1000°

"No more DLC that gamers have to buy for the full experience" - Ubisoft

Quote: Ubisoft's VP of live operations Anne Blondel-Jouin on what Ubisoft has discovered from giving away Rainbow Six DLC

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gamesindustry.biz
sinjonezp2747d ago

I remember a time, like the 1990's and early 2000's when we bought games and you have the entire game. Everything was unlocked by actually playing the games, and cheat codes revealed cool stuff.......Those were the days.

Paytaa2747d ago

And it shouldn't be something that is nostalgic. It should be standard.

2747d ago
jaymacx2747d ago

DLC started out as content added to an already complete game such as KOTOR on the original XBox and was free. Then games on xbox360 had paid DLC and expansions (Oblivion) ... Then it started to be content held back or on disc for added $$$... now Seasons passes.

AnubisG2747d ago

@bruce755

DLC could be the greatest thing but it is abused by developers. Yes, something like Blood and Wine is great. It's what DLC should be but we gotten to a point where you have to pay money for skins, guns, cars or other items and most of the time these are already on the disc but is locked behind a paywall. So there is a huge problem with DLC as it stands.

TWB2747d ago

There were always paid expansions for games, but they were just much more larger. Its like, we now have a hybrid of patched in content and expansion packs for DLCs.

All the old Doom and Quake games had paid expansion packs.

I would rather enjoy going back to that setup, to see companies make some actually good expansions if they want to milk us.

andrewsquall2747d ago

Yep my last major Sega Mega Drive game was Sonic and Knuckles that was pretty much a "DLC"/addon for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Those were the good days alright. We should also go back to soundtracks that sound worse than a polyphonic ringtone from 2001. Man these rose tinted specs sure are on tight.

@bruce755 Exactly. Somebody making sense. I have to assume these "good old days" people are actually grandpas in their 70s.

yeahokwhatever2747d ago

Games have become immeasurably more complicated, with complexity comes defects(bugs). A single engineer COULD write all of Sonic the Hedgehog. Such a task would be completely impossible for modern games. There's just too much going on. DLC policy shouldnt be attached to patches.

Newmanator2747d ago

Everyone is forgetting one big point - development costs have skyrocketed and game prices have pretty much stayed the same so if the people want better graphics and smooth online they have to understand it must be funded from somewhere. P.s these companies are businesses.

morganfell2747d ago

The infamous Horse Armor...

2747d ago
BongSmack2747d ago

@bruce755 " Developers couldn't add on entire worlds" Sure they could. They did. A couple that I thoroughly enjoyed were, Beyond the Dark Portal and Thy Flesh consumed.
True though, that not all dlc is bad, but it's awful if you have to pay for dlc to enjoy the core game.
Also it's good when it's free (Go Valve)

ChronoJoe2747d ago

Oh come off it, don't make out that these games are in some way ripping you off in terms of content of the core package. No open world game even comes of the 2000s even comes close to the scope and scale of games like Watch Dogs 2, and it's not just due to technological advancement, publishers like Ubisoft are putting more into these games (in terms of staff and finance) than they ever have.

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 2747d ago
-Foxtrot2747d ago

Not really

Think about it...

Rainbow Six launched with a lack of content, the rest of the free DLC was basically what we should have gotten in the main game.

Ubisoft gave off the ILLUSION that it was "doing right by gamers" when really it was just a simple trick

Please tell me you guys are not that stupid...come on it's Ubisoft they've tried this before, hell we've seen this before with something like Evolve.

Aloren2747d ago

Content wasn't free at all in Evolve though.

Teh_Leviathan2747d ago

What was missing from the game when it released?

just_looken2747d ago

Just like the ghost recon wild lands having a season pass already and watchdogs clothing/accessories is behind a paywall.

Rainbow six siege well it took them 5 months to get the hit registration working like a ps2 game they have yet to deliver on all the content.

