Crusader Kings II
http://store.steampowered.com/app/203770/
Base Game = $39.99
Downloadable Content = $127.64
Total Cost Of Complete Game = $167.63

The Sims 3
http://store.steampowered.com/app/47890/
Base Game = $19.99
Downloadable Content = $439.81
Total Cost Of Complete Game = $459.80

Train Simulator 2014
http://store.steampowered.com/app/24010/
Base Game = $39.99
Downloadable Content = $3,510.44
Total Cost Of Complete Game = $3550.43

Discuss!

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

Both CK and Sims 3 have had DLC for a long time. Not sure what the issue is here? (especially sim3 - sims 2 had them as well.)
In SIms 3's case most of the DLC looks and feels more like mini expansions (content and price arguably about right) than tiny dlc's (which is what most of CK's bar 3-4 - dont ask me which ones)

Train simulator makes sense to me. Think of DLC's as items at the hobby store; you wouldn't go there and buy them out.

The other games ... yeah, that's a bit silly.

I definitely think so. I can't remember what game it was, but it had the shittiest DLC I had ever come across; not only is the main game overpriced (but good fun, more or less), but to add an overpriced, useless DLC on top of that? Just parting fools with their money, at that point.

e: the game was Divinity Dragon Commander

But honestly, I don't mind DLC which serve as meaningful expansions, like the Skyrim DLC, or the ones for Fallout New Vegas- they not only add to main game, but are self-contained games themselves, for which I wouldn't mind paying a bit more.

Yes, but its been that way for a while.

With The Sims series you're paying for similar expansions for each game iteration. In other words there's a pet expansion for each game, a magic oriented one and so on. I can certainly see how some players would be put off by that fact. It would obviously be better for the end user if all the content from the previous version was rolled into the next one, but The Evil Empire is never going to do that sadly. Plus- it's over four hundred dollars which is why it made the short list. I've heard this argument before about this series, not sure I fully agree with- though I see where you're coming from. I've also heard that the downloadable content in the Train Simulator series transfers over with each new iteration- which I think is a fantastic idea.

Edit It's worth pointing out that Bethesda Softworks- doesn't spam downloadable content like say Electronic Arts or Paradox Interactive. That alone makes a huge difference in perception.

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

At least it feels like your getting something worthwhile, other *dlc* feel more like cheap cosmetics with only a small amount of content (XCom EU expansion is a good exception). Im not sure Sims expansions should be called dlc anyway

Hehe, I take it your a Sims fan- me too. I've got the first two games myself.

The content isn't really so much what I'm questioning it's the way these things are done. Like I said if The Sims 2 = The Sims & all it's extra content than I would have no problem. But with each new game you have to buy a lot of the same content- assuming you want all the content of course! Plus, don't the newer Sims games have in game shops? People hate those, don't they? Anyway- I appreciate your comments.

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

The content packs for the Sims was developed over the course of years. In that situation I don't have a problem with it. It has a wide variety of content and nothing was cut from the game to sell stand alone.

Cut from the game- maybe not. . . But consider this: The Sims: Unleashed, The Sims 2: Pets & The Sims 3: Pets all do one thing, primarily- add pets to the game. With The Sims 2 onward I would expect that functionality to be included by default. That said I have no problem paying of new content.

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

To be fair to Paradox, their model isn't as bad as it first seems. If you categorize it, there are about four actual, major expansions, with new content and everything. Then there are a bunch of portrait packs and unit packs. All of the little stuff is cosmetic and I honestly don't mind being able to pick and choose. I'm probably never going to play a game is Russia, for example (nothing against Russia, I just really like playing as the Byzantines). As a result, I'll probably never buy the portrait pack for that group of people. I'm not saying its the best model out there, and I do wish that some of the cosmetic stuff was free or just wrapped up with the expansions, but its better than some of the other business models.

There was a Paradox Interactive person who said that they COULD include the song & sprite packs with the main downloadable content but they would still have to charge the combined price of the three items. It never seemed to occur to them that buyers shouldn't be nickle & dimed like that.

Also, consider that my point about The Sims will likely also hold true for Paradox Interactive games as well. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Crusader Kings III, at launch, lacked the option to play as Muslims, Pagans and so forth- despite the content already having been made for the previous game.

Like I said I'm not opposed to paying for new content- but repeatedly buying recycled content is no good for anyone.

Edit
Well said. But, and I could be mistaken here, I've heard the downloadable content carries over to future versions of the game. If that's true it somewhat mitigates the problem in my view.

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

train simulator DLCs are ridiculous, 20 dollars for adding just a locomotive O.o

$3,510.44 USD who would pay for that...

In the first Crusader Kings, you can play Muslims and Pagans, with a community hack mod to unlock them, for free.