EA’s Battlefield 3 Pre-order DLC has Gamers Rightfully Angry
EA’s Battlefield 3 Pre-order DLC has Gamers Rightfully Angry
Posted 06/13/2011 at 5:28pm
| by Joey Davidson, TechnoBuffalo
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I’m going to put this right up front: you’re about to dive into my wholly biased opinion. I try to remain as open as I can when covering these types of news bits on a daily basis. This one, however, hits a little too close to home to slap a fair dose of discussion on and call it a day. EA has forced pre-order exclusive DLC on a franchise that’s been widely known for fantastic customer service and satisfaction, DICE’s Battlefield 3.
The story? Pre-order bonus DLC for Battlefield 3 has been announced for the UK’s GAME and Gamestation stores. The offering comes as EA selected an in-game weapon, weapon modification and ammunition to be set aside as pre-order bonus content. If fans want these three items, they’ll need to order the game exclusively from these retailers. Otherwise? Your game arrives incomplete. Here’s the offer as described by EA:
Claim battlefield superiority this Autumn! The Battlefield 3 Limited Edition: Physical Warfare Pack is now available for pre-order exclusively at GAME and Gamestation in the UK.
Players can storm the battlefield armed with powerful weapons and items only available in the Physical Warfare Pack including the Type 88 light machine gun with bipod for superior firepower and total zone control, the SKS sniper rifle flash suppressor that provides increased stealth abilities for Recon soldiers, and the lethal armour-piercing flechette ammo for the DAO-12 semi-automatic shotgun that is sure to tear through anything in its path. Also included is day one access to the highly versatile DAO-12 semi-automatic shotgun itself.
Once news hit the net, angry fans mobbed the gaming section of Reddit with talk of boycotts and nerd rage. I’m with them.
The fact of the matter is this: making gamers select which DLC they want from a game by picking a specific retail location is awful for several reasons. First off, you’re selling an incomplete product to everyone else. You’re actually taking development work out of a game and making it exclusively available to a limited audience. Moreover, you’re forcing gamers to pick on variety of DLC. When you spread this stuff across several stores, the only way for fans to get the full experience would be for them to buy the game everywhere. Are you kidding me?
Minecraft creator “Notch” summed it up perfectly on Twitter: “When I make a movie, it will have different exclusive scenes added to it depending on what cinema you go to. #subtle”
Credit is due to Reddit here for working to actually out this issue once and for all. They’ve boycotted EA for this one before. It came during Battlefield: Bad Company 1. Back then, EA decided to roll over on their decisions and move in favor of the fanbase. Hopefully the same will happen here.
These store exclusive pre-orders have to end.
TechnoBuffalo.com is a technology site created by a team of professional writers that are self-proclaimed tech-enthusiasts. Their articles cover a breadth of technology-related issues and topics from the everyday uses to the business side of the industry.
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logicmaster2003
June 15, 2011 at 11:54pm
DLC should be FREE for any game like it used to be ! Think Battlefield2.. you can download as much MODS and MAPS as you wish... DLC back then were created by fans for the fans !
Nowadays, game developer took out the ability to create maps; they want to be the one developing maps so they can sell them as is.
I hope all these greedy game developer would put back the map-making tools (just like FarCry2, Battlefield2, and few others).
lament
June 14, 2011 at 2:39pm
This should probably clear up the nerd rage going on..
Q: Is the Physical Warfare Pack available in all regions, or just in the UK?
A: It will be available worldwide at select retailers. It was first announced in the UK. Exact details for other countries and retailers will be announced at a later date.
Q: Will Physical Warfare Pack imbalance the game?
A: The three exclusive items in the Physical Warfare Pack were specifically chosen not to be overpowered or imbalance or break the game in any way.
Q: Why do I want the Physical Warfare Pack?
A: Owning these items will give you a more varied arsenal, but it will not give you a significant advantage on the battlefield.
Q: Is the Back to Karkand expansion pack exclusive to pre-orders?
A: No. You can also buy it separately if you do not pre-order Battlefield 3. Back to Karkand will be available the exact same date after the launch of Battlefield 3 no matter if you pre-ordered or buy it separately.
Q: When will the Back to Karkand expansion pack be released?
A: We have not yet announced the Back to Karkand expansion pack release date.
Q: How much does the Back to Karkand Expansion pack cost?
A: We have not yet announced a price. However, it will be included in the Limited Edition at no extra charge.
Q: Do I have to choose between Back to Karkand and the Physical Warfare Pack as my pre-order bonus?
A: No. There is no way you can pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition and not end up with the Back to Karkand expansion pack at no extra charge. On top of this, select retailers all over the world will carry the Physical Warfare Pack. Exact details for other countries and retailers will be announced at a later date.
Q: Why do you offer pre-order bonus items?
A: Because we believe in rewarding our core fanbase with special offers -- such as giving them the Back to Karkand expansion pack at no extra charge.
