THE SEASON PASS

What should be good has become bad

   So at this point,  everyone is used to their games having extra content that extends the life of your favorite game.  This was an unheard of concept for console gaming over a decade ago,  PC gamers were used to getting expansions to their games (massive amounts of content usually as extra story and more multiplayer maps/vehicles/guns/etc.).  This can be a win scenario for gamers and developers alike,  it in many cases has become a way to milk more money out of the consumer.

   During it's late stages,  Microsoft started released extra game content through their Xbox Live service for Halo 2.  At this point, things like online gaming on consoles were in their infancy (Sega tried to start this trend with the Sega Saturn by purchasing an add on and also making the Dreamcast come standard with a 56k Modem.).  This was one of the first cases of DLC on a console game, at this point it was still a win situation for consumers.  It wasn't until the next generation of consoles (Xbox 360 and Ps3) that console makers and game makers really embraced this ideal.  But even during the early stages,  they had their stumbles.  The most famous of which is the Horse Armor DLC for Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion.  Bethesda put up DLC to add armor to your horse, which had no effect in game other than to change the look of it.  For this they wanted $2.50...  This caused a massive outrage from gamers and a big embarrassment for Bethesda.  Many viewed this as a travesty, as this item could have easily been put in the game or added for free.  Other games would put similar things in them over the years (Godfather buying in game money, Gears of War 3 selling weapon skins,  Tales of Vesperia selling level ups), but this became the most famous one.

   So, as I said, DLC is a common practice now for games.  When the game L.A. Noire was released,  Rockstar planned a release of extra cases for the game after its release.  This gave them the idea to release something called the "Rockstar Pass".  Basically this gave early adopters access to all extra content released for the game,  by paying a fee upfront.  This came to $10 for the pass (this is one of the two I have personally purchased),  this price later went to $12 after a time and at that price gave you a 50% discount on all DLC.  At the point,  I viewed this as a pretty good savings and still don't regret purchasing it.  However,  many other companies saw this and started to pick up on the idea.  Now you've got games like Forza Horizon, Mortal Kombat, Battlefield 3, Call of Duty Black Ops 2, Max Payne 3, Assassins Creed 3, etc., these are all adopting the practice of season passes.

   Now you would think from reading what I said above that this would be a good thing.  However,  many of the publishers are only offering, at most, a 10% to 20% discount.   For example,  Black Ops 2 just announced they are doing a season pass for DLC which will be $50.  This includes 4 unannounced Map Packs, retailing at $15 dollars a piece.  That's a savings of $10,  which is something like %18 (give or take). So this means that for anyone who's a big fan,  that's spending $60 for the game (if you just buy the regular editions,  big collectors editions can set you back $150).  So if you want all the DLC at a discounted rate, that's another $50.  There was even issues with people who had paid for Call of Duty Elite (which is $50 dollars),  then having the Map Packs for Modern Warfare 3 just recently go on a weekly sale.  This made all the DLC combined cheaper than the Elite Pass, which to many defeated the purpose of the service.
   Some games like Saints Row 3,  took a different route.  They made promises of certain pieces of content and did not deliver everything.  They even released content that was outside of the Pass,  forcing people who wanted it to pay more.  This obviously left a sour taste in their mouth.  It's this type of exploitation that gamers do not forget,  causing people to abandon franchises.
    While DLC is a good idea to extend your beloved games.  Let's hope in the future that publishers realize that the best way to keep fans,  is to give them their moneys worth.  Not use us as cash cows.
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