49% Of Console Gamers Don't Buy DLC

[The Wooster]

49% Of Console Gamers Don't Buy DLC

Or, if you're feeling positive, 51% of console gamers do buy downloadable content, according to a recent survey.

The survey, done by entertainment research group EEDAR [http://www.eedar.com/], polled HD console owners on their DLC purchases over the past year. Nearly half of the respondents said they had not purchased DLC in 2011, compared to 60% in 2010, and 66% in 2009. While DLC remains a controversial issue, with DLC detractors arguing that DLC content is often "cut" from a game in order to be sold separately, the numbers indicate acceptance is growing. EEDAR estimates that console DLC sales will generate over $875 million In North America by the end of 2011, and claims that figure will top one billion dollars in 2012.

Of course these numbers don't include PC DLC sales which, considering the popularity of free-to-play games such as hat-trading-simulator Team Fortress 2 and the endless stream of microtransacton driven MMOs, probably earn much, much more.

In an additional survey, EEDAR asked 3500 respondents why they chose not to buy DLC. Their responses:

Privacy: 47 per cent
No return policy: 38 per cent
Too expensive: 32 per cent
Enough free DLC: 24 per cent
No demo: 24 per cent
No reviews: 21 per cent
None for interested games: 20 per cent
Not adequate description: 20 per cent
Not enough gameplay: 18 per cent
Only online multiplayer available: 18 per cent
Only single player available: 15 per cent
Process takes too long: 15 per cent
Complicated storefront: 15 per cent
Not released when wanted: 12 per cent
Not high enough quality: 11 per cent

So, DLC naysayers, does that sound about right?

Source: Eurogamer [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-19-49-percent-of-gamers-dont-buy-dlc-report]


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[CommanderL]

most dlc is review it is expenisve though

 

[tacotrainwreck]

I think I sit with that 32% who think that $60 is already enough for one game.

 

[Something Amyss]

I like the fact that "only online multiplayer" and "only single player" are back to back.

I think the lack of demos/reviews and the pricing are probably the best reasons to skip DLC. Probably privacy, too, but did they mean privacy in terms of "giving your details out to Ex Blah or PSN?"

I smiled at complicated storefront. I don't want to run around telling people they're wrong, but REALLY?

 

[Fappy]

I only ever buy DLC for games that I truly adore and have enough time to play the shit out of... which is to say, not many.

 

[FreakSheet]

Not enough hats.

If I want a pimp hat in Super Mario Galaxy then give me a pimp hat in Super Mario Galaxy.

 

[Snotnarok]

Most DLC is overpriced for the content you get. Here's some of the dumbest DLC I've seen:

6 new gun skins 6.99!
5 new multiplayer maps 14.99.
New story arc 15.99 (for like 2 hours of gameplay?...)
New playable character 5.99

That's MENTAL
5.99 is 1/10th the price of a new game for a character (or just a skin change), 5 multiplayer maps for 15? That's 1/4th the price of the game in question!! Most games are overpriced to begin with when it's 5 hours of game for 60 bucks but then there's this lackluster DLC with a pricetag comparable to the game cost. Why bother?

 

[SidingWithTheEnemy]

As a "glorious member of the PC Master Race" I congratulate the console players for this commendable behaviour.
The only DLC I ever see on my PC is the one included in the "Game of the Year" Edition.

Sarcasm aside, in all seriousness:
Good job to the 51%!

 

[CardinalPiggles]

I pretty much don't pay for DLC because of all of those reasons. But especially because you can't test it and can't refund it.

I hardly ever buy retail games without demo's so why should I buy DLC without a demo.

 

[darthotaku]

it didn't mention people like me, who's parents won't allow consoles to be hooked up online for fear that they'll get computer viruses. I'm probably just in too small of a minority to register on the study, but still, thats just one more thing preventing DLC

 

[Baldr]

Where on the list is Mommy and Daddy bought the game, but won't buy me the DLC?

 

[Waaghpowa]

My main reason is not enough content for the asking price. If Biowares DLC gave me more than an hour for 10 bucks, I might consider spending more money.

 

[Jamash]

it didn't mention people like me, who's parents won't allow consoles to be hooked up online for fear that they'll get computer viruses. I'm probably just in too small of a minority to register on the study, but still, thats just one more thing preventing DLC

I think that would fall under "privacy", the vague category that I can only assume means people can't buy DLC because the refuse to verify their XBL/PSN account online (meaning they can only use it offline and can't access any online features, at least not until they register their account details).

 

[ProjectTrinity]

It needs to be the pristine of gaming in order for me to usually invest in DLC.

And usually those kind of games are rare and don't need DLC in the first place. I'm talking Shadow of the Colossus/Persona 4 grade. So yeah, I have no reason to get DLC. Ever.

 

[Irridium]

Well, I don't buy DLC for my 360 games because I don't have enough hard drive space. Got the ol' 20gb hard drive. Though it's more 12, what with all the crap it comes pre-loaded with.

And no, I will not upgrade. Because it will be a cold day in hell when I pay $100 for a 120gb 360 hard drive when I can buy a 1tb PC hard drive for $60.

 

[Irridium]

Most DLC is overpriced for the content you get. Here's some of the dumbest DLC I've seen:

6 new gun skins 6.99!
5 new multiplayer maps 14.99.
New story arc 15.99 (for like 2 hours of gameplay?...)
New playable character 5.99

That's MENTAL
5.99 is 1/10th the price of a new game for a character (or just a skin change), 5 multiplayer maps for 15? That's 1/4th the price of the game in question!! Most games are overpriced to begin with when it's 5 hours of game for 60 bucks but then there's this lackluster DLC with a pricetag comparable to the game cost. Why bother?

Oh yeah, also this.

Publishers are doing a damn fine job of over pricing the ever-loving shit out of simple re-skins.

 

[Jodah]

it didn't mention people like me, who's parents won't allow consoles to be hooked up online for fear that they'll get computer viruses. I'm probably just in too small of a minority to register on the study, but still, thats just one more thing preventing DLC

Wait...seriously? I've never even heard of a game console virus much less someone that has gotten one...

 

[StriderShinryu]

Personally, I rarely buy DLC. It's certainly not like I have anything against DLC. I love the idea.. but, in most cases, once I'm done playing a game once or twice, I'm done with it. It's very rare that I'll feel the need to return to a game I've already finished a month or more earlier, especially if it means I'll have to spend extra money on it.

No issue with the concept of DLC at all, I just rarely buy it.