Tomb Raider content on Xbox Marketplace
by Alan Rose 
{ Apr 4th 2006 at 11:05PM }
Eidos Interactive announced today the availability of exclusive Tomb Raider Legend content for Xbox 360 on Live Marketplace, including a playable demo of Legend, and Lara Croft dashboard themes and picture packs. While this initial content is free, it's not hard to imagine Eidos and other publishers following in the footsteps of Bethesda Softworks, who is already taking some heat for selling Oblivion "extras" through the Marketplace service.
The most obvious bonus content for a Tomb Raider game would be alternate outfits for Lara, or maybe enhanced weaponry, and although this content isn't necessary to play the game, the "just gotta have it" factor can be as seductive to gamers as Lara herself. In the end, this is basically legalized goldfarming, where the publishers benefit instead of some shadowy operation, and the wealthiest gamers have the most fun. Whatever happened to earning unlockable content the old fashioned way -- through blisters, sweat, and tearful bottomless pits of death? Welcome to next gen gaming, indeed.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Maganac @ Apr 4th 2006 11:12PM
Tomb Raider, huh? Hmm, I dont see gameplay among all the alternate outfits and guns...
Pretty Obvious @ Apr 4th 2006 11:16PM
You lie, theres no demo up there. Only a trailer. Get it together.
Enigma @ Apr 4th 2006 11:32PM
It says it (demo) "will be" available, doesnt say "when"!
/shrug
And who cares about stuff, as long as this DLable content doesnt effect the game as far as things needed, then it just cosmetic junk for peopole to have to have it all.
(plus how many people ever cared to unlock costumes in games, I sure didnt pay no mind to it)
Anything that is cosmetic doesnt bother me. It is when they venture in the realm of things NEEDED!
Andy @ Apr 4th 2006 11:45PM
Joystiq's slogan should be "the spin zone." Eidos announces FREE content for the 360 and Joystiq criticizes them for being greedy. Definitely no spin going on here.
Vince -UK @ Apr 4th 2006 11:57PM
Agreed Enigma.
Buying extra question cards for Trivial Pursuit is about as close as I've been to purchasing extras for a game I've already paid for, but I wouldn't buy pewter cheeses or anything like that of course, it has to give the game more life.
Board game or video game, no one will get my money unless it extends the game's life for me, these silly cosmetic extras are tacky and should stay free for whoever (kids) wants them.
Unnecessary post release milking will hopefully be seen as tacky and bad for business in the long run, the question is how long though.
LaughingMan @ Apr 5th 2006 12:00AM
I agree with No.5. Calm the freak down, Joystiq. One questionable add on and now "AAAH AAAH! EVERY TITLE FOR THE 360 WILL DO EXACTLY WHAT BETHESEDA HAS DONE, EVIDENCE BE DAMNED!!!" I know the people who run this site are young, but you're venturing into fat 12 year old on Gamefaq message board territory.
Steven @ Apr 5th 2006 12:02AM
I hope they've got a Lara-in-a-skimpy-outfit alternate outfit. I'd pay points for that. Rrrowrr!
Uno @ Apr 5th 2006 1:30AM
You're all forgetting one thing.. You don't have to have it. No. 7, you're just a moron. It's called an opinion.
dvddesign @ Apr 5th 2006 1:32AM
I can't wait till cheat codes become paid content. That's when the industry's going to hell.
darko82 @ Apr 5th 2006 1:40AM
Agreed, Uno. This is a blog where opinions are expressed. And there are no accusations going on here, only speculation and "what ifs?"
GameSpot is also saying that the demo is not currently available. Wonder when it will be up.
DaveKap @ Apr 5th 2006 3:33AM
I'm agreeing on the odd commentary pushing forward the "payment for modification" agenda. What's up Joystiq? Talking about the backlash against Bethesda in a patronizing manner, stating that the next-gen is going to be full of this kind of tactic, then accusing others companies of thinking about adopting the practice when, quite frankly, it sounds like you're offering the suggestion?
I'm a bit disturbed by this...
sether134 @ Apr 5th 2006 6:23AM
It was only a matter of time for this trend to emerge. In fact I was wondering why no body had a reaction to Live having a 'Marketplace' to begin with. I did, because the idea of Microsoft sapping any more of my money is worrisome. Hooray next-gen gaming!
Les @ Apr 5th 2006 6:47AM
Com'on folks, you can't seriously mean to tell me you didn't see this sort of thing coming as soon as Microsoft announced this "feature" during the 360's unveiling. Bethesda is just the first to try and actually make use of it and I doubt they'll be the last.
