Research firm EEDAR has produced its "Deconstructing Downloadable Content (DLC) Report" for 2011. The report, now in its third year, reveals that 51 percent of HD console owners have purchased DLC in the last 12 months. EEDAR expects DLC will generate over $875 million in 2011, surpassing $1 billion in 2012 in North America.
EEDAR figures if publishers can get the 49 percent who have not purchased DLC to convert, the North American games industry could make an extra $600 million dollars. According to the report, the number one reason, at 47 percent, for consumers not purchasing DLC is privacy ... your guess is as good as ours as to what that means. EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich told Joystiq the company plans to break out that question for more detail next year. Reasons two and three -- "no return policy" and "too expensive" -- make far more sense.
We also asked Divnich how the company defined "purchased" to the survey participants, since the bundled "online pass" has become ubiquitous this year. He told us that the survey was specific about a transfer of money having occurred for online content, but that a respondent could have taken that to mean at the cash register instead of through a digital distribution network.
Those interested in the business of DLC can take a look at the excerpt of the report.
Reader Comments (71)
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:17PM Faceless Troll said
Privacy? lol.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 8:24PM aristokrat said
@Faceless Troll
I'm sure the whole PSN thing did not help. Though I must say I'm enjoying my free year of identity protection.
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I'm sure the whole PSN thing did not help. Though I must say I'm enjoying my free year of identity protection.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:00PM dudes113 said
@Faceless Troll
If I had to guess, "privacy" here could be giving out your credit card info to an online store, and like aristokrat said after the PSN incident many probably people don't feel safe having that information on record.
It would help if they had a break down of what console each interviewee owned; I assume many people with a XBL Gold or PS Plus account aren't as concerned about privacy, where as participants of the free service like PSN or a Silver (that doesn't immediately require a credit card number) don't participate in paid services out of concerns for privacy.
The next question I have then is if any of those who answered "privacy" shop online at all, which essentially carries the same risk as purchasing DLC online.
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If I had to guess, "privacy" here could be giving out your credit card info to an online store, and like aristokrat said after the PSN incident many probably people don't feel safe having that information on record.
It would help if they had a break down of what console each interviewee owned; I assume many people with a XBL Gold or PS Plus account aren't as concerned about privacy, where as participants of the free service like PSN or a Silver (that doesn't immediately require a credit card number) don't participate in paid services out of concerns for privacy.
The next question I have then is if any of those who answered "privacy" shop online at all, which essentially carries the same risk as purchasing DLC online.
Posted: Oct 20th 2011 1:29AM Faceless Troll said
@dudes113 The fact that you can buy DLC points and codes at physical stores might just mean people are ignorant about their options. Or they're paranoid idiots idk.
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Posted: Oct 20th 2011 6:27AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
@dudes113 those same people must have not hear of PSN cash or XBL points cards.....they are pretty much anywhere you buy a game at. So even if they don't want to give their debit/credit card number they can get a card to buy said DLC.
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Posted: Oct 20th 2011 2:47PM dudes113 said
@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi & Faceless Troll
That was my second question, if these people are so concerned about privacy (which I assume could only be my reasoning above) then why not go buy a point card? It carries almost no risk of privacy and is exactly the same as buying points through the console. The only other thing I could think of would be refusing to use a service like Steam to download DLC, as they don't offer physical point cards (I believe), but as the study says it's about HD consoles, not all gaming systems.
My only conclusion is that the study is somewhat biased in who they asked. I'm sure 90% of adults asked this question only have a console for their 9 year old and are oblivious to other options of purchasing points. Anyone who is a regular gamer is at least somewhat aware of the point cards; knowing that there really couldn't be any reason to answer "privacy."
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That was my second question, if these people are so concerned about privacy (which I assume could only be my reasoning above) then why not go buy a point card? It carries almost no risk of privacy and is exactly the same as buying points through the console. The only other thing I could think of would be refusing to use a service like Steam to download DLC, as they don't offer physical point cards (I believe), but as the study says it's about HD consoles, not all gaming systems.
My only conclusion is that the study is somewhat biased in who they asked. I'm sure 90% of adults asked this question only have a console for their 9 year old and are oblivious to other options of purchasing points. Anyone who is a regular gamer is at least somewhat aware of the point cards; knowing that there really couldn't be any reason to answer "privacy."
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:18PM FlashJS said
That is one whacked out looking pie chart. I understand what it's trying to say, but at first glance it seems to make no sense. A pie chart is supposed to represent the whole (i.e., 100%). Here: 49% + 34% + 40% + 51% = 174%. Lolwut.
On topic: I almost always (99.9%) purchase DLC when they go on sale.
