Less Expansions

[Snake@War 0]

It seems like a LOT of games now are abandoning expansion packs and starting brand new games. For example, HL2 and then HL3. No expansions there. Stupid game devs just trying to earn more money... Does it seem this way to you?

[GRT 0]

HL2 gave FULL mod support. They dont need to make expansions, modders will do that.

[Snake@War 0]

HL2 gave FULL mod support. They dont need to make expansions, modders will do that.

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True.

[Dick Splash 23]

Stupid game devs just trying to earn more money...    Does it seem this way to you?

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........You've lost me Snake'!!! Expansions for some franchises 'are' a 'cash in' for 'Publishers'........less game, less code.....more of the same.

FYI, there was a six year gap between HL and HL2. Ubi knocked out GR, DS and IT in less than half the time!!!

Nowaddamean?

DS

[KRP 56 92]

I guess a lot of gamers needed to be wowed with new titles as they think it's going to include all new graphics,gameplay etc. as compared to expansion packs which seem to be more of the same. New games are around $50 where expansions usually come in around $20. Brainwashing marketing is what I'll call it. If the next installment for XBOX GR was called an expansion pack they would be hard pressed to sell it for $50 but call it GR3 and $50 it'll be, even if it offers little more than GR2.

[firefly2442 0]

Sometimes it can be hard to justify spending $20-30 dollars on an expansion when all you get are some new missions and units. I think you have to pick and choose.

[Dick Splash 23]

Sometimes it can be hard to justify spending $20-30 dollars on an expansion when all you get are some new missions and units.  I think you have to pick and choose.

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True. I bought the first 'The Sims' expansion and then, when I saw the 'hooge' EA/Maxis cash in, I thought I'd better quit whilst I was ahead.

DS and IT were fantastic expansions for GR and well worth the money, and I have to say that CoD UO is simply brilliant.

Here's an interesting quote from PC Gamer (US) April 2005.

Milking The Customer

Q I find it slightly annoying that the first Sims 2 expansion (University) is being released so soon after The Sims 2. Instead of taking $30 from me every couple of months, couldn't Maxis just implement some of these expansions into the game? Do you have an opinion on the subject?

A Yes we do. EA isn't even bothering to wait a "decent interval" before twisting the arms of Sims 2 lovers. When you have unchallenged leverage over a few million fans, it's probably hard to resist gouging them. Such is the way of the world, but we don't have to like it, and we definitely don't. But the larger issue here is that The Sims milks a mainstream audience that doesn't know any better.

DS

[Deadpreacher 2]

I always loved expansion packs and really wish there was more of them.

They add to the game maken it bigger and better.

As for just pushing out a new game right after they just releashed the game, i cant say i hate it but i sure hate starting over and tring to get the game back up to speed with more stuff. So even knowen i love a new game i would rather see some expansion packs on a good game everytime. If a game is great i dont think they should start work on the next one without releashing afew expansion packs first on the old one!

But like someone said it is turning into the modders to keep it going and getting less and less expansion packs maybe coming true. Even the consoles are given up to the modders so every system PC and consoles well soon be nothing but modders maken there game bigger and better and than no need to releash a expansion pack for there games anymore. So they can focus more on there next tytle and make more money and just leave it up to the modders to keep there game alive and selling until the next one!

[Snake@War 0]

Ah, yes, I never though about the process of making a brand new game...

[Serellan 0]

Stupid game devs just trying to earn more money...    Does it seem this way to you?

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Actually, expansions are more profitable per unit than new games, because of the cost of development is less, regardless of how "stupid" developers are.

It is also interesting to me how an expansion can be considered "gouging". I don't see how you can be gouged for an entertainment product that you choose to purchase (or choose not to).

[Dick Splash 23]

........regardless of how "stupid" developers are.

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT

It is also interesting to me how an expansion can be considered "gouging".  I don't see how you can be gouged for an entertainment product that you choose to purchase (or choose not to).

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The point PCG is making, is that because of the huge following and fanbase 'The Sims' franchise has, rather than provide more game in the begining, which they could do, it's more lucrative to 'drip feed' the fans with expansions, because they know they will buy them. It's not a matter of 'choice' here, they'll buy it because they're fans, and so that they can keep up with MP for example. Wouldn't GR MP gamers be limited in their choice of MP games, if they'd only purchased GR and not its expansions?

Whilst we're on the subject Serellan, IT was released nearly three years ago and IIRC members believed at the time that there would be a third expansion disc for GR. As 'profitable' as expansions are, because of existing code, less development costs and a guaranteed amount of sales, Ubisoft still dropped GR PC, to pursue GR console projects didn't they?! We would have welcomed a third disc back then, but I can't say that we would have been less frustrated today though, about the future of GR for the PC!

Expansions aren't for every publisher it seems

DS

[CR6 0]

It seems like a LOT of games now are abandoning expansion packs and starting brand new games. For example, HL2 and then HL3. No expansions there. Stupid game devs just trying to earn more money...    Does it seem this way to you?

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I'm still trying to figure out 2 things from the original post :

1) Are you saying that making less expansion packs is a good or bad thing?

2) Is there something wrong with game devs trying to make a living? (BTW, it's NOT the game devs that decide if a game gets published or not - it's the publisher/business people )

[Suli 0]

im all for add on modules. they same money for both gamer and developer.

less cost more profit.

ive as well seen this trend but dont understand it very well, as it doesnt make any sence unless it is not in the over all bussiness structure.

for me, and maybe im alone. and ill use red storm as an example even though it may not apply to there engine.

i would be very happy purchasing one game engine. and the rest being add on modules.

even if the module is a racing game as opposed to an expansion. it saves me money, and it saves the devs money. on top of that it can support brand loyalty as there is less need to use a different developers game, if you can get a similar game at a lower cost from the group that made the core engine.

i hope this treand id just that , and that in the future more publishers and developers embrace a " module" add on approach.

if red storm were to make a fun racing game, and is was just a "plugin" to what i already have i would be happier. and never have a need to search through the net or local store for a racing game.

i as well as most other consumers are much more likly to impulse buy a product at 20 bucks and take a chance on it than to drop 50 bucks.

[Snake@War 0]

Suli said it better than I could. That's how I feel about it.

Serellan, I didn't mean ALL devs are stupid.

I just feel like unless there is going to be a BIG change in Graphics and Gameplay, there is no need for a complete new game. I would prefer more expansions and less brand new games unless there is a SIGNIFICANT difference.

[BornToKill 0]

Expansions are great, they keep a game alive, just as mods do.If the game is great and has playability, most people are happy just to see new maps mainly, some new skins, weapons, vehicles, missions etc allways go down well too.

A bit of variety around something we love playing.

When IT was released, don't forget the developers were then also working on the then X-box version of GR once the x-box had got its ass out of the grass finally.And went on to release Jungle Storm expansion for the consoles.By then GR was already starting to get old and they decided to begin work on GR2 (2 yrs ago).Thats why no 3rd disc made it to GR.

If a game doesn't sell well in the first place then the developers and publishers wont waste anymore time and money making expansions.If a game is sucessful then it is financially viable to make expansions for it, and gamers will in the most appreciate add ons to their favourite game at that time.

So i don't see expansions disappearing.

[Dan 0]

I rekon alotta gamers need to shut up, but thats just me