Downloadable content is almost always met with some form of trepidation from the gaming media, and rightfully so. Developers just love to overcharge for things that gamers don’t need (or in some rarer cases, things they actually do need to play the game). On the other hand, there exist instances in which we are presented with a good value – something that genuinely adds to the experience already delivered by the game and is worthy of our cash.
Activision’s recent DJ Hero will be sitting somewhere in the middle of those two categories, with expensive new mixes that most will be unable to purchase individually (the Wii version of the game will only allow you to purchase tracks individually, since that’s how Nintendo rolls).
Activision is charging six dollars for a two-song bundle, without the option to purchase the songs separately (except on Wii, where you can only get the songs individually). You may be getting a mix that was made from two different songs, but that doesn’t mean you’re buying two songs. That especially doesn’t mean that consumers should have to pay more for them.
G4’s Patrick Klepek elaborates on the situation, and brings up some very good points.
Cost saving bundles have has been historically true for both Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Take the recent “Classic Rock 2 Track Pack” for Guitar Hero 5. Individually, each songs costs $2. If you were to buy all three songs separately, it’d set you back $6. Purchase the bundle, however, and it’s $5.50. Sure, you can argue 50 cents isn’t much, but it’s cheaper — again, philosophy of the bundle. Because the bundle is cheaper, you might pick up a song you’re on the fence about. You get a song for a reduced price and Activision ensures you pay more — curiosity baited by financial security.
I’m not surprised to learn that this is how DJ Hero’s DLC is being handled, though I am a bit disappointed. It’s a very unique game, and in my opinion one of the best music games Activision has put out, but its replay value will be very limited if they don’t work harder to provide reasonably-priced new content to customers who already paid $120 to play the game.
Tags: Activision, dj hero, DLC, Music Games Posted in: News
This is because Activision hates you and wants to kill your family.