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[Wario64]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/07/news_6119837.html

TOKYO--While it is already known that Wipeout Pure for the PSP will get downloadable content, some new details have leaked from Japan. According to retail sources, Sony plans to release roughly two new courses, hovercrafts, and soundtrack songs each month. While the hovercrafts and the songs will only require a few kilobytes on the Memory Stick, each course will be about four megabytes, meaning that the monthly updates will probably be around 8MB apiece.

According to plans disclosed to Japanese game merchants, Sony is considering distributing new data for Wipeout Pure for at least six months after its release. The rough calculation of 48MB of updates during the six-month period suggests that gamers probably won’t be able to fit in all the updates into the default 32MB Memory Stick that comes included with the PSP Value pack. This means gamers will either have to buy additional Memory Sticks in stores, or just transfer some of the old data to their PC.



Better get bigger memory sticks. At least we can backup data onto PCs if you wish to keep the stock 32MB memory stick

 

[Doom_Bringer]

great news! Getting Wipeout on day one

 

[Lord Error]

I'm really confused by the comment that the songs will only be couple of kilobytes. Either Wipeout is using MIDIs (which is not that impossible btw. having heard some developers comments) or the songs are on the disc, just locked.

I think it goes against the MIDI theory that the game uses licensed soundtrack. Or is the soundtrack not licensed, just made in their proprietary MIDI format by some well known bands?

 

[Spike]

Gotta give Sony credit, they sure know how to get people to spend more money on a memory stick.

I like this idea.

 

[Tellaerin]

I was planning to pick up a PSP specifically for Wipeout Pure and Ridge Racers, but news like this is giving me second thoughts. One of the big new trends sweeping the industry now is 'downloadable premium content', and it's not something I support. If this catches on in a big way, I imagine more and more companies releasing new games with as little content as they can get away with, then dribbling out the remainder in the form of multiple downloads for a 'reasonable' $5 apiece, spaced out over a few months. Having to pay extra to get all the content for a game I've already bought does not appeal to me--console games aren't shareware. The last thing I want to do is to buy hardware that's meant to push this distribution model.

 

[GDJustin]

I like how almost half of the gamespot news article is covering how there won't be enough space on the mem stick to hold it all, and what gamers are going to have to do.

 

[Defensor]

We want a price on this downloadable content for Wipeout Pure.

 

[Kiriku]

Wait, so you have to pay for these downloads? I remember a news article about this from before, stating that it would be free.

Also, I think downloadable content can be both good and bad. Sure it's bad if developers choose to release a half-done game on purpose, but it can also be good because we get the full game + stuff that didn't make it into the initial release because of lack of time etc. But it's unreasonable to point and say "hey, this game can't be complete because they're releasing downloadable content!"

 

[Wario64]

I was under the impression that the content would be free. But then...what about tha survey they emailed us months ago...

OH NO

 

[Particle Physicist]

I was planning to pick up a PSP specifically for Wipeout Pure and Ridge Racers, but news like this is giving me second thoughts. One of the big new trends sweeping the industry now is 'downloadable premium content', and it's not something I support. If this catches on in a big way, I imagine more and more companies releasing new games with as little content as they can get away with, then dribbling out the remainder in the form of multiple downloads for a 'reasonable' $5 apiece, spaced out over a few months. Having to pay extra to get all the content for a game I've already bought does not appeal to me--console games aren't shareware. The last thing I want to do is to buy hardware that's meant to push this distribution model.

i feel the same way. i hope this doesnt start a trend.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

God it will be sooo easy to pirate this content if it's not free. Sony will be stupid to charge money for it.

 

[Zelda-Bitch]

I was planning to pick up a PSP specifically for Wipeout Pure and Ridge Racers, but news like this is giving me second thoughts. One of the big new trends sweeping the industry now is 'downloadable premium content', and it's not something I support. If this catches on in a big way, I imagine more and more companies releasing new games with as little content as they can get away with, then dribbling out the remainder in the form of multiple downloads for a 'reasonable' $5 apiece, spaced out over a few months. Having to pay extra to get all the content for a game I've already bought does not appeal to me--console games aren't shareware. The last thing I want to do is to buy hardware that's meant to push this distribution model.

amen to that.

