Windows Why do expansion packs require the original game?

[sotu1]

Why not ship the engine and the expansion bits? Leave the original campaign out. I know for some games it'll be essential (eg, carrying over characters from a previous save etc) but for instance why can't Borderlands DLC just be the game engine, the new bits and some pre built characters at a minimum level, skills unassigned?

[Draksis]

Because that would mean that people like myself, who first buy the game when it comes out, then the dlc afterwards, would essentailly have 3 copies of the game. Offering a stand-alone version and then a dlc only version would require more development, different boxes, different data burnt to DVD (threrefore a different production run at the factories) which would all cost more money.

In short: it's the cheaper, "for the masses" option, as most people would only bother with a dlc in the first palce if they already have the original copy.

/2cents

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by sotu1

Why not ship the engine and the expansion bits? Leave the original campaign out. I know for some games it'll be essential (eg, carrying over characters from a previous save etc) but for instance why can't Borderlands DLC just be the game engine, the new bits and some pre built characters at a minimum level, skills unassigned?

Surely it's better to offer the expansion to use the original game? If you've got it installed, you don't have to install it again! Use what's already there. If you don't have it installed, you would still be installing the same amount of data, so I don't see a problem.

[wuyanxu]

you mean like
Half Life 2
Half Life 2 Episode 1
Half Life 2 Episode 2
?
Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin's Creed 2 Brotherhood
Assassin's Creed 2 Revelations
?

im not sure what you are getting at? most expansion packs nowadays does get sold with engine. DLC doesn't, but no one cares about pointless DLC addons.

[MrDomRocks]

GTA IV Episodes from Liberty City whilst was sold as dlc to console players. It is a separate game on pc. And has been sold as a separate game on console also. full engine minus the other characters Niko etc

[Parge]

Originally Posted by sotu1

Why not ship the engine and the expansion bits? Leave the original campaign out. I know for some games it'll be essential (eg, carrying over characters from a previous save etc) but for instance why can't Borderlands DLC just be the game engine, the new bits and some pre built characters at a minimum level, skills unassigned?

Some do do that, Alan Wake DLC for example, is standalone.

[Elton]

Originally Posted by sotu1

Why not ship the engine and the expansion bits? Leave the original campaign out. I know for some games it'll be essential (eg, carrying over characters from a previous save etc) but for instance why can't Borderlands DLC just be the game engine, the new bits and some pre built characters at a minimum level, skills unassigned?

Because of money. That and if you're selling DLC but requiring large downloads for engine and resources, it's a bit weird.

On the other hand I remember Company of Heroes expansions being entirely standalone. Which was awesome.

[Showerhead]

Seems to be becoming more common these days that they are stand alone.

[Elton]

Originally Posted by Showerhead

Seems to be becoming more common these days that they are stand alone.

Easier to justify DLC that way. At least they'll get your money with the addon content. All of which seemingly don't get cheaper as quickly..

[Xahl]

I think the idea of an expansion is becoming more of a rusted idea. Depends how you define DLC, it seems to have started as referring to small (relatively) chunks of game content whereas an expansion always used to be something like 30-50% of the main game added on. Could use the example of Diablo Lord of Destruction which only added one Act but it was really large, added 2 new classes and a heap of other fixes and additions to the main game. Compare that to the DLC of Borderlands; Moxxi's underdome for example, which OK does add quite a bit of gameplay but the content isn't vastly different. It uses the same core mechanics, classes, weapons, enemies..etc but then it costs a fraction of the price an expansion would.

It's difficult because these stand alone expansions often have to include a lot of the original game to function e.g. Supreme Commander Forged Alliance.. pretty much has everything the original has because it was necessary for it to work plus it's just so much better in every way. So I think you'd feel rather irritated to have bought them both.

So yeah expansions are most often stand alone these days. That's because they are much closer to the retail cost of the original game since they contain much more content than DLC. But if you look at the business model of someone like Bethesda, they're trying to flesh out what they class as DLC and expansions. Pretty impossible to argue that Skyrim: Dawnguard isn't an expansion but it's not stand alone and maybe doesn't have heaps more content than some DLC for other games.

[Phalanx]

And while we're at it... DLC! Can someone please tell me why ONE WORD needs to have two letters in an acronym? Drives me nuts.

[Xahl]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

And while we're at it... DLC! Can someone please tell me why ONE WORD needs to have two letters in an acronym? Drives me nuts.

lol. I assume because DC is used as an acronym for multiple other things :P

[Phalanx]

What was wrong with Expansion Pack? That was fine. It's content that adds to the game. Sounds like an expansion pack to me. Stuff this DLC crap. I will be vetoing the use of the word DLC from now on and refer to all extra items for games as expansion packs.

[Xahl]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

What was wrong with Expansion Pack? That was fine. It's content that adds to the game. Sounds like an expansion pack to me. Stuff this DLC crap.

Hmm perhaps you're right. Having the distinction now just has a connotation to the amount of content in it, which isn't accurate. DLC doesn't necessarily mean it's smaller than an expansion pack but it would instantly make me think it did.

[Showerhead]

Ep is a better acronym actually could be expansion pack or episode which are essentially same thing

[Xahl]

Not quite related to the original question but RPS have an interesting article related to DLC

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012...-a-good-thing/

[Darkfibre314]

Hmm well if DLC was shortened to just DC what would that make DC universe online?