390°

Naughty Dog Does DLC Right - Will Others Follow?

Gamers of the Lost Spark: With Sony announcing that Uncharted 4’s Multiplayer experience will be underpinned by a new philosophy of ‘Fairness First’ the Sparks are stunned and elated to hear that all future maps and modes will be included in the game for free and that vanity and gameplay in-game store items will all be attainable by gameplay.

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gamersofthelostspark.com
ShadowKnight2947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

Hopefully they will learn from Uncharted 4 and the Witcher devs.

freshslicepizza2947d ago

naughty dog is also learning from themselves. they had microtransactions in the last of us. you could buy a weapon that was easy and overpowering to give players a leg up on the competition. thats not good dlc in my books.

ShadowKnight2947d ago

I'm talking about Uncharted 4

Aloy-Boyfriend2947d ago

Awesome

I gave a lot of feedback on that issue. Glad they listened

Gazondaily2946d ago

The big omission is lack of dedicated servers in Uncharted 4. I'd rather have dedis than free dlc

_-EDMIX-_2947d ago

Learn what exactly? Gaming is something that's subjective I'm not sure why people try to put objective understandings to something that's subjective. the reality is you're going to find developers that you believe do DLC right in the same respect you're going to find developers by your own logic you feel do games right in general lol.

By that understanding a team having good DLC is no different than somebody believing a team having a good game in general let's be honest it's not as if we hold all games in high regard. The same is probably going to be with downloadable content.

If we're going to say this about DLC we might as well start going around and saying well "we hope other developers learn from this and make good games" lol. I'm glad you guys think it's that easy...

I mean that notion sounds a bit ignorant and almost childish.

TFJWM2947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

I have to disagree. They are not talking about the quality of the DLC being good or bad, they are talking about how the DLC is being deployed.

Take Battlefront as an example the game is done really well and the DLC is well made, but cutting a huge amount of Day 1 content to then sell it as DLC with a season pass is "bad DLC practices".

ND is giving away these maps and modes for free. They could easily charge for them and the DLC might even worth it but it would still would not be "the right way to do DLC"

Telling developers that this is how we want our DLC deployed is totally different than telling a developer to "make a good game"

Kribwalker2947d ago

This is what MS did for halo 5.

YinYangGaming2947d ago

Haven't games like the witcher 3 and Halo 5 already done this?

Paytaa2947d ago

Yes, but it's nice to see a trend going on even when it should be the norm.

MasterCornholio2947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

Killzone ShadowFall did that as well.

http://gamerant.com/killzon...

“To increase longevity even further, we plan to continue support for the title well after launch — and yes, DLC multiplayer maps will be released free of charge to ensure everyone can play.”

@Edmix

I even remembered a time when online was free and we had these huge DLCs called expansion packs. I still remember enjoying the heck out of HalfLifes Opposing Force expansion pack.

But the article does make a point. And that's if developers like Naughty Dog, 343, Guerilla Games and CD Project Red give away free DLC other developers can do the same.

P.S I forgot to mention DriveClub that game had free DLC as well. Plus FF14.

Free DLC is nothing new but it's a good thing for developers to do.

_-EDMIX-_2947d ago

Lol so you guys are upset that for a fact someone's disproving the theory that this is something brand new? Where were some of you guys last generation where DICE/EA was giving free DLC to many of the Battlefield games?

_-EDMIX-_2947d ago

Agreed. I just feel many times when people write articles like this, they do seem to disregard a lot of developers that have been doing this exact same thing for Generations now.

PistolsAtDawn2947d ago

True, if all those big dogs can do it, there's a lot more companies that can as well (although I don't mind supporting the little studios that have less room in their budgets). As far as DC, true they did free DLC, but as I remember it...that was more of an after thought because the launch was botched...so If I remember that one correctly, that particular one is like a 50/50 in my eyes. Had the launch gone perfectly, not sure they would have done it....kinda like how MCC had a botched launch so they gave away free maps and Reach.

Silly gameAr2946d ago (Edited 2946d ago )

@EDMIX

I think it's the people that are trying to prove that its nothing new are the one's that's upset.

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shabz6662947d ago

Yeah halo 5 is really doing it well. Free map packs for days.

