Microsoft raping the wallets of loyals Gears fans
This July Microsoft is releasing a new collection of "Gears of Wars 2" add-on content (details here).
The retail version will include the Flashback, Snowblind, and Combustible map packs, which cost $5, $10, and $10, respectively, to download on Xbox Live, along with the new "Dark Corners" add-on, which has a new campaign chapter and seven multi-player maps. Cost: $20. A great deal.
But for gamers who already own those map packs, Microsoft is offering "Dark Corners" by itself for digital download. The cost: $20.
Eh?
Let's get this straight: People who download via Xbox Live get a portion of the content available at retail for the exact same price. And remember that distributing content on XBL costs substantially less than selling it at retail, since there's no manufacturing costs, no shipping costs, and no retailer to split the proceeds with. So Microsoft's profit margins are much bigger on that $20. Sounds like a major rip-off to me.
In fact, customers who have already bought the map packs and now buy "Dark Corners" are paying over twice as much as those who buy the entire retail package. Even allowing for some kind of discount on the first three map packs over time, that's pretty damned bad.
Considering that the people who download content on XBL are probably Microsoft's most loyal customers, it sounds like the Xbox 360 maker is giving fans a little financial chainsodomy.
Chris Morris reports on the business and culture of video games and offers analysis of recent events and industry trends.
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Didn't you realize, its to keep Mark Rein with a lifetime supply of white pumps, Dockers and Fred Perry shirts. Perhaps its to pay for the diamond studded rims on Cliffy B's next Lambo purchase. Or perhaps it'll contribute to the broken chairleg fund for ex 3D Realms employees.
Epics greed and yet gamers will fork this cash over because they're sold on the "we love the community guys" piffle that Rein spouts at E3 every year, wake up people the man's a money toad.
Posted by: Duke Nukem | May 11, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Apologies for my use of "rape" in the title. That wasn't too cool.
Posted by: Ben Fritz | May 07, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Ignorning the Flashback map pack for a moment (because it was free to anyone who purchased GOW2 new), Microsoft previously offered 2 map packs with 7 maps for a total of 1600 points. With the Dark Corners pack, they are still offering 7 new maps for 1600 points, and now they're including a mini single player campaign as well. They didn't raise the price on new maps, and, with the added content, this seems like a better value to me.
I think everybody is just upset that retail customers will get the earlier map packs for free. Is it really that surprising though? If you look at certain paid DLC content for Halo 2 and 3, you'll notice they were eventually given away for free, and MS even stated you can pay to get them right now, or wait and get them for free later. And how different is this from when Best Buy gives away microsoft points with the purchase of a game? Yes, there's a higher price associated with being an early adopter (for anything), but that's just business.
Posted by: Bill | May 07, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Oh, give me a frickin' break. You are offended because he used the word "rape" in the title? Do you even play online games? Because if you did, you would damn well know that everybody says it, especially on Gears. And don't give me that crap "doesn't make it right" spiel. It's a part of gamer rhetoric. If you got raped, you just got your ass handed to you, like Microsoft is doing to us good folks in this instance.
Posted by: BlahBlahBlah | May 07, 2009 at 06:37 AM
They're also selling the original Halo 3 for less than half price now! I bought it on day 1 and payed 60$, while now it's less then 30$! I feel abused!!!!!11oneoneone
You whining turd. Games cost less as time goes.
The price of the new map pack and single player campaign is 20$. The old maps are simply added in for free, so more people who buy the map pack will be able to enjoy all the old maps altogether. This will benefit everyone, including the people who already purchased the old mappacks because they will have more people to play with.
Posted by: Guy | May 07, 2009 at 04:29 AM
This can also may be applies to God of War 3. I heard there will be DLC and whatever the price gonna be, I will buy.. :(
this is the pain when u become a fan !!
this need to stop to every platform.. I don't want to spent any extra money on the same game.. I should have all.. why DLC.. :(
Posted by: TruMan | May 06, 2009 at 07:29 PM
unbias police here
just a thought, but no one has to buy map packs. they are not forcing people or requiring anyone to buy them. 3 maps usually cost on any console: $10. this one has 7 and it's $20. it's actually a little better deal. and if you didn't buy one of the map packs it would be even a better deal, especially if you are just now buying gears. true or not?
Posted by: truewittness | May 06, 2009 at 04:44 PM
You're dumbass?! The man is trying to say that if you already got the previus pack, Microsoft still charging $20 for Dark Corners.
So, doesn't matter if you got the previus DLC or not, Dark Corners stills at $20.
That's crime dude.
Posted by: Faku | May 06, 2009 at 04:37 PM
The moral of the story is to wait for compilations like this rather than buy DLC (or retail games) on day one.
Posted by: g-man | May 06, 2009 at 04:26 PM
I love the self-righteousness of blog comments.
Posted by: Peter | May 06, 2009 at 04:18 PM
people still read this shit?
Posted by: sam | May 06, 2009 at 04:01 PM
The word rape is inappropriate for the title, doesn't cover what you're trying to say, and if you want to marginalise a readership, great way to misuse a word describing a violent physical assault instead of using the words "rip off" as befits the actual situation.
Posted by: Stephen Dann | May 06, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Putting "rape" in the title was seriously hilarious.
Posted by: Bartman | May 06, 2009 at 03:45 PM
I don't think it's acceptable using such language in the title,I think you should look again,and change it.
Posted by: Jammy | May 06, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Care to be reasoned with?
I thought Sony gamers were immune to sticker shock and could think through their purchase. Seems they aren't after all.
Gears 2's Dark Corners pack has SEVEN multiplayer maps and a whole new chapter for campaign. That means for 8 items, you pay $2.50 per item.
Compare that with Killzone 2 charging $3 per item in their two-map pack, and you see that Sony actually "rapes" your wallet more...
Posted by: Edge | May 06, 2009 at 02:56 PM
Ha, nice word choice.
Posted by: mrsk | May 06, 2009 at 12:15 PM
lets face it, when everything goes digital we're just gonna get more screwed anyways, they're just preparing us.
the publishers will make their excuses as to why they're charging us the same price or more than before when they make all the money now and have cut out all middlemen.
only way this changes is if people finally shut up and stop buying all this tacked on ripoff shit, and frankly people like bitching about how they're being screwed too much while still handing over their money.
Posted by: kez | May 06, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Choose your words more carefully, seriously.
http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/138667/'i_was_raped'_should_horrify_--_but_our_culture_has_stripped_the_word_of_its_power/?page=entire
Posted by: El | May 06, 2009 at 11:32 AM