Stellaris DLC's Were Done Right

[ZeroAffex]

All the hate towards devs over the DLC for this game is nuts. I know at this point, nearly a decade after launch the DLC looks a bit overwhelming for newcomers but it wasn't always this way. When I bought the game in 2016'ish there were no DLC's and there was talk after update 1.7 or w/e development would cease because the reception for Stellaris was lukewarm at best.

Soon after, DLC's started to release about every 6-12 months and were prices to match the content. Expansions were more expensive of course but they packed with replay value and my favorite, new music. Simply put DLC's provided a pipeline to keep the lights on for the devs while they continued working on the game which at launch, was very basic and rough around the edges.

It was awesome. I loved being able to buy a new DLC 1-2 times a year to keep me coming back to this game and seeing it grow and improve. This game is not even recognizable from the 2016 version to the 2024 version. Why? Because of DLC's, the devs were able to implement massive, FREE updates, to all owners of the game.

It's not fair to nearly a decade later, look back on all these DLC's and suddenly cry foul. They were done right. They were priced fair. They added substance and replay value to the game. Most of us spent around $20 or less a YEAR on them. And they allowed devs to keep working on my favorite game and provided all owners massive benefits from all the free updates and features.

You don't work for free. Why should devs?

Also, what message are you sending devs by hating on them for DLC's? The only other alternative to keeping a full time, game development team working on a single IP for nearly a decade would be "Games as a Service" or "Live Service" games. Fact.

Hate to burst your bubble but devs can't just magically make money for more content after a sale has concluded years before. They need a way to generate post launch monetization so they can keep working on the game which leaves you with either making DLC's or going into live service games (YUCK).

I'll take DLC's all day, everyday. Burn live service with fire, for real. That is cancer. That's why when you guys try to rip apart this game and beat the devs down for DLC, I get sad because you're basically forcing devs into going with Games as a Service for future developments with those battlepasses and expensive digital trinkets to look forward to. That's what you guys are really doing here. Again, most of us spent less than $20 a year on Stellaris during 2016 to present. Good luck spending less than that for a year on a live service game. You'll go bust on your first monthly battlepass or single skin purchase.

The DLC's are and were done right. You got a good chunk of content for a reasonable, one time price 1-2 a year since 2016. Just because you can't buy all the DLC now in 2024 at once doesn't mean they are evil. Just because devs made a subscription for you people who waited until 2024 to try the game doesn't make them. You waited until the party was over, suck it up. Add the DLC you want to your wishlist and pick them up on sale for peanuts. Stop trying to make this out to be nasty though because the alternative to DLC's is far more nefarious and is legit cancer to the gaming industry.

[Kalemenos]

I'm with you. I think there are simply grumpy people out there that like to, well, grump. In fact, I miss the new DLC's. I find the leaders systems of the post 3.7 versions so unpleasant I just stayed at 3.7, but I really miss the next DLC's that come out. But yes, these guys work and offer a price for what they make - good ol' fashioned free market. If they price themselves out of the market, no one will buy it, and they'll lower the price. That's how prices work, and why no one should fix them: seller meets buyer. The DLC's add complexity and interest to the strategy and progress of the game, which I enjoy. And no one has to buy them: I have most of them up to 3.7, but there are a couple that don't interest me.

[FourteenFour]

Some DLC have been priced appropriately but this last one was not. Plus we have had revision after revision to the content for many of the last DLC because they were all heavily flawed. Example, Paragons has had multiple fixes to its leadership changes and they are still bad if not worse than since the DLC. Overlord made vassals a joke and ruined that game play.

In general charging for DLC is expected but the when a DLC is $20 it damn well better have far more content than Astral Planes did. Let alone Mac and Linux users spent TEN days unable to play because of CTDs.

[Dodge]

i have had the game since it launched and i say the DLCS where fairly priced too.
i got each one as it came out and they have mostly been good.
yes astral planes was a little disappointing but in comparrison to other games where DLC is a blatant cash grab stellaris has aged well with its DLCS

everyone has their own opinion on how good each DLC is some have gone to youtube to review them in a tier scoring system

[Knightspace]

Oh, they were?

Some DLCs were drivers behind core gameplay changes. Those changes were implemented PURELY to sell dlcs.

Yeah, no thanks, i don't think this is an example of DLC's done right.

[syphonax]

There is no way this or any other game is worth 300+ notes. Most of the DLCs provide limited content most of which should have been part of the base game. Even after full release, some 8 years on, they are still making patches to the game which are not really needed or wanted at this stage but are done to make the game appear fresh and of course and more importantly to flog more DLCs. Now we have the "Stellaris subscription" which basically means they acknowledge any new players arent likely to part with 300 notes for just one game, whilst at the same time insulting loyal customers that have invested so much into the game over the years.

The actual pricing of the DLCs is extortionate, even on sale they're scandalously overpriced. The DLCs are touted as content that you, as a gamer, will feel you need to have to enjoy the full experience of a complete game and thats exactly what they are counting on.

Im going to cite here Paradoxs' other gravy game train of DLCs, City Skylines the first, the actual modders for this game produced quality free content that surpassed anything the "developers" released with their DLCs, infact the constant barrage of new DLCs destroyed and made many a good Mod incompatible with the newer DLCs and patches. The game basically unplayable unless yo have a degree in coding blah ans sure we also have the Star Infinite Mod which im sure cost a lot to develop and didnt generate any cash whatsoever.

