Added Content: Pay or Free : Othor Games

» Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:29 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong but it was my understanding that XBox Live and PSN don't allow new content to be released for free. If a developer isn't allow to release something for free I don't think that necessitates that they charge PC fans who aren't in this position.

Even if it's Microsoft/Sony's policy to charge for DLC, don't you think it's unfair for one group to pay for something that another group gets for free?

You're correct. If it were up to Valve, all the DLC would be free. They've made the statement before that their hands are tied in the matter.

Valve keeps saying they won't release any updates for TF2, even a simple map pack and bug fixes which is pretty much what we'll settle for now, because they want them to be free and MS won't allow that. BUT, they don't seem to have any problem with charging us for DLC for the Left 4 Dead games.

My problem with Valve is that they seem to only be developing games for consoles to get enough funding to develop a bunch of exclusive stuff for the PC versions of their games whilst completely shutting out their console gamers. People say it's Microsofts fault for the lack of Orange Box updates, and while they may be right, I don't think it's 100% Microsofts fault. I don't even thing it's 75% Microsofts fault. Right now, it seems like a 50/50 split between the two companies, Microsofts restrictions and Valve's laziness.

People just seem to give Valve as many free passes as they want.

» Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:38 pm

Even if it's Microsoft/Sony's policy to charge for DLC, don't you think it's unfair for one group to pay for something that another group gets for free?

Valve keeps saying they won't release any updates for TF2, even a simple map pack and bug fixes which is pretty much what we'll settle for now, because they want them to be free and MS won't allow that. BUT, they don't seem to have any problem with charging us for DLC for the Left 4 Dead games.

My problem with Valve is that they seem to only be developing games for consoles to get enough funding to develop a bunch of exclusive stuff for the PC versions of their games whilst completely shutting out their console gamers. People say it's Microsofts fault for the lack of Orange Box updates, and while they may be right, I don't think it's 100% Microsofts fault. I don't even thing it's 75% Microsofts fault. Right now, it seems like a 50/50 split between the two companies, Microsofts restrictions and Valve's laziness.

People just seem to give Valve as many free passes as they want.

What about sony? We haz boxzors of oranges for ps3.

» Sat Feb 26, 2011 2:28 pm

So, Mr. Xx bookend name.

I like what you did there.
And I'm pretty sure SD won't do something like BC2.
And I'm pretty sure the reason Valve made it for free is because they have the money to do so.

» Sun Feb 27, 2011 1:25 am

My problem with Valve is that they seem to only be developing games for consoles to get enough funding to develop a bunch of exclusive stuff for the PC versions of their games whilst completely shutting out their console gamers. People say it's Microsofts fault for the lack of Orange Box updates, and while they may be right, I don't think it's 100% Microsofts fault. I don't even thing it's 75% Microsofts fault. Right now, it seems like a 50/50 split between the two companies, Microsofts restrictions and Valve's laziness.

People just seem to give Valve as many free passes as they want.

It's neither's "fault" really. Updates for Xbox are complicated, and very different to PC updates. Valve isn't used to it, so they direct their attention elsewhere.

» Sat Feb 26, 2011 6:37 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong but it was my understanding that XBox Live and PSN don't allow new content to be released for free. If a developer isn't allow to release something for free I don't think that necessitates that they charge PC fans who aren't in this position.

As for Brink, it does seem likely that DLCs will be considered. However ever since Oblivion Bethesda has leaned towards fairly large DLC and I think it's likely that this will be continued for Brink.

They allow one piece of content for free,IF it is under a certain file size. Also Microsoft wont charge you to host your games demo,If they had a brink demo Bethesda would not get charged for hosting on Xbox live, sony charges game companies to host demos on PSN. Just clearing that up.

» Sat Feb 26, 2011 6:36 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong but it was my understanding that XBox Live and PSN don't allow new content to be released for free. If a developer isn't allow to release something for free I don't think that necessitates that they charge PC fans who aren't in this position.

You're actually 1/2 right in that regard, idk if you keep up with kotaku or other gaming related news sites but the team who created super meat boy found a loophole in xbla and they released dlc type stuff for free then bragged about it

I'm not sure if the legals have changed it so this loophole can no longer be used but i'm sure it will take a truckload of effort and reading to find future ones.

(Wasnt sure if i was allowed to reference other sites/games so i appolgise in advance if im not)

» Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:46 am

Thanks for the clarification

As for Valve, that's really a discussion for Community Discussion - while the initial comments certainly pertained to this thread to continue it would be largely off topic. If someone does want to start a thread about free releases on XBox Live and PSN I'll certainly jump in over there.

With Brink there is little we can rely on for precedence so it's hard to look at Bethesda's past behavior and apply it to Brink. Bethesda commented on a developement strategy for DLC with FO3 (based on their experience with Oblivion) and it looks like this is being applied by Obsidian with FONV. However an open world RPG is a very different critter to a game like Brink so this strategy may have no relevance. However it does look like free releases are difficult to pull off on Live and PSN so if there are DLC I'd expect a price tag attached.

Disclaimer: moderators are volunteers, not employees, and our opinions are our own. We are also not privy to any details that haven't been made public. My comments in this thread are my personal speculation, nothing more.