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EA considering premium pre-purchase DLC

EA's latest strategy to combat a changing market.

Electronic Arts, perhaps one of the biggest games developers in the world, announced their latest concept for making money - "premium downloadable content", or PDLC

In effect, these are similar to demos; the PDLC gives a look at the final game, providing 3-4 hours of gameplay, without spoiling the full release.

They would be priced at around $10-15, similar to their other 'Project $10' strategy, giving the players something like episodic content with the benefit of marketing the final release.

Of course, the final full version of the game still comands the full retail pricing, but it's a way for developers to generate some interim cashflow to continue adding features into games - and as we've seen, they're not cheap to make.

As reported over at Gamasutra, EA's VP of corporate communications explained it with the following:

EA is working on a number of projects for delivering premium content to consumers before, during, and after the launch of a packaged-goods version of the game.
EA SPORTS, EA Games and EA Play are each experimenting with download strategies that deliver fresh game content in formats players want to experience.
To date, there is no set pricing strategy for the entire EA portfolio. And many of the proposals include free-to-play content on models similar to Madden Ultimate Team, Battlefield Heroes and Battlefield 1943.
None of the proposals call for charging consumers for traditionally free game demos.

It's an interesting move for EA; but what are your thoughts? Is this a positive move for the industry?

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5 Comments

Bundywow Mar 23, 2010 11:13 AM	It's hard to say if this is a good idea or a bad one, if the demo is 100% unique in terms of content anyone remember the Half Life 1 demo? It was 100% unique and a really great way of promoting the game it probably would be worth a small purchase. BUT would the demo loose its impact if it requires people to buy it? Sure it will lead to a more fleshed out demo but perhaps limit it's audience. Another point is once the game is out is the demo a waisted purchase? Or does it become part of the full release? For shits consider there was a mass effect 2 demo that let you control a different character on a mission (not Shepard) and if you pay and play the demo that character becomes a team member in the main team for the full version, this way the paid demo is also a sort of DLC for the main game as well.
bozo01 Mar 23, 2010 1:08 PM	If they give the people that buy these paid demos a discount on the final product, I'll consider it. If not, I'll just visit The Pirate Bay. P.S. I can't (and won't) illegally download any games. Dial-Up doesn't like to do it.
A Hitman Mar 23, 2010 1:18 PM	I usually only pay $20-$40 for a new game at most so I don't think I would purchase these.
majestic975 Mar 23, 2010 4:09 PM	3-4 hours of game play? That would the single player of MW2 ! LOL.
Athlonite May 2, 2010 11:43 PM	hmmm why not try making games for PC first then port them to suxbox and piss3 I'm totally sick of barely usable game controls in windows games oh and NO i wouldn't buy something that should have been in the Game in the first place

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Atomic Magazine

Issue: 137 | June, 2012

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