'Bioshock 2' DLC already in the works

[TaraJayne]

Bioshock 2 developers 2K Marin has confirmed that it is working on downloadable content for its upcoming release.

According to CVG, 2K's Kent Hudson revealed that work had begun on the content for the game, which is due to launch on February 9.

"We are working on pretty aggressive plans for DLC and that's actually something that is already under way.

"That is something that is mostly being run out of the Marin studio because like I said the Australian studio is already ramping up on the next big thing."

Bioshock 2 sees players control a renegade Big Daddy, and features a multiplayer mode set before the events of the first game.

[GamerMan316]

BioShock 2 'Sinclair Solutions Test Pack' DLC Dated

Announced last week, BioShock 2's first DLC pack entitled 'Sinclair Solutions Test Pack' has been given a March 11th release date, bringing with it a host of multiplayer content listed below:

    * Rank Increase to level 50 with Rank Rewards
    * New playable characters Louie McGraff and Oscar Calraca
    * 20 new trials (some only available after a player achieves a rank of 41 or higher)
    * A third weapon upgrade for each weapon
    * Five additional masks (some only available after a player achieves a rank of 41 or higher)

The 'Sinclair Solutions Test Pack' will set you back 400 Microsoft Points.

[GamerMan316]

Anger over BioShock 2 DLC
Fans discover the 400 MS Point download is just an unlock key for disc content.

Anger has spilled over on the BioShock 2 forums after it emerged the DLC was just an unlock key for disc content.

The giveaway is that the file size downloaded is 24KB, too small to be anything other than an unlock key for disc content and almost certainly too small for the extra multiplayer content the DLC delivers.

"We have the option to not purchase it. But we also have the option to complain about such deceptive uses of the term 'DLC'," says forum poster Vonderbach. "If they were truthful, they would tell us that it's a $5 key. End of story."

That sums up the feelings of most on 2K's forums today and while DLC-as-disc-unlocks happened in the past, the outrage saw most publishers and developers back down from the practice. This is the highest profile case in a while - how do you feel about paying for content that's already on the disc?

[Failed]

pffft i thought companies had given this up, they're practically charging you twice for one product, despicable.


(on another note i got to use the word despicable, which was my 'word of the day')

[GamerMan316]

You're right mate, it's borderline criminal

[DFUSIONITE]

it angers me. 

[Jaynestown]

Tsk tsk, that's a bit off!

[GamerMan316]

2K explains BioShock 2 on-disc DLC

2K Games has seemingly confirmed that the Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack premium downloadable content is stored on the BioShock 2 disc, arguing that it had to be this way to avoid splitting the player base.

"The way our engine and game structure works is that people need to have the exact same content for people to play together. One of the challenges with post-launch content for MP is that it can split the player base, and we want to avoid that whenever possible," a spokesperson wrote on the official forum.

"For this content, creating the DLC package the way we did allowed for us to not split the player base - so whether you purchase the new content or not, you can still play with your friends."

2K also said that the DLC "is not interfering with our patching capabilities, which are a top priority and are still being actively worked on".

The content, which went live for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 last Thursday, costs just over three quid but only requires a 108KB download on Xbox Live or 24KB on PC, despite consisting of two new characters, 20 new trials, weapon upgrades and other tweaks.

[RedMaster11]

So if you don't get the 'dlc' you will get your arse whipped by everyone who's got the new upgrades? Neat.