Home Gaming Dark Souls II remaster locks away visual settings like DLC

Dark Souls II remaster locks away visual settings like DLC

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As much as I love PC gaming, I’m under no illusion as to how expensive the hobby really is. Upgrading parts every few years takes a heavy toll on my wallet, but thankfully cheaper PC games tend to soften the blow. One thing I’d hate to see though are games that charge different prices for different configurations – which is basically what From Software is trying to pull with the Dark Souls II remaster.

With the confusing reason for a remaster already aside, Dark Soul II: Scholar of the First Sin is coming to Steam very soon, bringing with it a host of new DirectX 11 features and some previously released DLC. The game originally launched with only DirectX 9 support, and you’d think that a simple patch would allow existing customers to get the best possible experience out of a game they paid full price for at launch. That isn’t going to happen.

Firstly, if you have DirectX 11 capable hardware and already own Dark Souls II, you’re going to be expected to fork out a rather hefty sum of money for a visual upgrade. It’s only a little less if you already own all the DLC the remaster comes bundled with, and even then it’s an abnormally large pill to swallow.

  • DirectX 11 Upgrade for existing Dark Souls II owners – $29.99
  • DirectX 11 Upgrade for existing Dark Souls II owners with all DLC – $19.99

But wait, it gets worse! If you’ve been waiting patiently to grab the ultimate edition of Dark Souls II, you have two options to choose from. The DirectX 9 edition will set you back $10 less than the DirectX 11 edition – which essentially means you’re paying more for higher visual settings.

  • Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (DirectX 9) – $39.99
  • Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (DirectX 11) – $49.99

While I like the idea of paying less for a game stripped of feature you’ll never use, this type of pricing model can be extremely dangerous. What’s to stop future games launching at varying prices, with visual settings locked behind pay walls that you’ll have to get through in order to enjoy the game more expensive hardware. It’s an obscure way of making PC settings DLC essentially.

And I for one don’t like it one bit. That’s aside from the fact that From Software expects fans to fork out more for settings that should be patched in for free. Don’t fall for it either – there are plenty of mods out there to make the game better already.

Last Updated: March 30, 2015

78 Comments

  1. From Software’s answer to Bloodborne demands for “the master race” naggers… Dark Souls 2 V2.0 “pay us bitches!”

    Reply

  2. Blood Emperor Trevor

    March 30, 2015 at 12:35

    O_O … remastered… PC… games……… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA FUCK OFF BOTH OF YOU.

    Reply

  3. Pariah

    March 30, 2015 at 12:36

    So they took a page from EA’s book, and then said “how do we take this to the next level?”.

    Now I’ll never buy anything from them.

    Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    March 30, 2015 at 12:37

    They games already hard, so way do the same with the price?

    Reply

  5. Admiral Chief

    March 30, 2015 at 12:38

    lolwut?

    Reply

  6. Uberutang

    March 30, 2015 at 12:38

    Thanks From. Now nobody will feel guilty for getting the free version with everything unlocked.

    Reply

  7. Galbedir

    March 30, 2015 at 12:39

    HAHAHA! Ill just sit back here, grab some popcorn and a beer, and watch this “remaster” fail completely..Because that’s whats going to happen

    Reply

  8. James Anderton

    March 30, 2015 at 12:43

    Unlock 1080p for just $4.99 and get 1440p and 2160p resolutions free!

    *quits gaming forever*

    Reply

    • Uberutang

      March 30, 2015 at 12:43

      Well if you consider the recent remasters on consoles then it was Unlock 900p or perhaps 1080p for $59.99 …

      Reply

      • James Anderton

        March 30, 2015 at 12:49

        Side note: How do you remaster a PC game that is 1 year old? I mean, wtf.

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 30, 2015 at 12:49

          By enabling DX11 and slapping a price tag on it.

          Reply

          • James Anderton

            March 30, 2015 at 12:50

            So greed? I guess greed is the answer, pure and simple. Sigh.

