Mass Effect 2 DLC Shenanigans

[aander91]

http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/53854/BioWare-Slaps-Price-On-Mass-Effect-2-Kasumis-Stolen-Memory-DLC

ME2 had a thing called Cerberus Network, and it was basically a code that granted you access to a stream of DLC. So far it's been pretty decent, and it only costs $15 or something and is free in the Collectors edition. But now the new DLC has a price tag! What was the point of the Cerberus Network? I loved the idea when I first heard of it, but now it looks like Bioware is just pushing that aside and asking for more! I really hope I'm missing something here, and you only have to pay if you don't have CN, but they just released some sort of costume pack that isn't accessible through CN, so I don't think that's the case.

[Caystony3]

Just another entry in the whole DLC debacle that's pretty much a fixture of 21st century video games. It pains me to say it's become the norm these days, but you really can't fault game companies that have found out about an effective Revenue Enhancing Device and latching onto it. That said, much like every other gamer, I personally think DLC is a huge pain; God, I paid for it once, if I wanted additional fees tacked onto it, I would've went out and got addicted to World of Warcraft!

...

Personally I denied Cerberus Network any internet connection at all during installation/game-play and wait until cracked DLC versions pop up. You're missing just some small in-universe fluff anyway.

[tibiazak]

aander, cerberus network is free to any NEW copy of the game. It's only $15 if you buy it used (which doesn't even apply to PC). As I understand it, the pay-for DLC is gonna actually be worth the money. It's got more stuff, higher quality etc. I mean, the free party member (Zaeed) is prettymuch meh. He doesn't have tiered dialog, I haven't done his quest yet but it sounds pretty meh... Really, all the free DLC is free. It's just a weapon, piece of armor, small map/mission... they've got a free DLC pack that came out today that includes a vehicle and something like 5 missions. (I haven't played it, so I don't know how it is.) Personally, I'll probably pay the whole SEVEN DOLLARS they're asking for it. For one thing, I get premium content. For another, it's freakin Bioware - i don't have enough ways to give them money! :D

edit: Also, the point of the cerberus network is so that bioware gets some money from used game sales. I mean, otherwise, they get nothing from those.

[R4nd0M]

Either way BioWare never (to my knowledge) said that all DLC would be available free via Cerberus Network. So it's not as though they are reneging on a promise.

[vedicardi]

The whole point of cerberus is a bonus to people who buy it new.

what Armour is there that you have to pay for? I haven't checked in a while, but so far there's only been one announced non-cerberus pay DLC, which is a large quest or something for $7 (500 microsoft funbux)

just checked ME2's site

New DLC Out Now!

2010.03.23 | Posted by Nickmo

Two new awesome pieces of Downloadable Content are out today!

The first is free to all Cerberus Network members: The Firewalker Pack and features 5 new missions and introduces the Hammerhead heavy assault vehicle.

The next is the Alternate Appearance Pack for 160 MS or BioWare points. Download and equip new outfits for Thane, Subject Zero, and Garrus.

it's just a small costume pack for only $2. No big deal.

[aander91]

I'm not upset about the costume pack, it just seems a bit unusual to have 2 methods of DLC delivery. And did the CN come with the non collector's edition as well?

[vedicardi]

it comes with all new copies of the game

-- Edit: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:56 pm --

yeah having such a small thing being pay is a bit odd but I mean it's alt costumes, doesn't even affect gameplay like most everything else

[aander91]

But now it's an option. Some pretty decent stuff came from Cerberus. Now that they realize that they can screw those people over and make them fork over even more money means that Cerberus will get neglected and will get next to nothing, or at least the quick and cheap stuff that they won't mind giving away for free.

[vedicardi]

they had already announced that there will be pay-no-matter-what DLC before this was released so.

And that firewalker pack is huge in case you didn't notice. they're not going to neglect it.

[aander91]

I hope not, and I hadn't heard that announcement. Just feels like something Nevervision would do. Ah well, I guess I shouldn't worry so much, it's Bioware after all...

[Rapt0r]

>implying the alternate appearance pack is worth not being apart of the cerberus network

[tibiazak]

aander, the cerberus network IS their DLC delivery system. You need it if you want any of the DLC I believe... so they can't neglect it and continue to make DLC. Also, it's not like they're screwing over the people, considering that they're actually being cool about this. They're giving alot of free DLC away to people who bought the game new, and then some of the larger (presumably more work-intensive) DLC they're charging a bit for. Most games with DLC, don't even do free stuff.

Again, this is Bioware's way of getting some more money out of their games. The Cerberus Network gets them some money off used game sales, and the pay-for DLC is a "you guys give us $7 and we give you some extra quality missions." And seriously, with the way games are going, I would not be surprised to look back at this situation in a year or two and go "DANGIT WHY DOESN'T ANYBODY COPY BIOWARE'S DLC METHOD?!"

[vedicardi]

all EA games are going to be using this. BFBC2 is already