Why do most people assume that DLC is bad? Rockband's prices are pretty fair (although I prefer $1 songs). There are some good game on Arcade (Pacman C.E., Geo Wars, etc.) and what's wrong with paying for extra maps? If you really like the multiplayer, get the maps.

Don't buy stupid DLC and you wont feel bad about it.

Akira119

Well, when we consider two Halo map packs, a CoD4 map pack, Rock Band and Guitar Hero, plus recent XBLA games...

Hopanoe

I've paid for my fair share of Rock Band tracks and the Call of Duty map pack. Has MS ever released a list of the most purchased Xbox Live Arcade games? The Braid thread has me wondering what the numbers are for that list.

Pornosaur

@get2theDeLorean: I know what you mean... same thing happened to me with Halo 3 and Gears maps...

Its still worth the money, so when the GotY edition comes out, its more expensive than the original version...

well, except for gears, that was the same price.

Darrisbob1

The only real things I've bought on the XBLA have been Ikaruga and Rez HD. The only actual DLC (As in, not full games) that I've gotten are the free ones for Dead Rising and Crackdown.

Although I've been tempted to nab the Crackdown one. I mean, come on. Harpoon gun.

Lyrai

@Darrisbob1: I know i'm guilty of it. swear you wont waste your cash on a few maps until 3 of your best gamer buddies decide to buy it and you are left on the outside looking in..

get2theDeLorean

@BoringJob: The only saving is in convenience, and that is true. But there is a lack of competition. And with no competition, the Developers have free range in their sales price.

Thats not going to change, as the Developers own their games rights.

Darrisbob1

I did buy the horse armor...all of oblivion's DLC.

I loved oblivion. and i'd do it for Fallout 3.

I bought the mass effect DLC too...I only buy the DLC for games I like....which really isn't alot considering.

Vecha

I spend alot on video content as well. I have a 120gig HDD, so I have alot of my favorite shows, like Scrubs and Comedy Central Presents.

This Summer is going to be big for DLC sales with Braid, Bionic Commando, Castle Crashers, GeoWars2, and other Arcade sales.

Darrisbob1

This doesn't count arcade games?

Besides, every DLC isn't bad.. The maps in Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 are worth it to some people...

Katorok

I've dropped a couple of hundred dollars on Live between 100 or so Rock Band songs, 10 or so arcade games, 20 or so TV episodes, and random movie rentals. I think Live is great with the exception of the monthly charge.

Strangelove

The main problems with DLC and fully downloadable games is that there is no savings. Downloadable games cost as much as their disc based counterparts. More and more devs are leavinf completed stuff off the disc to make more as DLC available upon release.

The promise of DLC hasn't been held up and instead is being used to rape us in most instances.

BoringJob

@get2theDeLorean:

Never will I buy DLC. And you can take that to the M$ Bank.

IceCold

@get2theDeLorean: WFT

Darrisbob1

@LittleBigPlaneteer:

Follow up for those that don't know: Ace Combat 6's DLC totals around $120US (roughly 9750 points)

LittleBigPlaneteer

Half of that is probably Ace Combat 6 DLC :P

LittleBigPlaneteer

yes lets all bitch about it in here then go buy some more when nobody is looking.

get2theDeLorean

@terminalraptor: Uhh... boo hoo? Maybe you should have done some research.

Even if you bought CoD4 early, you should have worked up the funds to shell out the 800 points for maps.

Your friends haven't had as much time with it as you, if thats the case.

And again, thats not really a big deal.

Darrisbob1

*Sigh* All those casual gamers with their mommy's credit card and grade 5 diploma.

IceCold

@ArmyofJuan: I think its a large amount, as soon DLC will be a main focus in almost every game. Some Developers may take their disk project games and decide to make it full download, sort of like how WarHawk was DL or disk. It can reduce the costs of packaging by 100%.

It all depends on the sales of 2008-2011 DLC, as the next gen systems could depend on this system.

