Sony survey suggests new mode for MAG, additional paid character slot

Yeah I think the price is too high, but it would make for nice content.

Unless I'm reading it wrong, isn't it actually a mode pack, adding features to the game rather than simply a map pack?

If said mode includes 3 maps, one on each clan's area then to me 12.99 is fine. Have to remember the size of the maps. If they are the size of the all out war fest's that I loved so much then I'll drop my money the first day its released.

The price seems reasonable but if they do make another character slot available I think it should be flat one time rate not subscription based.

From the forums:

I would be willing to place a significant wager that most of the "DLC" coming down the pipe in the near future is ALREADY ON THE DISC, "new maps" included. The assets that we have all seen already would easily fit on a single DVD, if not half of one. I'm not saying that any developer is required to fill a Blu-Ray to make a decent game, but honestly, the playable assets themselves, as they currently stand, are somewhat meager.

My point is that I think, no matter how much you love MAG (I'm pretty addicted, personally), people should stop being so willing to pay for "DLC." It will likely be "U(nlockable)C." Also, I have a friend who is a producer at Capcom, and he gave me confirmation of what many of us already know/suspect, that companies do put "fake" bulk data into "DLC" to hide the fact that it is really just an unlock. I'm not accusing Zipper of doing this; MAG is my first Zipper game. I'm just saying that just because any eventual "DLC" comes with a significant download doesn't mean it's not just an unlock.

And of course, keep in mind that the "DLC" we've had so far has just been unlocks, and account-restricted unlocks at that. Also, the survey mentions an extra $0.99 a month for an extra character slot. It seems to me that the character "selection" screen is already formatted to allow at least two, and maybe three, character profiles. On that basis, for a while, I thought that once you vetted it meant that you got to keep your level 60 guy and start a fresh guy on another faction. Alas, that is not the case.

Someone has mentioned before that they have a similar belief, that there is a ton of content already on the disc, and part of Zipper's strategy is to unlock it over time over the lifespan of the game. This wouldn't surprise me, and I don't necessarily have a problem with it, provided I am not charged for it. I paid my $60, thank you very much (if I were getting it now for $30, I might feel a bit more forgiving).

C'mon folks, I know MAG is a great game, with a lot of potential, despite its flaws. But don't be so willing to be nickel and dimed for stuff that's already on your disc. What this survey is doing is trying to find out if they can get away with charging you for something already planned and prepared, not whether or not there would be a market that would be worth them putting extra resources into creating something additional to sell. At some point, I'm sure Zipper could add something that would be worth paying more for (fracturing of player base notwithstanding), but I don't believe that point has yet been reached.

Agreed.

I get the appeal of listening to custom soundtracks in single player games (especially ones with licensed soundtracks), but why an online MP game? Doesn't it take away from your ability to hear what's going on in the game?

I'm genuinely asking, btw, not criticizing in the slightest. I just don't do custom soundtracks much, save when I'm forging in Halo 3 or playing Burnout Paradise.

really?? I would never use it in Single player of some games because it would take away from the the feeling they want you to have....but Multiplayer is where it is needed....it doesn't distract me or keep me from hearing anything in the games I use it in....can still hear all the sounds online just fine...

I'm the opposite of you Granger. I like to listen to my music when i'm playing online because usually there isn't a soundtrack to begin with. That and music gets my adrenaline rolling.

I've never really tried it in a multiplayer game that requires any sort of strategy personally. Usually I'm talking with people and trying to discern if there is someone behind me. Interesting, I guess I figured it will overpower the ambient noise in some games, but I must have guessed wrong.

I really don't do it in Single Player either, I'm one of those purists too that not only appreciates a great video game score, but tries to play a game the way the developer intended. Just when a game has a licensed soundtrack that's awful (Burnout series) or when you get sick of hearing the same songs after a while (GTA series), I tend to go the custom soundtrack route.

in KZ2 and warhawk, it was fine to use custom soundtracks since the ambient noise wasn't too important (sniping in KZ2 didn't need any sound awareness and in warhawk, you tend to get other signs that you're in trouble before you hear it). in a game like MW2, yeah it would mess you up pretty bad since ambient noise is a lot more important.

den-69 look at the article? It says 8.99 or 12.99...

Seconded.

A new mode means 3 new maps

I concur. It's like Zipper has given up on MAG. It's just not as supported or used as I had hoped it to be. I still spend more time in Uncharted 2 online just because I want to hop into an active game. Shame though, the tech behind it is so excellent.

MAG has been between 5 & 10K players a night since the game came out.

5k is only in Primetime... pop has been dropping... I haven't played much anymore cuz my friends moved on and I really only had fun when I was playing when they were online.

It's not too late. People aren't tired of the core game in MAG, just tired of the maps. If you build it, they will come =)

Ya I think it was worth it, I would be playing it now if I weren't trying to wrap up and finish a couple of other games, I'm trying to clear my backlog for Red Dead Redemption and Fallout: New Vegas.

So my understanding is that MAG is like Warhawk, mostly multiplayer and no story ? and yes I agree, I think Red Redemption looks badass! :D

Yeah, it's all multiplayer and no story. The training is garbage and so is the manual. It is a little overwhelming at first but it's a pretty fun game overall. Find a clan because this is one of the few multiplayer games where being in a clan makes the game much more enjoyable.

I kinda agree with the first part of your argument but I don't have any problem staying connected to psn, you should check with your ip.

@f disco ...

I have never had the psn disconnect on me , your other points are valid, but that was complete bullshit.

It's not one map champ, it's one mode with multiple maps.

The problem is that Zipper wants you to only have one character slot but there is a minority of players that really want a second one. So, the point of charging for it isn't for Zipper to make tons of money, it's to keep players that don't really care about a second slot from making a second slot and therefore stick to Zippers design.

Yay, another SVER player acting like SVER is full of the best players in the world. Keep that BS on the Playstation Forums.