The Disturbing Trend...

I like downloadable content. I think in some cases it helps to sell a game via demos and whatnot. As far as pricing goes, if ya don't wanna pay for it...don't get it. $2-$3 here or there isn't gonna kill someone. Theres a chapter for GRAW I wanna get, but I dont wanna pay for it right now. So I don't get it. But I will probably put a $1 or two away here or there and then get some points so I can buy it later. Its like spending money anywhere else. Manage yer funds and save for it if you think its too expensive to begin with. Or wait a while and see if it eventually becomes free. Heres the dark side...companies not finishing a game so they can sell crap to "complete" the game. Thats a possibility. The way some game companies are this will likely happen. Whether it succeeds or not is up to the consumer.

I don't have a problem with DLC as long as it doesn't give an unfair advantage during gameplay to those who paid for it.

Yeah I agree with that as well. Not fair for the rich kid to have the advantage. The faster car...stronger armor....all that crap.

It'd depends on the content really. If the DLC contains superior weapons or items that give the gamer an edge over competitors, then charging for it is ridiculous since you either pay up or stop playing competitively online. If the DLC is additional levels or maps that you can do without, I don't see anything necessarily wrong with charging for it, although it would annoy me if I really liked the game. However, the DLC trend seems to be heading toward a profit seeking gimmic where they might provide features that should be in the game release. In a sense, then, the game release would just be bait for purchasing more features. Seems like it can become a bit underhanded.