-Foxtrot2747d ago

Teh_Leviathan

Compare a past Rainbow Six game with this one. You'll see for yourself

It was just a game which was lacking.

freshslicepizza2747d ago

rainbow six is still getting support and they will announce year two season pass, goes to show your lack of knowledge. just because the game doesn't offer an offline campaign mode doesn't mean it was not worth the price. you get far too hung up on hating on multiplayer. i'd rather they make an awesome online game than an average one and an average campaign mode.

what i want to know is does watchdogs 2 have a ton of dlc? ubisoft must be feeling guilty now admitting dlc was required to get the full experience. thats why i never supported destiny, it was a shame from the start.

2747d ago
Muzikguy2746d ago

@moldy

Problem is the online isn't that great. I had more fun with terrorist hunts in RB6 Vegas.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 2746d ago
2747d ago
UltraNova2747d ago

Well Halleluiah, look who decided to wake up and join the real wolrd! But remember Ubi, actions speak louder than words.

Mikelarry2747d ago (Edited 2747d ago )

Exactly, i dont know maybe I have become jaded but this just makes me think they must have found another way to screw us over.

reminds me of the time they said no more online activation for new games only to turn around and screw us over with crazy season passes and eye watering DLC prices

Kokyu2747d ago

Ita called microtransactions

AnubisG2747d ago

That is completely true UltraNova. It's actions, not words that define someone. As it stands Ubisoft are liars and can't be trusted because of what they did in the past few years showing us BS videos of games claiming that it's in-game video. So, I would take this from Ubisoft with an iceberg worth of salt, such as the size that sunk the Titanic.

Princess_Pilfer2747d ago

Outside of (finally) doing the right thing and not splitting the playerbase of shooters, it sounds like it's just words.

Best case, they put even more microtransactions in things and make things like "expansions" (it's in quotes because with Ubisoft it's usually the case that it just feels cut from the main game) are free. If that's the case then I'm mostly indifferent to it, because while they are lowering the barrier to entry and avoiding segmenting the playerbase, both good things, they're doubling down on micro transactions in fully priced games, which are a cancer that usually involves systems being specifically designed to psychologically pressure you into paying for them which is an inexcusable practice in a game I just paid 60 bucks for. Seeing as that alone is grounds for me to not buy a game (I don't pay 60 bucks for a game just to have to endure being constantly pressured into spending more,) it won't have an impact on me

Ripsta7th2747d ago

You guys better thank Mircrosoft since they basically started this trend
started with Halo 5, then Gears of war 4, then it was titanfall 2
so u ponys at least should show some respect

Princess_Pilfer2747d ago

The trend of putting even more microtransactions into games instead of splitting the playerbase? No thanks.

How about don't split the playerbase *and* don't do microtransactions. Halo Reach, for example,. released an entire seperate game-mode for the halo anniversery thing. The playerbase isn't split by map packs, *and* no microtransactions.

2747d ago
+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2747d ago
MasterCornholio2747d ago

No more broken promises Ubisoft especially with this one.

2747d ago Replies(3)
DragonDDark2747d ago

R6S is a good example of good DLC practice.

SlightlyRetarted2747d ago

I'm still 100% into BF1 (that took completely wrong approach with DLC), but i'm going to buy Siege soon and big factor for that is the approach Ubi took with DLC's. Vote with your wallet works both ways and i'm going to support R6 and maybe the practice will be here to stay.

LOL_WUT2747d ago

I hope you enjoy it like I do. It's a great game. ;)

SlightlyRetarted2746d ago

I bet i will. I'm ready for some slower paced action, i'm just worried i'm bit too late to the party.

2747d ago Replies(1)
-Foxtrot2747d ago

By launching with hardly any content and then giving you the rest of it free which should have been in the game at launch

It's just a simple trick.

It makes them look like they are by generous when really it's just an illusion. Witcher 3 is a real example of how to do it as the main game was bursting with content.

Artemidorus2747d ago

It's a great idea but it's Ubisoft saying it.

2747d ago Replies(1)
Show all comments (107)
50°

Every PlayStation Studios game available now on Windows PC

Windows Central writes: "Many PlayStation Studios games that are ported to PC get dedicated PS5 DualSense support, which allows users to experience haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support without actually having to own a PS5.

