The Outfit: "Collateral Damage Pack" Now Free [Archive]

Ozymandias

07-25-2006, 11:49 AM

Don't we have much this model today anyway? It's not an exact parallel, but today something like a movie will come out in the theaters at a price, then it'll be available as a rental at a lower price, and eventually it'll even be "free" to watch on TV. Seems as though this is a traditional windowing model IMO.

I guess I also wonder how many people might have been on the edge of trying it out but didn't might now decide to pull out the game and play some more. Might be a good way to bolster the community and online play time of older titles.

Just some thoughts.

Razlo

07-25-2006, 11:51 AM

I think it'll be good even for people who paid for it (like me) because there will be more people playing on the new maps. This happened with Halo 2 as well, so it shouldn't be too shocking.

Major Dan

07-25-2006, 11:57 AM

They have all ready done this with the Halo 2 maps and I for one hope this trend continues.

sTubbs

07-25-2006, 11:58 AM

I expected stuff like this to happen. Prices drop over time and I see no reason why Live would be any different. It might take a while but I would not be surprised if most downloadable content goes through this process when the attached game is a year or two old. Good way to rekindle some interest in a declining game.

(I know The Outfit is younger, but it is a mediocre game.)

Zanzibar

07-25-2006, 12:00 PM

The Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack was pretty similar, methinks. Charged for it early, free later. However, at least they were up-front about it, telling us WHEN they were going to make it free.

digitalErich

07-25-2006, 12:01 PM

I dont see a problem with this. If you didn't buy downloadable content X in the first month, you aren't going to buy it 2 months later. People that already paid for the content can't complain too loud, as the free content will bring new blood into the MP games that might have been thin a week ago.

Kamalot

07-25-2006, 12:01 PM

Lesson: Don't pay for downloads. If nobody downloads them, they become free.

Adam Blue

07-25-2006, 12:02 PM

I'm also going to say that they did the same thing with the Halo 2 mappack. That point hasn't been brought up yet.

bapenguin

07-25-2006, 12:03 PM

Lesson: Don't pay for downloads. If nobody downloads them, they become free.

Lesson 2: When you are a cheap-skate and everyone buys, downloads, and plays them...you are left to play with yourself.

GrinR

07-25-2006, 12:03 PM

Yes, of course. Look at pre-orders. There is a market for people who want it NOW and there is a separate market for those who want it whenever.

Kamalot

07-25-2006, 12:11 PM

Lesson 2: When you are a cheap-skate and everyone buys, downloads, and plays them...you are left to play with yourself.
You make it sound like playing with yourself is a bad thing. ;-)

Seriously though, patience is a virtue.

The Letter 3

07-25-2006, 12:37 PM

You make it sound like playing with yourself is a bad thing. ;-)

Seriously though, patience is a virtue.
But impulse buying is fun! And good for the economy! Do you hate the economy, you communist?

Mason

07-25-2006, 01:05 PM

How does this "suck" for anyone? If the product offered was worth the price they were asking, then it was a good deal for anyone who bought it. A future price drop doesn't affect anything, because everything except oil and land has a future price drop in some form or another.

If everyone followed Kamelot's advice, though, companies simply wouldn't put the content on Live. They aren't doing it because designing and testing levels is great family fun, they're doing it to make some low-overhead scratch by offering more content to their biggest fans. Just decide whether or not you're a "biggest fan" without regrets, as that's the only thing that matters.

If you're that into pinching pennies, why would you have a 360 and Live in the first place?

Kamalot

07-25-2006, 01:20 PM

If you're that into pinching pennies, why would you have a 360 and Live in the first place?
To play demos and communicate with friends.

Your comment is asinine. You insinuate that the only reason to have live is to buy incremental ad-ins, gamer pictures and themes?

I play the hell outta demos on Live and have even decided to purchase games based on those demos. More often than not, the demo has convinced me that the game is NOT worth the asking price.

Companies would still put content on Live even if nobody purchase it, because each content pack means that interest is renewed in the game. It is free advertising, that gets people playing, and buying, the game.