Now should I buy Warhammer 3 on sale? Hmmm Nooooooooooooooooooooo

[SLG]

It is similar to Cities: Skylines. People complained about the number of DLC's. Does not the community of Paradox gamers understand this is normal? Look at their other games.

[NerdExtrodinare]

Originally posted by syphonax:

There is no way this or any other game is worth 300+ notes. Most of the DLCs provide limited content most of which should have been part of the base game. Even after full release, some 8 years on, they are still making patches to the game which are not really needed or wanted at this stage but are done to make the game appear fresh and of course and more importantly to flog more DLCs. Now we have the "Stellaris subscription" which basically means they acknowledge any new players arent likely to part with 300 notes for just one game, whilst at the same time insulting loyal customers that have invested so much into the game over the years.

The actual pricing of the DLCs is extortionate, even on sale they're scandalously overpriced. The DLCs are touted as content that you, as a gamer, will feel you need to have to enjoy the full experience of a complete game and thats exactly what they are counting on.

Im going to cite here Paradoxs' other gravy game train of DLCs, City Skylines the first, the actual modders for this game produced quality free content that surpassed anything the "developers" released with their DLCs, infact the constant barrage of new DLCs destroyed and made many a good Mod incompatible with the newer DLCs and patches. The game basically unplayable unless yo have a degree in coding blah ans sure we also have the Star Infinite Mod which im sure cost a lot to develop and didnt generate any cash whatsoever.

Now should I buy Warhammer 3 on sale? Hmmm Nooooooooooooooooooooo

You don't know what the word extortionate means, do you? Or are Paradox actually showing up to your house and threatening you if you don't buy them?

[Geoff]

Originally posted by NerdExtrodinare:

You don't know what the word extortionate means, do you? Or are Paradox actually showing up to your house and threatening you if you don't buy them?

extortionate
adjective disapproving
US /ɪkˈstɔ:r.ʃən.ət/ UK /ɪkˈstɔ:.ʃən.ət/
extremely expensive:
The price of books nowadays is extortionate.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/extortionate

[Doug Dimmadong]

They seem decent, though obviously some better than others. The fact that they went back and retroactively increased the DLC prices on older DLCs is scummy as ♥♥♥♥ though.

[NerdExtrodinare]

Originally posted by Geoff:

Originally posted by NerdExtrodinare:

You don't know what the word extortionate means, do you? Or are Paradox actually showing up to your house and threatening you if you don't buy them?

extortionate
adjective disapproving
US /ɪkˈstɔ:r.ʃən.ət/ UK /ɪkˈstɔ:.ʃən.ət/
extremely expensive:
The price of books nowadays is extortionate.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/extortionate

How many dictionaries did you have to look through to find this? Because it's hardly the primary definition.

[Geoff]

Originally posted by NerdExtrodinare:

How many dictionaries did you have to look through to find this? Because it's hardly the primary definition.

The Cambridge English dictionary isn't exactly an obscure source. I have a law degree too. I've never heard the term "extortionate" used in a legal sense. But it's frequently used to describe something that is priced too high. They share a common sense that value is being extracted unduly and without return compensation.

You can read the etymology here if you want: https://www.etymonline.com/word/extort

To the extent you're being pedantic, you're also being plainly wrong.

FWIW, Merriam-Webster has the same thing: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortionate

extortionate
adjective
ex·​tor·​tion·​ate ik-ˈstȯr-sh(ə-)nət
1
: characterized by extortion
2
: EXCESSIVE, EXORBITANT
extortionate prices

[Dreamer]

No, can't agree, the prices of the DLC are outrageous for what they offer, and now with so many they add up to a ridiculous total, making it more obvious what a bad deal they really are.

[NerdExtrodinare]

Originally posted by Geoff:

Originally posted by NerdExtrodinare:

How many dictionaries did you have to look through to find this? Because it's hardly the primary definition.

The Cambridge English dictionary isn't exactly an obscure source. I have a law degree too. I've never heard the term "extortionate" used in a legal sense. But it's frequently used to describe something that is priced too high. They share a common sense that value is being extracted unduly and without return compensation.

You can read the etymology here if you want: https://www.etymonline.com/word/extort

To the extent you're being pedantic, you're also being plainly wrong.

FWIW, Merriam-Webster has the same thing: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extortionate

extortionate
adjective
ex·​tor·​tion·​ate ik-ˈstȯr-sh(ə-)nət
1
: characterized by extortion
2
: EXCESSIVE, EXORBITANT
extortionate prices

So the way you try to convince me is by giving a source that has the primary definition agreeing with me? Ok then. Interesting take.

[Geoff]

Originally posted by NerdExtrodinare:

So the way you try to convince me is by giving a source that has the primary definition agreeing with me? Ok then. Interesting take.

The dictionary definition is "excessive." If a word has two clear senses, and only one is correct in the context, then that word has been used correctly, your failures of reading comprehension notwithstanding. "Extortionate" as applied to price means "excessive." Google says, heck even dictionary.com states it. There's no gotcha here, you're just flagrantly wrong.

[leigh]

I'm pretty new (joined at 3.10) and am enjoying gradually adding DLCs. I do a lot of freelance publishing work, and when I finish something grueling lately I treat myself to some on-sale DLCs. Was up all night getting a book cleaned up for a publisher, so treated myself to megacorps and apocalypse ($18 combined at Mac Game Store) this morning. Down to Astral, First Contact, and some species packs but also a bunch of deadlines, so I may end up with all of them by the end of the current sale.