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Was It a Good Idea for Bethesda to Make DOOM’s DLC Free?

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DOOM’s latest patch, Update 6.66 (I see what you did there Bethesda) brought a ton of changes and improvements to the game’s Multiplayer and SnapMap modes, but the biggest change of all involved the multiplayer DLC. No, the update didn’t add any new DLC, but instead it made all DLC free for everyone to enjoy, and this has divided the player base. Some gamers love the DLC’s new price of $0, while others are pissed that the content they paid good money for is now bundled with the base game. Given the divisiveness of Bethesda’s decision, I can’t help but wonder whether or not the company should have rethought its decision to make the DLC freely available to all DOOM players.

As I previously stated, many players are more than overjoyed that DOOM’s DLC is now free. Originally, these DLC packs were only available at relatively high prices, approximately $15 per pack or $40 for all three, and they gave players unfair advantages in multiplayer matches. For example, before the patch, the only way to wield a weapon such as the Grenade Launcher was to purchase its respective DLC pack, because players couldn’t (and still can’t) pick up weapons enemies drop thanks to the multiplayer’s loadout system. Furthermore, each pack only included three new multiplayer maps, one new weapon, one demon transformation, and several new customization items; this is a paltry amount of content for $15. Compare this to The Witcher 3’s DLC packs, which have literally hundreds of hours worth of content for roughly the same price, give or take $5, and you quickly see why people are overjoyed they don’t have to pay for DOOM’s DLC anymore — because it’s overpriced. However, we probably should address the elephant in the room, i.e., those who already paid for the DLC.

The gamers who paid for DOOM’s DLC are absolutely livid, almost as livid as those who are complaining about the update’s whopping 35 GB worth of data (yes, some people are actually upset over that). Many players feel cheated that they paid for something that’s now free, which is completely understandable. Normally, game companies give these people some form of rebate or consolation prize, such as increased experience gains or special items, but what will Bethesda give the people who have already bought DOOM’s DLC? According to the Update 6.66 FAQ and Patch Notes page: bupkis. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Nothing. These gamers don’t even get to keep their multiplayer level. Sure, gamers who bought the DLC now have a nice shiny in-game badge, but so does everyone else who played the DOOM multiplayer before the update. Personally, if I had bought the game’s DLC, I would demand a refund. I’m sorry Bethesda, but while you are well within your rights to determine the price of your products, not giving so much as a special thank you to players who spent money on DOOM’s DLC is a bad business move and a good way to lose customers.

So, now that I’ve covered both sides of the argument, it’s time to finally answer the question: should Bethesda have kept the DLC behind a paywall? No, definitely not. The DLC packs included so little content they should have been free from the beginning; asking gamers to spend money on what most other multiplayer games include in free updates is borderline insulting.

Since all of DOOM’s multiplayer DLC is now free, gamers can start working towards weapons and armor sets previously exclusive to paid DLC this weekend thanks to a free gameplay weekend. Furthermore, the game is currently at a steal of only $15, ironically the previous price of its DLC, so anyone who enjoys the game can purchase it at its lowest price ever.

All you have to do to get my attention is talk about video games, technology, anime, and/or Dungeons & Dragons - also people in spandex fighting rubber suited monsters.

Gaming

Embracer Job Losses Continue as New World Interactive is Hit

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New World Interactive, the developer of the Insurgency series of tactical first-person shooters, has laid off an unknown number of employees as part of Embracer Group’s comprehensive restructuring plan.

Saber Interactive, which acquired New World in 2020, told Eurogamer that the studio had not closed. However, it confirmed an unknown number of layoffs.

Embracer says it is “actively working to fill existing open roles” with impacted employees and will provide severance packages. “Saber also assures that development will continue on Insurgency: Sandstorm, as well as on unannounced future projects,” it said.

Over 900 employees were laid off in an “agonizing” but “necessary” process. As always, we hope all victims recover.

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Sony: We Need Non-Gamers to Access Our Content

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Sony wants non-console owners to access its content beyond its PlayStation-walled garden. This strategy has been slowly implemented: the company has commissioned TV and movie adaptations of its biggest franchises, ported select software to the PC, and launched a mobile gaming division.

In an interview with Nikkei, head Hideaki Nishino explained how this strategy can boost console sales: We want to use movies and dramas to get non-gamers to try PlayStation games. Sales of The Last of Us increased during the live-action drama.

When HBO’s adaptation aired, our The Last of Us content skyrocketed, so we can understand its impact. As a PlayStation fan site, we support this strategy because we want to reach as many people as possible, so if Sony can appeal to non-console owners, that’s a win-win.

More PlayStation users is better, in our opinion.

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New PS Plus Essential Game Has Great Free DLC

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PowerWash Simulator is one of this month’s PS Plus Essentials, but before you start scrubbing, check out the PS Store. The game has been well supported on PS5 and PS4 with free DLC packs based on Square Enix titles since its release at the start of the year.

Free Final Fantasy VII and Tomb Raider expansions let you clean Croft Manor and Seventh Heaven. The free DLC packs add 10 levels, and the paid ones add more.

Two more Back to the Future and SpongeBob SquarePants expansions cost £6.49 or $7.99 each. You can then scrub the Bikini Bottom and the DeLorean.

The Midgar Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator was another reason to use the cleaning kit. “It doesn’t add much, but getting close to FF7’s props and environments is fun. It offers a fresh take on the beloved title that will please both sides of this collaboration.”

Have you tried the latest PS Plus Essential game?

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