Soapbox #1: Play gamers, not games?

Microtransactions and DLC (downloadable content) are here to stay. This is a fact that we as gamers have to accept. As with all innovations, there are pros and cons. The pros, however, are supposed to outweigh the cons. Unfortunately this is not the case with their current application in the gaming realm. In fact, the cons not only are the reason I am writing this article now, but also inspired me to come up with this new feature. This is the case due to gaming companies. They are not using microtransactions and DLC in the right way.

To be fair, let me get some of the pros out of the way.  First off, developers can address issues and glitches long after the game has hit the market. In other words, they can ensure that gamers get a quality product and even fix balancing issues in an online multiplayer games. Secondly, DLC and microtransactions allow for game developers to extend the replay value of their games by giving gamers more content to use. A great example of this would be RockBand and their weekly release of songs. Players can pick and choose which songs they add to their copy of RockBand’s track list. Upon purchasing said songs, they are incorporated into gameplay like they were on the disc from the start. Sports titles like Madden and NBA 2K10 use DLC to give gamers regular roster updates. Fallout 3 extended its already lengthy game even more with regular DLC that added more missions and locales in the game. Imagine racing games like Forza or Gran Turismo supporting DLC with new cars and tracks. Heck, they could even add more racing parts. Then we look at gaming sites like IJJI. They run a site with retail quality computer games that are 100% free to play. They make their money through microtransaction on individual items for each game. Said microtransactions are completely optional, reasonably priced, and extremely well balanced as to not ruin the game for people who do not use microtransactions. The last part of the previous statement is key. Keep it in mind as I will come back to this point.

With all that said, I am annoyed to find that cons far outweigh the pros. Developers have started using the fact that they can patch games post release through DLC as an excuse to skimp on or plain forgo testing and QA (Quality Assurance). A great example of this Gears of War 2. The game launched and sold extremely well. Of course, this led to millions taking the game online and finding out the game was so glitch filled it was broken or just unplayable. The time it took them to even begin addressing the glitches is also something of concern. You know why it took them so long to start fixing the glitches? Because the developers were already working on gouging gamers with DLC in the form of map packs. Just a month after the game came out they had the first map pack available. It only contained 3 maps and cost 800 Microsoft points ($10 US). The first of many patches would not come out until months later. Staying with Gears of War 2, not too long ago the “All Fronts Collection” was released. This DLC included all the past DLC for the game plus the new (at the time) “Dark Corners” DLC for the price of 1600 Microsoft points ($20 US). The “Dark Corners” DLC alone was 1200 Microsoft points ($15 US). Here is where things get shady. Originally the “All Fronts Collection” was going to be a retail only deal and include a custom Xbox Live theme, poster, strategy guide, and an introductory video by Cliff Bleszinski. It even had the same price. All of the sudden, a shift was made to this deal being available exclusively as DLC. Gamers now got to miss out on all the previously mention inclusions. Instead, all they got was the maps. As if that were shady enough, gamers who had previously purchased maps packs for their full retail price we screwed. You had to pay $15 US just to get the latest maps and the extra mission on top of all the money you payed for the past DLC ($10 US per). Mean while, cats like me who refused to pay those outlandish prices for maps got everything you did for $20. Our very own Dj Krome is one of the gamers shafted by this deal.

There are more recent examples of this too. Actually, this tidbit of news enraged me so much I just owed to get on my soapbox and enlighten gamers (hence the name of this feature). Some shady practices in Fifa 10 have been brought to my attention by our very own UK fellows Khalid and Terrence. The game launched the 2nd of October in the UK. Stateside, we have to wait till the 20th (this coming Tuesday). In Fifa 10, there is this new feature Terrence and Khalid simply dubbed “Stat Booster”. In Fifa 10,everyone who plays in a club championship mode online has to create their own virtual pro. Your height, position, and stats are all adjusted to suit the role you choose. It is all done automatically. For those of you that need an example of what I am trying to convey, think NBA 2K10’s “My Player” feature. You gradually play manager mode or online team play and you get points that level up your characters stats in tackling, shooting, dribbling, and more. Enter “Stat Booster”. What EA decided to do this year was add this new feature. It allows people to pay money to temporarily make your pro a very good defender, midfielder or striker depending what you pay for and the amount you pay as well. For example, for about a stat boost that last about 20 matches online you pay 160 Microsoft points ($2 US on PSN). For about 5 matches you pay 80 Microsoft points ($1 US on PSN). This improves your player’s stats a lot compared to the players you play against who are playing straight up and without this “Stat Booster” feature. There is even one to make your player the ultimate player for 1 match. While you have this “Stat Booster” feature active, you player still levels up. There are no repercussions at all. The worst part about it is you won’t know you are playing someone who is using this until the game starts. There is no way to prevent yourself from playing people who use it. EA doesn’t segregate users who use it from users who don’t. Why you ask? Isn’t obvious? It is to get people who are not using to feature to use it. You eventually will get annoyed losing to people who BOUGHT stat increases. They are trying to get you to cave and buy the stat booster just to level the playing field. How the hell can they do something like this? I was extremely excited for Fifa 10. Alas, I can not get the game now. My principle will not allow me to. The funny thing is, we should not be shocked. This is EA after all. Remember when they were going to charge people to unlock weapons that already in the game in Battlefield: Bad Company.

If I were to just list examples of cons for this topic, I would never get to step down off this soap box. I will list one more that has ground my gears for a long time now (reference to Family Guy not intended). Why charge gamers for themes for their system? This is pure evil to me. Microsoft, for example, will charge users for themes. Then, they limit users ability to customize the themes themselves. Why charge users for items and clothing for their avatars? It costs them no real money to put these items there. Why is the Quore service not free on PSN if PSN is all about free online? There are lots situations like this in gaming. There is only way we will see change. As a consumer, your loudest voice is your wallet. Buying and NOT buying these microtransactions and DLC says tons more than just complaining. Also, I find it odd that people have enough time on their hands to make petitions for games that were never really exclusive going multi-platform yet they ignore true issues in gaming that affect us all. Have more examples of DLC and microtransactions being used wrong? Feel I have left something out? Let me know. I am a fellow of reason after all. And now, I step off my soapbox. Where did I leave that ladder?