Darrisbob1

A fool and his money...
I'm still pissed about COD:4's map pack. I paid full retail for it when it came out and then am told I have to pay 800 MS Buckazoids for more maps. Then a bunch of my friends pick up the Game of the Year addition later for $60 with the maps included. Of course, now I'm in the minority of people who don't have the map pack.

Needless to say I've been boycotting the whole thing on principle.

I really wish they'd give Gold members almost all the DLC for free and still charge silver, and give ALL of silver some free form of matchmaking. I'm rather hoping something good comes from the competition with Sony.

terminalraptor

@ArmyofJuan: Considering a lot of DLC only costs $2-$5, and only a small percentage of gamers probably buy DLC regularly, yeah, id say its a lot.

Luke Plunkett

I expected it to be much more, especially with all the Rock Band DLC. But if $180 million of that is in the last 12 months i'm sure a good chunk of it is Rock Band DLC.

Of course this doesn't include Xbox Live Gold subscriptions, I wonder how much they have made on those...

XbhaskarX

congrats to them, its great for games like rock band and such.

though having bought the stranglehold additional levels, as well as the beautiful katamari ones (...) i'm clearly part of the problem.

TheIrishNinja

Most of that for me has been Rock Band Songs... I have all of them except for the Thrash pack for crying out loud.

gamedismantler

I know that I had to of spent at least $200 Million... I just had to have every episode of Scrubs and I needed to save up for Braid...

Darrisbob1

Is it just me, or does that not seem like that much considering how long the system has been out for and how many things there on marketplace to purchase.

ArmyofJuan

@Syco Killer:

I just got AC6, and the skins are within impulse purchase.

MonkeyBiz

P.S. I shall long for the day that gaming wasn't only fun, but affordable too. =(

Syco Killer

that's a lot of money

resetbutton

$240 million in transactions. I wonder what Microsoft's take is on that. Does anyone know the distribution of wealth for live games?

MonkeyBiz

I foresee many $10 'Mission Modes' and '4-map packs' in our future.

Arttemis

And all ten of them should be taken out back and shot.

Unfortunately, you're right, as I know about ten or more who's bought close to all the AC6 DLC.

Syco Killer

Thanks impressive for just DLC.

Servant_of_Jashin

Funny, I just won 1600 MS points, and am now deciding what to buy with them..

Thugmunk

I guess you could say I've contributed a bit to that total. And I haven't regretted any of it. I only bought the things that I felt were worth it in my eyes. Shivering Isles for Oblivion and the Skin Packs for Lumines are a couple of examples.

And the way I see it: If people are willing to fork over money for something as silly as cheat codes, then why the hell not? :p

The Black Pigeon

My wallet is lucky that there isn't much iM@S content out there...

scotty

Soon we'll be buying a games title screen and we'll have to buy every character, enemy, weapon, and stage..piece by piece.

I sure as hell can't wait!

Darkest Daze

Eh, never bought add-ons for my games, and to tell you the truth, the last game I bought from Arcade was Castlevania SotN. I have 200 MS points sitting in my original account, but unfortunately, since MS screwed up the original account, I have no access to them (a moot point right now anyway, since, shortly after I made a statement about the durability of my 360 on here, I get red-ringed...shoulda kept my big trap shut (still under warranty, though).

relic1980

I'm glad for the little DLC I got, except the Heroic Map Pack, that was a mistake. I don't even own the game, but I was excited and had it loaned out from a bud. Between Rez, Puzzle Quest, and Ninja Gaiden Black, I'd like to think that for 35$ and countless hours of fun is worth it. I'm bored of all of them now though. Looking forward to Braid, or Bionic Commando, not sure which I'd like to get more, both look exciting in their own ways.

Talleh

I never buy DLC, but obviously my stance is not hurting them. Please stop supporting DLC, it just makes companies take things out of their games and putting them online for over and above cost. Look at SoulCaliberIV, the DLC came out days after the game launched.

RaepGoblin

I've always been a bit wary of DLC apart from the XBLA stuff. Perhaps I've been spoiled on free patches from my years of playing PC games, but I've always been reluctant to pay for map packs and such. All the more power to you if you find it worth spending, but paying $10 or even $5 for a bunch of maps they could easily have just packaged with the game at retail always seems a bit...sly to me.