          • Pariah

            March 30, 2015 at 12:50

            Nailed it.

        • Uberutang

          March 30, 2015 at 12:51

          yeah this is just greed pure and simple. Or they really have no idea how PC settings work at all.

          Reply

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 30, 2015 at 12:57

            Given the state of DS1 on release, they don’t.

  9. Ryanza

    March 30, 2015 at 12:44

    This is what Steam DRM has brought upon you. And it will only get worse. Mark my words. Once they DRM consoles and it’s coming. Just flush your money down the toilet, see if it will float.

    Don’t Support DRM.

    Reply

    • Pariah

      March 30, 2015 at 12:45

      No, this is what greed and complacency has wrought. It has nothing to do with DRM.

      Sometimes you make sense, and other times you’re an idiot.

      Reply

      • Ryanza

        March 30, 2015 at 12:52

        I would say without DRM this would never have happened. Yes. If there was never a Steam.

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 30, 2015 at 12:54

          DRM and DLC are 2 very different things. You can have one without the other. And you can have neither. It’s greed. Greed by corporations, and complacency by their customers. That’s all it is.

          Reply

        • James Anderton

          March 30, 2015 at 12:56

          So, if this game was only available (and this is just for arguments sake) on GoG, they would just sell 2 varients. One that was DX9 and one that was DX11. Steam doesn’t need to enter the equation for this to be as retarded as it is.

          I think you are getting DRM (Digital Rights Management) and DLC (Down-Loadable Content) mixed up.

          Reply

          • Ryanza

            March 30, 2015 at 13:02

            It’s amazing how the drm and no drm always stays on the internet use. I say if steam was never there and you think gog. lol. I think the online PC gaming world has been brain washed. I really do. Because this shit is fucking weird. No acknowledgement to the people who are not online. Non what so ever. I am not just taking about you james. I notice this everywhere and all the time.

            Oh. I’m retarded and I don’t know the difference between DRM and DLC. Number 1 go too. It’s fucking amazing. I’m telling you these people are fucking brained washed. For real though.

          • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

            March 30, 2015 at 13:10

            Who are these not online heathens? Round them up and brand with DRM Forever!

          • James Anderton

            March 30, 2015 at 13:10

            So let me get this straight. In your mind, if its available DIGITALLY, that automatically makes it DRM, right. Right? Are you like, a crazy person?

            GoG is free of DRM.

            I. fucking E. Once I’ve got the game, I don’t need GoG at all to play the game. I could pretend GoG doesn’t exist at that point and leave the internet to play my games in the peace and quiet of my hobbit hole.

          • Ryanza

            March 30, 2015 at 13:17

            See. If you going to say, in my mind, then get it right to what i was saying. Brain washed I tell ya. No acknowledgement to the millions of offline/non internet gamers out there. Like non what so ever. It’s really weird, I tell ya.

          • James Anderton

            March 30, 2015 at 13:51

            Oh, so this is a “I don’t like anything gaming related to do with the internet” thing. Ok. I can understand you.

            I completely see where you are coming from, in particular the death of LANing (Blizzard holds real scorn from me for this). My attitude towards the internet and gaming has changed over the years, especially as a delivery mechanism.

            And you’re right, most DRM is shitty. I guess the problem I have with DRM is when companies try to make their games ‘a service’ and not an ‘experience’.

            ‘Gaming as a service’ is more often than not an exploitative dance between the publisher and the customer. How much money can the extract from you and for how long can they do it?