On topic: I almost always (99.9%) purchase DLC when they go on sale.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 10:45PM sonicspike41 said
@FlashJS
That's what I thought at first too, but it's still a valid chart. The 51% encompasses not only the dark blue area, but the medium and light blue areas as well. The 40% is the medium and light blue areas and the 34% is only the light blue area.
The red 49% is based on 2011, obviously. It's trying to compare the percentage of people purchasing it over the years while simultaneously showing off the full current stats.
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That's what I thought at first too, but it's still a valid chart. The 51% encompasses not only the dark blue area, but the medium and light blue areas as well. The 40% is the medium and light blue areas and the 34% is only the light blue area.
The red 49% is based on 2011, obviously. It's trying to compare the percentage of people purchasing it over the years while simultaneously showing off the full current stats.
Posted: Oct 20th 2011 7:20AM Cap Morgan said
@soorma
if cake = false then
cake + cake = true
end if
sorry, work has me using basic. bleh.
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if cake = false then
cake + cake = true
end if
sorry, work has me using basic. bleh.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:19PM Electrium said
I'd be really interested to see a chart like this on a per-game basis. How much would this chart change if it did not include map packs or cosmetics, I wonder?
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 10:50PM sonicspike41 said
@Electrium
So then, what, limit it to only extra characters for games or campaign content? Or are you saying you want to see if people buy more single-player DLC compared to multiplayer DLC?
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So then, what, limit it to only extra characters for games or campaign content? Or are you saying you want to see if people buy more single-player DLC compared to multiplayer DLC?
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:21PM Dubiousity said
I'm surprised "Should be in Full Game" wasn't an option on the list of percentages on the right, that's the reason why a lot of the people I know don't buy DLC.
Either way, we need more Expansion Pack level DLC, something like Undead Nightmare that adds several hours worth of gameplay to the game and is actually worth the price. I'm sure that would make more people buy DLC, instead of all these Nickel-and-Dime skin and weapon packs out Day 1.
Either way, we need more Expansion Pack level DLC, something like Undead Nightmare that adds several hours worth of gameplay to the game and is actually worth the price. I'm sure that would make more people buy DLC, instead of all these Nickel-and-Dime skin and weapon packs out Day 1.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:40PM abercrombieco2 said
@Dubiousity to some people every single piece of dlc , "should have been in the game" no matter how long the dlc was made after the game was finalized.
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Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:41PM Once known as Shadsy said
@Dubiousity "is actually worth the price" is on there as "too expensive."
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Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:42PM singleandlovinit said
The only "DLC" Ive bought was Stories of Liberty City, but I waited until the disc release since I had GTA4 on PS3, so technically I didn't buy dlc (had it been released on PS3 I would have downloaded it). That is basically an expansion pack and thats the reason why I got it, because it was a substantial amount of content.
I have ME2 DLC but I didn't pay for it, I used free Bing points. I would not be willing to pay for the ME2 DLC since its too small, a ME2 expansion would have been awesome and I wouldve jumped all over that.
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I have ME2 DLC but I didn't pay for it, I used free Bing points. I would not be willing to pay for the ME2 DLC since its too small, a ME2 expansion would have been awesome and I wouldve jumped all over that.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:26PM ItsameMatt03 said
People can't stop walking in on gamers while they are trying to download their map packs! Can't a person have some privacy while getting their game on?! Sheesh!
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:27PM BboyIzilla said
I'm part of the 32%. I have no voice
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:28PM Crayola Q Pants ESQ said
I don't even understand what they mean by privacy so who knows what the original answers were before they were lumped in under that heading
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:28PM Timjoy said
If FF7 came out today emerald and ruby weapon would be dlc...
If sotn came out today the upside down castle would be a full price dlc like capcom loves to...
If super Mario world came out today chocolate world would be dlc...
Of course people buy the dlc .....gotta get the rest of the game.....since you only sold me a piece of it....
If sotn came out today the upside down castle would be a full price dlc like capcom loves to...
If super Mario world came out today chocolate world would be dlc...
Of course people buy the dlc .....gotta get the rest of the game.....since you only sold me a piece of it....
Posted: Oct 20th 2011 12:13AM LOMDR said
@GiantGamer The remake does seem to have Paintball mode ready as DLC. It is a preorder bonus at Gamestop. You can use it in Mi6 Special Ops mode, but if you want the multiplayer version, you better pre order it
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/locked-up-activision-flip-flops-on-goldeneyes-paintball-mode/3745/
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http://www.giantbomb.com/news/locked-up-activision-flip-flops-on-goldeneyes-paintball-mode/3745/
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:30PM Hoops said
Some of those reasons for not buying are ridiculous. "Not high enough quality"? Really? How would you know that if you've never purchased DLC? And None for interested Games? Are you joking? Every possible subset of gaming is represented via dlc in some form of another, I don't imagine that's really the case, they just are uninformed of what's there. I think 'complicated storefront' hits closest to the real reason being a lot of people just don't know how to do it or that it's an option. If people were given truth serum, and 'I'm ignorant' was an option, it would be running away with this thing...