 

[Wario64]

Someone show me where it says this content will carry a price

 

[Aizu_Itsuko]

I'm so going to get this...


Chespace!!!!!

http://forums.gaming-age.com/showthread.php?t=37704&page=3

Please

 

[Defensor]

Maybe I should have rephrased my question to Is there a price on this downloadable content for Wipeout Pure?

 

[Spike]

WTF?!? They're going to charge for this?!?! Fuck them!!

I rescind my earlier comments.

 

[Wario64]

WTF?!? They're going to charge for this?!?! Fuck them!!

I rescind my earlier comments.

No, people are jumping the gun here...

 

[Odnetnin]

Is it really downloadable or is it going to be already on the disc just unlocked via codes from the net? I'll be amused if some hacker breaks the code (if it is) within 1 week of WOP launch.

Good news on all fronts. Can't wait to see how PSP works online.

 

[KennyL]

Jesus, please show me where they say they're goning to charge money for this.

GAF wild speculation of DOOM!!! Run kiddies!!!

 

[Spike]

No, people are jumping the gun here...

Good. No extra charges, please!!

 

[kaching]

Is it really downloadable or is it going to be already on the disc just unlocked via codes from the net?

Yeah its just codes ... that will take up 4 meg each on a memory stick.

How about you read the first post of the thread before participating?

 

[Particle Physicist]

$10 a track!!??!! SCREW THAT.. youll end up spending about $100 just for one game!!!!! thats insanity. what is sony thinking!

 

[pilonv1]

How about you read the first post of the thread before participating?

I don't think anyone is doing that...

$10 a track!!??!! SCREW THAT.. youll end up spending about $100 just for one game!!!!! thats insanity. what is sony thinking!

 

[Tellaerin]

Someone show me where it says this content will carry a price

I think it's more a matter of, 'Show me where it says it won't carry a price, and then I'll relax.' Considering how Sony seems to be hopping on the DC bandwagon with stuff like those $5 'Adventure Pack' downloads for EQ II, and how the industry as a whole seems to feel that premium content downloads are the money-making wave of the future, I have no reason to think they're not going to try to charge people for this content.

 

[Jonnyram]

Yeah its just codes ... that will take up 4 meg each on a memory stick.

The news states that the courses are 4 megs each and the music / craft are a few kb each. That's why people started asking about the way the music was done... Perhaps the music was all complete but they couldn't finish the courses in time so they're making them downloadable

 

[Kiriku]

I think it's more a matter of, 'Show me where it says it won't carry a price, and then I'll relax.'

http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=33477

"Game downloads for the PSP will be free and will feature as a critical selling point in advertising. A micro-payment system is in development for the music download service."

Although this is for Europe only, it would be strange if Americans have to pay up while us Europeans get it for free.

 

[Jonnyram]

Although this is for Europe only, it would be strange if Americans had to pay up while us Europeans get it for free.

It would not be strange if us Japan-residents had to pay, though

 

[Tellaerin]

http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=33477

"Game downloads for the PSP will be free and will feature as a critical selling point in advertising. A micro-payment system is in development for the music download service."

Although this is for Europe only, it would be strange if Americans had to pay up while us Europeans get it for free.

Thanks for the quote, Kiriku. The notion of Sony offering all DC for free is somewhat surprising, given how enthusiastically companies have latched onto the concept as a way of squeezing more revenue from consumers. Nonetheless, I have nothing against the idea as long as the downloads remain free. Hopefully it won't be a case where downloadable content for the first few games is provided at no charge, then once people are used to the idea, additional 'special' downloads are offered for a fee. (Color me cynical, but the industry seems to like the idea of charging for downloads too much to leave it alone at this point. =/ )

 

[Lindsay]

-1 sale of an incomplete game.

 

[BuddyC]

-1 sale of an incomplete game.

Now you've gone and done it. While this can be argued back and forth, please tell me if you can think up any other way of offering additional content created after the game's development cycle has ended and the software has shipped to stores.

Yes yes, you can say that it was cut. But then I could say it would've been cut anyways, and that it's better we get it now than in the eventual sequel. And then you say I have no proof of that, and then I say the same to you, and so forth and so on.

