New content might not be free

[Squirminator2k]

While Spadge has reassured us that they are pushing for free content, there have been suggestions in various places online that Microsoft have in the past forced developers/publishers to charge for downloadable content. I've been reading about it over on [this thread] on the Penny Arcade Forums, and while Microsoft deny price-fixing there have been comments made by developers and publishers which would seem to contradict this.

So just a heads up - you may find yourself paying for that additional content.

I personally don't mind paying, so long as the price is acceptable. 20-50 points for a speechbank pack, 50-80 points for a terrain pack (pack in both instances means "more than one", obv.).

[Luther]

Uhh, not sure exactly what your revelation is here. It has been stated from the beginning that DLC will be a mixture of free and paid. T17 will push for the best value for money possible.

To quote Spadge from just a couple of days ago:
"The music and all theme-related audio is planned to come as free downloads where we can manage it."

[Spadge]

Originally Posted by Squirminator2k

While Spadge has reassured us that they are pushing for free content, there have been suggestions in various places online that Microsoft have in the past forced developers/publishers to charge for downloadable content. I've been reading about it over on [this thread] on the Penny Arcade Forums, and while Microsoft deny price-fixing there have been comments made by developers and publishers which would seem to contradict this.

So just a heads up - you may find yourself paying for that additional content.

I personally don't mind paying, so long as the price is acceptable. 20-50 points for a speechbank pack, 50-80 points for a terrain pack (pack in both instances means "more than one", obv.).

I dunno, you get info from the horse's mouth and then go off and read something else.

Microsoft directly control the pricing - which is understandable or there would be pricing chaos on the service, we are pushing for a mixture of free content & PDLC where we can - but accept that some of it will need to be chargeable. We will work to ensure that what we provide is good value.

[Rambeezy]

This whole issue is Microsoft forcing publishers to charge for content is quite disgusting to me. Digital downloading will never be "commerce of the future" for the videogame industy if publishers aren't allowed to price their own products, or give the occassiobnal free treat to consumers. Not much of a "free market" on the Live Marketplace, is there?

When i read recently that the developers of Geometry Wars being forced to charge for their game that they intended to be free, i was quite suprised that the 2 Gears of War maps that came out after Xmas were free. I thought it may have had something to do with Epic & Microsoft having such a close relationship in the development process of GOW & also that Gears was such a huge selling game that Microsoft could let a few free maps slide for the sake of gamers.

But if the Epic guys want to release more free maps, that should be their choice. I can see one argument being that Microsoft is providing the servers to host these free downloads so they'd like to charge for it, but on the other hand demos are free & they take up many times over a GB in data whereas most other DLC is quite small. I'm also paying $50 a year for my XBL service, which goes to pay for most of these servers anyways.

[AndrewTaylor]

Whoever said there would or should be a free marketplace on Microsoft's online platform for Microsoft's console?

[SpaceInsom]

Originally Posted by AndrewTaylor

Whoever said there would or should be a free marketplace on Microsoft's online platform for Microsoft's console?

Epic games has always been known for their awesome free updates. Just last year they released an awesome update for Unreal Tournament 2004. Now they've sold a ton of games for MS, and want to continue that tradition, but MS is saying no. The content's creation isn't costing MS a dime, it's all made by Epic and Epic alone. If Epic games wants to release free content, MS should not try to stop them.

If it wasn't for MS pulling this crap, you'd be playing Gears of War right now with new maps, weapons, and game types.


Other than that, there was supposed to be an update for Marble Blast Ultra ages ago. The developer wrote about it on his blog and said the content is done and he wants to release it for free, but MS won't let him, and he refuses to release it as paid content.

We're not talking about capitalism here, we're talking about MS screwing over their customers while the publishers and developers look on in horror. They've taken power away from those who create and distribute games, all so EA can keep screwing us by having us pay for content that's on the disc, or allowing us to pay with real money to buy virtual money. Why buy EA's crap when Gears is offering so much more, and for free? Why, such a thing would mean "there would be pricing chaos". Heaven forbid.

[AndrewTaylor]

Microsoft just want a consistent pricing structure. If they let developers do what they please then one or two free updates would make all kinds of people post angry things on forums if anyone tried to "pull" any "crap" by expecting money for their updates. And that would be bad for smaller developers who just can't afford to put out free content and it'd make Microsoft's profits go down. So really, neither way is ideal. Microsoft have picked one. You might well disagree with it, but I'm sure you're overreacting.

[SpaceInsom]

Originally Posted by AndrewTaylor

that would be bad for smaller developers who just can't afford to put out free content...

Yeah, because I'm sure the Marble Blast Ultra team is just ROLLING in the money.

Epic wants the content to be free because they don't want to split up their online community. They made the game, and they've been doing this for years, so MS shouldn't be forcing their stupid system on them.

I'm fine with paying what the people who make the content want to change me, but forcing them to charge me is a load of crap.

[Luther]

There is a certain amount of pre-emptive complaining going on here. Worms DLC is not currently available, free or otherwise.

I don't own a 360, so perhaps one of you can answer a question for me? Is there currently any free DLC on the system?

[Lagster]

there is free DLC if your american(or xbox thinks your american lol), they get free picture packs and themes usually of some film thats just about to be released.
UK wise its only the gears of war 2 maps and a theme that i can remember being free.

[poep98]

Outfit map packs and themes-free
Gears maps and a theme- free
TDU- 3-5 free cars
Godfather- free mobface bundle
Saints row free clothes pack ( huge amount of clothes btw)

Theres much more free dlc on the market place but its ofline now

[SirMossy]

Free cars in PGR3, free outfits and a co-op mode in Kameo.. the list really does go on.

However all of that is beside the point. Team17 would like it free, MS want to charge but in this case it seems team17 are coming to an agreement (or at least they probably will at some point). The problem with the Gears stuff and the Marble stuff is that it seems a wee bit hostile (word like furious and ****ed were used a bit).

So regardless of whether its free or not, we'll be getting more stuff for Worms, and thats the important part.