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Should Old Games' Downloadable Content Be Free?

November 17, 2009 in Blog comments 6

OXCGN looks at downloadable content for older games and argues it should be free. Not only is it good PR but it may keep their game being used for longer instead of traded. Also looks at the future of digital distribution for consoles comparing the PSP GO to PC's Steam and how future consoles if they are digital only should get used to the concept of depreciation. Giving away free downloadable content now for older games will help win gamers over to 'downloading' content.

I would love to see sales figures for downloadable content for games that were released 1-3 years ago. Some of this content hasn't ever changed in price and competes with new release games' downloadable maps and features.

In a world where everything, including the retail games themselves, depreciates does this make any sense?

No it doesn't.

But of course those in charge are certainly not obligated to lower prices or, even better, make the added content for older games free. But it would be both logical and, well, nice.
Gameroz via oxcgn.com »
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  • 1
    Zero and X Nov 18, 09
    Like I always say, no better price than free.
  • 1
    conel3 Nov 18, 09
    Ofcourse they should. Or cheap atleast. Who wants to pay full price for an old games DLC? Gears 1 is one of the only 360 games that's DLC has gone to free with the exception of game of the year edition games.
  • 0
    Smoke Nov 18, 09
    I'm actually really interested in download sales as well. I always figured things like PSN's video service would be selling things at a snail pace, but apparently it's a money magnet for them.

    Also, I'd definitely agree with a price drop at the very least. It would peak interest in the game and perhaps sell more copies.
  • 0
    Shinobi_razor Nov 18, 09
    if its several years old then yeah. like Oblivion, all that should be free now IMO. or at least super cheap. thankfully they are starting to make Halo 3 DLC free, like Heroic map pack is free now. hopefully Legendary will be too in a few months.
  • 1
    Shadow of Death* Nov 18, 09
    Yep, free, or really cheap (over 50% discount). SOmething similar should be done for standalone games too. Lower the price by about 50% after a few years or something.
  • 0
    Insanity Prevails* Nov 18, 09
    I have to wonder what the profits are for companies selling DLC for old titles at more or less the original prices. It's difficult to imagine that they would willingly keep the prices high for something that is no longer selling. It's for that reason that old retail games come down in price. Don't see why digital distribution should differ.

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