But there's a point where developers have to stop making the game and push it out the door, and things such as this allow them to add extra content to the game after that time. Yes, it can be used as a crutch by lazy developers, but do you see any proof of that here?

Now if the tracks were unlocked by a downloadable key, that'd be a different story. But we're actually downloading the tracks, all 4 MB or so of them. And think about the possibilities, perhaps they'll run a contest where players can design a track and submit them? There's a lot of potential here that far exceeds the "incomplete game" notion.

 

[Particle Physicist]

-1 sale of an incomplete game.

dont worry. for $60 more youll get to enjoy the finished product!

 

[Dilbert]

-1 sale of an incomplete game.

BuddyC is exactly on point.

Also, charging for extra content is hardly a new model. What's the difference between downloadable tracks and music, and, say the "expansion packs" which have been sold for PC games forever? Yes, some developers choose to release them for free (RTCW, UT2k4), but others charge a fee (EverQuest, Call of Duty) and I don't hear any bitching about THEM having released an "incomplete game."

As long as the price per expansion is reasonable, I don't see the issue. If the game was $40, and you could double the amount of music/tracks for $10, that sounds about right. Free would obviously be better, though, and providing tools to develop your OWN tracks and music (if at all possible) would kick ass. The mod/mapping communities help keep interest in games going long after their initial buzz wears off -- it would be a huge asset for PSP as well.


EDIT: He edited after I started posting...I swear I'm not cribbing from his notes!

 

[Jonnyram]

First of all, I think there's a big difference between expansion packs and downloads of this nature. Now I'm not accusing Sony of releasing an unfinished product at all, and I don't assume they will charge for these courses either. But Psygnosis (rather SCEE) have gone on record before as saying the prototype tracks in Wipeout 3 were actually incomplete normal courses that they intended to put in the game but didn't have chance to finish, so they were left without textures. I can see why people are jumping the gun here, but Lindsay's post was worded like a blatant troll so doesn't get any benefit of the doubt from me.

Another argument in Sony's favour - a lot of games are actually incomplete in some way when they ship, thanks to deadlines. At least with a download option there is a way of repairing the damage. Lumines downloads would have been nice, but they're non-existent.

 

[Ollie Pooch]

-1 sale of an incomplete game.

hang on, up until now you were planning to buy the 12 + 4 tracks version - now it's 'incomplete'? (that is, assuming you were buying it in the first place) if they never announced this extra download feature, would people still be sitting there playing it going "wow - this game feels unfinished"? give me a break...

 

[BuddyC]

If we were talking about Xbox Live DLC, then I could identify with someone who was upset that they wouldn't be able to get ahold of the content. There's a lot of factors involved in connecting to Xbox Live that many don't have access to, chief among them a high-bandwidth internet connection. Furthermore, the account structure requires someone not interested in online gaming to either create a new account (a la 2 month trial cards) or just suck it up and subscribe to Xbox Live each time desirable content is released.

But with the PSP's support of WiFi, various free access WiFi hotspots all across the world and no account/subscription fee required to obtain the DLC, most of the aforementioned issues are alleviated.

 

[Lindsay]

The game afaik isn't out and yet this whole DLC things been in the planning for months alongside development of the game. If the game isn't out, they should be squashing this stuff into it now. Games ought to be open-ended to allow for possible future content but if said content is being developed alongside the game it pretty much cheapens the whole thing.

 

[BuddyC]

While the concept of DLC has been in the planning stages for some time, there's no indication that the WHOLE of the content they're planning to offer across the game's lifespan is already complete, otherwise I'd agree. However, I'm confident that they have at least one content pack mostly done, but how else would they be able to ensure that their DLC procols functioned properly?

If the game isn't out, they should be squashing this stuff into it now.

Yes yes, you can say that it was cut. But then I could say it would've been cut anyways, and that it's better we get it now than in the eventual sequel. And then you say I have no proof of that, and then I say the same to you, and so forth and so on.

But there's a point where developers have to stop making the game and push it out the door, and things such as this allow them to add extra content to the game after that time.

 

[Belfast]

I just love GAF. Its amazing how a thread can start with good news, then somebody brings up a theoretical idea which is then believed/argued by everyone for the remainder of the thread and when somebody does speak up, its usually ignored.