ShadowKnight2947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

They should be doing it well especially after playing that single player campaign. One of the worse campaign in the entire series imo 😕

shabz6662947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

@shadowKnight lol yes true true. Omg that story was so bad. I'm such a halo fan and even I couldn't find anything redeemable in that campaign. Those hub missions which just want you to go to someone and talk and calling it a chapter once the objective is complete, just so bad. Can't believe no one has reached close to high bar story telling like nd has. Tlou should be a template of how to do cinematic game story telling and character development. Cinematic campaigns and roller coaster rides. Halo 6 campaign needs some of that

S2Killinit2947d ago

Now If only they could have made a proper game. That single player campaign set a new low for halo.

Tobsesan2947d ago

@shabz6661
You mean Storytelling in cutcene after cutcene after cutcene? Playing UC4 right now and it has way too many. Hope it changes since im only 2-3h in.

ShadowKnight2947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

@Tobsesan Yes it does have great cut scenes and a lot of gameplay since the game takes 16 to 18 hours to complete. One of the best games I played this year. Way better than Halo 5 campaign imho. ND balanced the game play and cutscenes extremely well .

shabz6662947d ago

@Tobsessan Well yeah that's a problem with uc specifically.

Tlou was better at this coz they had a character progression system and pseudo rpg elements. The game had more game elements than uncharted.

Uncharted is straight up left trigger right trigger and press x to jump to next ledge game play. The quality of the game totally depended on set pieces and quality of characters in those cut scenes. That's why uc1 hasn't aged that well. But uc2 has aged well , even though mechanically the 2 games are identical. Only difference is quality of set pieces and characters.

Tobsesan2947d ago

@ShadowKnight

Well Halo isnt all about SP like Uncharted is. Most people play it for MP. But you are right, the Story wasnt that great for a Halo game, but still way better as the most games in its genre.

DigitalRaptor2946d ago (Edited 2946d ago )

"Most people play it for MP"

Where's your measure of this?

Oh by the way, if early impressions and reviews are anything to go by, the game opens up a TON in later chapters of the game. Many have said that it's to ground the story and establish a very strong narrative. I wouldn't worry about gameplay at all in Uncharted 4. The environments are massive and the gameplay is extremely dynamic and less linear than in previous games.

Gazondaily2946d ago

Let's be honest. Halo 5 mp smashes so many other pretenders this gen.

And its doing it right. Loads of wicked maps constantly.

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_-EDMIX-_2947d ago

Haven't games sense the ability to have downloadable content done this?

I'm pretty positive since we've had an infrastructure to allow for downloadable content we've had developers that have offered free content. I still don't really get this myth that this free content is something brand new as I'm pretty positive many people have cited other companies and even made a long detailed list of companies that have offered free content in the past.

Wallstreet372947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

Your giving credit where its not due. Killzone and GG games started tht trend :)
Just an fyi @hit Sony even did it during ps3 games too, those games u mentioned learned from Sony.

PistolsAtDawn2947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

...and Gears of War announced it already....and other companies have done it.

Seems weird that someone would actually write an article saying that other companies should take UC4's lead on this one....it's like they haven't been paying attention to gaming at all. Sure it's a good move, but UC4 didn't set the trend. Either way, I do see that it's right and a great move by ND...I also can't help but notice some of the same people on this thread said it was "stupid to release an unfinished game" when Halo 5 did it. I very specifically remember people saying it was an "excuse to release an unfinished game....if everything was free, why not include it at launch"

So of course I'm all in favor of DLC, although if DLC expansions are significant I don't mind paying for them at all either if the price is right. Case in point....for Fallout 4, I would not have paid for the first two expansions, I would pay for "Far harbor"

jb2272946d ago

Witcher 3 didn't offer any online mode or dlc to my knowledge & Halo 5 never offered any sp dlc. Uncharted 4 is the only game of the 3 that will eventually offer potentially great versions of both.

For my money, TLOU Left Behind was one of the single greatest sp dlc's ever...it told its own complete & unique story that fleshed out the full game in a supplementary form, added entirely new combat, environments & gameplay mechanics, and wasn't developed until after the full game shipped. That is DLC done right by me.

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Hold_It2947d ago

Halo 5 and The Witcher 3 did this long before Uncharted 4 was a concept for development. Clickbait title is clickbait.

