Oh look, it says 'new hard mode', instead of 'hard mode'. This must mean that it's entirely different to your standard 'hard mode'. It must mean that there is more added than simply dying faster and stronger enemies. Because it has 'new' at the front of 'hard mode', it MUST mean that there will miraculously, some how, be something 'new' added that is totally unexpected and, well, 'new'.
Give me a break. This is grasping at straws. Even if there is already a 'hard mode' in the base game, 'new hard mode' could simply mean an even harder mode where the concept is the same, but harder. If there is no hard mode in the base game, then 'new hard mode' could simply be that: a hard mode that was not previously there, thereby becoming 'new', but still being a simple hard mode seen in other games. It's fallacious to think otherwise, and as I said, grasping at straws. Anything else would be, logically, classed as DLC (which has already been announced in addition to this 'new hard mode').
@ArabrockermanX:I didn't say anything about reusing assets. How in the world did you derive that? Anyway, isn't that exactly what Splatoon 2 is doing? The '2' implies that it's a full sequel, yet everything looks exactly the same? Did you have a 'shit fit', mate?
Do you understand the concept of a sequel? It means closing down development of the game, and moving on entirely onto the next instead of milking the same game (unlike Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart Delux).
Two competing ideologies on how to make profit, but if the developer knows that their game will be a hit, then moving onto the next game will reap stronger profits than what DLC could ever offer. This is exactly what Horizon: Zero Dawn has done. Guerrilla Games knows that they have a hit on their hands; they have left the story open for a sequel, and it has likely already been green lighted. They've previously stated that there will be no DLC or micros transactions for the first game, and the reason why is to concentrate all their resources onto the sequel. This shows the following: confidence in their franchise; a trustworthy business model; and, a strong emphasis on progression. The overall result will likely be better returns for the company. And look how well Horizon is doing, it's the number 1 selling game on both Amazon US and Amazon UK, and is a game done right:
"You know we've made this massive world of Hyrule, we've spent a long time building it. It would be a waste to just make one game and have that be it."
This is what sequels are for. I'm sure Nintendo knows what a sequel is.
The truth is, this game was finished many months ago and was only delayed so its release would coincided with the Switch's release. They've probably already finished both lots of DLC, which would be strategic to free up resources.
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