Back in 2005 or 2006 when I played EQ2 there were these mini-expansions called Adventure Packs. These Adventure Packs introduced new areas, quests, items, and monsters and cost somewhere between $5 and $8 . I haven’t seen a MMO do something quite the same since, but the ideas is technically DLC.
Does DLC belong in MMOs? I know a few MMOs, like Defiance, are trying the idea, and a few have in the past as well. When paid content is called DLC, I get all bothered. Call it an Adventure Pack and I feel more inclined to give it a try. I bought 2/3 of the EQ2 Adventure Packs and would have bought the third if I still played when it came out.
I think the idea can make a comeback, but I think it can only survive if it’s surrounded by free content updates. The number of mini paid content releases has to be low. I think the idea can quickly lose value if every addition to the game costs money. The perception that this DLC is planned should also be avoided. I like the idea, even if I’m just fooling myself, that these are impromptu and special.
Adventure packs generate revenue, give developers a reason to beef up content between major expansions, and give players something to do. A certain have vs. have not effect drives sales as players never want to miss the next best thing or lose an advantage, but it’s a dangerous game to play when you risk pissing off your players.
What do you think? Between major expansions, and among the free content updates, should developers sell DLC under the guise ‘adventure’ packs? If handled appropriately, I think so.
Adventure packs only belong on F2P services. Keep that garbage away from subs, DLC is a blight on the industry no matter the naming scheme they use for it.
If a game can keep the player minds busy ( 😀 ) for long periods of time then there is absolutely no need for such ideas.
They (game devs) need to struggle between the evil that comes from creating time intensive content ( community / media wise ), that everyone and their grandmother will mark your playerbase as antisocial and all that crap, AnD the fact that it THE ONLY possible way to keep people entertained for long periods of time LoL. I really want to see the 1st company that can rise from that controversy.
I really liked the EQ2 Adventure Packs. I was sorry when they abandoned them. They were bite-sized expansions and I wish MMOs, subscription and F2P both, would do more of them.
As SynCaine said on his blog yesterday, “paying for something I enjoy is always a good deal”. I completely agree.
It seems that adventure packs go well with F2P models as it is just another method to squeeze out money from the freeloaders 🙂 It seems totally greedy for subscription models though.
I think people do become annoyed if this type of content is released too soon after the release of the game or a big expansion as it makes it appear that the DEVS are cutting out content from the game/expansion in order to make more money later on.
Guild Wars 1 had something similar. I don’t know if all the LotRO content is available with subscription + expansion pack or whether you also buy some quests and dungeons separately these days.
The cash shop itself incites to deeds of monetization!
I used to love the idea of DLC, I mean back in the day when playing Starcraft or Diablo, when they released expansions, we had no problem paying for them, because it was like a whole new game, despite requiring the original disc to install. They also released years after the original, so it was almost like getting a sequel. I liked the addition of things in games like Skyrim or Borderlands, because it felt like you were getting more out of a game you would have otherwise shelved. I don’t like the fact that games are planned out this way now, where it’s a semi-complete game and DLCs round it out. Nor do I like the small content packs where they add new clothes or vehicles or skins, the fluff is not worth my money. It’s great for the businesses releasing the games, because they will have more than just the initial sales to count on for revenue, but it sucks for customers when DLCs are $10-20 a piece and 4 are released for a game in a short amount of time (think call of duty). I do like the idea of season passes to counter this expenditure, but you still end up paying too much for things that could be included in the original item price.