By TJ Michaels

The emergence of next generation video games consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have also garnered increased popularity for a mechanism of acquiring extra gameplay features. Originally brought onto the scene in a more limited capacity by the original Xbox and Sega’s Dreamcast, downloadable content (DLC) is becoming implemented more and more to ensure that the gaming experience no longer ends after completing the missions placed on the original $50-60 disc. For many games, a plethora of extended material exists that gamers can receive through an Xbox Live subscription, PlayStation Network connection and even Nintendo’s Wii Shop Channel.

As with anything, both benefits and pitfalls exist when it comes to DLC. Listed below are just some of the pros and cons that come along with DLC in the video game industry.

Pros:

Get more out of your games: The lifespan of games ended upon completion of the missions on the original disc before DLC came into play. Even if a game has good replay value, there was generally just so much a gamer could do with the game as it was on the cartridge or disc. However, the ability to download more characters, levels, episodes and various other in-game materials extends the lifespan and enjoyability of a game by hours. Extra songs can be purchased for Rock Band and Guitar Hero titles. Additional wrestlers and costumes can be downloaded onto THQ’s hit WWE Smackdown vs. RAW series. The game does not just end with what has been placed on the original disc.

Some DLC is actually free: While much of the worthwhile content provided through download will cost a pretty penny, which is not the case with everything. In fact, there are several features that are free and serve as nice bonuses. LittleBigPlanet offers various Sackboy characters through the PlayStation Store at no cost to the gamer. Various Track Packs for Guitar Hero are similarly available for free. Even demos, which have largely always been free, can now be downloaded through these services and often result in more customers purchasing the full title, as was the case when UFC Unleashed 2009 turned quite a few heads with its demo.

Cons:

There is a cost to most worthwhile DLC: For the features that are not free, there is a sizable financial commitment required on top of the $50-60 you spend on the actual game. For Xbox 360 specifically, there is even a charge for the subscription that just gives gamers the ability to download bonus content. Many games hold back certain material from the original release for the sole purpose of making it charged DLC down the road. By the time you have accumulated all the added features, you are investment in a game can go from $60 to somewhere in the $80-100 range.

Not downloading content can put you behind other players: Video games are just naturally competitive. However, they are no longer that way with just individual gamers. Now players as a whole are measured on GamerScores and Trophies, which increase a player’s rating based achievements made throughout games. DLC offers these similar incentives and a gamer may find it necessary to spend more money on these extra features in order to keep up with the rest of the gaming community.