've never been one to complain about digital content distribution and add-on packs. After all: why should I have to go out and purchase a sequel to my favorite game year-after-year when in most cases a simple content pack would suffice?
But when is enough enough? Activision has drawn plenty of ire in recent months with its $15 map packs for the insanely popular Modern Warfare 2. Granted, the quality of these maps is outstanding, but therein lies the rub. Was this really new content, or simply material that was held back from the original game for later distribution? In this case at least, the new maps aren't required for multiplayer, but Halo and other franchises have gone the other route, mandating add-ons for online play. How do you feel? Are downloadable add-ons value added, or are publishers just robbing gamers blind?
The definition of "value," in the case of Activision and MW2, was the sheer amount of worth and need players place on new content for popular games. In fact, millions of them would pay just about anything to maintain the completeness of their game (since one can just as well keep playing without the DLC).
Here's one feast to be had in the middle of a famine. And it's short-sighted. The pragmatic choice of Activision's won't win the company loyalty the long run.