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There are absolutely two ways of delivering Downloadable Content to add an extra dimension to a current game - the right way and the wrong.
Above: A trailblazer in how 'not' to do DLC. The Oblivion horse armour
While most publishers see this as an opportunity to squeeze a few more pennies out of their public... <cough> 'Activision' <cough>... there's the heroic likes of Zipper who've just announced a stack of new stuff for MAG absolutely free.
But it's not just free stuff that makes DLC more appealing as there's a lot of gratis free content that's essentially balls. So here's a handy list for devs and publishers alike about the Do's and Don'ts of creating exciting DLC...
Don't
... over charge for basic content. Having not played the MW2 Stimulus Map Pack it'd be unprofessional of us to say it's not worth the money but 1200 MS points is rather steep for three new maps and two old ones.
Do
... create worthwhile extra missions, stories for the single player. Not everyone cares about a few new places to shoot each other online, most people will gladly take some DLC that prolongs their game for a few more hours.
Don't
... put an extra price on stuff that was already going to be in the game. EA did this with the original Bad Company whereby they offered you the guns that were already in the game for extra cash. All you had to do to earn them was to rank up to 25 or more.
Above: An extra few quid for guns that are in the game anyway? No, ta
Do
... chuck in a new move or weapon for free as a little surprise, like Infamous' Gigawatt Blades. If your new tools are game changing - like enabling you to reach another area or defeat a certain boss then we're willing to pay hard cash.
Don't
... make out we're missing something from the game if we don't download the content. Resi 5 did this recently leaving a gaping plot hole on how Jill escaped from Africa only to release it in DLC form. Can you imagine a film doing this? Answer: No.
Do
... tease us with new stuff in game. Burnout Paradise showed Big Surf Island but had a roadblock up so you couldn't get it. Cue excitement about when it would finally be available to get into the area.
Above: Criterion knew how to stoke interest with their DLC island
So what do you think worthwhile DLC should contain? Is it simply a pricing matter for you or don't you mind paying for something a bit extra? Let us know in the comments below, on Facebook or on our Twitter.
Clickshark - March 22, 2010 7:15 a.m.