When Microsoft first announced the points system and microtransactions for Xbox 360 a few years back, many critics feared it would trigger a trend where game publishers would suddenly charge for the things that gamers once expected as built-in incentive in their games. While most games have some form of DLC, the worst offender of post-purchase price gouging is undoubtedly Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
To date, Namco Bandai has released over 35 extra planes, and while some are free downloads, most cost 200 points ($2.50) each, and others -- the notorious Idolmaster planes (based on and skinned with imagery from Namco's Japan-only Idolmaster game) -- command 400 Microsoft points ($5.00) apiece.
To get to the bottom of this particular business decision to exploit Ace Combat fans, 1UP decided to grill Namco on the topic and ask them who exactly they think has all this money to spend on their planes and whether they plan to continue this sort of practice in the future.