Mystyrys
June 14, 2011 at 12:26pm
Star Trek Online did the different DLC from different retailers thing too, and it caused quite an uproar. Despite the complaints and threats of boycotting the game, lots of people actually did buy multiple copies, just so they could have all the limited edition DLC. It was a marketing tactic that worked quite well in the long run. They knew their Trekkers couldn't resist the shineys.
As long as DLC is short-term (such as a %increase to XP gain for X numvber of levels) or purely ornamental, I don't have a problem with it. I don't need it to play the game.
ChatterboxChuck
June 14, 2011 at 8:28am
OK, so what everyone is bitching about is that if you pre-order you get weapons from day one that you would normally get simply by playing the game and gaining points? And this is what all the bitching is about? I thought it was about weapons that no one else would have that you would have to pay extra, like you do with DLC map packs, in order to have in the game, except in this case you would get them with pre-order as oppose to separate.
Now I'm confused. If you get it anyways simply by playing the game and gaining points then all this is just crybaby stuff. Can someone elaborate on this?
bling581
June 14, 2011 at 9:57am
I agree to a point, but what if someone was planning to preorder in order to receive bonus content and is now restricted to certain stores? If it's not an offer via Steam then I would be pretty bummed because it's where I buy most of my games. In the end it doesn't really matter because if you're good enough a few DLC weapons won't make a huge difference at the beginning.
Hamburger
June 14, 2011 at 6:49am
No one is putting a gun to anyone's head to buy this game. Don't like the DLC thing? It's your money, don't buy it. Like the DLC thing? Buy it. Who cares. This is a mountain/mole hill senario.
sweetjeebus
June 14, 2011 at 3:12am
Who cares. The game is gonna be good. People, and the author of this article are just stirring shit up because they can and they know people will jump on the, "Oh no they didn't!" bandwagon. I will play the game with whatever weapons I earn. More than likely, I will shit on those with dlc. Stop being so dramatic. It's an online video game for f**** sake.
XoRn
June 14, 2011 at 4:36am
That's not the point of the article at all. The point is that content included in the game is being withheld from paying customers specificly for the sake of selling more pre-order copies. Games have suddenly entered the boxoffice mind set and if you aren't selling a million copies day one, then your game is a failure. This "shit stirring" has nothing to do with how the game will play or the skill level of you but that they are squeezing loyal customers to commit to there product or face exclusion in actually in game content that matters. Allowing this continue as a gamer will only lead to more money grabbing ploys like this and pretty soon per order players will be the only one's playing the game in it's entirety just because EA is fishing for pledges.
sweetjeebus
June 14, 2011 at 6:32am
Being withheld until you unlock it in a couple of hours of playtime. They may very well sell a bunch more pre-orders with this tactic. You make it sound like this content will never be accessed by those that didn't get the DLC version. They will get it, they just won't pay for it. They did the same thing on PS3 where you can unlock all the weapons for 20 bucks without earning them. This stuff sells and that is why they do it. Stop bitching and play the game is my point. In the end it is just that- a game. Take life more seriously, and video games less seriously. Did I just upset the hardcore gamer demographic? Don't care. I play games for fun, not to define my life.
stradric
June 14, 2011 at 5:40am
> Games have suddenly entered the boxoffice mind set and if you aren't selling a million copies day one, then your game is a failure.
Battlefield 3 is a blockbuster game just like a blockbuster movie. Of course they're going to treat it similarly. Millions of dollars have been invested and the business that put up that money wants to see a healthy return. So why all the outrage? I think it's rather misplaced.
Also, people still consider long term sales of games when it comes to determining if it was a market success or not.
> they are squeezing loyal customers to commit to there their product or face exclusion in actually in game content that matters.
It's not required. It's more like something that will tide you over until you unlock the good stuff that's already included in the game. People that want to pay extra for that can.
> Allowing this continue as a gamer will only lead to more money grabbing ploys like this and pretty soon per order players will be the only one's playing the game in it's entirety just because EA is fishing for pledges.
I don't think it's the slipperly slope you think it is. But if that ever did happen, I'd be on the front lines with you. So far this micro-transaction / release DLC practice has not led to anything like what you are claiming will happen.
Wingzero_x
June 14, 2011 at 7:03am
Truthfully, I don't see what the big deal is! Seems this has been going on for awhile anyway (even outside of gaming). Gamestop has "Plan A", Target has "Plan B", Wal-Mart has "Plans A and B", and Steam has "Plan C and you get game X free!"! Anyway just take a look a Space Marine preorders!
Seriously am I missing something, or is it I don't buy into sensasalist journalism, and conspiracy theories!
The "Box Office" mentalty is true, and really nothing new to gaming in the last 15years! Not only do you have the multi-million dollars they spend on production and marketing, but there are multiple of other games released that same day, or weeks later they are competing with! Sorry, but people don't have the funds they used to have, and some people have to make a choice, and adding DLC really does sweetens the deal.
qhoa1385
June 14, 2011 at 1:26am
I just find it funny that, even though it's called Limited Edition, yet millions are still available... and I doubt even after the game is released, they would still have it up just to rake in a few extra millions
they should just called it "Pre-Order" Edition...