Microsoft has been envious of the literally billions being made in the mobile phone market for overpriced downloads to cell phones for ages now. Before the 360 came out they added low cost downloadable content to MSN Messenger in the form of extra smilies, backgrounds, dynamic display pictures, winks, and "packs" of several themed items in hopes people will spend the couple of bucks it takes to purchase these things. I imagine there's more than enough people out there with the lack of brains to make it profitable too.
They're just applying the same idea to the Xbox 360. Here's the thing, though, you don't have to buy that crap. If enough of you don't then they'll stop trying to sell it or will offer it for free. But as long as enough folks out there take them up on the offer you can be sure that no amount of backlash will put an end to it.
Terot @ Apr 5th 2006 8:32AM
Remember when they said that we the players would be able to create and sell our own content on XBL? Velocity Girl, selling shirts for THUG? Micro transactions costing between ten and twenty-five cense. Anyone remember any of that? No one is paying to see my Burnout Clips! 250 points for a theme might be acceptable if Microsoft was going to give me points every time I won a match of DOA4, NFSMW, or Burnout; but alas, it seems to be that there is no way on XBL to earn points so why should I spend them on anything other than buying XBL Arcade games. I want to f~king sell some virtual T-Shirts!
Enigma @ Apr 5th 2006 8:50AM
Terot,
The themes are 150 points not 250, but I get your point totally.
It would rock if you can have a virtual trading of points. Where users can create shirts like you mentioned, etc, and cool video clips and what have you for 25-50 cents.
Then you wont actually get cash in hand, but a portion of their points they are willing to spend. Then it gives you points to spend, etc.
Evil Inside @ Apr 5th 2006 10:07AM
"In the end, this is basically legalized goldfarming, where the publishers benefit instead of some shadowy operation, and the wealthiest gamers have the most fun."
This is a pretty funny statement considering the Xbox 360 will cost you at least $400 plus an Xbox Live subscription and broadband in order to use the marketplace. On top of that, the content in question will most likely be priced at or around $2, and I don't think this will be a problem for most Xbox Live users.
This is the new business model people. Premium content comes at a cost. If you don't want it, don't buy, it's that simple. Don't want a unique ringer on your cellphone, stick with the built in one.
None of this is being forced onto you, it's optional and not part of the original game, so it's not owed to you. If it weren't for the Xbox Live Marketplace, this content wouldn't even be available.
And don't think Sony and Nintendo will follow the same business model either, they will...
csokn @ Apr 5th 2006 10:29AM
People are freaking out about this when Nintendo has basically pulled this stunt with HARDWARE! Every handheld they've released has had some "upgrade" released relatively quickly after the first one. If people won't freak out about that, they won't freak out about this. Do these micropayments have the potential to get out of hand? Yes. But, at the moment, we are beating a dead, armored horse.
calthaer @ Apr 5th 2006 10:58AM
Not to mention that some Nintendo games (Pokemon, anyone?) have extra "downloadable" content that are quite simply not accessible to anyone outside of a specific and narrow geographic area. So you have to pay big bucks (usually in the hundreds, in the case of their Aurora ticket last year) to travel there on the one day out of the year that they're doling it out, or you just don't get it at all. That's even worse, IMO.
And how is this much different from buying an expansion pack for a game? One could argue that an expansion pack is far more comprehensive than a simple "mount armor" add-on, but when you tally up the cost of a $30 expansion pack and divide out how much each extra feature costs, that might turn out to be $2.50 each. With downloads, you can also pick-and-choose and build an expansion pack of your own.
Of course, you can usually wait and get these expansion packs for $20 (or less, used) later on. Can't do that with downloadable content.
It rubs me the wrong way, too, and I think this nickel-and-diming appears rather cheap and miserly - but I'm not 100% certain that it hasn't been done before.
Jeff @ Apr 5th 2006 11:27AM
"Eidos announces FREE content for the 360 and Joystiq criticizes them for being greedy. Definitely no spin going on here."
Spin involves turning a negative into a positive. It is a marketing/PR term (at least as you're using the word - I assume you don't mean the Joystiq guys are spinning around in their Aeron chairs making themselves dizzy). So, no, there is no spin going on here.
There is such a thing as "negative spin", but there's a reason why you need the word "negative" in front of it - just plain spin is always positive. And anyway, again, these are marketing and PR terms - a news outlet and/or blog can't spin. Whatever PR firm *gave* them the news can spin, but did Eidos themselves put negative spin on their own story? I don't think so.
