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'''[[wikipedia:Downloadable_content|Downloadable Content (DLC)]]''', also referred to as Expansions or Expansion Packs, are a method for developers and/or publishers to extend the monetization of their products. This practice is not inherently anti-consumer, such as Factorio's Space Age DLC being regarded as paying for a new game according to fans | '''[[wikipedia:Downloadable_content|Downloadable Content (DLC)]]''', also referred to as Expansions or Expansion Packs, are a method for developers and/or publishers to extend the monetization of their products. This practice is not inherently anti-consumer, such as Factorio's Space Age DLC being regarded as paying for a new game according to fans. However, companies such as [[Electronic Arts|'''Electronic Arts''']] and '''[[Ubisoft]]''' have been known to employ downloadable content to break up complete products into multiple purchases without fair justification.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hruska |first=Joel |date=14 August 2015 |title=Executive calls on disc dlc complaints nonsense but the truth is more complicated |url=https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/212245-ea-executive-calls-on-disc-dlc-complaints-nonsense-but-the-truth-is-more-complex |access-date=17 August 2025 |website=extremetech.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250821212818/https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/212245-ea-executive-calls-on-disc-dlc-complaints-nonsense-but-the-truth-is-more-complex |archive-date=21 Aug 2025}}</ref> | ||
==Dark patterns involving DLC== | ==Dark patterns involving DLC== | ||
===Pre-order bonuses=== | ===Pre-order bonuses=== | ||
A very popular method used by companies to incite the customer to purchase their game is to offer | A very popular method used by companies to incite the customer to purchase their game is to offer additional content for pre-ordering. | ||
This can range from: | This can range from: | ||
* | *Extra characters | ||
*Cosmetics | *Cosmetics | ||
*In-game currency | *In-game currency | ||
*Entire gamemodes | *Entire gamemodes | ||
*Closed Beta access | *Closed Beta access | ||
These | These pre-order pieces of content rarely will see a re-release, only in some scenarios where special edition re-releases will allow consumers who miss out on pre-ordering to have access to this content. These bonuses are reliant on a phenomenon known as ''fear of missing out'' ([[FOMO]]). | ||
===Day-one DLC<!-- Source to reference: https://forum.level1techs.com/t/problems-with-the-gaming-industry-day-one-dlc-and-pre-order-dlc/365 -->=== | ===Day-one DLC<!-- Source to reference: https://forum.level1techs.com/t/problems-with-the-gaming-industry-day-one-dlc-and-pre-order-dlc/365 -->=== | ||
Often seen | Often seen primarily from larger companies, day-one downloadable content is offered as a way to further monetize a product on launch. This tends to cause concern from consumers since downloadable content on launch gives the impression that base game content is being broken up in a manipulative way, thus harming consumers. These games can also have the DLC content already available on-disc, and it has historically caused outrage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |date=3 Mar 2010 |title=BioShock 2 DLC is Already On the Disc |url=http://www.1up.com/news/bioshock-2-dlc-disc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108174303/http://www.1up.com/news/bioshock-2-dlc-disc |archive-date=8 Nov 2015 |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=1UP.com}}</ref> | ||
===DLC overload=== | ===DLC overload=== | ||
A more recent trend among major publishers has been live-service games. | A more recent trend among major publishers has been live-service games. This has brought the need for monetization to keep development persistent. Unfortunately, these same companies have also been excessive with offering large amounts of downloadable content. For example, [[Electronic Arts]]' [[wikipedia:The_Sims_4|The Sims 4]] has currently over $1000 in DLC,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sims 4 |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222670/The_Sims_4/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=[[Steam]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223035812/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222670/The_Sims_4/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> ranging from what could be considered as micro-DLC with kits and stuff packs, to larger DLC such as expansion packs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naletilic |first=Dora |date=11 Jan 2024 |title=Here’s Why The Sims 4 DLCs Are So Expensive (& How to Get Them Cheaper) |url=https://fictionhorizon.com/heres-why-the-sims-4-dlcs-are-so-expensive-how-to-get-them-cheaper/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=GameHorizon |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251108183259/https://fictionhorizon.com/heres-why-the-sims-4-dlcs-are-so-expensive-how-to-get-them-cheaper/ |archive-date=8 Nov 2025}}</ref> Consumers have criticized the games for being lackluster without purchasing DLC,<ref>{{Cite web |title=TS4 feels empty? