DLC: How it SHOULD be Done!

Downloadable Content, or DLC for short, has been around since the early ages in gaming, but has mostly been pushed during the 7th generation in gaming. The games released on the Xbox 360 and the PS3 has implemented DLC and companies have experimented with the practices of this extra content. While it is a great idea for some, it has a dark side that made DLC an issue to many gamers.



What is so bad about DLC though? You get extra stuff for your games. For some games, this can be a good thing. Your experience with the games you like expand. You get to spend more time with the games you like. More importantly, they keep the games you like more fresh and less likely to get boring.

While this is good and all, companies have found ways to ruin this. Dark practices have been made, allowing companies to exploit DLC.

One sinful practice is on-disc DLC. This is basically DLC that is already on the disc, already built in the game itself. The studio or company in charge of the game basically blocks off content from the game, requiring you to pay more just to access this content. If it is already in the game, you should be allowed to have it. But by claiming that this is DLC, companies get more money from you.

Another bad DLC practice is forcing people how to get the extra content. This can come in many forms. Instead of having DLC separate, and giving players freedom of choice, companies can bundle DLC together, making you pay more and paying for content you may not want. Some companies may not allow you to get specific content unless they make you pay for Season Passes, which basically gives you remaining planned DLC over tie if you pay a lot now. These practices may be controversial at times as it shows that the company has the power to decide how DLC is distributed, giving little choice to the players.

Then there is overpriced DLC, where DLC may feel like a rip-off. This in particular may be relative on how you value the content you buy. But if DLC is overpriced and simply not worth it, hen it shows that the DLC was just made to get more of your money, instead of providing a better experience. This practice in particular is harder to identify, because it is relative on what people value.

So with DLC beaten around, when should you get the extras for your games? That all depends on you. If you want to get a new expansion or a new character for your game, that is your choice. This brings the well known concept of 'voting with your wallet'. If you want to support a game, or support those that make the games you like, buy their DLC. But if you are aware of what bad practices that have been committed in the game by its developer or publisher, do not buy the DLC or support it. Buying any game or extra content is showing support. It is best to know when and how you show this support.

Now, there have been many games and companies that have done DLC the right way. Those that have made DLC more difficult should not make you blind on how good or bad DLC may be. If you see DLC with good value, and available how you would want it, simply buy it. That is basically what developers and publishers should do: make DLC more convenient, accessible, and more worth it for the players. People are less likely to support those that do not give what the people wants.

If practices like mentioned earlier would go away, and if companies were smarter about DLC, then it would not be such a problem. In fact, if companies show how important their customers are and treats their DLC much better, then DLC would be a win-win for everyone. But us gamers wont by buying if companies cannot put in any effort.