a single click. All you need is Adobe Reader.
For use with either a modern browser, or an RSS program.
Bioshock 2 DLC Already on the Disc - Is That Okay?
How do we feel about publishers including extra pay for content on the disc?
Written by Jon Seddon, 12 March 2010
The first DLC for Bioshock 2 was released this week, or was it? Eager players discovered some truly tiny file download sizes of about 100K for the extra maps, prompting many to call foul on 2K Games.
To try and calm everyone down, 2K posted the following on their forum today:
"I noticed there was a bit of confusion about our Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack file size, and I wanted to clear things up for you. The way our engine and game structure works is that people need to have the exact same content for people to play together. One of the challenges with post launch content for MP is that it can split the player base, and we want to avoid that whenever possible. For this content, creating the DLC package the way we did allowed for us to not split the player base - so whether you purchase the new content or not, you can still play with your friends.
I know some of you have strong beliefs about DLC, and I'm not here to sway your opinion or convince you to buy our stuff - if you like what we're offering, I hope you get it and enjoy it. If it's not your speed, enjoy BioShock 2 as we released it.
I want to let you know that DLC is not interfering with our patching capabilities, which are a top priority and are still being actively worked on. We're committed to supporting you and making BioShock 2 the best experience possible."
360Zine Issue 39
For our latest Bioshock 2 coverage, click here to download 360Zine Issue 39 for free.What they are basically saying is that if they don't give everyone at least some of the content, i.e. the extra characters, players that don't have the new character skins can't play those that do. This makes sense, but has not been handled very well by 2K.
It would arguably have looked better if they had given people a dummy file of a few megabytes to download for their 400 Points. This would of course been more dishonest, but ironically would not have exposed them to accusations of deception. This is something that Criterion solved with Burnout Paradise, by giving a free version of the DLC that included the extra cars, but didn't let you drive them, until you paid for it. Complicated but this avoids accusations and bad feeling.
Many people argue that when you pay £40 for a game you are entitled to access everything on the disc and calling content that's already included DLC is effectively deceiving the player. The counter argument is that if it doesn't say that the content is included then you are making a value decision based on the content that is documented as included and the publisher has every right to unlock additional content for those that want to pay for it.
In this case we can speculate that the content wasn't originally planned to be included, but when the game got delayed from its 2009 release date, the developers then had time to finish the DLC and the decision was made to include it. Remember, a game has many different teams working on them and the DLC is probably being worked on by a different group than working on the main game. Should they have decided at that point to give it away? Maybe, now they might well have reached that decision.
There is obviously no right answer to this, but the cries of disgruntled fans will encourage publishers to stay honest or perhaps find better ways to hide the truth!
Bioshock 2 coverage available in 360Zine Issue 39 - click here to download it for free!
»View more Bioshock 2 features...