There are a TON of reasons to have Live without being bamboozled into paying for what will eventually be free updates.

Morangie

07-25-2006, 01:24 PM

The H2 maps had the same thing, but bungie said right from the beginning they would be free eventully. Wouldn't you be very annoyed if you bought this yesterday, not knowing they would be free today?

Kamalot

07-25-2006, 01:29 PM

The H2 maps had the same thing, but bungie said right from the beginning they would be free eventully. Wouldn't you be very annoyed if you bought this yesterday, not knowing they would be free today?
Agreed. The Halo 2 maps were handled well. Players paying for the maps did so with the understanding that they could save money if they were patient. They made an informed decision to pay to have the maps early.

Wyrm

07-25-2006, 01:37 PM

Yeah, I was going to bring up the Halo map packs as well. They became free after a period of time, which I thought was really cool. If you wanted them, you paid the money, and if not, you didnt.

GunnyMo

07-25-2006, 02:53 PM

The game sucked, no one wanted to pay for the pack so they give it away for free in hopes people will buy the game.

TrackZero

07-25-2006, 02:59 PM

I'm probably about to feel like a sucker then. I'm downloading the PDZ map pack 1 for 500 points right now. I bet this thing will be free within the month.

Kamalot

07-25-2006, 03:00 PM

The game sucked, no one wanted to pay for the pack so they give it away for free in hopes people will buy the game.
I saw the game for sale somewhere recently for $20 and almost grabbed it. I played the demo for a bit and, once I figured out what the hell was going on, really liked it!

dr_wily

07-25-2006, 03:06 PM

i just played the Kuna (? did i get that right) and marble blast demos last night and while fun, I can't imagine spending 10$ on each of them.. thats a classics title! like a real game like Kameo I'd be spending my money on, with a DVD and a case and everything..

point drops should happen, although blindsiding people with a 6$ expansion to free isnt very fair.. but I bet 90% of the people who bought the outfit's pack aint playing anymore.. hence the freebyness.. they probably do a whos-online-statistic and found their install base was dropping..

dr_wily

07-25-2006, 03:08 PM

I'm probably about to feel like a sucker then. I'm downloading the PDZ map pack 1 for 500 points right now. I bet this thing will be free within the month.

at least the new 20$ to 30$ price point makes up for it..

sucks if you bought it full price, but I guess its been what 8-9 months?

torrefaction

07-25-2006, 03:27 PM

The game sucked, no one wanted to pay for the pack so they give it away for free in hopes people will buy the game.

This game didn't suck in any way, shape, or form. The multiplayer is some of the most fun you can have on Live.

phantomhitman

07-25-2006, 03:31 PM

DeadScreenSky

07-25-2006, 04:17 PM

As mentioned already, this is great even for people that bought the map expansion. Now they get a bigger multiplayer base to play it with.

Morangie

07-25-2006, 04:41 PM

As mentioned already, this is great even for people that bought the map expansion. Now they get a bigger multiplayer base to play it with.

Just not so great for anyone who may have bought it in the last week or so.

TrackZero

07-25-2006, 04:49 PM

at least the new 20$ to 30$ price point makes up for it..

sucks if you bought it full price, but I guess its been what 8-9 months?

Since the map pack came out? Hell no. Since the game/system came out, yes.

TrackZero

07-25-2006, 04:49 PM

DeadScreenSky

07-25-2006, 05:05 PM

Just not so great for anyone who may have bought it in the last week or so.
Well it's not like it was $20, at least.

But I think it's actually a safe assumption that nobody bought it in the last two weeks, maybe even last month. :p

Kelegacy

07-25-2006, 06:05 PM

Seriously though, patience is a virtue.
Ain't that the truth. I've been saying this for years. (though not exclusively in videogame terms).

You may go far yet, grasshoppah.

Kelegacy

07-25-2006, 06:10 PM

Wow, I could see this a year or so out but this soon is crazy. Now the game hobos, like you bastards that wait until a game drops to $20, will just wait to buy the packs. Oh well, I guess we will see what other companies do.
Game hobos are GOOD for the industry. It shows companies that a lower priced game (if it sells well at a lower price tag) can be better than a high tag. Lower, affordable and more people will purchase. Higher means less buying fiends.