According to Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, it's still the company's intent to launch the bigger single-player games on PS5 first, before later bringing the games to PC. This might not be the case for multiplayer games however, which are considered okay to launch simultaneously on console and PC."

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windowscentral.com
ocelot075h ago

My guess is after god of war. Probably last of us 2 that's a almost 4 year old game now and by the time it's released on pc it will be more than 4 years old or close to 5.

Elda4m ago

Every old Playstation game that is now on PC.

200°

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie. This is something of a homecoming, as Microsoft owns Activision.

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engadget.com
Obscure_Observer16h ago

Very very early in development. Still, fantastic news!

Let´s GO!!!

Lightning7714h ago

I guess.

How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )

At least it wouldn't be MS of all ppl destroying them.

MS really should let go Tango go like they did TFB here.

darthv7214h ago(Edited 14h ago)

one was under Bethesda (Tango) the other under Activision (TFB). Clearly each one handled the separations of their subordinates differently.

Obscure_Observer13h ago(Edited 13h ago)

"How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )"

Perhaps because Zenimax and ABK handles such matters differently based on their own internal policies as "independent" publishers.

Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future. Which could also be the reason why they ensured an exclusive partnership with TFB and its new game, before anyone else.

Sad and disgusting. But it is what it is.

Lightning7710h ago(Edited 10h ago)

"Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future."

MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB.

It's inexcusable, they have options on how to handle studios they don't want anymore with killing jobs. Not just MS but the rest of the industry also.

Sad and disgusting sure how many will get shut down next year or this year even?

I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another.

Obscure_Observer2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

"MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB."

Imo, MS separated from TFB because they didn´t had a game associated with Xbox yet, unlike Tango.

"I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another."

Fair enough. It was indeed an epic dumb move from them to close Tango.

Still, all to be forgotten, like always have. This is not the first time a big publisher shuts down a beloved and/or successful studio out of nowhere and certainly won´t be the last. Do you remember Lionhead? Do you remember Evolution Studios? Yeah... both were beloved studios and yet, those companies kill those studios in q blink of an eye and got away with it.

anast6m ago(Edited 6m ago)

The studio boss made some money from this transaction. Once the game releases, the studio will get chopped up.

-Foxtrot16h ago

Manages to buy their freedom especially after all the shit Microsoft has been doing with its studios lately

...

Goes right back to them as partners.

Okaaaaaay...

darthv7214h ago

Id venture a guess that TFB working directly with MS was a better outcome than working through Activision to get to MS.

VersusDMC12h ago

From the article...

"Toys for Bob spun out as an indie back in February after Microsoft instituted sweeping layoffs that impacted 86 employees, which was more than half of the staff"

I doubt those 86 employees enjoyed the Microsoft experience over Activisions.

Inverno12h ago

MS shuts down studios because of lack of resources and then helps these guys by giving em resources. Also MS is what forced them to buy their freedom in the first place? What kind of logic 😂

Chevalier8h ago

The best thing is that the company that is worth $3 trillion and owns the company instead of Xbox lacks resources. How the hell does a company worth $3 trillion making a measly $70 billion purchase they 'can't' support. Lol

Sciurus_vulgaris14h ago(Edited 14h ago)

Xbox’s gaming division seems to still function as 3 semi-autonomous sub-divisions, Xbox Studios, Bethesda and ABK. The three main sub-divisions can seemingly shut down or build studios and set up partnerships independently. This would explain why Bethesda can recently shutdown studios, while ABK spins off one studio, while building a new one. Plus, Toys for Bob could be spun off by ABK, only to immediately re-partner with Microsoft.

Chevalier8h ago

That's absolutely 💯 BS. Any sane 'autonomous' company would NOT put their games on Gamepass day 1 like COD will lose probably billions.

Also they're all under Xbox game studios so any autonomy is an illusion.

Elda8h ago

Either a kiddie game or something uninteresting.

