New Bioshock 2 DLC Punishes Previous Customers
In the latest newsletter from 2K Games are some details about the new Bioshock 2 DLC (released May 11th) on Xbox Live and PSN: The Rapture Metro Pack.
According to the newsletter, the new content includes six new maps, the ability to rank up to level 50, Rebirth feature which allows you to rank all the way down to level one for a special new mask, and three new achievements/trophies. The Xbox Live Marketplace page also advertises it as including the Kill ‘Em Kindly expansion (melee only matches with the golf club). This new mode would seem like a nice little addition to the DLC, if it wasn’t offered free as a stand-alone download.
So for all you thrifty gamers out there, let’s just take a minute to compare what you get with the Rapture Metro Pack (800 silly bucks/$9.99) to the previously released Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack (400 space monies/$4.99).
Based on the information given through the Xbox Live Marketplace, the 2K Newsletter and previous coverage of DLC features, here’s a basic comparison showing the content offered:
6 New Maps
1 New Mask
Rank 50
Rebirth (Rank Down)
None
No Information Available
No Information Available
3 New Achievements/Trophies
None
5 New Masks
Rank 50
None
2 New Characters
20 New Trials
1 New Upgrade Per Weapon
None
To some, it may look like the Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack gives you more new content. But let’s give this new DLC the benefit of the doubt here and assume since it lets you rank up to level 50, it also gives you the rewards of doing so: the extra trials, five masks, and third round of weapon upgrades (note: information on the new DLC does not specify whether or not this is included).
The major differences are that the Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack exclusively offers two new characters, while the Rapture Metro Pack offers the Rebirth feature and six new maps (and possibly one new mask; again, the DLC description is not specific as to whether or not this mask is identical to one of those offered in the previous DLC). Considering the addition of new maps, the new DLC looks like it offers the best value: more new stuff for a proportionately lower price point.
And this would be a pretty good deal ‘” but only for people who haven’t previously purchased the Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack. 2K are punishing anyone who bought their earlier $5 DLC disc-unlock by offering all of its contents in the new pack of DLC. Think of it this way: the Rapture Metro basically offers the Sinclair Solutions Pack (400MS/$4.99) plus six new maps and the Rebirth feature (which we can estimate as being the remainder of the cost at 400MS/$4.99). So, anyone who bought the previous DLC is paying $5 for new content, plus another $5 for content they already own.
The way that 2K are going about releasing DLC is appalling the deeper you dig. Another new DLC pack being offered is the Retail Characters Pack for 160MS/$1.99, which gives you the two characters who were supposed to be pre-order exclusives (Zigo and Blanche). This makes me question why people would bother to pre-order the game, when they could just buy it used a week after release for $5 less at Gamestop and use the money they saved to get the pre-order “exclusive” characters.
Bringing this information back to previously discussed DLC packs, if 2K believes two new characters are worth $2, then anyone who bought the Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack has been extra screwed over. If you bought this content and decide to buy the new DLC (as loyal fans tend to do), it means not only are you being charged again for content you already have, but also you have been overcharged for the additional characters. Do the math: New DLC is worth $10 for everything, rendering the Sinclair Solutions Pack (priced at $5) only worth the purchase if you want two new characters… and 2K Games has put the price of two new characters at $2.
As someone who bought the Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack when it was released, I have to say I’m pretty pissed that I can’t just buy the maps on their own. Since I have no intention of paying for content I already own, 2K Games are going to be losing a customer here ’” and a previously loyal Bioshock fan.
I’ve also learned that I shouldn’t bother pre-ordering any of 2K’s upcoming games, since any “exclusive” pre-order bonus they include will probably be available for sale later, and I’ll get all the content I want and spend less if I just buy the game used a few weeks after release.
Way to shoot yourselves in the foot (feet?) guys. Again.
And there was me praising 2K for the Borderlands DLC.
Praise Gearbox for Borderlands DLC, and hold on to your virtual wallets for Bioshock MMO. I betcha a fiver.
This is all terribly confusing.
I applaud you for sticking with Bioshock as long as you did. You made it longer than I did.
I think that the best approach from 2K would be to just sell maps, and add in the useless shit like characters and masks as patches. Say what you will about Activision, but at least they don’t make you pay to prestige.
Ok, quick note, “(note: information on the new DLC does not specify whether or not this is included)” – so this is all angry conjecture?
Honestly, let’s at least get the facts straight before we all fly off the handle.
@triumphofhearts: If you read carefully, I say that I am giving the DLC the benefit of the doubt and assuming this content is also included.
Even if it is included in the new Rapture Metro Pack, anyone who bought the Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack is basically being forced to re-purchase all of the content they already have in order to get access to the new maps.
As with the other DLC, I think it’s a sign that 2K had “make loads more money” in their business plan.
@triumphofhearts: I think you misread.
@Nintendoll: Why would assuming the DLC fucks early adopters of the Sinclair pack be giving it the benefit of the doubt, surely that’s denying it?
I would not be surprised in the slightest if you are right with your assumptions, but I’m taking issue with the fact you’re assuming at all. When the content is released and 2K have indeed fucked over all who purchased both packs, then fine, rant applicable.
As it stands, if you read my earlier comment carefully, you are, at present, getting angry at something that has yet to be confirmed. Until the content is in the wild, I don’t believe that this is something we can take issue with.
In all honesty they 6 maps probably would have been 800 points anyways like most other things on the market place so to me it isnt really screwing those who bought the first DLC
Perhaps this sounds somewhat cruel, but I don’t really have any sympathy for people who pay for disc unlocks. If devs and publishers know they can get away with this stuff, they will keep on doing it.