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:55PM The Aquacharger said
@Hoops
Shadows of the Damned and Catherine didn't have DLC. I totally would buy DLC for them.
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Shadows of the Damned and Catherine didn't have DLC. I totally would buy DLC for them.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 10:59PM sonicspike41 said
@Hoops
I don't know, man. I've had to deal with a lot of idiots in my days who would swear on a bible they were right, even if they were clearly wrong. Even if they were too ignorant to figure out the DLC I don't think they'd even realize it and list it as their answer. They'd likely blame everyone else first.
I can think of a few single-player games I wish had more to them. SotC/Ico would be wonderful if there was more there (even though they're amazing as-is).
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I don't know, man. I've had to deal with a lot of idiots in my days who would swear on a bible they were right, even if they were clearly wrong. Even if they were too ignorant to figure out the DLC I don't think they'd even realize it and list it as their answer. They'd likely blame everyone else first.
I can think of a few single-player games I wish had more to them. SotC/Ico would be wonderful if there was more there (even though they're amazing as-is).
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:36PM Hoops said
@sonicspike41 That's what I was trying to say actually. The REAL reason is there are a ton of clueless people out there who don't know that they can buy DLC or, are vaguely aware of it, but scared to even try because it sounds too complicated. Most wouldn't admit it, but 'I don't know much about DLC' or some iteration therof, should have been one of the survey questions.
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Posted: Oct 20th 2011 12:20AM sonicspike41 said
@Hoops
I agree it'd make a nice addition to the list of answers. You can't say that for all games though, as some include in-game stores, or pop up a simple prompt asking if you want to buy the missing content (which redirects you straight to the appropriate store page).
Some companies have done what they can to make it as painless as possible so people are more willing to take the plunge.
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I agree it'd make a nice addition to the list of answers. You can't say that for all games though, as some include in-game stores, or pop up a simple prompt asking if you want to buy the missing content (which redirects you straight to the appropriate store page).
Some companies have done what they can to make it as painless as possible so people are more willing to take the plunge.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:31PM BlueRajasmyk said
I'm willing to bet "privacy" was the first choice, which is why so many people picked it.
I'm also willing to bet the sample population had extreme sampling bias, meaning these results are absolutely meaningless.
I'm also willing to bet the sample population had extreme sampling bias, meaning these results are absolutely meaningless.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 10:52PM CaptainProtonX said
@BlueRajasmyk
A meaningless chart trying to explain obvious gaming behavior? That's a new one!
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A meaningless chart trying to explain obvious gaming behavior? That's a new one!
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 7:37PM CQQLGUY said
Who gives a crap about EEDAR? Every single time I see them brought up as a source on something, they are usual wrong or stating the obvious. They are like the John Madden of video games. I remember hearing a revelation from them in the spirit of "We think Super Smash Brothers Brawl will be the best selling first-party multiplayer fighting game on the Wii when it's released." It's been downhill from there.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:01PM sonicspike41 said
@CQQLGUY
You need to realize that often times these analysts aren't speaking directly to well-educated blog-reading gamers. What may seem obvious to some of us may not seem as obvious to others.
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You need to realize that often times these analysts aren't speaking directly to well-educated blog-reading gamers. What may seem obvious to some of us may not seem as obvious to others.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 10:40PM SteveoftheGods said
The amount of time I can spend on the content is what prevents me from buying stuff. I play enough Disgaea to warrant some of their DLC, and I know I can level those characters to 9999 a hundred times over, so to me its worth it. I'm just hesitant about Dragon Age DLC, cause they don't sound like they take very long.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 10:50PM zerosuitsammich said
If full games count I've bought 4 WiiWare and 3 virtual console games on Wii. I used to own a 360 and currently have a ps3 but have never bought a game or any add-on content from XBLA or PSN.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 10:53PM CaptainProtonX said
I fall perfectly in the "I just don't care" category.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 10:56PM SpiderPrime said
I bet most of those half that get DLC are from preorders that include it. I barely buy DLC, but I do get the ones that are really cheap or I get for free. Look at Batman AC, the one I got from bestbuy came with 2 DLC codes, Robin and Catwoman DLC. I wonder what I downloaded with the catwoman DLC, when we know most of it was on the disc. Skins maybe?
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:15PM DirkHammerHulk said
So far this year alone I have spent enough on DLC to purchase a brand new ps3 and two games at the $60.00 price point,not enough high quality I think not.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:15PM BoBsS said
I like DLC a lot. Post-launch DLC down the road is always a great way to continue playing a game. It make sense to buy DLC for a game you really enjoy.
