The release of Fallout 4 is still about two months out, but developer and publisher Bethesda Softworks already has a plan to sell Fallout 4 DLC. Bethesda's reasoning takes us back to an issue that's continuing to gain steam on forums and fan sites.
The debate over DLC practices has been a disjointed conversation.Publishers and developers, ranging from Electronic Arts to Turtle Rock, have reasoned that there's enough content at their games' cores to warrant $60, the standard starting point for videogame prices.
On the other hand, fans have questioned the planned release of additional content before the core game is release. Why, in addition to microtransations, hold back content from fans?
Game certification and bug smashing can take months, which can cloud the picture of the development process of any game. On top of that, outsiders usually only see what insiders allow.
Bethesda, regarded by many gamers as one of the more benevolent studios, announced last week that it plans to release DLC content for Fallout 4 next year. So the issues regarding DLC bubbled to the surface once again. After his company stoked the DLC debate, Bethesda's Pete Hines, vice president of marketing, contributed to the conversation.
While explaining to a Twitter user that Bethesda feels it'd be irresponsible to release partial or inaccurate PC specs, another person questioned the accountability in talking about DLC before the game was released.
"Yes, I think letting folks know our thoughts on it and how it fits into our post-launch plans is a good approach," Hines replied.
@SachiHS @dalmascus Yes, I think letting folks know our thoughts on it and how it fits into our post-launch plans is a good approach.
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) September 14, 2015
The individual who posed the question, Rafał Woźniczko, thanked Hines for the honestly. It appears that disconnect in the conversation remains, but at least Bethesda says it hasn't completed any DLC content yet despite planning to release some in 2016. "Since we're still hard at work on the game, we don't know what the actual DLC will be yet, but it will start coming early next year," Bethesda said last week. "Based on what we did for Oblivion, Fallout 3, and Skyrim, we know that it will be worth at least $40, and if we do more, you'll get it all with the Season Pass."
@DCDeacon @dalmascus I appreciate the honesty — Rafał Woźniczko (@SachiHS) September 14, 2015