This is my arguement for the cost to develop and increased 360/PS3 game cost vs. large industry fan base. More people buying games at 50 bucks means that you don't need to charge 60 bucks just because the 360 is a "new machine". More fans = more money = development costs staying relatively the same across the generations when factoring in inflation/audience growth.

DeadScreenSky

07-25-2006, 06:42 PM

Or as I like to phrase it, you can't reach mass market popularity without mass market prices.

Kamalot

07-25-2006, 07:33 PM

Game hobos are GOOD for the industry. It shows companies that a lower priced game (if it sells well at a lower price tag) can be better than a high tag. Lower, affordable and more people will purchase. Higher means less buying fiends.

This is my arguement for the cost to develop and increased 360/PS3 game cost vs. large industry fan base. More people buying games at 50 bucks means that you don't need to charge 60 bucks just because the 360 is a "new machine". More fans = more money = development costs staying relatively the same across the generations when factoring in inflation/audience growth.
While you are right, DeadScreenSky sums it up better.

And I agree with both of you.

Twigz'N'Berries

07-25-2006, 09:50 PM

To play demos and communicate with friends.

Your comment is asinine. You insinuate that the only reason to have live is to buy incremental ad-ins, gamer pictures and themes?

I play the hell outta demos on Live and have even decided to purchase games based on those demos. More often than not, the demo has convinced me that the game is NOT worth the asking price.

IMO that was an overreaction. His comment wasn't asinine.

But I love the Game Hobos comment! The visual imagery was perfect.

Kamalot

07-26-2006, 05:21 AM

His comment wasn't asinine.Yes, it was. To insinuate that the only reason to have Live is to buy add-ons is the exact same as saying the only reason someone has a cell-phone is to download ringtones; and that's downright dumb.

TrackZero

07-26-2006, 05:37 AM

TrackZero

07-26-2006, 05:39 AM

Ain't that the truth. I've been saying this for years. (though not exclusively in videogame terms).

You may go far yet, grasshoppah.

You go and win one Ju Jitsu tournament and now you're going all Sensei on us. ;)

Animated X

07-26-2006, 08:22 AM

Thats one major think that I am worried about with digital distribution. Traditionally prices have dropped over time on retail games, but digital downloads (save for map packs) seem to rarely ever drop in price. Bankshot Billiards 2 is still 1200 points.

Mason

08-01-2006, 04:31 AM

Yes, it was. To insinuate that the only reason to have Live is to buy add-ons is the exact same as saying the only reason someone has a cell-phone is to download ringtones; and that's downright dumb.
Is that exactly what I said? I'm pretty sure not. Interesting how that kept evolving, though.

No, I was pointing out that the 360+Live is hardly the budget gaming option right now. If you got the $400 console and the HDTV, whether or not you pay a few bucks for some downloaded content should be a decision based on whether or not the content seems fun to you, and thus it shouldn't be some massively traumatic headshot if the content is free a few months later.

I know the thread is buried and dead, but still, be a little more fucking civil.

TrackZero

08-01-2006, 04:40 AM

Is that exactly what I said? I'm pretty sure not. Interesting how that kept evolving, though.

No, I was pointing out that the 360+Live is hardly the budget gaming option right now. If you got the $400 console and the HDTV, whether or not you pay a few bucks for some downloaded content should be a decision based on whether or not the content seems fun to you, and thus it shouldn't be some massively traumatic headshot if the content is free a few months later.

I know the thread is buried and dead, but still, be a little more fucking civil.

Mason, dude, if you think him calling your comment "dumb" isn't being civil, you're in the wrong forum. And I agree with Kamalot, your initial comment on the subject was badly worded at the least, and a silly comment otherwise.

Mason

08-01-2006, 11:12 AM

Sucks for anyone who paid for it.
How does this "suck" for anyone? If the product offered was worth the price they were asking, then it was a good deal for anyone who bought it. A future price drop doesn't affect anything, because everything except oil and land has a future price drop in some form or another.