          • Greylingad

            March 30, 2015 at 14:11

            The answer would be: Until there is nothing left, until the last spec of dust that represents you as a person disappears into oblivion along with all your hopes and dreams, ambition and love… But please remember to buy the new pack for the Dark souls 2 DirectX12 pack, there won’t be many changes, but we’ll be laughing all the way to the bank…

          • Greylingad

            March 30, 2015 at 13:12

            Dude… Have you ever considered that you might have an unhealthy obsession with this stuff? Just a mention… No need to bite anyones’ heads off, and no one has been brain washed, some have just been left behind because the internet is a strange unconquerable thing, we all by now know that you are afraid of touching it, but this is the 21st century, a lot of people have moved beyond going to their workplace on horseback and throwing their sewage out of the second story windows… There are ways of avoiding DLCs etc. there are also ways of avoiding DRM which everyone here looks down upon, so please, we all know that you get upset about anything past the 1980s really, but the world moves on whether we want it to or not…

          • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

            March 30, 2015 at 13:13

            What are you talking about, he LOVES this INTERWEB I mean he replies to trolls on it all day by the looks of things.

          • Ryanza

            March 30, 2015 at 13:14

            Mostly reply to the shit under my comments.

          • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

            March 30, 2015 at 13:15

            which can be a lot, truth be told

          • Greylingad

            March 30, 2015 at 13:16

            Ok, just avoid giving yourself an aneurysm, ok?

          • Ryanza

            March 30, 2015 at 13:19

            I will be fine. If you are referencing the swear words. I use swear words and it’s not a sign of being worked up. I don’t take this shit seriously.

          • Ryanza

            March 30, 2015 at 13:22

            Erm the last 12 years. Don’t get carried away.

          • Greylingad

            March 30, 2015 at 13:40

            Waaah? Sorry, but the last 12 years? What about them? And carried away? I’m not planning to, at least I hope no one barges into my office to try and pick me up…

    • James Anderton

      March 30, 2015 at 12:46

      What are you talking about? Do you even know what DRM is?

      Reply

      • Ryanza

        March 30, 2015 at 12:51

        Oh why please do tell me. I love hearing the meaning of DRM and never the effect it has.

        Reply

    • WitWolfy

      March 30, 2015 at 12:47

  10. Greylingad

    March 30, 2015 at 12:53

    What!? Wait… I think I know what they did here, they probably based this on the same pricing model of prostitution… You know if you have superior hardware…well…

    Reply

    • Pariah

      March 30, 2015 at 12:56

      So the bigger your penis, the more they’ll charge?

      That makes no sense even in your analogy XD

      Reply

      • Greylingad

        March 30, 2015 at 12:57

        No no no!! the other way around, the better their hardware…

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 30, 2015 at 12:59

          Ok let me break it down. Company selling game (product) = Prostitute selling sex (product). So Company charges more if your (consumer) hardware is better. Therefore, prostitute charges more because your (customer) ‘hardware’ is better.

          Reply

          • Greylingad

            March 30, 2015 at 13:02

            Yes, yes, yes! Have you ever heard the story about the Rhino and the cow? Well, let’s just say that if the rhino was the customer he’d have to pay more for the uhm added pain inflicted? if that’s a thing?

          • Pariah

            March 30, 2015 at 13:03

            Men don’t have donkey dicks. And unless the prostitute is a dwarf or child (wtf is wrong with you if they are?!), then that doesn’t apply.

          • Greylingad

            March 30, 2015 at 13:06

            Oigh… I think this one has gotten a little (very much actually) out of hand… and dear lord no… dwarf? child? fokkit no… I meant that… aargh I’d rather not…

          • Pariah

            March 30, 2015 at 13:08

            LOL, sorry man. It’s just that that’s the only real case where the size becomes that much of an issue (that I can think of – and I’m SUPER happy Avo isn’t around for this line of conversation).

            Anyway, moving on XD

          • Greylingad

            March 30, 2015 at 13:14

            Swiftly… Have you seen the uhm… I don’t know conversation about DRM mayhaps? It’s bound to be a less uhm…controversial matter…. *whistles*…

          • Pariah

            March 30, 2015 at 13:17

            Lol, Ryanza is on one of his breakdowns today. I think Steam must’ve looked at him funny this weekend.

