DLC was a great concept on paper, and was meant to be used for the good of gaming, providing expansions, mini-expansions, or just random tid-bits. Unfortunately it hasn't worked that way. Game developers are using it to release a half made game for full price, then milk the gamer for the rest in the form of way overpriced DLC. The fact that some DLC can be released a week after the actual game, shows it was already made and could have easily been built into the game prior to the release with a little hustle...

Let's talk Modern Warfare for a sec. Activision makes a great game that FINALLY broke the WWII formula, and even gave free maps to PC players (console players, sorry) with full mod support. Then they make almost the same game that could have just been an expansion, and takes away from the game almost as much as it added. Now, they are releasing a map pack of 2 maps from an older game, and 3 original maps for $15.... 1 new map per $5... seriously???? Not only that, but just like everyone nowadays, they are catering it to xbox live first. This encourages gamers to get a game for xbox because things like this are released sooner, and then force them to play online....yep, totally fair. I understand business is business, but the more DLC bought, the fewer new games one can afford. After all the articles on gamespot about how many billions of dollars MW2 made, they still have the need to charge for these few maps, which with their team, couldn't have taken a few days to make each. I'll keep my money, kthankx.

Let's now put Soul Calibur 4 under the microscope (I know it's old, but I don't look into much DLC cause its mostly ripoffs). They gave each console their own unique character, which i have no problem with, but they then charged one side to receive the bonuses from the other....ehhh... Now let's really get into it. If you played the game, it was clear from the beginning each side would get both side's bonuses (extra slot in the character select). They release the patch for $5. The patch was no more than a few KBs. Do you really think the 3d model, animations, textures, AI, customizations, additions to the main game code was ALL added in with a few KBs? It's pretty clear to me that this simply enabled something ALREADY in your game for EXTRA cost... PLEASE tell me I'm not the only one that sees a problem with this... There has been bound to be more instances of this, which is nothing short of a crime to gamers...

And now, the reason that fired me up to write this - Diablo II. This game is now 10 years old, and is STILL getting FREE patches and add-ons. Can anyone find any other games that have been patched for 10 years? Sure, but not many (1 of which also being StarCraft....bless your souls Blizzard). These add-ons aren't exactly in expansion pack amounts, but it adds just enough for the gamer to still be hooked and provide them with new challanges. Of course you could say that Blizzard has the cash cow named WoW to fund all this, but most of the updates added to these old, but massively played games came well before WoW. Not to mention, Blizzard has only released an absolute total of 28 games in 19 years. EA can pump that out in a year or 2. They rely on the pureness of amazing games that keep a gamer hooked, and then show loyalty by providing patches and add-ons for more than a decade.

In conclusion, every game company should take a page out of Blizzard's book. I am thankful for companies that pump out tons of games so theres a good selection out there, but maybe cut back a little (movie games...etc.) and instead, invest in providing free DLC and loyalty to your gamers. If you do this, gamers will recognize your name when a new game comes out, and they are more likely to buy your games, thus, profit.

This is my opinion, and mine only. I expect a little flaming with the Call of Duty pulls from the fanboys that will buy any DLC regardless of content vs price, which is how most companies get away with this sort of thing. It's almost impossible to boycott DLC. There will always be a full army of little kids whose parents will buy them whatever they see, and then the fanboys as mentioned before. All I am asking is to do your research before you shell out a partial amount of a full new game for a few maps/weapons/etc. to a game you've already played to death. Maybe some companies will see this and put loyalty back into their games.