When you see opinion written on a news site or blog, it's called "commentary". And it can be either positive or negative.
It seems like basic journalism 101 to me, but obviously not everybody here understands it. Not every piece of news, however positively spun by the originator of that news, is going to be received positively by those reporting it. That's just life, not spin.
bladestar @ Apr 5th 2006 12:01PM
Careful people or you might get a negative star for expressing your opinion like I did. What the heck, here comes another negative star! Why joystiq has to criticize anything that has to do with Microsoft? Do you see any XBOX live user complaining about the service? NO! is only Joystiq and all their SONY and Nintendo Fanboys. Yesterday I added Microsoft points and bought myself a few games which I think they are worth a lot more than the $5-10 bucks each one of them cost. Of course I understand your fan boys mentality; if is Microsoft then is bad. This reminds me or a theatre I went that for an extra $5.00 they offer some VIP stuff where they reserve you the best seats, take orders and bring you anything you need to your seat (hopefully they start offering VIP pissing so I dont have to get up to take a leak). Can they offer this service for free? Hell NO! it wouldnt be VIP if everyone gets the same for free!
The Xbox live marketplace opened lots of possibilities that unless Nintenduh or SONIC will not have unless they offer similar service which I think they will. I don't understand why this appear to be new to these people. You never bought a collector's edition of any game? Maybe not but some people do. Should we spoil those people that want the extra stuff because we dont want it or think it should be for free? If the people bringing this premium content have no incentives (like making a profit) do you think you will be seeing them? How will you now what you are not getting if you dont know what you can get? At the end extra-content translate to extra-work/cost. And no company will work more to make the same. You freaken people are do dumb to see that the concept of charging more to get more or for better quality is everywhere even in the paper you use to wipe your ass, or the food you eat, or the medicine you need. If companies can charge more for the products we need, why shouldn't Microsoft or any other company charge a bit more for something considered a luxury, not a need? This mentality that everything should be free exists everywhere, hey who wouldnt want everything for free?
Free food, free software, free computers, free medicine but the moment you ask, would you work for free? Then everyone these fools back out, cause is ok for them to get for free but give for free.
Uno @ Apr 5th 2006 1:01PM
IT'S AN OPINION. Holy HELL. I've never seen so many people get annoyed by a simple speculation. Jesus.
mountain_rage @ Apr 5th 2006 5:33PM
To all those who said calm down this isnt a big deal, if you dont want it dont pay for it, your missing the point. Alot of these features would probably have been included with a game in the past free of cost. It would of been part of the game, now they exclude them only to charge you more latter on. This is rediculous, the more people tollerate it the less content there will be in games initially. Just one more reason why its hard to support developers these days.
bladestar @ Apr 5th 2006 6:41PM
22. Ohh really, when was the last time you downloaded content(backgrounds, icons, stuff to customize your PS2 or Nintendo Interface) from a centralized system like xbox live market place for a game you purchased less say months ago? When was the last time you downloaded new levels, weapons for free with your Nintendo or SONY console? I don't recall anyone downloading/getting new content from EIDOS when they when they launched tomb raider 1,2,3 -> + ... it is only till now that new content is being given after a game launch. Why is it that people think, "If I don't buy it from them they will give it for free!". This is how every company thinks, "If it cost us extra to make and people are not willing to buy... then don't even mention it." I know most of you live in a dream world, but premium/extra stuff only exist because some/not all will buy it. Which is why limited/collectors/director's cut versions of the games/product edition exist. You don't complain about nintendo and they are making the DS Lite do you? Is the same product! why didn't they make just the DS Lite!? I am sure they knew they were going to make the DS Lite at the same time they were making the DS. Apple uses the same Idea. They keep making the ipod smaller every six months, even though they all do the same crap, but some people want the extra and are willing to pay for it. So, if you don't want to buy the extra dont! no one is forcing you. That Idea of offering multiple versions or extra content or features are relative new to some of you but exists everywhere. As much as some of you hate microsoft or the xbox market place is there to stay and I am sure SONY and nintendo will do the same. People that are willing to pay extra like the idea of getting something extra, and you will not be able to stop companies from taking advantage of that.
Tru3 h4X03r! @ Apr 6th 2006 5:37AM
You're all just bloody nerds! You have to stick together! Together you can rule the world! One arcade at a time!
James M @ Apr 6th 2006 1:51PM
Can you guys do me a favor and not use Comic Sans? You're scaring the children.