I am spoiled! I will freely admit that right off the bat. Between my other half making games and me competing on them, I get A LOT of free games/gaming related items. However, I have also gladly prepaid for games like Super Smash Brothers and Grand Theft Auto 4 because I know that not only will I get a huge amount of enjoyment out of those games, but also the amount of work that goes into marketing, developing, and producing even a minor title is massive.

I have recently been appalled at the mixed reactions to Halo 3’s DLC (downloadable content). I will admit that the first map pack was not my favorite of all maps, but they were definitely worth 3 bucks a piece. The fact that you are able to still be cheap and download the maps for free a few months later just makes it that much more awesome. I don’t understand how people’s reactions can even include statements like “rip-off” or “should have been included.” It’s not like you got Halo 3 with no maps at all. The best part about next-gen consoles is that IF YOU CHOOSE TO you can add more to your favorite game for minimal cost. I don’t think those who dwell on the fact that you have to pay a small amount of money (2 Happy Meals at McDonalds) stop to consider that the maps cost the studios crap-loads of money. It’s not like the developers sit around one afternoon and draw some stuff on paper and go “Voila! I’m done with my Lockout! Did you finish yours, Steve?” Months go into the shading, layout, and lighting to name just a few aspects of a map.

Another point (at least where Bungie is concerned) is that people are blaming Microsoft for having to pay for maps. They are not remembering that Bungie is independent now, and that maybe DLC is one of the studio’s features to help them to remain that way. So, if you’re all about the proverbial “little guy” making their way in the world, and support independently run game studios, then you really have no right to call them rip-offs.

I’m not without sympathy for the fact that some things have been a bit out of control. For example, EA is producing a new Battlefield game and to make sure you have all the guns in the game you either have to buy the “Gold Edition” or you have to purchase the guns. This, to me, is a total swindle. If you launch a game with content missing, content that could give advantage to one player over another, then you are just looking for a handout. I don’t want to be playing online and get destroyed because my copy didn’t have all the guns! Adding guns isn’t anywhere near as expensive as making an entire level. This just screams “Let’s see how much money I can suck out of these people.”

I believe there will always be a fine line of how much gamers should pay for their addiction/hobby (like the famous “Xbox Live should be free” argument). If we always remember that there are two sides to every story and put ourselves in the other person’s shoes for a few minutes, it will remain a fair process.