Oddworld and Day One DLC
 

In the wake of Evolve's DLC there seems to be quite a movement against day one DLCs and, a lot of discussion of how to approach DLC in general, and a pretty big anti-preorder movement. I wonder if anyone at JAW or OWI have been reading this discussion.

Reading these various threads this practice has turned A LOT of people off the game (as far as online communities are concerned). In my opinion Alf's Escape seems like a very fair DLC package. Although, considering these ports are coming out 7 months after the initial release there might be an expectation to include it as one entire package. The argument can be made that it's fair since PS4 costumers had to pay for it but the argument can also be made that they didn't have to wait 7 months and the DLC wasn't finished upon release.

Am I right that I heard there was going to be a 10% pre-purchase discount? If so that seems like a pretty great incentive in the pre-order business.

The Scrub Outfit, however, seems exactly like the sort of pre-orders and DLC people are railing against. Maybe it would be better to include it in the main game?

The problem in Evolve is that you're paying $80 (AUD) for a team-based online game, and then on day one having an option to pay for game-changing content. Nobody was put off by day-1 costumes for LittleBigPlanet. The fact that it gives players who pay more additional gameplay choices is what's sealed the deal for myself and many others.

Given the context I do feel like including Alf's Escape would be the best idea though, as additional gameplay content on day one does get bashed quite heavily.

Can you honestly show me anyone who is arguing against cosmetic pre-order bonuses, though? I mean, fuck. That's just outright stupid to try to argue. That's exactly what in-game rewards for pre-ordering should be, rather than anything that can actually change the game.

Seriously though who is "rallying"?

Yeah, I think the thing people have a problem with is the kind of DLC that quite obviously could and should have been part of the base game, but is then cut out of it and sold as DLC instead just to make money. Franchises like The Sims and Assassin's creed are notorious for doing stuff like that. Things that have an actual added value to the game, like better armor or stuff with better stats, should not be day 1 DLC. Hell. it shouldn't be DLC to start with if you ask me, but hey.

As for Alf's Escape, I understand this was a separate project that honestly wasn't finished when N'n'T came out. Just because the PC is late and thus receives all DLC packs in one go doesn't mean it's day 1 DLC. In fact, we've not had confirmation that Alf's Escape is actually going to be available on day one yet.

Ack just people on the internet, Phyl. I mean the release of buggy games like the MCC have put some people off pre-ordering completely as a practice. I don't really have strong feelings about such things but I thought it was worth discussing anyway.

I mean, so maybe I've got it the wrong way round and Scrub Abe would be better than Alf's Escape as a day one DLC? Althouhg, like Havoc said, we don't know if Alf's Escape will be out on Day One. So perhaps the way they did it with the PS4 version is best?

Although, I guess personally, I do enjoy unlocking cosmetic things like "Scrub Abe" in games and sometimes I find it a little annoying when they're behind a paywall. I'm certainly more willing to pay for extra campaign and multiplayer content. Although maybe it's the difference between console and PC gaming cultures...

I think these remakes could take full advantage of unlockable cosmetic items - playing the main game as various Mudokon character models, perhaps a PS1 version of Abe and the like.

It's just the way of the market. Schmucks are willing to pay for costumes and stuff, so people charge for them. People being put off of pre-orders by buggy games is good. It's eye-opening. There are risks associated with pre-ordering, and some people will need to learn that the hard way.

Mind you if it's outright broken then you have some basis for a refund depending on where you live.

Was the PC version stated to have Alf's Escape on day one? If so, I don't see a problem with it. For starters, Alf's Escape is £2.99. Assuming it's going to keep it's price from the PSN Store, that's dirt cheap. Nobody on earth will mind that price.

As for the Scrub Abe, It really depends on the person. Like you said Holy Sock, You don't like things being behind a paywall. Others don't mind. Like me, and a huge number of people on Steam (just look at TF2 and Dota 2). But honestly. I really don't know what's going to happen with the costume. We might see it on PC for free? or as DLC, or at all. Only time will tell.

