2K 'Explains' BioShock 2 On-Disc DLC
You're not being nickel-and-dimed, company says.
2K has responded to angry gamers on its community forums over claims that content for BioShock 2's paid DLC, the Sinclair Solutions tester pack, is already on the disc.
Keen-eyed players noted today that the size of the add-on pack clocked in at just 24k on the PC version, and 108k for the Xbox 360 version. This lead to the conclusion that the download - costing 400 Microsoft Points - is nothing more than an unlock key. Rage ensued.
2K Community Manager Elizabeth stepped in and offered an explanation; "The way our engine and game structure works is that people need to have the exact same content for people to play together. One of the challenges with post launch content for MP [multiplayer] is that it can split the player base, and we want to avoid that whenever possible."
"For this content, creating the DLC package the way we did allowed for us to not split the player base – so whether you purchase the new content or not, you can still play with your friends," she added.
Much as we fought our way through Rapture... we're fighting our way through that explanation. We may need the 'RetrofitExplanation' plasmid though.
The pack includes new playable characters, 20 new trials, a third weapon upgrade for each wepon, five additional masks and a rank increase to level 50.
Keen-eyed players noted today that the size of the add-on pack clocked in at just 24k on the PC version, and 108k for the Xbox 360 version. This lead to the conclusion that the download - costing 400 Microsoft Points - is nothing more than an unlock key. Rage ensued.
2K Community Manager Elizabeth stepped in and offered an explanation; "The way our engine and game structure works is that people need to have the exact same content for people to play together. One of the challenges with post launch content for MP [multiplayer] is that it can split the player base, and we want to avoid that whenever possible."
"For this content, creating the DLC package the way we did allowed for us to not split the player base – so whether you purchase the new content or not, you can still play with your friends," she added.
Much as we fought our way through Rapture... we're fighting our way through that explanation. We may need the 'RetrofitExplanation' plasmid though.
The pack includes new playable characters, 20 new trials, a third weapon upgrade for each wepon, five additional masks and a rank increase to level 50.
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Comments
Anon 12 Mar 2010 20:36
1/3
Wasn't the same exact thing done with Resident Evil 5 shortly after launch, where for a bulky MS point amount you could unlock the poor multiplayer mode?
Bukkow 15 Mar 2010 13:08
2/3
I don't want to see practises like this becoming a regular occurance. The whole point of DLC is that it's extra content, created and released after the game to support it. Not to unlock content that already existed on the disc when the game went gold.
It's like eposodic content.....except you've already paid full-price.
It's like eposodic content.....except you've already paid full-price.
YenRug 15 Mar 2010 13:52
3/3
I wonder if this could be challenged legally, i.e. if the data does actually exist on the disc, then doesn't the purchase of the disc entitle you to its use?