Is DLC a marketing ploy?

DLC for Fallout 3, GTA 4, Fable 2, I feel like these were all cheaply announced to do nothing but promote sales. I think the case of Fable is the most obvious, as they had such an optimistic release date (before Christmas), now suddenly they buy themselves another month because of "unexpected technical difficulties."

Maybe I read into it wrong, but it just sounded like a cheap way to boost their Christmas sales, and they probably knew all along they would never have it done that soon.

Also another thing about DLC, I don't know if this is intended or if it just works out in their favor, but...it seems like it's also a way to increase sales and reduce the number of used games out there. As is the case with Fable 2, Dead Space, GTA4 I feel like it's worth holding onto these games in case of future DLC or else I would have traded them in a while ago. Not that any of them were bad, but this also reduces the number of used copies in the market. What do you guys think, is DLC in it's own weird way a marketing tactic for companies now?

It's a shame that more of them seem to fall short than deliver on their promises, but not always (Mass Effect/Rock Band/Oblivion...(errr NOT horse armor but the exp packs))

It's definitely a marketing ploy, but I don't have any problems with that.

I don't like the idea of DLC releasing a month or two after the game is realeased.

I just hate that they expect people to pay $2 for a LBP costume or something cosmetic like that. I'm all for expanding the story and universe though.drswank

What I have a problem with is when they release something thats already on the disc... like in soul calibur. But then again, if they didn't then how could someone else see the dlc equipment online on another character if they didn't have it already.

Does WoW charge each time they update or patch? Nope.. they have a monthly fee, do PC games charge you to patch/update/mod? Nope, CS for example. Do majority of the games that AS YOU ALL SAY release more for your game and full blown charge you for what they left out in release? YES, why does it make us mad? I mean come on paying money for a soul cal character, or armor update, or slight game fixes or additional game play they left out to begin with, and your saying it's ok for them to full blown charge for maps/armor/simple crap? I never saw WC3, CS, or any MMO for that fact charge ME for an update while I already pay them monthly.

Because microsoft started this DLC charge trend where as before in the gaming world (sorry you young kids wouldn't know?) you could patch/update/mod all at free cost. So explain me that one plz, you all seem so witty and quick tongued since mommy is paying for your live

Does WoW charge each time they update or patch? Nope.. they have a monthly fee...krovak0000

???? DLC is there to give you more in your game... If it increases sale, yay. How is any of that bad or under handed. It's business. vashkey

i wish they just included the dlc in the game instead of making you buy more

i think it is, this content used to be included with the initail release to begin with, i remember perfect dark zero was said to have about 15 maps before release, but rare cut 5 out ,

to make dlc

gta san andreas also had exclusive xbox features, included! custom soundtracks any one as well as updated graphics by a bit

also their was afew imes were expansion were on discs, eg gta london ps1

so ya you xcan say that, but you dont want it dont buy it thats that,