Hell, I could careless about extra skins or those dogtags or symbols, or even early start or "FREE MAP PACKS or whatever"
but if it comes to better in game performance advantage over non-DLC players, that's bs, selling power is the last thing Multiplayer game should consider... it's like selling grades in school
HAHA
XoRn
June 14, 2011 at 12:52am
Surprised no one has said anything about the day one Return to Karkand or what ever they named the map pack is as well. I don't mind rewarding your pre order customers with some cool content, but having said content be part of DLC is just plain corporate greed at it's finest. Give them a cool skin or symbol, not an in game advantage or day one DLC that should be included with the game in the first place.
nmanguy
June 13, 2011 at 9:37pm
I agree, but Notch had a bad analogy. Clue had different endings depending on what theater you went to...
Gezzer
June 13, 2011 at 9:21pm
Wow, well I pre-ordered straight from EA and got the limited edition pack, so no extra DLC for me.
The whole DLC thing is really starting to get old. It was fine when it came out after the game had been out for awhile, just something to extend the life of the game.
Now sometimes it seems half the game is all DLC. This is getting just plain stupid.
Mastro Antonio
June 13, 2011 at 9:10pm
I really don't care because your going to get to unlock those weapons anyways, I thought it was a big deal to get Bad Company 2 from Gamestop with the " exclusive " AK-74U unlock but it turns out that you can get it later down the road when you have enough XP. Although it did help a lot, I could have faired without it. When it comes to battlefield games and DLC nothing is truly exclusive, just like how they make a million copies of the limited edition.
Kano
June 13, 2011 at 10:24pm
I'm with you on this. Let the fools get angry and hand out money. No one ever realizes the long time theme that EA has had with selling in-game items for cash that could otherwise be earned the old fashioned way: PLAYING the F*N' game!
noobstix
June 13, 2011 at 8:43pm
This news doesn't surprise me at all. EA has always found ways to screw a chunk of their customers out of DLC.
Holly Golightly
June 13, 2011 at 8:24pm
See, that is just wrong! I really hate DLC all together. Never really bothered with buying them. They are just themes. In this case, it is just guns, I am pretty sure they will have similar guns. To me, a shotgun is a shotgun. How much more different can they get? It has been ages since I have purchased anything from GameStop. So I am not aware of any of this. Which stores in USA will have this DLC exclusivity? These developers need to just stick with the basics and stop shipping these incomplete games, for the sake of pinching a few dollars out of their fans.
aFineWayToDie
June 13, 2011 at 8:18pm
I don't mind day one DLC, or pre-order bonuses, but this is fucking nuts. I pre-ordered Battlefield: Bad Company 2 so I got the tracer dart pistol, the M1911, some vehicle specializations and some other "day one" unlocks because I purchased the limited edition. Although I had these guns and specializations on day one, all of them were still available to all players as later unlocks. Selling retailer exclusive weapons and gear is absurd. I already pre ordered Battlefield 3, but this seriously made me reconsider.
Walnut
June 13, 2011 at 8:15pm
I don't see what the fuss is about. EA has done this numerous times before (Mass Effect 2 was particularly bad...). It's absolute bullshit but they're not going to stop doing it. Battlefield 3 is really no different from all their other AAA franchises in the eyes of the execs. I started avoiding EA games a good while back. They keep digging themselves deeper and deeper into the hole. I don't like giving money to people who try to screw me.
Joji
June 13, 2011 at 7:56pm
Relax guys. Go check the Battlefield blog. They WILL sell the Physical Warfare pack to all countries, not just the UK!!
iceman08
June 13, 2011 at 7:32pm
I love the games, but...Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Revelations bonus from Gamestop qualify?
newegg911
June 13, 2011 at 7:02pm
I don't really care about costumes and other generally useless skins, but this pisses me off. I hate when they give certain people access to weapons and stuff like that in multi player. Way to totally ruin the fairness and balance EA. I like BF, but when they do stuff like this they can shove the game up their arses.
EA is notorious for crap like pre order DLC and PDF manauls and other garage like this. Look for a game like Witcher 2 to get it right with a standard edition that beats most collector's editions.
stige
June 13, 2011 at 7:36pm
agreed. DLC that is restriced to certain retailers is fine by me as long as it's just cosmetic or only a marginal part of the gameplay.
when the DLC significantly affects gameplay choices though.....
If EA has a 'pooch, they just screwed it.
SirBC
June 13, 2011 at 6:06pm
A definition of "DLC" might go a long way in helping others feel your pain for those that don't know what downloadable content is.
Eoraptor
June 13, 2011 at 6:34pm
Downloadable Content... you know... just like it is explained in the article, people who go suck organ at retailer X get special spiffs denied or at least delayed to everyone else.
TsunamiZ
June 13, 2011 at 5:53pm
same type of store dlc exclusivity happened with mortal kombat character costumes. it was lame!
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