The 10 Commandments Of DLC And You!

I know you PC gaming people have had downloadable content before it was even called "DLC" by the rest of us, but it's a pretty new concept for many console gamers this generation. We've seen many publishers and developers use it as means to extend or expand already incredible experiences, but at the same time we've had to witness less than stellar additions that have disappointed fans, carry expensive pricetags, and even break otherwise normal save data. With this in mind, Alex Meer over at Rock, Paper, Shotgun compiled 10 commandments that all DLC should adhere to. No matter if you're playing with a controller or keyboard and mouse, I think most players can agree that these are some simple guidelines that should be respected...

1. Thou shalt not undermine the host game - that which we've achieved should still mean something, not seem lesser in the face of or be undone by what follows.

2. Thou shalt not leave the host game with a cliffhanger that you intend to resolve via later DLC. We've paid for a story, not a chapter.

3. Thou shalt not attach a pricetag to small things that a free mini-mod does or could very easily provide. Earn that pricetag rather than fobbing us off with fancily-packed tweaks, or make 'em free.

4. Thou shalt not remove already-created content from the host game to sell later, leaving obvious gaps and shortening the experience we've paid $30+ for.

5. Thou shalt not shatter immersion by having in-game characters suggest you spend real-world money on downloadable content.

6. Thou shalt not break old savegames.

7. Thou shalt not be features or content that the developers don't genuinely care about, and want their fans to play. Be made with passion and purpose, or not at all.

8. Thou shalt not be more expensive than buying an entire other game.

9. Thou shalt not split multiplayer communities by preventing DLC owners from generally playing with non-DLC owners, or by granting extra in-game advantages to DLC owners.

10. Thou shalt not be about bloody zombies yet again.

...now only if gamers at large would collectively stand together and refuse to support DLC that clearly breaks these reasonable rules. Personally speaking, I might not have a problem with extra Street Fighter IV costumes costing me something if I really wanted them, but just thinking about the "epilogue" to 2008's Prince of Persia can get my blood boiling. At the same time there are excellent DLC packages like the additional campaigns created for Fallout 3, the incredible surreal bonus levels for Mirror's Edge, and Rockstar's increasingly epic Grand Theft Auto 4 expansion that help take each title to extraordinary places the base title didn't dare touch. What DLC games can you think of that honor the commandments outlined above? Which are the worst at breaking each of these rules? Share your thoughts in the comments!

[RPS's 10 Commandments of DLC] Rock, Paper, Shotgun