  11. Timmy_The_Good_Troll

    March 30, 2015 at 12:54

    I see a lot of people talking about greed, There is nothing wrong with wanting to make the most profit available, However having said that this is Bulsh*t. There is good capitalism and brand management and sustained earnings, these decisive measure from FROM tick none of the boxes, they will reap what they sow, I expect a proper backlash.

    Reply

    • Pariah

      March 30, 2015 at 12:55

      There is I think a fair allowance for companies to make money. But there comes a point where it is just too much, and instead of being about making money, they’re about ripping their consumers off to get it. I don’t mind paying for a great game, but paying for a graphic tweak? No.

      Reply

      • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

        March 30, 2015 at 12:56

        Agreed

        Reply

  12. G2A Affiliate

    March 30, 2015 at 13:00

    Earn money, just by being a gamer! Affordable, fun, G2A. https://www.g2a.com/r/new-affiliates-start-here

    Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      March 30, 2015 at 13:01

      Why don’t you G2H instead.

      Reply

    • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

      March 30, 2015 at 13:01

      Welcome friend, thank you for an invite to your wonderful new gaming ponzi scheme

      Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      March 30, 2015 at 13:02

      BANHAMMER!!! BANHAMMER!!! BANHAMMER!!!

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        March 30, 2015 at 13:02

        It is done

        Reply

        • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

          March 30, 2015 at 13:03

          Oh I see you must have fixed it then 😉

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            March 30, 2015 at 13:13

            Indeed

          • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

            March 30, 2015 at 13:20

            Must have been upgraded by with some good old DLC.

        • Mark Vincer

          March 30, 2015 at 13:49

          But I wanted to read it!

          Reply

          • Mark Vincer

            March 30, 2015 at 13:49

            Or do I have to pay to read it?

  13. Ranting Raptor

    March 30, 2015 at 13:14

    What the actual…. Paid for graphics update??? BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

    NO.

    Reply

  14. Ranting Raptor

    March 30, 2015 at 13:16

    What did you expect from a a game whos sole purpose is to screw you over? Over and over and over and over….

    Reply

    • Pariah

      March 30, 2015 at 13:21

      A free bottle of Vaseline with every purchase?

      Reply

  15. Pieter Kruger

    March 30, 2015 at 13:23

    Come on, why not DX12?

    Reply

  16. Daniel evans

    March 30, 2015 at 13:29

    if they haven’t included proper pc control’s in the remaster then im not interested. i like the mouse and keyboard for games like this but i cant cope with annoying xbox buttons popping up when im using the keyboard. it can be a little confusing at times.

    Reply

  17. SojournZA

    March 30, 2015 at 13:31

    with dx12 around the corner, are we expecting a future “upgradeexpansion”?

    Reply

  18. Nahuel Graziani

    March 30, 2015 at 13:48

    Here’s your philosophical question for the day:

    If you download modded files to get your DX 9 copy running DX 11, are your pirating or modding?

    This and more on the future of gaming. Stay tuned.

    Reply

  19. Wraith

    March 30, 2015 at 13:55

    There’s actually another whole separate issue with this update. These games are both mutually exclusive, due to the fact that the DX11 version has upgraded multiplayer functionality (think it allows more players in a session). So the end results is a divided player community on PC with those on the DX9 version unable to play with those running DX11. So good luck trying to find someone within your local region for some jolly coop.

    Reply

  20. Kensei Seraph

    March 30, 2015 at 14:24

    Mods + Steam sale is how I will let my wallet do my talking.

    Reply

  21. Kromas is drunk with power!

    March 30, 2015 at 15:01

    Not the first one to do it. Go check out State of Decay “HD” (not really called HD I just can’t remember the name)

    Reply

  22. Andrew Shaw

    March 30, 2015 at 21:52

    Doesn’t matter. I’m still buying it. Damn you From Soft.

    Reply

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