The problem with DLC and how ‘The Witcher 3’ defers from it.

Modern gaming has become reliant on DLC. It’s a simple fact as game industries cash-in by releasing extra content; of course it has left many gamers with a sour-taste from the topic.

Marcin Iwiński from CD Projekt acknowledges the controversy, as the game industry is becoming too reliant in releasing paid additional content. It’s understandable that as developers devote extra hours to create DLC’s, they’d appreciate to be paid for their work, but has the price-tag on downloadable content created a lazy work ethic in gaming studios?

“We are giving small bits of pieces that don’t cost a lot.”

 

Additional content such as alternate costumes or items shouldn’t be praised. Publishers such as EA have been scowled upon for embracing mini-transactions in both console and mobile gaming. ‘SimCity BuildIt’ for smartphones has taken the free-to-play concept to an extreme by practically making the game unbearable without paying for small transactions. More notably, franchises such as ‘The Sims’ have become infamous for their purchasable mini-packs and their occasional extension-packs. Sure, remuneration is important for developers, but it shouldn’t mean that every additional content must be given a price tag. There must be more options.

Fortunately, the publishers behind ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ have come to an agreement that they do not need to charge gamers for “small bits”. As a result, the next 16 DLC’s for the game will be released for free, regardless of pre-ordering the game or not.

Marcin Iwiński hopes that the decision can help bridge the gaming community and developer respect. He specifically addresses the rising issue of piracy, explaining that if gamers feel confident in the service of the game, many pirates will feel more obliged in actually rewarding developers with a legitimate purchase.

The game will launch with two of the 16 DLC’s at May 19th. The content has been described as “one-thousandth of the whole game”, hence it being ridiculous in charging gamers. The DLC packs debuting with the games release for example are just ‘Beard and Hairstyle’ sets and a ‘Termerian Armour set’, with similar DLC sets being released every week. These releases would be controversial and less desired had they been paid, but instead CD Projekt really remind us that developers of the game share equal thoughts and attitudes to us. After all, they are gamers too.