Obscure_Observer2h ago

Don´t worry. You won´t be playing it anyway since their next game will possible be a next gen Xbox console game.

Elda1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

Don't worry about my comments.

Show all comments (19)
190°

Sony shares big new PS Plus stat, but not the one we want to see

PlayStation Plus has improved the split of PS4 and PS5 players on its priciest tiers, but Sony continues to hide total subscriber numbers.

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theloadout.com
mandf19h ago

lol acting like it’s equivalent to ms numbers

Mr Logic19h ago

Uh...They're definitely not equivalent.

"Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service now has 34 million subscribers."

"the total number of PS Plus subscribers across all tiers was 47.4 million"

darthv7219h ago(Edited 19h ago)

That PSN number seems like it should be much higher... especially when you consider that PS4 alone has a sell through of over 117m. To not even be at least half that is rather interesting.

To the XB side, having 34m to an install base of roughly 50m (XBO sell through) or even 85m (360 sell through) is a greater percentage of unit to member ratio than PSN.

bloop15h ago

That's not the "gotcha" you think it is Darth.

darthv7214h ago

^^it's not supposed to be bloop.... it's just an interesting observation.

Einhander197213h ago

darthv72

"That PSN number seems like it should be much higher... especially when you consider that PS4 alone has a sell through of over 117m. To not even be at least half that is rather interesting.

To the XB side, having 34m to an install base of roughly 50m (XBO sell through) or even 85m (360 sell through) is a greater percentage of unit to member ratio than PSN."

Have you ever heard of a PC before? I hear they are pretty popular.

fr0sty7h ago

MS started lumping gold subscribers in with those GP numbers... keep in mind.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 7h ago
shinoff218318h ago(Edited 18h ago)

What. Definitely more os plus subscribers but that makes sense due to actual console sales

Darth the difference between the bases are huge your right but you gotta think. Ps players buy more games, where as the Xbox base relies on gamepass for their gaming. So it makes perfect sense

darthv7218h ago(Edited 18h ago)

What makes perfect sense though? You say PS players buy more games... so then logically there should be more PS+ subscribers given the increased number of online multiplayer games in the PS4 generation alone. The PS4 was the first time that + was required for online play much like Gold was for 360 users.

Keep in mind we are talking subscribers, not simply XB/PS users. I assume you meant to say offline single player games, which is most likely true as well. That gen also saw a significant increase in games with an online component comparted to the previous gen.

victorMaje17h ago

I for one will be going back to essential at the next renewal. When I feel a game is good & right up my alley, I’ll check trusted reviews & just buy it.

jznrpg16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

I have the top tier until 2028 as they gave me a massive discount for all the years I had left but I’ll most likely go to essential as well. I buy my games but my kids do use the service occasionally. They do prefer to own their games as well since any game can leave the rental service at some point and they don’t like that idea. They mostly use it to demo games then ask me to buy games if they really like it.

RedDevils12h ago

For me, I will cancel it all together but unfortunately I still have it till 2030 lol

meganick16h ago

I would like to see Sony add a fourth tier of PS Plus for people who just want to be able to play games online without any of the perks like monthly games, store discounts, or anything like that, and it should cost $20 annually, $30 maximum. There’s no way I’m paying $80 just to play games online. Even the original $60 fee was too much, and I would often wait for sales to re-up my subscription.

P_Bomb12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

Essential is too expensive, I agree. We’ve got one Essential and one Premium sub. Dropping the Premium when it expires.

gamerz8h ago

Just let my subscription lapse for the first time since 2010. Will sub again every now and then for a month or so to access my old ps+ games but for me it's the end of an era.

DivineHand1258h ago

Let those numbers continue to drop because it is now too expensive. $80 per year just to play online. I noticed they didn't offer any discounts on the subscription or controllers during this year's days of play for the first time in many years and they will feel it when people choose not to renew.

My subscription will lapse next month and it will stay that way until further notice.

KevtheDuff4h ago

There were savings on subs and controllers here in the UK? I bought a controller yesterday in the sale..
It would be weird if those deals were not in other territories too?