Capcom: RE5 Charged DLC Complaints are "BS"
Svensson Calls BS on Complaints Aimed at Resident Evil 5 Versus DLC
Zombies, or variations thereof, have been the staple of Resident Evil since the original on Sony's Playstation, but claims of racism spread across forums and blogs when the debut trailer for RE5 showed white protagonist Chris stuck in Africa amidst mobs of black “zombie” antagonists.
Just as the racial controversy finally died down, a new controversy arose when Capcom announced downloadable content (DLC) for the game before it was even released.
The Infamous Resident Evil 5 Versus DLC
Planned for release in a few weeks, the “Versus DLC” will cost $5 (400 MS points) for an addition to the "Mercenaries" mode, and an all new mode of play. The Mercenaries mode allows up to two players to fight endless swarms of enemies under time contraints--shooting for the high score. The DLC will allow up to four players. The all new mode will be a seemingly standard deathmatch style of play, in which four players compete directly against one another in arena-style battles.
Much of the DLC controversy is a result of gamers’ still sour feelings about Capcom charging for alternative costumes in Street Fighter IV. The costumes were presumably already completed and even included on the disc when the game released in stores, but require small DLC costume keys, costing $4 per five costumes, resulting in a full $20 extra for “unlocking” all the alternative costumes in the game, content which many gamers argued should have been free.
Gamers’ main gripe is this: if new games cost $60 ($10 more than a few years ago), shouldn’t things like alternative costumes and extra modes of play already be available? Why do these (seemingly trivial) additions cost extra?
Capcom VP Calling BS on DLC Complaints
Christian Svensson, Capcom’s vice president of strategic planning & business, with little empathy for gamers’ complaints, responded to the outcry on the Capcom forums by saying, “This is the part where I have to call ‘BS.’”
Svensson goes on to say that Resident Evil 5 is well worth the money. Svensson argues that Capcom has to charge for the additional content "because it did not fit within the production budget of the base product." Supposedly, the extra time and money it takes to create the content justifies the extra cost to gamers.
But many gamers aren’t buying it.
Unlike most DLC add-ons that give gamers new weapons, levels, maps, characters, etc., the RE5 DLC will merely use in-game assets to create new game modes. Many gamers argue that this does not warrant an added cost.
Svensson adds even more fuel to the fire by suggesting, “If you don’t find value in our secondary offerings, the choice is simple, don’t purchase it.” This comment is, at best, insensitive, and, at worst, insulting.
Even if the RE5 DLC creates a fun multiplayer add-on that extends the game’s lifespan long enough to justify a $5 pricetag, Capcom will still have lost numerous paying customers who think $65 is just too much for the “full” game, and even more who are offended by Svensson’s offhanded reply. And if the DLC doesn’t add any significant content, even loyal Resident Evil fans are likely to feel burned.
A Suggestion to Game Companies
Cost has been a sensitive issue for gamers ever since $60 became the norm for brand new games. Because of that 20% price hike, gamers have regarded charged DLC with suspicion, thinking game companies might be deliberately holding back content so they can charge for it later.
However, free DLC is highly appreciated. Consumers enjoy free gifts and take it as a sign of appreciation. Capcom released free DLC in the form of costumes and outfits for their (then new) franchise Dead Rising a few years ago.
DLC does not have to directly make money to make money. DLC is meant to extend the shelf life of a game—spiking sales and preventing the game from dropping in retail price while newer games release, and even giving the game free publicity on video game news sites, forums and blogs.
Gamers don't expect philanthropy from their favorite companies. DLC that sigificantly adds to a game is expected to cost a little bit extra. However, DLC that is expected to be free but comes with a cost, such as Capcom's latest efforts, enrages fans who feel as if they are being ripped off.
Whether or not Capcom continues to charge for DLC, at the very least, "calling BS" on customer complaints is simply bad business.
RE5 causes more than just racial controversy
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