On the other hand, I despise pre-launch/pre-order DLC with a passion because I can't buy one copy at 5 different retailers so wtf is up with that?
On the other hand, I despise pre-launch/pre-order DLC with a passion because I can't buy one copy at 5 different retailers so wtf is up with that?
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:28PM Mmmmz said
@BoBsS
Basically, you like what was once known as expansion packs.
Everyone loves those and almost everyone hates DLC.
Not all DLC is stupid but since expansion packs existed before DLC, I would have no problem DLC never existing and expansion packs still being what they were (Exception and big middle finger to EA for their Sims "expansions" though. Namely tactics and price, but people still buy the crap out of it anyway)
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Basically, you like what was once known as expansion packs.
Everyone loves those and almost everyone hates DLC.
Not all DLC is stupid but since expansion packs existed before DLC, I would have no problem DLC never existing and expansion packs still being what they were (Exception and big middle finger to EA for their Sims "expansions" though. Namely tactics and price, but people still buy the crap out of it anyway)
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:21PM Kougeru said
Anyone else notice the lack of "it should've been part of the game at release" option? That's the most common reason between me and my friends/most the people on my steam friendlist. This study was very small scale anyway so it doesn't matter.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:22PM PedoJokerBear said
*Rick james voice* they shoulda neva gave you gamers money!
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:24PM (Unverified) said
I game a LOT. And I buy almost no DLC.
Especially this late in a cycle, there's so many whole games, downloadable and older retail boxes, that be can be bought and played for $10-15 instead of a piece of DLC. I just don't find value in it outside of the one or two most favorite titles I play (for me, Halo map packs and the Oblivion expansions have been just about the only things I HAD to have.) I pick up a few things here and there on sale, but it doesn't drive me in any real way.
Especially this late in a cycle, there's so many whole games, downloadable and older retail boxes, that be can be bought and played for $10-15 instead of a piece of DLC. I just don't find value in it outside of the one or two most favorite titles I play (for me, Halo map packs and the Oblivion expansions have been just about the only things I HAD to have.) I pick up a few things here and there on sale, but it doesn't drive me in any real way.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:35PM DokiDokiBawanga said
Yep i buy DLC. Sometimes even stupid stuff like all available DLC for Trinity universe, Disgaea 3 and Hyperdimension Neptunia. it's my money and i like NISa, so why not?
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 11:42PM MEGATOOL said
I demand to know the identities of the people who won't buy DLC because of privacy.
Posted: Oct 20th 2011 12:14AM TaengtheHero said
"Privacy" is easy to explain. There is a Tremendous fear of anyone putting ANY kind of information online, let alone credit/debit cards. In short: fear of identity theft.
Posted: Oct 20th 2011 12:19AM trinica said
DLC is just ridiculous. Skins and map packs are becoming the downfall of gaming on every platform.
Legitimate expansion packs are great, but I HATE when companies release things that should have been part of the initial game and then try to actually CHARGE PEOPLE FOR IT!! "Well, if you want to play with everyone else on THIS map, you have to buy it for the nominal fee of $15!!"
..."I ALREADY PAID FOR THE EFFING MULTI-PLAYER GAME, WTF."
Legitimate expansion packs are great, but I HATE when companies release things that should have been part of the initial game and then try to actually CHARGE PEOPLE FOR IT!! "Well, if you want to play with everyone else on THIS map, you have to buy it for the nominal fee of $15!!"
..."I ALREADY PAID FOR THE EFFING MULTI-PLAYER GAME, WTF."
Posted: Oct 20th 2011 1:26AM MW49350 said
@trinica My thoughts exactly. It would be one thing if they released a DLC pack 8 months after the original game, then it could be justified. But, how do you justify announcing a $15 map pack before the game is even released? That's like walking up to the customer and screaming: "HEY, WE'RE PURPOSELY KEEPING CONTENT OUT OF THE GAME SO YOU HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON IT LATER".
Let's be real- that's all they're doing. Anyone who thinks COD and BF dev teams aren't seriously working on these packs before release is kidding themselves. 9 maps in BF3? 9??!! Hell, Red Faction 2, a game from almost 10 years ago, came loaded with 30. 30, freaking, maps. Sure, they were easier to develop back then, but no way in hell can anyone convince me that making maps is so much more time-consuming now that you have to cut out 21 to ship 9.
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Let's be real- that's all they're doing. Anyone who thinks COD and BF dev teams aren't seriously working on these packs before release is kidding themselves. 9 maps in BF3? 9??!! Hell, Red Faction 2, a game from almost 10 years ago, came loaded with 30. 30, freaking, maps. Sure, they were easier to develop back then, but no way in hell can anyone convince me that making maps is so much more time-consuming now that you have to cut out 21 to ship 9.







