Microsoft launches Xbox Live premium content
11-26-03, 12:20 PM
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Microsoft launches Xbox Live premium content
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content...e=dev&aid=2627
Rob Fahey 17:36 26/11/2003
A glimpse of things to come as new MechAssault content arrives with a pricetag
The first paid-for downloadable content on Microsoft's Xbox Live service has appeared, in the form of a new package for MechAssault which adds new multiplayer content to the game for a $5 fee.
The new content, labelled as an "objective package", consists of two entirely new multiplayer modes for the game along with three new maps, and is just the latest in a range of updates and bonus material for the game which has been released over Live since the game was launched last year.
In order to access the content, gamers need to enable Premium Content downloads on their Xbox Live account, and then when they download the Objective Package, $4.99 (£3.63) will be deducted automatically from the credit card they used to sign up to the Live service.
This is the first time that this form of paid-for content has appeared on Xbox Live, but it's unlikely to be the last. Many publishers are keen to experiment with this revenue model, which would see developers continuing to work on content for popular games after their retail release and gamers paying a small amount for each new item of content downloaded.
For Xbox Live users, this will be the first time they've had to hand over money for anything on the service since they purchased the original Xbox Live starter kit. Some gamers have expressed concern that this new model may lead to publishers releasing unfinished games and then charging for "additional" content which should have been in the original game, although there has been no sign of this happening so far - and it seems likely that should it occur, the gaming public would vote with their wallets to prevent it from happening again.
Chris
Rob Fahey 17:36 26/11/2003
A glimpse of things to come as new MechAssault content arrives with a pricetag
The first paid-for downloadable content on Microsoft's Xbox Live service has appeared, in the form of a new package for MechAssault which adds new multiplayer content to the game for a $5 fee.
The new content, labelled as an "objective package", consists of two entirely new multiplayer modes for the game along with three new maps, and is just the latest in a range of updates and bonus material for the game which has been released over Live since the game was launched last year.
In order to access the content, gamers need to enable Premium Content downloads on their Xbox Live account, and then when they download the Objective Package, $4.99 (£3.63) will be deducted automatically from the credit card they used to sign up to the Live service.
This is the first time that this form of paid-for content has appeared on Xbox Live, but it's unlikely to be the last. Many publishers are keen to experiment with this revenue model, which would see developers continuing to work on content for popular games after their retail release and gamers paying a small amount for each new item of content downloaded.
For Xbox Live users, this will be the first time they've had to hand over money for anything on the service since they purchased the original Xbox Live starter kit. Some gamers have expressed concern that this new model may lead to publishers releasing unfinished games and then charging for "additional" content which should have been in the original game, although there has been no sign of this happening so far - and it seems likely that should it occur, the gaming public would vote with their wallets to prevent it from happening again.
Chris
11-26-03, 12:41 PM
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I'm all for premium content if it justifies the cost. Most of the games right now don't even warrant the initial $50 investment!
For MechAssault, it doesn't make sense. Someone else said it best - because the number of people paying for premium content is going to be a small subset of the total number of online players, it might be difficult to find two people who have actually paid for it, therefore limiting its use.
But, if it's something akin to an expansion pack, $5 might be a small price to pay for a few new single-player levels.
Jeremy
For MechAssault, it doesn't make sense. Someone else said it best - because the number of people paying for premium content is going to be a small subset of the total number of online players, it might be difficult to find two people who have actually paid for it, therefore limiting its use.
But, if it's something akin to an expansion pack, $5 might be a small price to pay for a few new single-player levels.
Jeremy
11-26-03, 01:05 PM
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