Aloy-Boyfriend2947d ago

Yeah U4 is also in the that group of the "Good DLC"

Will others follow?

Wallstreet372947d ago

Killzone and other Sony games did this before Halo and Witcher. Learn where it began lol it was Sony. I know yoy might not like the facts but lets not give credit where its not due lol

Aloy-Boyfriend2947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

People shouldn't really be arguing about who did it first. It's dumb!

Guerrilla Games, Evolution studios, Nintendo, CD project Red, 343i, Rainbow six Siege devs, and now Naughty Dog (in particular order this gen. Hopefully I didn't miss one) have opened the gates for other bigger, more greedy companies to follow

Pretty sure the writer is aware of previous games doing so, but the question still remains and it is relevant to the mayority that still aren't following

Wallstreet372947d ago (Edited 2946d ago )

Whos arguing? Setting the record straight. Whats dumb is telling ppl what they can and can't comment on. We all have opinions and we are all on a public site to share what we know or give opinions.

Septic just had to smash your delusions 😂 also socom also did this years ago but.....

"Microsft has been known to require developers to charge for dlc when the developers would rather release their content for free......
Some content has even been witheld because the developer refused to charge what Microsoft requured" lol

Epic games was required by Microsoft to implement fees for downloads when releasing content for their Microsoft published game "Gears of War"

Lol Septic you stay talking fanboy bs but Gears actually did the opposite and started the worst trend of charging for stuff tht should have been free and epic wanted free

If your wondering where that info came from, it came from dlc wiki lol I love schooling fanboys like yoy lol nice try though

Gazondaily2946d ago

Gears of War 1 did it for free first lol.

Record straight hehe.

slappy5082947d ago (Edited 2947d ago )

Free maps? I love that, maps should never be behind a pay wall l, it divides the player Base. I believe Plant V Zombies 2 and Halo 5 have done this already though .
I hope EA does this with Battlefield 1 like for Plants v Zombies

Wallstreet372947d ago

Sony games like killzone did this long ago just an fyi

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80°

Every PlayStation Studios game available now on Windows PC

Windows Central writes: "Many PlayStation Studios games that are ported to PC get dedicated PS5 DualSense support, which allows users to experience haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support without actually having to own a PS5.

According to Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, it's still the company's intent to launch the bigger single-player games on PS5 first, before later bringing the games to PC. This might not be the case for multiplayer games however, which are considered okay to launch simultaneously on console and PC."

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windowscentral.com
ocelot0714h ago

My guess is after god of war. Probably last of us 2 that's a almost 4 year old game now and by the time it's released on pc it will be more than 4 years old or close to 5.

Elda8h ago

Every old Playstation game that is now on PC.

XiNatsuDragnel7h ago

Good at least they can sell hardware

220°

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie. This is something of a homecoming, as Microsoft owns Activision.

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engadget.com
Obscure_Observer1d 1h ago

Very very early in development. Still, fantastic news!

Let´s GO!!!

Lightning7723h ago

I guess.

How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )

At least it wouldn't be MS of all ppl destroying them.

MS really should let go Tango go like they did TFB here.

darthv7223h ago(Edited 23h ago)

one was under Bethesda (Tango) the other under Activision (TFB). Clearly each one handled the separations of their subordinates differently.

Obscure_Observer22h ago(Edited 22h ago)

"How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )"

Perhaps because Zenimax and ABK handles such matters differently based on their own internal policies as "independent" publishers.

Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future. Which could also be the reason why they ensured an exclusive partnership with TFB and its new game, before anyone else.

Sad and disgusting. But it is what it is.

Lightning7719h ago(Edited 18h ago)

"Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future."

MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB.

It's inexcusable, they have options on how to handle studios they don't want anymore with killing jobs. Not just MS but the rest of the industry also.

Sad and disgusting sure how many will get shut down next year or this year even?

I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another.

Obscure_Observer11h ago(Edited 11h ago)

"MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB."

Imo, MS separated from TFB because they didn´t had a game associated with Xbox yet, unlike Tango.

"I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another."

Fair enough. It was indeed an epic dumb move from them to close Tango.

Still, all to be forgotten, like always have. This is not the first time a big publisher shuts down a beloved and/or successful studio out of nowhere and certainly won´t be the last. Do you remember Lionhead? Do you remember Evolution Studios? Yeah... both were beloved studios and yet, those companies kill those studios in q blink of an eye and got away with it.

anast8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

The studio boss made some money from this transaction. Once the game releases, the studio will get chopped up.

