In a world that pushes DLC for gaming, do we really need hard-copy sequels for every game?

I just read that Guitar Hero V is slated to come out this fall, and a thought came to mind: why not just add the content to Guitar Hero: World Tour? I'm sure GHV is going to introduce something new, it's a duh, but does it really need to be on another $60+ disk or $90+ bundle? Why not include the new content as an expansion pack accessible through one of the menus in the game?

I'm thinking it's all easily doable, just not as profitable as the route the Aerosmith and Metallica editions of the GH games chose to take. Imagine downloading a $20-$30 expansion, heck maybe even a$5o one, straight to your hard drive hassle free and you don't need to get dressed, that's a win-win situation if I've ever heard of one.

Think about it like this, DLC is being pushed to sell you cheat codes, new skins, stadiums, maps and even in-game money, isn't it about time we start getting more Shivering Isles and Broken Steel-sized content without having to pay for packaging if we don't want to? I'm fine with not owning another disc as long as my account has the right to the software I purchase. I'm thinking Microsoft in particular could make make this a strong case for picking up their larger hard drives, you hear that? That's everyone winning, especially the environment because I'm not driving to the store as much anymore! Yes, I just used that cop-out and I don't care.

Still, it's not a big deal for me. Now, if I played the Guitar Hero games at all I'd be more bummed out that this isn't the course the games are taking. I'm just hopeful that games I do care about start doing this when logically and economically possible to developers, publishers and most importantly of all, we the gamers.

Just a thought.

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Karl Rosner

May 08, 2009

Try to put yourself into the boots of Activsion, the publishers behind Guitar Hero. It makes scene to iterate on their franchises, its how they make their money. Sure Rockband 2 is better than Guitar hero world tour, I own both, but Activsion still makes a bucket load with each release. And there already exists a business model based off substantial content updates based on subscriptions, they're called MMORPGS and are kind of popular. The end fact of the matter is as long as first parties get licensing fees off third party games we are going to stay in this business model, despite digital distribution.

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Matt Clark

I mostly agree with you, Sal. Personally, I think developers could better serve the players by issuing DLC expansions/content, not just tidbits like horse armor. What it should really boil down to is: "Is this an entire reworking of the last game, or just adding new songs, characters, modes?" If it's the latter, just make it DLC.

Salvador Viesca

Thanks for the comments. Yea, this is more wishful thinking than anything else. I know games like Madden [i]could[/i] take this route, but logically, with the new features, engine reworkings and what not, it's probably not gonna happen any time soon. Also, to Karl Rosner: I completely see your point, and it makes total sense, I'm just hoping for a change sooner than later. As for the MMORPG point, I know this how they work, but I'm not an MMO player anymore. To me, it doesn't make sense as something that should be limited to one or two genres. This reminds me, I need to get Broken Steel. :D