TOOO BIIIIIIIG.

As to what Jay's saying, DLC on the disc when I buy it that needs me to pay for an unlock code? Unfuckingacceptable.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Thats total bullshit. I could respect it if they treated them as "deleted scenes" because they felt they screwed up the flow of the game and offered them as downloads, I mean at least then it's a gameplay issue, but this sounds like money-grab.
 
T

TheBrew

I know that at least in the DX:HR for Gamestop example, Gamestop commissioned the DLC. If a retailer pays the developer/publisher more money to make unique content, I have no problem with it being a pre-order exclusive.
 
Frank

Frank

TheBrew said:
I know that at least in the DX:HR for Gamestop example, Gamestop commissioned the DLC. If a retailer pays the developer/publisher more money to make unique content, I have no problem with it being a pre-order exclusive.
Click to expand...
That's cool to be alright with it, but like I said in the OP, from now on, I won't be giving dime one to companies that do this.
 
T

TheBrew

Frankie Williamson said:
That's cool to be alright with it, but like I said in the OP, from now on, I won't be giving dime one to companies that do this.
Click to expand...
I think that there is a world of difference between the game company slicing off content to sell as DLC later (TF: War For Cybertron anyone?) and that company being commissioned for extra content by a third party. It is not content already developed for a game that the developer sliced off for later, but brand new content. If a third party paid a developer to make an expansion pack and that pack would only be available through that third party, would you cry foul?

Of course, that is my point of view. Feel free to disagree and boycott to your heart's content.
 
C

Chibibar

TheBrew said:
I think that there is a world of difference between the game company slicing off content to sell as DLC later (TF: War For Cybertron anyone?) and that company being commissioned for extra content by a third party. It is not content already developed for a game that the developer sliced off for later, but brand new content. If a third party paid a developer to make an expansion pack and that pack would only be available through that third party, would you cry foul?

Of course, that is my point of view. Feel free to disagree and boycott to your heart's content.
Click to expand...
The problem is that we don't know if 3rd party commission or they are cutting content.

To me, I'm thinking content cause so far most "store unique" items eventually become available to all via the game company itself.
 
Necronic

Necronic

Staff member
If you really have a problem with any of this stuff then don't buy the games that do it and focus your spending instead on companies that are pro-modding and whatnot. Unlimited free DLC.

If the argument comes down to "but I have to get it" then you've just made the perfect argument for why they can do anything they want to you.
 
Frank

Frank

I agree sir and that's what I will do. I don't have to have it. That was the point of the letter. I don't mind DLC as I've said, I DO mine DLC on the disc already that I have to pay for.
 
C

Chibibar

Frankie Williamson said:
I agree sir and that's what I will do. I don't have to have it. That was the point of the letter. I don't mind DLC as I've said, I DO mine DLC on the disc already that I have to pay for.
Click to expand...
Agree. I was kinda mift with DA on that one. The quest is right there but I have to unlock it via buying?? WTF?
 
Jay

Jay

i Think it is very clear that a dlc created after release day most people have nO qualms against Really.... however Releasing a dlc bEfore or at release is a major irritaNt of mine but That's just me.
 
Covar

Covar

Jay said:
i Think it is very clear that a dlc created after release day most people have nO qualms against Really.... however Releasing a dlc bEfore or at release is a major irritaNt of mine but That's just me.
Click to expand...
Really cause it seems you just have no qualms about stealing it regardless.
 
T

TheBrew

Chibibar said:
The problem is that we don't know if 3rd party commission or they are cutting content.

To me, I'm thinking content cause so far most "store unique" items eventually become available to all via the game company itself.
Click to expand...
I agree that having that knowledge is important in making a judgement. I just know that in the specific case of the Gamestop DLC for DX:HR, Gamestop actually commissioned the new content.
 
fade

fade

Staff member
I don't think I follow the logic in this thread. There has to be a physical separation between the DLC and the game itself, even if the programmers always intended the DLC to be separate, but included it on the disc as a matter of convenience, perhaps even to the user? Why? Because you physically hold the disc? Since when has that mattered? That wall of text you click through has always said that you did not pay for the game, only the right to use it. The only right you bought is unlocked, as in the deal you entered at purchase time. No different than having it on the server. It's not even like this is new. If you bought, say WoW classic, you still have to download the entire Cataclysm. You just can't access the Cataclysm content, even though it resides on your physical disc.
 
Shegokigo

Shegokigo

I'll break it down for you Fade because you seem to be confused:

1: DLC that comes months later in the form of added content = OK!

2: DLC that's created on Day 1 of the game, but is locked away by RL $ or some retailer offering $ to keep it from being mass distributed = Not OK!

That can't be hard to follow, logic wise.
 
fade

fade

Staff member
I understand that perfectly. The logic I don't understand is the "why". I fail to see a real difference.
 
Vrii

Vrii

fade said:
I understand that perfectly. The logic I don't understand is the "why". I fail to see a real difference.
Click to expand...
One is a blatant moneygrab, where the company says "Hey, we're going to take your money, and I guess we'll give you this chunk of the game we made for it. I think we'll hold back this other, completely finished chunk of the game, though. Yeah, it's on the disc, but we haven't gouged you quite hard enough yet. Give us another $5 or $10 and we'll let you access the thing that's been in your possession all along".

The other is additional work being done and sold after the game is released, adding additional content for an additional cost. There's no decision to hold back some of the data they already sold you.
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Who's to say, though, that the day one DLC wasn't made after the game was already pressed onto discs, packaged and sent to retailers?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top