As it seems almost every game today charges for additional post-launch content, even top tier developers like Naughty Dog, the minds behind Uncharted and The Last of Us, draw the criticisms of fans. The most recent cause of alarm came when the developer announced there would be paid story DLC for next year’s Uncharted 4.
Giving his take on the issue to MCV, former Naughty Dog Community Strategist, recently hired Infinity Ward Director of Communications, Eric Monacelli stated, “If it’s good enough content and you want to pay for it, why not pay for it? That’s what it comes down to.”
“Microtransactions tend to get a sort of negative connotation in the games industry. If you remember back in the day, people bristled when they sold horse armor [for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion]. It’s something that has always happened,” he explained.
“A lot of times I’ll hear people say: ‘That’s just something they cut from the game so you can pay for it.’ No, often it’s not.”
Admitting it is a touchy subject however, Monacelli went on to add, “There are hot debates around this all the time in the office, because everybody’s got their own opinion. For me, the more thought that’s put into DLC, the more you should be able to charge for it, because it’s one of those things where you’re creating another game unto itself – The Last of Us: Left Behind was another game. It’s essentially the second Last of Us game, right?”
Put simply, “It’s work, and you should pay for good work.”
The Last of Us: Left Behind, the story DLC for The Last of Us, garnered high praise, even eventually being so well received that it was given a standalone retail release. Only time will tell if Uncharted 4 sees as much success with its story DLC when the game launches March 18th, 2016. Until then, keep checking back right here on Gamespresso.