So I play a lot of games and try not do pour too much money into it but lately it seems that the game companies are doing everything possible to suck the most money out of each game. Above is a screen shot from Portal 2 where you can deck out your character with fun little decals. Many games come with customization especially when it comes to online play, it's a way to distinguish your individuality in a sea of other players who look exactly like yours does. Well in Portal 2 they opened up online play that allows you to run though mind bending puzzles with a partner. With this new multi-player mode like many other companies Valve added the option to customize your self but for a price. Prices listed are British Pounds and seriously hope that the price isn't a direct conversion to Dollars because it would be putting it at around $7 just to make it so you have a little color. To top it all off your already paying $60 (console) or $50 (PC) just to play the game in the first place.
I point out Portal 2 because it just recently came out and was the most outrageous. Many other games have done similar things like Dragon Age 2 looking to sell DLC (downloadable content) before the game was even released. As well, many MMO (massively multi-player online-game) games selling in game items for money. The major problem with all of these is that it's something that really should have been included in the price of the game.
Improving a game that has been released and expecting some monetary compensation for theses improvements isn't that big of a deal and has been happening for many years. Usually this is done though an expansion pack for a game. Expansions usually cost a little less than the original game but much more than the cost of DLC but for the most part the amount of content included in an expansion is near the amount of content included in the original game and well worth the cost. MMOs will often charge a monthly fee and if I like the game enough I am willing to spend the money due to the fact that MMOs are frequently updated and new content added with no extra cost beyond the subscription fees.
Free-to-Play games have been starting to become more popular recently. They offer the game for free but support the game though micro-transactions that range from game items that effect game play or cosmetic changes that doesn't effect the game. Those are reasonable to a point just because the game is free in the first place. I feel like blabbing more about the free to play games but feel that should be saved for another post.
One last thing to point out that really drives me nut. XBOX Live, yes Microsoft can't keep it's hand out of the video game cookie jar. Imagine you just your hands on an XBOX 360 pop in one of your favorite multi-player games like Call of Duty: Black Ops (my favorite) just to findout that before you start tearing it up with thousands to players around the world you need to pay for your game... again $10 per month or $60 per year. I play on the PlayStation 3 for a few reasons mainly because of XBOX Live I have different complaints with Sony but at least the PlayStation Network doesn't require a monthly fee. I really despise having to pay for a game that I already payed for. Then you throw in the the online markets similar to Ipod store and the Android Market and your throwing in even more fuel on the multi-billion dollar market. Better stop there or I'll just keep raging.
*Just wanted to point out that I actually like Dragon age 2 and Portal 2 just get ticket at the extent of the greed