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/thesims/comments/f009sl/ts4_feels_empty/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230609191930/https://old.reddit.com/r/thesims/comments/f009sl/ts4_feels_empty/ |archive-date=9 Jun 2023}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Crane |first=Maris |date=5 Jan 2024 |title=Why Does Playing The Sims 4 Make Me Feel Empty Inside? |url=https://www.superjumpmagazine.com/why-does-playing-the-sims-4-make-me-feel-empty-inside/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2024 |website=SuperJump |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222095823/https://www.superjumpmagazine.com/why-does-playing-the-sims-4-make-me-feel-empty-inside/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> with theories surrounding that it may be intentional due to the way DLC is handled between each game in the series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is it just me or does TS4 feel 'empty'? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/thesims/comments/161t8eq/is_it_just_me_or_does_ts4_feel_empty/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223035849/https://old.reddit.com/r/thesims/comments/161t8eq/is_it_just_me_or_does_ts4_feel_empty/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> | ||
====Micro-DLC==== | ====Micro-DLC==== | ||
Micro-DLC functions as the middle child between standard | Micro-DLC functions as the middle child between standard downloadable content and [[microtransactions]]. This is directly defined by the content it offers, where a consumer buys a significant amount of items (e.g. a stuff pack) or a small item that has a noticeable impact on gameplay (e.g. a new character). Oftentimes, micro-DLC is offered among a large pool of other pieces of small DLC, such as the case in [[Microsoft Flight Simulator X]] in which there is over $4,000 in downloadable content for planes or airstrips.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Are there any games on steam with more expensive DLC than this? (microsoft flight simulator x) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/90e436/are_there_any_games_on_steam_with_more_expensive/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230608040019/https://old.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/90e436/are_there_any_games_on_steam_with_more_expensive/ |archive-date=8 Jun 2023}}</ref> This figure is only surpassed by Train Simulator's $8,000+ worth of downloadable content.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Train Simulator Classic 2024 |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/24010/Train_Simulator_Classic_2024/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=[[Steam]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251219024646/https://store.steampowered.com/app/24010/Train_Simulator_Classic_2024/ |archive-date=19 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
An honorable mention | An honorable mention is Rocksmith, where the original has had nearly $1,000 in individually purchasable songs.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/rocksmith/comments/2k39t7/total_dlc_price_question/ | ||
"Edit: u/OsagaTheGreat points out that the Rock Hits packs, which I believed were subject to 3-pack pricing, are in fact mere labels for single tracks that were released contemporaneously. The names are at times confusingly inconsistent, culminating in "Rock Hits 70's 2" being distinct from "Rock Hits 1970s 2". I count 19 Rock Hits pseudopacks (including "Indie Rock Hits", which doesn't sort next to the others), each containing 3 songs. Each 3-pack in the original calculation contributed a price reduction of $0.98 compared to purchasing single tracks, so debundling all of them increases the total by $18.62 to $973.39. However, in contrast to my original strategy, you ''would'' now purchase the Allman, Öyster, and Pearl song packs to save $2.94. The