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Now that Pandemic's WWII action stealth game 'The Saboteur' has released state-side, gamers who like a bit of titillation with their games can now download the free of charge nudity.
Included with the game is a code which when redeemed via Xbox Live unlocks the nudity content as well as some other bonuses. The code is a one time use only code, which means if you buy the game second hand then you'll have to pay 240 points (approx $2.99) for the extra content (if the code has been used already).
This is quite an unusual move, because the content is most likely already on the disc. What it does do, is ensure that Pandemic (who have now closed their doors) and EA will grab some additional revenue from the sale of second hand games - if the person buying is tempted to pay for the extra DLC (sex sells doesn't it so quite the safe bet). It's well documented that publishers do not see any revenue from the used market and so the inclusion of withheld content for download only ensures that there's more incentive for gamers to buy new, or delve into their pockets further and purchase the downloadable content.
This action also highlights the remarkable comments from John Riccitiello of EA who speaking to Kotaku stated that pirates (those who illegally download games) present a new market that EA needs to make money from. John describes a model where post release downloadable content is the key to grabbing additional revenue from those gamers who would rather not pay for the original disc. So for many pirates who will undoubtedly have downloaded The Saboteur, if they are to get the 'full' experience of the game they'll have to fork out 240 points for the extras, that's money for Microsoft and EA. This then begs the question, what if publishers decide to withold even more content from games to make the enticement to purchase DLC even more desirable. Who is going to suffer then - the legit consumer being short changed on the original purchase, or perhaps we'll see a drop in the price of retail games to accommodate the shift to digital distribution methods? What of those gamers (and yes there are many) who aren't connected to Xbox Live with their Xbox 360., ultimately it's those gamers who are going to suffer, perhaps this is the price they will have to pay for not progressing with the rest of us?
Either way, the rise of DLC extras has been phenomenal this generation and is only going to continue to gain acceptance and popularity as gamers lap up these extras with gay abandon, not thinking about what's left out of the retail discs, and more pondering what's around the corner as additional content. Perhaps EA should be commended for such brave and intelligent thinking to tackle lifelong problems but as it stands DLC in all its guises is here to stay and what was previously an untapped market is fast becoming the standard.
PRESS RELEASE:
Los Angeles, Calif. - December 8, 2009 – Pandemic™ Studios, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), today announced that the open world action sandbox game The Saboteur™ is available today. As the game hits store shelves today, console players can download a free* content pack (DLC) called ‘The Midnight Show’. The sexy pack unlocks a V.I.P room at the game’s cabaret ‘The Belle de Nuit’ including several sultry cinematics, unveils an all-new mini-game, and unlocks five seedy hiding spots in Paris. The downloadable content also gives players the ability to unlock nudity in the game, allowing them to make their own choice regarding the game’s maturity. All new console copies of The Saboteur contain a single use download code for ‘The Midnight Show’ redeemable through the game on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace and PlayStation® Store. Owners of the PC version will have automatic access ‘The Midnight Show’ without an additional download. For console players who wish to buy the ‘The Midnight Show’ DLC pack as a stand-alone download, they may do so on Xbox LIVE for 240 MSFT points and for $2.99 at the PlayStation Store.
“The Saboteur is unlike any other WWII action game. It paints a picture of Nazi-occupied Paris that is corrupt, riddled with danger and more than a little sexy. ‘The Midnight Show’ DLC takes all of this edginess to the next level, but in an authentic, organic way,” said Nick Earl, Senior Vice President and Group General Manager at Electronic Arts. “This feels like the Director’s Cut of the game. We’re very proud to have the opportunity to deliver this alternate experience with a DLC pack that is so polished and robust.”
The Saboteur is set in World War II France and takes players through the seedy underbelly of Paris as hero Sean Devlin sets off on a revenge mission. Inspired by a true story, The Saboteur stars Sean Devlin who, motivated by personal revenge, fights, climbs, and races through open-world Paris, sneaking into the heart of the Nazi operations and sabotaging their every move. With the help of the French Resistance, the British intelligence, an arsenal of weaponry, street smarts and brawn, players will exact revenge on those who get in his way. From derailing trains and blowing up zeppelins to scaling famous Parisian landmarks, this action hero uses a broad range of weapons, explosives and vehicles to get the job done.
As Sean takes down enemies, the citizens of Paris are empowered to resist the tyrannical Third Reich and their eyes open to the colorful world around them. This innovative mechanic, called the ‘Will to Fight,’ will change the way Paris is seen and felt – from a dark and oppressed policed state to a bright and inspired world where the citizens fight back. As the player executes acts of sabotage against the occupying force, color returns to the stylized black and white world – both figuratively and literally.
The Saboteur is available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, and the PC and is rated “M for Mature” by the ESRB and “18+”by PEGI. For more information on The Saboteur, please visit http://www.thesaboteurgame.com or get the latest news on www.twitter.com/pandemicstudios.
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Date: 2009-12-09 |
| Posted by: Robert Cram |
| Source: |
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