When it comes to video games nowadays, many come with some form of a season pass. As many AAA developers and publishers gate off content behind these types of DLC, and other microtransactions their profits have skyrocketed. Out of the $7.16 billion Activision Blizzard made last year, $4 billion came from DLC and other microtransaction sales. EA made $787 million off of their own microtransactions as well.
Despite suspending its use of microtransactions in Star Wars: Battlefront II in November after gamers (including myself), complained about them, EA teased their return late last month. There were games I was excited about playing, one being Farcry 5 but after seeing it has a season pass, I don’t want to spend $60 for an incomplete game and experience.
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I’m not going to spend over $100 for the full experience either. Not when I can put that money towards food, utilities, and other costs of living and entertainment. Why spend more than $100 on one game? Especially when there are great games like Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and Celeste available for way less.
If you are someone who purchases season passes I understand. But think of this scenario. What if life came with a season pass? Imagine going to buy a pair of shoes but $60 only gets you the laces.
Want the shoes? They’re gated off behind a paywall. You want to go on a trip but the price of your ticket only gets you a seat on a plane. If you want the plane to fly you to your destination so you can get the full vacation experience you have to pay extra.
If you pay the full retail price for a container of orange juice shouldn’t it be full of liquid? Imagine going to see a movie but your ticket only allowed you to see the first two acts. Why shouldn’t it be the same for video games?
I understand that video games cost money to create. But so do movies and you don’t see studios putting scenes behind paywalls, do you? All I’m saying is if developers and publishers are going to charge $60 for a game, they should give us all of its content like they used to. There is no reason to withhold content from gamers.
To the developers and publishers, I say this. Instead of blocking off content, just focus on making great games and creating memorable characters and stories. If you make a great product, people will buy it and more than likely won’t exchange it for a different game.
