Gaming Why isn't a Game a Game Anymore? Downloads, Updates and More

ponygals · Apr 28, 2017

I have mentioned on this board, that I have thought about getting a new console whether it'd be a PS4 or XBox etc. So it had me thinking about the games for these consoles. What happened to a game being a game? Like I remember buying a game at the video game shop, playing it until I beat it that was it.

NOW you buy games and then you are able to update the game every few months or every month, and have to download new content, and do this or that with the game, it's like what?

Does each new update cost money? What type of updates does a game need? I don't get it. Some of the game titles with these content material includes, a lot of the anime titles like Sword Art Online Hollow Realization among other titles.

I don't get it, can someone clear this all up for me, thanks.

DavidRO99 · Apr 28, 2017

ponygals said:
I have mentioned on this board, that I have thought about getting a new console whether it'd be a PS4 or XBox etc. So it had me thinking about the games for these consoles. What happened to a game being a game? Like I remember buying a game at the video game shop, playing it until I beat it that was it.

NOW you buy games and then you are able to update the game every few months or every month, and have to download new content, and do this or that with the game, it's like what?

Does each new update cost money? What type of updates does a game need? I don't get it. Some of the game titles with these content material includes, a lot of the anime titles like Sword Art Online Hollow Realization among other titles.

I don't get it, can someone clear this all up for me, thanks.

DLC(Downloadable Content) sometimes is free sometimes costs money and usually adds a lot of stuff to the game, Updates are ranging from bugfixes to small new features

ponygals · Apr 28, 2017

So does this go for the physical copy of the game or you have to download the game only?

cvskid · Apr 28, 2017

ponygals said:
I have mentioned on this board, that I have thought about getting a new console whether it'd be a PS4 or XBox etc. So it had me thinking about the games for these consoles. What happened to a game being a game? Like I remember buying a game at the video game shop, playing it until I beat it that was it.

NOW you buy games and then you are able to update the game every few months or every month, and have to download new content, and do this or that with the game, it's like what?

Does each new update cost money? What type of updates does a game need? I don't get it. Some of the game titles with these content material includes, a lot of the anime titles like Sword Art Online Hollow Realization among other titles.

I don't get it, can someone clear this all up for me, thanks.

Blame the original xbox, (and arguably the sega dreamcast) for that since they started this whole thing. Granted it wasn't near as big back then until the xbox 360/ps3 systems came out.
Updates are free most of the time, dlc cost money. Pay $60 for half a game now and pay $60+ for the other half later on so it won't look like you aren't spending a lot of money on a game by paying $120+ all at once.

ponygals · Apr 28, 2017

But why pay $60 to begin with? Haha I remember games costing that much but if you want you could buy the game at a much cheaper price of 30 or lower....

cvskid · Apr 28, 2017

ponygals said:
So does this go for the physical copy of the game or you have to download the game only?

Both. I look at it this way, games get released, updates and dlc get released later on until support is done for the game. If companies don't rerelease the game with all the update patches/dlc on disc, unless the systems get modded/hacked, the updates and dlc for games might be lost to history due to online servers for video game systems eventually shutting down.

Come 20+ years possibly when servers for video game systems are over, all those games that only had 1 release and never rereleased again with all it's new content on disc people will just be left with half/buggy games that can't get updates for them anymore due to no online access.

That is just how i feel about it.

ponygals · Apr 28, 2017

Uh okay....

cvskid · Apr 28, 2017

ponygals said:
But why pay $60 to begin with? Haha I remember games costing that much but if you want you could buy the game at a much cheaper price of 30 or lower....

That might depend on the game and when it was released. Also some companies games like nintendo games usually hold their price for years.

DarthDub · Apr 28, 2017

PS4 and XBOX One only installs to the harddrive from the disc. Then it loads from the harddrive to play the game. This is why you need at least 1 TB if you like playing games.

ponygals · Apr 28, 2017

Oh I see.

Sloth7 · May 3, 2017

I have 500GB & I'm doing just fine.
You are missing the point, DLCs are just extra content (unless you look at Destiny).
For example:
FFXV
1st type of dlc
cosmetic DLCs like clothes, weapons which are not really neccessary for you to enjoy the game.

2nd type of dlc
Extra missions which depict what main characters from ffxv were doing when they were missing from some missions in the game. (not neccesary but if you like the game and want to see it more in-depth story you can buy it)

Usually if you really like the game you buy a season pass, which is all future dlcs in one pack.

EmanueleBGN · May 3, 2017

The question is: why sell half game in the disk and the other half as a DLC?
It's a thing I hate

DavidRO99 · May 3, 2017

EmanueleBGN said:
The question is: why sell half game in the disk and the other half as a DLC?
It's a thing I hate

Money

Arras · May 3, 2017

EmanueleBGN said:
The question is: why sell half game in the disk and the other half as a DLC?
It's a thing I hate

Because DLC costs are used to mask inflated production costs. Without DLC, base games would just be more expensive too.

Sliter · May 3, 2017

well, when it comes to add stuff to the game, new content it's allright, bad when they use DLC like something that should have come with the game, this is kinda sad :B idk ahha

ponygals · May 4, 2017

Oh I see.

PrincessLillie · May 4, 2017

A game is always a game. Updates are free and can range from bug fixes to added content to all new game modes. Some updates add DLC, or Downloadable Content. DLC can add even more content to the game. Some DLC is free, others must be paid for. To address your question...

ponygals said:
So does this go for the physical copy of the game or you have to download the game only?

It goes for all copies of the game, digital or physical.
All DLC is optional. Updates may or may not be mandatory.

ponygals · May 5, 2017

Oh I see.

Gaming Why isn't a Game a Game Anymore? Downloads, Updates and More

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