After administrating dlcnews.com for some time I have come across several interesting facts regarding how DLC, that is 'downloadable content' is affecting the video game industry. There has been blatant consumer testing, some ethical and others not so ethical, some costly and others free. But all of this has been leading up to something. Something big and I'm composing my evidence today in this article.
Steam Changed PC Gaming Forever
Valve and co took a shot at digital content. I remember it was "a vehicle for Half Life's episodic gaming." By the way, where is episode 3? Steam commonly offers weekend deals and other discounts for sales on older games. We've seen major titles for $9.99 for a limited time. Not only has Steam proved that the digital marketplace is lucrative for developers but the community enjoys it this way.
Xbox Live and Microsoft's DLC Based Success
Last week Minecraft broke the first record of DLC sales made my Trials Evolution back in April. Minecraft sold over 1 million copies in a week. Not only does Microsoft understand that the multiplayer aspect of their titles are the bread and butter but there is no better way to bait consumers and distribute DLC content creating revenue months and maybe even years after a release.
Next Gen Consoles and DLC
The rumors are always flying when it comes to the next generation consoles. But one major and recurring "rumor" is that removing the used game business model is going to be addressed.
Hardware is always a tell tale sign of where the industry is going. Rumors of Sony charging for multiplayer access to your game title are abound. Reports of no disk drive on the Xbox720 has popped up in several articles net-wide with evidence and the known battle between brick and mortar game shops like Game Stop and Best Buy purchasing titles on release date only have been breaking the development companies bottom line for years now. Several efforts to make peace with the game companies have kept the franchises alive for some time but it is very clear that game companies have allowed them to survive until the time is right. And as far as anyone with a business sense is concerned, Steam shows us plainly that the time for DLC to take over the hard copy is only a next-gen release date away.
Speculation Ensues
I wouldn't be surprised if the major players in the game market (Microsoft, Sony etc) have ties that they are chomping at the bit to break with Best Buy, Game Stop and the others. Once these companies decide to go 100 percent digital where will the hard copy outlets be? Also, the major developers are no doubt paying for distribution and whatever the cut of a 60 dollar game goes to Best Buy is I don't know. But these are bottom line amounts. Removing the middle man is how to increase profits. It's business 101. The internet is strong enough, the community loves digital distribution and it's more affordable for them.
Independent developers will not be stopped by lack of distribution power. Games like Tactical Intervention are releasing their game files on their website! With digital distribution available any programmer can release a game on a Steam like platform without any problems. "It is the future of gaming." - Grandma's Boy reference.
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