On the same day that Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End release date was revealed, it was also confirmed that the game will have single-player DLC months ahead of its release. Not only that, but it’s also been confirmed (in the same announcement) that Uncharted 4 will have its own in-game currency called “Naughty Dog Points,” which some people surmise (and most likely rightfully so) that the game will have micro-transactions.
In this Now Loading, the staff talks about Naughty Dog announcing DLC well ahead of release and what we think of it, as well as what we think of Uncharted 4 having micro-transactions. And yes, Naughty Dog releasing some of the best games of the decade do give them some sort of allowance in most of the staff members’ eyes.
What do you think of Uncharted 4 already having DLC announced and the game likely implementing micro-transactions? Should the studio be given a pass since they release such quality games? Weigh in on your thoughts and discuss in the comments.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will be out on March 18, 2016 exclusively on the PlayStation 4.
Now Loading is a recurring staff-driven feature where PlayStation LifeStyle discusses anything video game-related under the sun (yes, even non-Sony platforms).
Essential Reading:
- Now Loading…Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Pre-Order “Bonuses” Issue and What to Make of It
- Ranking the Best and Worst of the Metal Gear Series
- E3 2015 – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Preview: The Beginning of the End
Now Loading...Uncharted 4 Single-Player DLC
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Now Loading...Uncharted 4 DLC Announced Before Release and Micro-Transactions
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Alex Co
I honestly don't have a problem with Naughty Dog announcing single-player DLC a few months before launch. I mean, I trust them that they're not taking something out of the base game and pushing it out as DLC.
It is entirely possible that they have the game's story nailed down, and they have an extra story to tell which wouldn't fit in the base game otherwise, y'know?
Also, Naughty Dog's games aren't short or lacking in content, either. I don't think this is an issue at all.
However, I do have an issue with Naughty Dog Points and micro-transactions. While micro-transactions haven't been 100 percent confirmed, obvious signs are pointing to it. And hey, it's not like ND is innocent of it as well.
I really hope that whatever micro-transactions or stuff are behind ND Points, it'll be just cosmetic stuff and not something that will be a game-changer/breaker in multiplayer like what happened with The Last of Us' mulitplayer component.
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Tyler Treese
Publishers need to find additional ways to monetize games since more people scoff at paying full price for games and instead wait for a price drop or purchase it used. DLC is a major component of it, and I have no issue with announcing DLC plans ahead of time. If DLC isn't planned out or in development before release, then we get a BioShock Infinite situation where people complain about the DLC taking forever because they actually did it after the game was finished. It is a no win situation, really.As far as micro-transactions go, this is another way that publishers try to recoup their development costs. I feel like Naughty Dog should get a pass, since it'd be Sony making the decision, anyhow. For whatever reason gamers tend to attack the developer over such issues instead of the publisher. But I'm never going to get mad at a publisher for treating gaming for what it really is, a business. Do I like micro-transactions? Not really, but I'm not going to cry about additional weapons/cosmetic items being available. It is optional for a reason. -
Mack Ashworth
Naughty Dog would have to do something seriously messed up to see my bad side. As they have always strived to offer a premium gaming experience, and have yet to disappoint, I'm more than happy to spend a few more dollars supporting their work.
The Last of Us' multiplayer featured some pretty nasty micro-transactions, with perks and weapon attachments limited to those who spent real world money, but Naughty Dog got away with hardly a scratch. Winning my heart means winning my wallet, I suppose. -
Stephen Bitto
Naughty Dog gets a pass because the content they provide, out of the box, more than satiates their customers. In fact, fans appreciate proven developers like this offering more ways to support them. Naughty Dog has earned the trust of gamers and thus the freedom to operate as they see fit, That really speaks volumes. -
Mark Labbe
Well, since the games Naughty Dog creates are near perfect, I'm not all that upset about the possible micro-transactions in Uncharted 4. However, I do think that announcing single-player DLC this far away from release is a bit strange. I'd like to think Naughty Dog simply can't have it done for March of next year, rather than it holding back content, but who knows.
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Michael Briers
Announcing single-player DLC so far out from launch does strike me as strange; after all, The Last of Us: Left Behind wasn't unveiled until after the core game had us blubbering like babies.Even still, it's another symptom of the AAA development scene, with publishers wary of early adopters trading games in shortly after powering through the story. The Average Joe needs a reason to hold onto Uncharted 4 after release beyond the sequel's multiplayer mode, and this single-player expansion is the perfect antidote to that, warts and all.It's also worth keeping in mind that Uncharted 4 has experienced a prolonged development, what with Amy Hennig parting ways with Naughty Dog for Visceral Games. Perhaps Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley's tale is one that grew in the telling? -
Chandler Wood
It's amazing to me that these kinds of things are still issues among gamers. Options. That's all these are. Do some developers abuse the route of giving gamers options? Sure (just look at Evolve), but with games getting increasingly massive, and more difficult and time consuming to create, we have to learn that developers need to recoup the costs and be properly compensated for the massive amount of work they do. Don't like it? Simple. Don't buy it. This is present in every industry.
You want a new car, but there's a "deluxe" add-on package? I don't want the prices of cars to increase just to make the optional add-ons standard in all cars. Same as I would rather not have base game prices increase just to make it so that developers don't ever give us options for expanding our games in the future.I'm sure any of you that actually work for a living wouldn't want your job cheapened by someone assuming they know more than you or your company how much your service or product is worth, so we shouldn't presume to put any assumptions to the time, costs, and worth of every individual that works on a game. Say it with your wallet. Buy it if you find value. Don't if you don't. Obviously enough people find value that it's a lucrative investment for the developer to make. -
Ben Tarrant
Can we frame Chandlers response? Thanks.
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Zarmena Khan
I don't want to get my knickers in a twist here, but I don't like the sound of Naughty Dog Points. I wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't impact gameplay or give players an unfair advantage, but I have seen far too many developers lose focus by going down this path.
As far as the story DLC is concerned, I couldn't care less. I rarely buy DLC because the main experience is usually adequate for me, but if someone else wants to prolong their experience, then that's their choice.
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Cameron Teague
This is how gaming is going and I think we all just need to get used to it. Developers/Publishers are saving material to sell as DLC later on down the road. It helps to lengthen the life cycle of their product while also assuring those gamers out there who care that the game will be supported post-launch.
