Downloadable content as a whole has had a fight on its hand its whole life. While the term was only really coined during the last console generation, as soon as it appeared, so did the 'Season Pass'. Admired or loathed, Ubisoft are changing how they deal with the practice.
During an interview between Gameindustry.biz and Anne Blondel-Jouin - VP of live operations at Ubisoft - Blondel-Jouin mentioned how the company would be monetizing aesthetic and cosmetic changes through paid-DLC rather than additional gameplay segments to allow every player to enjoy the same core experience.
Similar to how F2P MMO and MOBA titles deal with in-game transactions, Ubisoft's new stand will prioritize in-game transactions being purely for looking to add a little more flavor to their game, rather than buying into new missions and story pieces that ultimately lessen the experience of those who refuse to pay up.
While Ubisoft might be changing their tune, Microsoft is still readying a season pass for next month's Dead Rising 4.
Continuing talks with GameIndustry, Blondel-Jouin said. "If you're with your kids, and there's a toy you want to get, we will make sure it is an extra experience. It won't be the case if you don't buy it then you can't do anything else."
"No more DLC that you have to buy if you want to have the full experience." is the key line, here. Buying a $60 game and being expected to set aside $40 for the extra missions that make up the 'full experience' has never been a good look for a publisher.
It's a sudden change of heart considering Ubisoft even made a trailer out of the Watch Dogs 2 season pass. You can read more from the GameIndustry interview here.