How long is Alf's Escape and what's it's replayability?

I'd say about 1-2 hours depending on how good you are. The first playthrough is very tough and I almost gave up at a few parts. Replayability wise, It's pretty much as much as the full game, only since it's tougher, you may find speedrunning it a well rewarding challenge.

It's a very well put together challenge with some amazing moments which are made for the devoted Oddworld fans.

EDIT: Crash got in there first. And actually knows.

Then, true, it's relatively cheap. Though you can't say:
There are people who will. As I check the current GPB to PLN ratio, I could buy a boxed game like TES Morrowind Gold, or Far Cry, or Max Payne + Max Payne 2, or some other much-older-than-NnT-yet-still-providing-much-more-time-of-fun game for that price. I'm just saying that this is *objectively* cheap. (It just can't be)

Well okay then. I guess not everyone will be happy. But just be glad it's not priced the same as a Call of Duty map pack or something.

It's well worth the price regardless of where you are. It's a very nice addition to New 'N' Tasty.

I wouldnt go that far. 1 hour if your bad, but it shouldnt take you more than an hour on ur first playthrough.
I played it before I started speedrunning the game, after my first playthrough of New n Tasty on normal. Took me 35 minutes, and I thought it was almost impossible to beat then.
But it is the longest level in the game and ur right, the replayability is there, but its not quite as long as you think.

On topic.
I dont like Day one DLC.
But im Pre-ordering evolve and mortal kombat X. So I cant comment on the subject.

As others said, I don't see Alf's escape as content that was cut from the game because it really is something extra which you can get if you really enjoyed the game, or leave it if you didn't. It has it's own story, new game mechanics, new levels and doesn't change anything in the main game. People are usually angry with day 1 DLC because it's effectively ULC.
Therefore I don't mind having to pay extra for it, especially since it's not very expensive for what it offers but i also wouldn't object if they gave it for free;)
As for the skin, i honestly don't care either way, unless it's in a preorder package thingy, i'm not getting it.
All in all, J.A.W. are annoyingly slow at releasing stuff since they are such a small team but i trust they will do their best for their customers.

I forgot all about the skin. Ive never used it. Not a fan of it lol.

Best way to avoid the whole problem? Release Alf's Escape a month or so later claiming it took some more time to do as they were focussing on the main game first.

Oh and I don't think anyone would mind the skin DLC on day one.

As far as I know, Alf's Escape was not day one DLC. It was finished and released a few months after the PS4 version of NnT came out. If anything, it'd be unfair not to charge PC users for it.

I'd say just throw it in as a pre-order bonus. Then everyone's happy.

Actually, on the topic of DLC, will there be any cross over pre-purchase dlc? Eg, teamfortress 2 items, etc. The binding of Isaac did it and I think OWI should too. Not to sound like a money grubbing big wig squig, but a lot of suckers on that game would pre-purchase the game just for a hat. Even if it's alfs fez or a Slig mask for the pyro. Or stitched lips for the scout. Or a sligs shot gun. Or a glukkon suit for the spy.

Just sayin' it'll be good for revenue and such a minor thing can increase sales a lot sometimes.


As for the topic at hand, Evolves DLC for monsters n such totally put me off the game. As did its alpha and beta stages of the game. I feel like once I've played a match as the monster and as the hunter, I feel like I've played it 1000 times already. While versing the DLC monsters as a hunter, they seemed like a lot of fun. But not $100 worth of fun. That last package they have on steam is ridiculous. Don't get me started on the grind you have to do to achieve the other classes too.. Unfulfilling and unrewarding.

It was roughly a month after NnT came out.
It was Pre-order dlc in the US, and was free on PS plus for a week in the EU.

I've always wanted to see an Oddworld themed TF2 item.
(I even made one myself years ago).

I don't think it would get in even if it was made. Plus getting an item approved by Valve before the release takes a while, and the game is coming out in a few weeks.