MechAssault Debuts Paid Xbox Live Content

Thanks to GameSpot for pointing out that Xbox action title MechAssault has debuted new downloadable Xbox Live content, in the form of "two new multiplayer game types and three new multiplayer maps", but "the new game content and maps will set you back $4.99... the first time that Microsoft has charged... for new, downloadable [MechAssault] content." Elsewhere, EuroGamer has debuted an editorial on this move, suggesting that "if you think about it, premium content could pose a serious threat", seeing many good facets to this kind of add-on, but also worrying that "greedy corporations" might "lock up certain elements of a game and open them up 'for free!' at a later date in an act of faux-generosity", and arguing Microsoft could make it "...an absolute that downloadable content should only ever be content developed post-release."

Comments

Makes Sense to Me

[MBCook]

I think it makes sense to start charging at some point. It's a good thing that they didn't charge too much (I think $1 or $2 would be good, but I don't have a real problem with $5 for the amount of stuff they are doing). But I have a few things to say on this.

First of all, if companies don't start getting money for this kind of stuff, we'll start to see a situation where a game will get a few update (like MechAssault has) but eventually they'll stop adding anything. Downloaded content doesn't add to sales (this is a guess but I'm pretty sure it's accurate). I mean just because a new map was released doesn't mean I'm going to go and buy MechAssault if I don't already have it. So if the developers don't get compensated, at least some times, it's a losing proposition for htem to keep adding new content. It will keep users happy, but it costs them money.

Second, MS needs to keep a tight lid on things. While I have no problem with this happening, my fear is that if they're not careful we'll see everything like this. You want a new map? That will cost you $1. You want a new piece of clothing for your character in your MMORPG? That's another $1. I don't mind paying $5 every once in a while for a few new levels and new gameplay modes and such, but it needs to be a rare occasion, because otherwise the publisher just seems like a bunch of greedy jerks.

Be careful MS, this could easily go both ways.

Re:DDR Ultramix has *only* payaddons so far

[MBCook]

Due to licensing (and putting in the moves needed, etc) this makes sense to me, but I think you should get more than 3 songs for $5. Maybe 5 songs, 10 would be ideal. And it would be nice if they had a large selection. Wouldn't that be cool? Download your favorite songs?

Re:MechAssult lacks any decent multiplayer modes..

[Babbster]

Actually, two MechAssault download packs were already released for free. The first included two new mechs for use in multiplayer, along with a new map. The second included capture-the-flag mode, two CTF maps and yet another two mechs.

It's only this third pack (adding one real new game-type and two rules-based mods, and three new maps) that costs money to download.

Added into this discussion is the fact that as of right now MechAssault is available for $20 (and under if bought used).

I can understand PC gamers having trepidation about any pay-for-play game model because they haven't had it before (though Valve's Steam is going to change that), but the truth is that Microsoft IS spending money to develop these additions and I don't see any logical (as opposed to emotional and/or miserly) reason they shouldn't charge for them. Citing Counterstrike for Half-Life isn't a good argument since Valve didn't develop it, despite taking over development later; neither is it appropriate to cite other community-developed mods.

Look at it as a collection of expansions for MechAssault and suddenly Microsoft isn't charging that much, especially if you look at all three download sets together. A player coming to MechAssault today is going to pay $25 for MechAssault and a bunch of downloads that make the multiplayer game a LOT better (plus $50 for Xbox Live for a year, but if you're not already resigned to that then nothing can help).

I think that if developers want to take the chance and charge additional money for their online downloadable content, that's fine. People will either consider them a good value and buy them, or they won't. If they decide to make people pay for already existing content (on the DVD) to be unlocked, then they would be taking a bigger chance but, again, people can choose whether or not to buy those games; since that hasn't happened yet, though, I would suggest burning the bridge when we get to it.

MechAssault Praise

[VividU]

I've been waiting for a long time to sing the praises of MechAssault on Xbox Live. MA is a great fucking game! But it's much more than that. MA on Live will go down in history as a innovator.

The game play mechanics of MA could'nt be easier. The controls were simple and the rules were obvious: Blow up your enemy mech before they blew you up. But the game play was DEEP! It took me months before I could compete with the top players, even longer before I started winning games in my Timberwolf.

It was only during these late-night matches that I realized that we MechAssault players were part of something new.

Here we were, me in Los Angeles, some other guy in Chicago, some dudes from Brooklyn and Miami, maybe even a Brit or two, all of us relazing on our sofa, our feet on the table, a big fat TV in front of us, our home stereo connected playing and talking with and against each other. It was just too much fun. There was nothing like and we all knew it. We are all on the vanguard of console gaming and loving every second of it.

The fact is that Xbox live is the greatest innovation to gaming in a long time. 1 sign-in, 1 online name, friends list, voice-chat, online rankings and tournaments and cheap too!

Soon after, we were treated to more firsts. New mechs, new maps, new game-types were added to our game as if by magic.

I've retired my Timberwolf for now. I'm off playing Links2004 & Crimson Skies (another great game) against new and old friends across the globe.

Playing off-line is now unthinkable to me. How boring. Thats the impact of Xbox Live and MechAssault.

BTW. MA is now $20. Another $5 for new content is nothing.

And if you've never had the pleasure of blowing up a Ragnarok and its neighboring skyscraper in River City with your twin Gauss rifles, I highly reccomend it. Its too much fun.

Here are some great Penny Arcade strips on MechAssault.

Discontent

Royaltay

Location, Location, Location

The Real Gabriel

It Really Is Terrible

Here's one for you MS haters:
Also Known As Blackmail

Oh, BTW, MechAssault still has the best looking explosions I've ever seen in a game.