Legal Opinion: Why DLC is the Future of Gaming

[TRB]

Value is entirely relative to the person, so the only appropriate statement is how long someone personally spends on a game.

The statement I was replying to was saying that movies are intrinsically better value than games.

Thats partially my point, while a given game or movie could be layed or watched for X more hours then the minimum, there is in fact a minimum time which either one takes to get through.

Which is why I noted that the 2 games you mention have been finished in or around the time-frame [6 hours iirc] the other poster talked about.

personally I agree that generally games are better value entertainment over time because I and most other people don't play them to win in the least amount of time possible.
though that could also partly be because IMO 99% of movies suck.

[Bluefire]

I understand that the anology wasnt perfect and yes there are AAA games that have more than 6hrs of core content. However 6hrs is pretty much the average.
I could go see a movie and sit in the cimema after the movie is finnished.. maybe clean up the popcorn as a side quest.. but sidequests are not generally taken as part of the "playtime"
Seeing as on average a movie costs you less per hour of entertainment and costs the companies more to make...
Now personally I enjoy playing at home so am prepared to pay a bit of a premium for that convenience.
But paying 20-30% more for each hour of entertainment when I know its costing them half the money to make it...
Now you want to charge me that for half a game?

I love DLC, I dont mind paying for DLC
But if you intend to release 50% another 10% as day0 dlc and the remaining 40% over the next 6months... The inital price of the game should reflect that!

Purchase Price $20
day0 dlc $4
week 2 dlc $4
month 1 dlc $4
month 3 dlc $4
month 6 dlc $4
Fair price for a AAA game.

Now I understand that companies exist to make a profit and not to be "fair" which is great for them and their share holders. But in no way what so ever is paying $90+$10+$5+$5+$20+$10 for a "complete" game "good" for gamers.

[Marius]

I do agree that the game price should be lowered if a game is going to be heavy on DLC.

I don't think I've been defending DLC *as it stands* but looking at the possible future.