Some 'Downloads' are already on the disc?!?!

[King_Salamon]

I often wondered about the whole downloadable content deal but haven't really gotten into it yet.

 

Apparently, there are some 360 games that offer downloadable content that isn't actually downloaded... it's ALREADY ON THE DISC when you buy the game! You are simply downloading a key to unlock the info. This is insanity!

 

I will say that some companies have released some really top notch content (real downloads too - not stuff locked on the disc!) and it's worth the $$. There's other things like paying for in game stuff that you're too lazy to unlock by playing. (I can almost understand that one... some people really like this... I really don't like it.) BUT to pay to unlock stuff that's been shipped with the disc and the only way to unlock the extras is to pay for it.

 

If this is the future of dowloadable content then I can see myself losing interest in getting a next gen system. (Makes me wonder with all the extra disc space on the PS3's Blu-Ray... how much extra stuff could they slap in there and force you to pay to unlock!)

[MCHufnagel]

I often wondered about the whole downloadable content deal but haven't really gotten into it yet.

 

Apparently, there are some 360 games that offer downloadable content that isn't actually downloaded... it's ALREADY ON THE DISC when you buy the game! You are simply downloading a key to unlock the info. This is insanity!

 

I will say that some companies have released some really top notch content (real downloads too - not stuff locked on the disc!) and it's worth the $$. There's other things like paying for in game stuff that you're too lazy to unlock by playing. (I can almost understand that one... some people really like this... I really don't like it.) BUT to pay to unlock stuff that's been shipped with the disc and the only way to unlock the extras is to pay for it.

 

If this is the future of dowloadable content then I can see myself losing interest in getting a next gen system. (Makes me wonder with all the extra disc space on the PS3's Blu-Ray... how much extra stuff could they slap in there and force you to pay to unlock!)

If content is locked on the disc itself, I can see some cheat device coming along and finding a way to unlock it. Then the only people making extra money will be the manufacturers of Gameshark and Action Replay.

[Starscream]

I often wondered about the whole downloadable content deal but haven't really gotten into it yet.

 

Apparently, there are some 360 games that offer downloadable content that isn't actually downloaded... it's ALREADY ON THE DISC when you buy the game! You are simply downloading a key to unlock the info. This is insanity!

 

I will say that some companies have released some really top notch content (real downloads too - not stuff locked on the disc!) and it's worth the $$. There's other things like paying for in game stuff that you're too lazy to unlock by playing. (I can almost understand that one... some people really like this... I really don't like it.) BUT to pay to unlock stuff that's been shipped with the disc and the only way to unlock the extras is to pay for it.

 

If this is the future of dowloadable content then I can see myself losing interest in getting a next gen system. (Makes me wonder with all the extra disc space on the PS3's Blu-Ray... how much extra stuff could they slap in there and force you to pay to unlock!)

 

 

I'm not sure what you have heard is true beyond certain EA games. And if you don't wanna unlock them for money, just play through the game and get them that way.

[King_Salamon]

I often wondered about the whole downloadable content deal but haven't really gotten into it yet.

 

Apparently, there are some 360 games that offer downloadable content that isn't actually downloaded... it's ALREADY ON THE DISC when you buy the game! You are simply downloading a key to unlock the info. This is insanity!

 

I will say that some companies have released some really top notch content (real downloads too - not stuff locked on the disc!) and it's worth the $$. There's other things like paying for in game stuff that you're too lazy to unlock by playing. (I can almost understand that one... some people really like this... I really don't like it.) BUT to pay to unlock stuff that's been shipped with the disc and the only way to unlock the extras is to pay for it.

 

If this is the future of dowloadable content then I can see myself losing interest in getting a next gen system. (Makes me wonder with all the extra disc space on the PS3's Blu-Ray... how much extra stuff could they slap in there and force you to pay to unlock!)

 

 

I'm not sure what you have heard is true beyond certain EA games. And if you don't wanna unlock them for money, just play through the game and get them that way.

 

Here's a list:

 

Downloadable Keys that unlock content ON THE DISC that you can ONLY get by PAYING MORE MONEY

 

Alaskan Adventures

Alaskan Bonus Pack 1 (100 points)

108.00 KB

 

Cabela's Safari

Safari Bonus Animal (150 points)

108.00 KB

 

Chromehounds

Total price of all downloadable parts keys (1800 points)

The keys are 108.00 KB each

 

College Hoops 2K7

2K ReelMaker for College Hoops 2K7 (400 points)

108.00 KB

 

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

LEGO Star Wars Characters (200 points)

108.00 KB

 

Rapala TOurnament Fishing!

California Delta Bonus Level (150 points)

108.00 KB

 

Samurai Warriors 2

Total price to buy horses and hire people not otherwise available (580 points)

The keys are 108.00 KB each

 

The Godfather

Favor Pack - 3 Favor Missions (250 points)

108.00 KB

 

Viva Pinata

Accessory Pack 1 (80 points)

Accessory Pack 2 (80 points)

Accessory Pack 3 (80 points)

Accessory Pack 4 (80 points)

The keys are 108.00 KB each

 

TOTAL COST for content on the disc that is ONLY accessible by PAYING MORE MONEY

3950 MS points ($49.38)

 

 

The accuaracy of these claims is still in question but this list shows more than EA (who's willing to sell you in game cash for real life cash) as culprits. The size of the downloaded keys is the interesting part as you can imagine spending some points for some downloaded content and then after a couple seconds it tells you the download is complete. You'd think there was an error or that you hit the mother of all internet connections!

[Starscream]

Ah I see what you are talking about now. I originally thought you meant items that were detrimental to playing the game not just additional customizing or accessory items. I have no opinion on this pertaining to either the benefits or drawbacks of these microtransactions. I just see something I like and buy it, the other stuff, I ignore. I don't think it's important enough to worry about. I am more concerned with the fact that lackluster controls seem to be commended for about the past month and the general retardation of video games seems to be applauded all of a sudden.

[ninjarabbit]

Honestly it's crap like this that's turning me off to the next gen. I'm already paying $60 for these games and now I have to pay extra if I want the full experience but unfortunately there are more than enough suckers out there who are more than willing to part with their money for these extras that should have been in the game for free to begin with.

[IronMongeR]

In the The Godfather, there are characters that will offer you the most powerful weapons etc in the game, which is followed by the Marketplace blade popping up. It is then that you realise you have to pay with effectively 'real' money, for something you can get if you just carry on playing. I think it's an absolute joke, and I refuse to pay for any content that isn't 100% new and not already on the disc.

Edited December 25, 2006 by IronMongeR