Quoted from Yoko2una:2nd this. Starting to request extra features (equivalent to DLC in video gaming) for the "full gameplay experience" will do much harm to the hobby.
I've owned a console from every generation from the Nintendo NES right up through the Xbox360. But something happened with my Xbox360 that really turned me off... Constant updates and DLC cash-grabs.
Every time I try to go back to my 360 even to try to watch a movie - Turn on Xbox, sign in, find Netflix in Videos menu... "Netflix requires an update to continue", Click Update, download, reboot, install, reboot, sign in, back to Netflix... movie I want isn't there, now search and I have to rent it from Microsoft after 20 min of update BS? Ugh. Pass.
Same thing for new games. Turn it on, load game, uh oh my Wifi isn't working, configure Wifi, ok, back to game, update available & required to continue, download, reboot, install, reboot, sign in, back to game... "New player updates. Download?", decline, F*ck it, I want to play single player, now let me configure 14 different menus because I have to choose the wind/rain settings for Madden... ugh, I'll go play my old consoles.
I just want to play an Effing game or watch a show, not go through endless updates and countless attempts to suck more money from my wallet. That's what brought me away from the Xbox and back into pinball - that immediate want to play a game, flip a switch, press a button, and off I go. That's what is lost in current generation gaming, and if Pinball loses it too, then screw the new machines.
DLC is just that... EXTRA content. You don't have to download the DLC to get the "full experience". Yeah you need to buy the DLC to enjoy additional content they added to the game, yes. Of course, this has turned into a pitfall of incomplete games supplemented by DLC content. The developers just expect people to pay so they can milk 100 dollars out of a 60 dollar game. DLC used to be real content like expansions and such that really added more things to the game.
Now if DLC for pinballs was really additional content for the game...I'd be all over it. I wouldn't mind purchasing new ROMs or flashing the EPROM for newer code and features years down the line...the cost of this would be a hell of a lot cheaper than any silly mod, topper, etc. and the benefit would be pretty cool if you ask me. I wouldn't mind some of the older games getting a face lift with a new DLC ROM or something of the like for relatively cheap.. if you don't like it just switch back.
Of course, that's not really what would happen. It would probably just give them a reason to come up short on the release code and try to nickel and dime you to death with content updates... pretty much like you have explained.
It could be a good thing though if they did it right...
Athens, TX
