If you take a stroll down Twitter lane, the prevailing opinion on it (and almost all other forms of social media) is that DLC is the devil. Cheap, greedy was of segmenting a game’s content outside of the main package, making the $60 standard a lot thinner than it used to be. And in a way, that’s probably true – but when it’s making this much money for publishers, they’re really not going to care.
EA are probably the most seasoned in the DLC game, being one of the first to start offering things like Season Passes and massive post-launch content drops for their games. Just look back at Star Wars: Battlefront. The game launched with some sparsely spread content for $60, and will have more added to it throughout the year with a Season Pass worth $40. It seems ridiculous, but it, and even smaller pieces of DLC, are making EA a hell of a lot of money.
That’s according to GamesIndustryBiz, who revealed that EA earned a staggering $1.3 billion from all additional content over the past year. That’s microtransactions, DLC, Season Passes and more. Breaking it down further, EA reportedly earned $650 million of this total from Ultimate Teams alone featured in their sports titles – the confusingly additive card-like game that is always a huge focus during EA’s FIFA showings.
That total alone is an incredible amount of money, and explains perfectly why this isn’t a trend that will go away. As long as we carry on spending like this, publishers will continue making sure there’s content to purchase. Why wouldn’t they? It would otherwise be the same as turning their noses up at sure profits. Nevermind the idea that DLC and their kin are, in a way, the lifeboat that this entire industry is currently lounging on (think about how many more sales studios are needing just to stay afloat).
Is it unreasonable to ask for good DLC? Definitely not, but I think the days of wondering whether DLC would be a fad that publishers would eventually outgrow is long gone.
Last Updated: March 3, 2016
miaau
March 3, 2016 at 09:09
Over time, as in other economic systems, competition should drive quality up. This, bundled with normal “vote with your wallet” economic behaviour should see change in a few years. I am not an economist or anything but I do read a lot of newspapers and history books. Seems to me to be about the same. Change in a juggernaut like this multiple company, multiple genre system takes time. Years, I fear.
Remember the 70’s, everyone spoke about jap crap? That too changed.
Do I like this? Not really, no.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 09:09
What idiot still thought DLC was a fad? It became entrenched the day a million morons bought horse armour that cost maybe $500 to make for $5 each. CHA-CHING, BABY! We did it to ourselves, en as jy dom is moet jy kak.
Deceased
March 3, 2016 at 10:31
MAAAAN, you’re talking about the Oblivion – Horse Armor DLC aren’t you? 😛
( I didn’t own the game back then, but I do remember it )
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 3, 2016 at 09:14
Assume the position!
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 09:24
*ASSume
Jan Prins
March 3, 2016 at 09:15
Hee-hee. I guess I am one with the Dark Side ,as since The Sims 2 I have bought almost every piece of DLC or Expansion pack made. Ever. For those games. And the Mortal Kombat X add-ons Jason and the Predator.
AND I AM NOT ASHAMED ONE BIT!
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 3, 2016 at 09:18
Sims 2 was before the DLC wave though. Back then they were still called expansion packs. BUT, that’s probably where it started. Though then it was still Maxis at least. RIP
BakedBagel
March 3, 2016 at 10:52
I do purchase expansion packs. The problem comes in when they offering shit with DLC that should have been in the main game at release. Sims always added stuff to the game that was not in it originally.
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 3, 2016 at 09:17
EA has not seen DLC money from me.
miaau
March 3, 2016 at 09:19
Dragon Age: Inquisition, they will see some of my money for all the DLC for my planned replay of the game.
Is a pity, I contribute, but I get so much enjoyment out of a replay like that, with some new elements, do the old things in a different way, that I will buy.
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 3, 2016 at 09:21
I haven’t played DA:I, probably won’t at the rate that other great games are coming out now.
I bought DLC for The Crew from Ubi, but it really was worth it, considering I spent near 200hours on the game.
konfab
March 3, 2016 at 11:39
Trespasser DLC is incredible and basically sets up Dragon Age 4.
miaau
March 3, 2016 at 11:40
see, now I have to get that.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 09:21
They haven’t seen a single cent from me since ME3 was released – 4 years ago now. What have I missed? Nothing.
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 3, 2016 at 09:23
Yea man. Exactly!
I think my last game I bought from them was SimCity. I got Dead Space 3 for free with it, but that thing was so terrible I couldn’t even stomach it….regardless of being free.
The Sten
March 3, 2016 at 09:23
Doesnt matter to me what you call it, DLC, add on packs, expansions, microtransactions. If its worth the money spent, then I’ll have no problem buying it.
It should be noted that I haven’t purchased a single thing called “DLC” in my life.
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 3, 2016 at 09:24
I agree.
If it’s worth it I don’t mind paying.
With EA though, it’s barely ever worth it.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 09:25
I’d pay for an EXPANSION PACK, I won’t pay for DLC fluff
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 3, 2016 at 09:26
Burial at Sea though.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 09:28
I’ve yet to play BSI expansion packs
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 09:39
Get Burial at Sea episode 1 & 2 – 1 is okay, 2 is awesome. The other DLC is junk.
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 3, 2016 at 09:41
I really really want that DLC, but at R150 a pop it’s still a bit to much for me 😛
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 10:26
I’d rather spend that when the games are on a super sale
Kromas untamed
March 3, 2016 at 10:05
Mass Effect DLC was definitely not fluff. Well apart from the MP stuffs. But that is MP stuffs.
miaau
March 3, 2016 at 10:13
AWESOME. Shadow Broker still my favourite
Kromas untamed
March 3, 2016 at 10:20
Citadel for some reason was my favorite.
miaau
March 3, 2016 at 10:42
Close, close 2nd. Very close.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 10:26
I disagree, those were proper expansions
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 10:30
There was some fluff, weapons & armour. The story-based stuff was cool. The Prothean should never have been preorder DLC.
miaau
March 3, 2016 at 10:43
Totally. Never, ever. Integral part of story, you miss great parts of lore playing without the Prothean. That was pure commercial power at play.
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 3, 2016 at 09:32
Oh, and don’t be fooled by that Star Wars bundle on Humble Bundle.
Galactic Battlegrounds doesn’t work without some serious messing around to get it going.
Ryanza
March 3, 2016 at 09:38
I have not support EA since SimCity 5. I knew better then but it was SimCity but then I realized that that kind of shit can not be supported.
Don’t Support DRM. And stop fucking supporting DLC console gamers.
BakedBagel
March 3, 2016 at 10:51
Like they need that money….. fk ea :/
Sean Carbutt
March 3, 2016 at 11:20
Who is this EA that you’re talking about? I tried polishing a dog turd, once
Galbedir
March 3, 2016 at 13:40
Not bought a single EA or Ubisoft game since Battlefield 3. Loved the game, but when the R250 map packs started coming, I realized what needed to be done. I had to make a stand, and I’m proud to say I did. I do find cosmetics a different story though, don’t mind them…but Zombie game modes and Season Passes can gtfo.
Jonah Cash
March 3, 2016 at 16:46
Ultimate team – confusingly additive card-like game??? Huh. Where is the card game in Fifa?