If everyone followed Kamelot's advice, though, companies simply wouldn't put the content on Live. They aren't doing it because designing and testing levels is great family fun, they're doing it to make some low-overhead scratch by offering more content to their biggest fans. Just decide whether or not you're a "biggest fan" without regrets, as that's the only thing that matters.

If you're that into pinching pennies, why would you have a 360 and Live in the first place?
To insinuate that the only reason to have Live is to buy add-ons is the exact same as saying the only reason someone has a cell-phone is to download ringtones
Subtract one from the other and figure out the remainder. His responses aren't even remotely close to what I actually said. I initially couldn't figure out if he'd quoted the wrong post.

And the civility comment was directed more at the reading comprehension than any particular bit of name-calling. Saying rude things is pretty normal for some kids, but making up someone else's argument out of whole cloth? Gutsy.

So you agree with: "Don't pay for downloads. If nobody downloads them, they become free"? In the face of such obvious logical flaws, I applaud your courage. Not everyone has the fortitude to publicly agree with things that are wrong.

TrackZero

08-01-2006, 02:57 PM

Subtract one from the other and figure out the remainder. His responses aren't even remotely close to what I actually said. I initially couldn't figure out if he'd quoted the wrong post.

And the civility comment was directed more at the reading comprehension than any particular bit of name-calling. Saying rude things is pretty normal for some kids, but making up someone else's argument out of whole cloth? Gutsy.

So you agree with: "Don't pay for downloads. If nobody downloads them, they become free"? In the face of such obvious logical flaws, I applaud your courage. Not everyone has the fortitude to publicly agree with things that are wrong.

Ah, I've misread some of the comments then. No, I don't agree with that statement. Though I would say this does "suck" for the guy who paid for said extra content the day before it became free. Would you not agree?

Kamalot

08-01-2006, 03:50 PM

No, I was pointing out that the 360+Live is hardly the budget gaming option right now. If you got the $400 console and the HDTV, whether or not you pay a few bucks for some downloaded content should be a decision based on whether or not the content seems fun to you, and thus it shouldn't be some massively traumatic headshot if the content is free a few months later.

I know the thread is buried and dead, but still, be a little more fucking civil.Your point was not clear in your original post. Your comments in relation to the thread's subject matter insinuated that there was no other reason to own Live aside from buying content, not that Live and the 360 were considered expensive. Your vagueness prompted me to use the word "insinuate" when describing your post. In fact, my original response to you was in the form of a question. Your post above cuts out several posts that make up the whole context. Anyone that still cares is more than welcome to go back and read them.

And if you are interested in being civil, perhaps you should refrain from profanity in your posts.

"fucking civil" is far from it.

Kamalot

08-01-2006, 03:53 PM

If you're that into pinching pennies, why would you have a 360 and Live in the first place?This train of thought still implies that one can not be frugal and own a 360 with Live, which is false.

Mason

08-02-2006, 08:40 AM

And if you are interested in being civil, perhaps you should refrain from profanity in your posts.

"fucking civil" is far from it.
If your irony-meter hasn't beeped in a while, maybe it is time to change the batteries.
This train of thought still implies that one can not be frugal and own a 360 with Live, which is false.
If a rational and intelligent person was willing to give up immediate access to the latest pieces of game entertainment in order to save money (which is what you advocated, by telling people not to buy stuff off Live), then they wouldn't presently have a 360 and Live. There are zillions of great and cheap PS2 games that were badly underplayed, the 360 isn't even close to giving you the same amount of entertainment for the money.

If you bought a 360, you paid a premium to get access to the latest technology and games. Anyone who waits until next year could probably get that system and all the current games for a lot less. Does this make you stupid for paying extra to play those games now instead of next year? If not, why does it make someone stupid for buying content off of Live, when that content might be cheaper or free at some point in the future?

That said, you probably didn't choose to purchase a 360 any more than you choose to keep breathing. Reasoning with fanboys FTL.