-Foxtrot1d 1h ago

Manages to buy their freedom especially after all the shit Microsoft has been doing with its studios lately

...

Goes right back to them as partners.

Okaaaaaay...

darthv7223h ago

Id venture a guess that TFB working directly with MS was a better outcome than working through Activision to get to MS.

VersusDMC21h ago

From the article...

"Toys for Bob spun out as an indie back in February after Microsoft instituted sweeping layoffs that impacted 86 employees, which was more than half of the staff"

I doubt those 86 employees enjoyed the Microsoft experience over Activisions.

Inverno20h ago

MS shuts down studios because of lack of resources and then helps these guys by giving em resources. Also MS is what forced them to buy their freedom in the first place? What kind of logic 😂

Chevalier17h ago

The best thing is that the company that is worth $3 trillion and owns the company instead of Xbox lacks resources. How the hell does a company worth $3 trillion making a measly $70 billion purchase they 'can't' support. Lol

Sciurus_vulgaris23h ago(Edited 23h ago)

Xbox’s gaming division seems to still function as 3 semi-autonomous sub-divisions, Xbox Studios, Bethesda and ABK. The three main sub-divisions can seemingly shut down or build studios and set up partnerships independently. This would explain why Bethesda can recently shutdown studios, while ABK spins off one studio, while building a new one. Plus, Toys for Bob could be spun off by ABK, only to immediately re-partner with Microsoft.

Chevalier17h ago

That's absolutely 💯 BS. Any sane 'autonomous' company would NOT put their games on Gamepass day 1 like COD will lose probably billions.

Also they're all under Xbox game studios so any autonomy is an illusion.

PhillyDonJawn5h ago

No, I'm sure MS can and does step in when they want something done specifically but I'm also sure they let them also work independently

Elda17h ago

Either a kiddie game or something uninteresting.

Obscure_Observer11h ago

Don´t worry. You won´t be playing it anyway since their next game will possible be a next gen Xbox console game.

PhillyDonJawn5h ago

Right probably something like astrobot

romulus234h ago

Nah he said "uninteresting", lots of people are interested in Astro Bot.

Elda2h ago

Never Astro Bot. Astro Bot looks better than any exclusive released on XB this entire generation & believe there hasn't been much.

Asplundh2h ago

Crash 4 was good, so I'm hopeful.

PhillyDonJawn58m ago

Hey you said that about SOT and looks like many ppl on PS is playing it. You also found bugsnax interesting ffs your opinion hold no weight lol.

Elda33m ago(Edited 29m ago)

Bugsnax is BS, tried it & quickly deleted it. It's a game that fits right on Gamepass. PS5 owners that are probably playing the boring SOT you could count on one hand. LMAO!!...don't try to come for me.

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130°

What Happens to Your Steam Account When You Die?

The Outerhaven writes: While Steam has come out recently, stating that Steam accounts can't be transferred, we need to think about it since we all will eventually kick the bucket. But if Valve is denying transferring accounts, what can be done? Plenty, actually.

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theouterhaven.net
thorstein2d ago

It goes to my kids because I gave them the passwords.

To Steam: Missio has a song that conveys my feelings about you stealing my purchase after I die. It's called "Middle Fingers"

shinoff21831d 7h ago

Pretty much. My son knows my info.

Abear211d 7h ago

Yeah worrying about digital ownership when you’re on the other side of the grass seems a little strange, but also on brand for these millennial journalists to worry about.

qalpha16h ago

I'm sure Keith will be happy to hear he's a millennial journalist.

Goodguy011d 11h ago

I suppose if I have kids, I'd just give em my account details by retirement age. If I die young then...idk lol.

CrimsonWing691d 8h ago

Yea, I mean just give someone the password to your account. Is that difficult to do or something? Like, I’m legit asking because I don’t know.

anast1d 6h ago (Edited 1d 6h ago )

It's not difficult but It's against the policy. If they find out, they will lock the account permanently.

CrimsonWing691d 5h ago

Ah ok, I had a feeling there was something like that. It seems kind of weird that you can’t just hand your account over to a family member or friend and let them take over the account.

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