revised total is '''$970.45'''." | "Edit: u/OsagaTheGreat points out that the Rock Hits packs, which I believed were subject to 3-pack pricing, are in fact mere labels for single tracks that were released contemporaneously. The names are at times confusingly inconsistent, culminating in "Rock Hits 70's 2" being distinct from "Rock Hits 1970s 2". I count 19 Rock Hits pseudopacks (including "Indie Rock Hits", which doesn't sort next to the others), each containing 3 songs. Each 3-pack in the original calculation contributed a price reduction of $0.98 compared to purchasing single tracks, so debundling all of them increases the total by $18.62 to $973.39. However, in contrast to my original strategy, you ''would'' now purchase the Allman, Öyster, and Pearl song packs to save $2.94. The revised total is '''$970.45'''." | ||
- u/PierreSimonLaplace</ref> | - u/PierreSimonLaplace ([http://web.archive.org/web/20230602192705/https://old.reddit.com/r/rocksmith/comments/2k39t7/total_dlc_price_question/ Archived])</ref> | ||
=== | ===Imbalanced DLC=== | ||
Downloadable content featured in competitive games can be stronger than base game content, thus encouraging consumers to purchase this DLC if they want to be able to compete at a high level. This is an issue most prominent in fighting games, such as Mortal Kombat or Super Smash Brothers. In the case of Super Smash Brothers, significant controversy surrounds the DLC characters,<ref>{{Cite web |title=DLC characters are overpowered and brainless. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/SmashBrosUltimate/comments/11e977q/dlc_characters_are_overpowered_and_brainless/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230228144937/https://old.reddit.com/r/SmashBrosUltimate/comments/11e977q/dlc_characters_are_overpowered_and_brainless/ |archive-date=28 Feb 2023}}</ref> some of which are generally regarded as the strongest in the game or as exceptionally easy for newer players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Littlechild |first=Chris |date=6 Aug 2019 |title=Smash Ultimate: Does The Hero's Down-Special Make Him OP? |url=https://www.thegamer.com/smash-bros-ultimate-hero-dlc-down-special-op/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=The Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250404110055/https://www.thegamer.com/smash-bros-ultimate-hero-dlc-down-special-op/ |archive-date=4 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Steve is OP 😩 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/SmashBrosUltimate/comments/jdf910/steve_is_op/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223035926/https://old.reddit.com/r/SmashBrosUltimate/comments/jdf910/steve_is_op/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><!-- Historical examples | |||
Products to potentially mention later on: The Sims 4, super smash Brothers ultimate, Minecraft bedrock edition, certain Ubisoft or EA games, Fortnite, Halo infinite, assassin's Creed, Destiny --><!-- There was a blank section here for Season Passes. It would be a good idea to add a paragraph mentioned that, if anyone is up to doing so. --> | |||
Products to potentially mention later on: The Sims 4, super smash Brothers ultimate, Minecraft bedrock edition, certain Ubisoft or EA games, Fortnite, Halo infinite, assassin's Creed, Destiny | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Common terms]] | [[Category:Common terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 03:59, 23 February 2026
Downloadable Content (DLC), also referred to as Expansions or Expansion Packs, are a method for developers and/or publishers to extend the monetization of their products. This practice is not inherently anti-consumer, such as Factorio's Space Age DLC being regarded as paying for a new game according to fans. However, companies such as Electronic Arts and Ubisoft have been known to employ downloadable content to break up complete products into multiple purchases without fair justification.[1]
Dark patterns involving DLC
[edit | edit source]Pre-order bonuses
[edit | edit source]A very popular method used by companies to incite the customer to purchase their game is to offer additional content for pre-ordering.
This can range from:
- Extra characters
- Cosmetics
- In-game currency
- Entire gamemodes
- Closed Beta access
These pre-order pieces of content rarely will see a re-release, only in some scenarios where special edition re-releases will allow consumers who miss out on pre-ordering to have access to this content. These bonuses are reliant on a phenomenon known as fear of missing out (FOMO).