SilentSeraphin

i'm one of those 10 individuals who downloaded idolM@ster DLC for AC 6 and PROUD OF IT!!!!!!!

and what's to say most didn't come from Japan and The idolM@ster DLC instead???

if that game ever came to US, i would be downloading all those clothing and accessory sets EVERYDAY!!!

not to mention all those XBLArcade games...which i enjoy casually here and there...

good job, MS!!!! keep it up!! be looking forward to losing more money when Castle Crashers come up end of the month!!

icepick314

As a regular purchaser of Rock Band DLC (and a guy who has picked up Bring Down the Sky) I have to say I'm pretty happy with the content I've downloaded thus far and the price I've paid for it.

LoopyChew

@Darkest Daze:

^I lol'ed

@RaepGoblin:

^That. Stop it, you mugs.

chobe

Only regrets I have as far as DLC goes is for Gamerpics I didn't see the set of beforehand and themes that I didn't see either. Luckily, I've grown apathetic towards non-free themes (unless it's a game or art style I REALLY like, like the AC6 themes), and haven't changed my Golden Garuda logo since the day I got it, and don't plan to until the McFarlane Halo pics come out, if ever.

Sometimes, I have regrets about buying Ace of Aces missions for AC6, but it really gives a good challenge and breathes some new life into the game, not to mention I can point to it and go, "Yeah, I'm an Ace Combat masochist."

RedRaptor

I bought a picture pack once. I'll regret it until the day I die.

On the bright side, I buy all the Dreamcast ports like they're going out of style!

dowingba

So that's $20 a head for each LIVE member... sounds a lot but I guess I've spent that much on points at least.

Can't remember what I bought though...

f0cus

$180mil since last year? Methinks downloadable songs for Rock Band and Guitar Hero have helped greatly here... the only other DLC that might have been as big would be the Halo or COD4 map packs.

freakout

Maybe we should run a poll. Find out how much of that $240 million came right out of Kotaku commentor pockets.

WittyUserName

I'd like to kick all that contributed in the balls. You're fucking shit up for all the people that aren't retarded. Stop it.

fulgore66

I've probably put about $150+ into XBLA games and downloadable maps for my favorite games, like COD4, Halo 3, GRAW, etc. I'm a big fan of the old school arcade games, so I end up putting a lot of money into arcade, which is fine with me, because I enjoy the games. In terms of downloadable content for games, I usually skip superficial stuff, like horse armor, but I will buy new multiplayer maps and weapons, new missions, gameplay modes, etc.

DugDawg

I too am guilty of purchasing some AC6 skins.

ReyDEEEEZY

Hell I don't even know what I have spent in the last year on the marketplace. Since I've had the system from day one of launch I have probably spent well over $1000. I just love buying arcade games. I over 130 arcade games and I bought 3 Xbox originals. Plus all the add-ons for games I own and the pile of themes an pics. Now since I just finally got Rock Band I am going to get addicted to the new songs to download. I have already downloaded over $20 worth of music.

DazeOfWar

"$240 million... with $180 million of that just in the last 12 months"

Rock Band: "OK Microsoft, you can thank us now."
Microsoft: *Gets down on knees*
Rock Band: "Whoa, hey! Please, stand up. That's really not necessary, but we appreciate the thought."

BruzeWayne

The real question is: How much money isn't being spent on DLC, but is the unusable remainder of MS points that Microsoft gets to keep to themselves, in addition to their slice of the DLC pie?

Microsoft you know I love what you do. I just hate the way you go about doing it. Which is fundamentally why Apple's stock is worth 7x yours (on a bad day) and it's going to stay that way for a long, long time.

Greedy bastards.

(Still mad about Braid and Castle Crashers' pricing, and that fucking horse armor, and at Namco for making EA seem like philanthropists when it comes to DLC pricing.)

stranger

@Thugmunk:

*narrows eyes*

I see what you did there

Sureve