Middle Finger to Predatory DLC (secret wink to crippled used game sales)
Right here we have another example of game devs trying to justify DLC tactics in a good light. CD Projekt claims to be targetting predatory DLC tactics of other companies (NIS America in particular is mentioned in the article, as is a game called Train Simulator).
Their plan is that anyone who buys Witcher 3, be it digital or physical, will get 16 pieces of DLC free! Wow right?
Marcin Iwinski, cofounder of the group says "We always thought it's best to follow what you believe in, so here we are," he said. "Others may or may not do the same, but this is who we are and what we think gamers deserve."
When asked why the free DLC would be rolled out over the next 6 months (most of it launching in March iirc although some soon after the game's release) instead of included on the disc, he replied "It's not done yet."
So. While it's great that they're basically doing this to spite the tactics employed by game devs that will charge you full price for a game, then charge you 2-5 dollars for all sorts of unlockables - and in many cases it does appear to be unlock codes in the case of NIS America, they're still going the DLC route.
And the DLC route is being planned before the game is released. Back in the day when the game wasn't done YOU DIDN'T SHIP YOUR PRODUCT. They mention the DLC is free, but they also mention people who buy the game. IE: Initial new buyers of the game. If those people try to sell the game afterwards, the DLC is locked to them so the new owners will be subjected to 16 pieces of DLC that they will either need to buy individually (predatory) or they will need to buy a single "DLC program" to get all 16 together for one likely larger lump sum. (which can still be predatory depending on the cost they give it.)
So what we have here is that in order to cash in on the gamer's wallet 6 months sooner, they've deliberately planned to axe content that was planned but "not done yet" from the main game. The "not done yet" excuse is basically confirmation that content is being ripped out of the planned product.
They've done all but outright say that this was a plan to attack legal used game sales. Something companies use to complain about and equate as worse than outright piracy and for a time was very vocal in trying to demonize legal consumer rights. I'm guessing it's not cool to shamelessly admit to this kind of tactic right now since it didn't catch on outside the most extreme fanboy apologists no matter how often game journalists tried to shove the idea down our throats.
And remember, this is what the head of the company said "gamers deserve". Personally, I think gamers deserve a finished product instead. The same way any consumer in any other market would take for granted.
Their plan is that anyone who buys Witcher 3, be it digital or physical, will get 16 pieces of DLC free! Wow right?
Marcin Iwinski, cofounder of the group says "We always thought it's best to follow what you believe in, so here we are," he said. "Others may or may not do the same, but this is who we are and what we think gamers deserve."
When asked why the free DLC would be rolled out over the next 6 months (most of it launching in March iirc although some soon after the game's release) instead of included on the disc, he replied "It's not done yet."
So. While it's great that they're basically doing this to spite the tactics employed by game devs that will charge you full price for a game, then charge you 2-5 dollars for all sorts of unlockables - and in many cases it does appear to be unlock codes in the case of NIS America, they're still going the DLC route.
And the DLC route is being planned before the game is released. Back in the day when the game wasn't done YOU DIDN'T SHIP YOUR PRODUCT. They mention the DLC is free, but they also mention people who buy the game. IE: Initial new buyers of the game. If those people try to sell the game afterwards, the DLC is locked to them so the new owners will be subjected to 16 pieces of DLC that they will either need to buy individually (predatory) or they will need to buy a single "DLC program" to get all 16 together for one likely larger lump sum. (which can still be predatory depending on the cost they give it.)
So what we have here is that in order to cash in on the gamer's wallet 6 months sooner, they've deliberately planned to axe content that was planned but "not done yet" from the main game. The "not done yet" excuse is basically confirmation that content is being ripped out of the planned product.
They've done all but outright say that this was a plan to attack legal used game sales. Something companies use to complain about and equate as worse than outright piracy and for a time was very vocal in trying to demonize legal consumer rights. I'm guessing it's not cool to shamelessly admit to this kind of tactic right now since it didn't catch on outside the most extreme fanboy apologists no matter how often game journalists tried to shove the idea down our throats.
And remember, this is what the head of the company said "gamers deserve". Personally, I think gamers deserve a finished product instead. The same way any consumer in any other market would take for granted.