Day-one DLC
[edit | edit source]Often seen primarily from larger companies, day-one downloadable content is offered as a way to further monetize a product on launch. This tends to cause concern from consumers since downloadable content on launch gives the impression that base game content is being broken up in a manipulative way, thus harming consumers. These games can also have the DLC content already available on-disc, and it has historically caused outrage.[2]
DLC overload
[edit | edit source]A more recent trend among major publishers has been live-service games. This has brought the need for monetization to keep development persistent. Unfortunately, these same companies have also been excessive with offering large amounts of downloadable content. For example, Electronic Arts' The Sims 4 has currently over $1000 in DLC,[3] ranging from what could be considered as micro-DLC with kits and stuff packs, to larger DLC such as expansion packs.[4] Consumers have criticized the games for being lackluster without purchasing DLC,[5][6] with theories surrounding that it may be intentional due to the way DLC is handled between each game in the series.[7][6]
Micro-DLC
[edit | edit source]Micro-DLC functions as the middle child between standard downloadable content and microtransactions. This is directly defined by the content it offers, where a consumer buys a significant amount of items (e.g. a stuff pack) or a small item that has a noticeable impact on gameplay (e.g. a new character). Oftentimes, micro-DLC is offered among a large pool of other pieces of small DLC, such as the case in Microsoft Flight Simulator X in which there is over $4,000 in downloadable content for planes or airstrips.[8] This figure is only surpassed by Train Simulator's $8,000+ worth of downloadable content.[9]
An honorable mention is Rocksmith, where the original has had nearly $1,000 in individually purchasable songs.[10]
Imbalanced DLC
[edit | edit source]Downloadable content featured in competitive games can be stronger than base game content, thus encouraging consumers to purchase this DLC if they want to be able to compete at a high level. This is an issue most prominent in fighting games, such as Mortal Kombat or Super Smash Brothers. In the case of Super Smash Brothers, significant controversy surrounds the DLC characters,[11] some of which are generally regarded as the strongest in the game or as exceptionally easy for newer players.[12][13]
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Hruska, Joel (14 August 2015). "Executive calls on disc dlc complaints nonsense but the truth is more complicated". extremetech.com. Archived from the original on 21 Aug 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ↑ Watts, Steve (3 Mar 2010). "BioShock 2 DLC is Already On the Disc". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 8 Nov 2015. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "The Sims 4". Steam. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.
- ↑ Naletilic, Dora (11 Jan 2024). "Here's Why The Sims 4 DLCs Are So Expensive (& How to Get Them Cheaper)". GameHorizon. Archived from the original on 8 Nov 2025. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "TS4 feels empty?". Reddit. Archived from the original on 9 Jun 2023. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Crane, Maris (5 Jan 2024). "Why Does Playing The Sims 4 Make Me Feel Empty Inside?". SuperJump. Archived from the original on 22 Feb 2026. Retrieved 27 Mar 2024.
- ↑ "Is it just me or does TS4 feel 'empty'?". Reddit. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "Are there any games on steam with more expensive DLC than this? (microsoft flight simulator x)". Reddit. Archived from the original on 8 Jun 2023. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "Train Simulator Classic 2024". Steam. Archived from the original on 19 Dec 2025. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/rocksmith/comments/2k39t7/total_dlc_price_question/ "Edit: u/OsagaTheGreat points out that the Rock Hits packs, which I believed were subject to 3-pack pricing, are in fact mere labels for single tracks that were released contemporaneously. The names are at times confusingly inconsistent, culminating in "Rock Hits 70's 2" being distinct from "Rock Hits 1970s 2". I count 19 Rock Hits pseudopacks (including "Indie Rock Hits", which doesn't sort next to the others), each containing 3 songs. Each 3-pack in the original calculation contributed a price reduction of $0.98 compared to purchasing single tracks, so debundling all of them increases the total by $18.62 to $973.39. However, in contrast to my original strategy, you would now purchase the Allman, Öyster, and Pearl song packs to save $2.94. The revised total is $970.45." - u/PierreSimonLaplace (Archived)
- ↑ "DLC characters are overpowered and brainless". Reddit. Archived from the original on 28 Feb 2023. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.
- ↑ Littlechild, Chris (6 Aug 2019). "Smash Ultimate: Does The Hero's Down-Special Make Him OP?". The Gamer. Archived from the original on 4 Apr 2025. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "Steve is OP 😩". Reddit. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 27 Mar 2025.