Q
Shared on Fri, 08/18/2006 - 14:18Micro -
This is the definition that is listed in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and I guess that's what those crazy Chromehounders at From Software (or maybe it was their pub Sega) read when they priced their recent DLC for the game. For those of you that aren't aware already the premium DLC that is up has a pretty heafty pricetag on it, IMO.
According to Major Nelson this morning the following content is available for 100 points each in all Xbox Live regions except Mexico.
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Heavy arms 02
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Generator 01
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100 M$ points (or $1.25 for you fiscally-minded readers) per item?! That is taking the term 'microtransaction' to it most literal meaning. This could easily have been a bundled package for 400-500 points, but instead you will need to spend 1000 points (which is more than the average XBLA game release of 800 points) for the whole enchilada. Does anyone else find this a bit disconcerting?
Two things really concern me about this:
First, in terms of gameplay aren't you going to be forced to start spending more and more money in order to stay competitive? It seems that way to me. The only way to have a level playing field is for everyone to have access to the same rules and equipment. They can argue that you do have access to it, you just chose not to purchase it. Unfortunately that is a total bullshit answer. If I don't go out and buy the new upgrades as they become available I may very well fall behind the power curve and the next time I'm online be outgunned by someone with deeper pockets. It throws the whole idea of fair play out the window and gives the advantage to those who are willing to pay more money for better stuff.
My second concern is much more worrisome in the fact that we may be looking at the future of microtransactions. Just like $60 game prices, microtransaction prices are going to rise to whatever the market feels it can handle and if this type of pricing proves to be successful we could be in for a long, expensive ride. Imagine the repercussions this could have in future online competitive games like MMOs or even FPSs. Can you imagine weapons for the latest FPS being sold individually on the Live Marketplace and if you don't buy them you can't use them? I can and it doesn't make me happy in the slightest.
I could have sworn that the horse armor DLC uproar would have quelled this type of aggressive pricing but I guess I was wrong. Though I suppose when you think about it, it really is different. The horse armor was 100 points for a mere two pieces of armor but it was for a single player game. The effects of you getting it or not were mininmal at most, and if you didn't use a horse (which wasn't a requirement) you wouldn't even need it. The Chromehound DLC is different in that it could very well give an advantage to your competition in online play if you don't spend the money to keep up.
I would urge you not to spend the money on these downloads in order to show them that the prices are too high, but I know that won't work. To many people spending $10 on DLC to make a better hound sounds like a bargain. But do me a favor and just think about this, spending that money today to get equipment means that you are going to have to spend even more in the future. I love DLC and think that it definitely has a future and increases the shelf life of a game, but once the man knows he's got you by the short and curlies he going to string you up by them. Prices will always go up, but how many times do you see them go down?
- very small; especially : MICROSCOPIC
- involving minute quantities or variations
This is the definition that is listed in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and I guess that's what those crazy Chromehounders at From Software (or maybe it was their pub Sega) read when they priced their recent DLC for the game. For those of you that aren't aware already the premium DLC that is up has a pretty heafty pricetag on it, IMO.
According to Major Nelson this morning the following content is available for 100 points each in all Xbox Live regions except Mexico.
Light arms 01
Heavy arms 02
Light arms 03
Light arms 04
Spacer 01
Light arm s05
Spacer 02
Generator 01
Spacer 03
Color Pattern 03
100 M$ points (or $1.25 for you fiscally-minded readers) per item?! That is taking the term 'microtransaction' to it most literal meaning. This could easily have been a bundled package for 400-500 points, but instead you will need to spend 1000 points (which is more than the average XBLA game release of 800 points) for the whole enchilada. Does anyone else find this a bit disconcerting?
Two things really concern me about this:
First, in terms of gameplay aren't you going to be forced to start spending more and more money in order to stay competitive? It seems that way to me. The only way to have a level playing field is for everyone to have access to the same rules and equipment. They can argue that you do have access to it, you just chose not to purchase it. Unfortunately that is a total bullshit answer. If I don't go out and buy the new upgrades as they become available I may very well fall behind the power curve and the next time I'm online be outgunned by someone with deeper pockets. It throws the whole idea of fair play out the window and gives the advantage to those who are willing to pay more money for better stuff.
My second concern is much more worrisome in the fact that we may be looking at the future of microtransactions. Just like $60 game prices, microtransaction prices are going to rise to whatever the market feels it can handle and if this type of pricing proves to be successful we could be in for a long, expensive ride. Imagine the repercussions this could have in future online competitive games like MMOs or even FPSs. Can you imagine weapons for the latest FPS being sold individually on the Live Marketplace and if you don't buy them you can't use them? I can and it doesn't make me happy in the slightest.
I could have sworn that the horse armor DLC uproar would have quelled this type of aggressive pricing but I guess I was wrong. Though I suppose when you think about it, it really is different. The horse armor was 100 points for a mere two pieces of armor but it was for a single player game. The effects of you getting it or not were mininmal at most, and if you didn't use a horse (which wasn't a requirement) you wouldn't even need it. The Chromehound DLC is different in that it could very well give an advantage to your competition in online play if you don't spend the money to keep up.
I would urge you not to spend the money on these downloads in order to show them that the prices are too high, but I know that won't work. To many people spending $10 on DLC to make a better hound sounds like a bargain. But do me a favor and just think about this, spending that money today to get equipment means that you are going to have to spend even more in the future. I love DLC and think that it definitely has a future and increases the shelf life of a game, but once the man knows he's got you by the short and curlies he going to string you up by them. Prices will always go up, but how many times do you see them go down?
Comments
Submitted by nomodifier on Fri, 08/18/2006 - 14:25
Submitted by doodirock on Fri, 08/18/2006 - 14:27
Submitted by moesley on Fri, 08/18/2006 - 14:49
Submitted by biorod on Fri, 08/18/2006 - 17:42