This is the reality of video games, coming to a console near you soon. EA won't be alone, here. I dare say, they are already at this point, really. I just recently started playing the Mass Effect series, from the first game. And the first game felt...complete, like a game fully fleshed out, fully realized. The second game? Not at all. At least 3 characters, that I am aware of, within the game, have to be bought, all adding to the total storyline, through character development, and through expansion on plot themes. And the game CAME with those slots empty in the rosters...as in, it was designed from the beginning as being...more or less unfinished, without adding money to the price. In addition to those characters...there were numerous missions that could be added, for money, of course...that expand on the storyline, some of which, I am told, shed SERIOUS light onto the plot, clearing up a few issues with the storyline. Not to mention, adding exp, and funds, as the regular storyline, side quests and all, that is included with just the basic game, does not even provide enough cash to buy all the upgrades available, on the first play through. I have not yet purchased the third one, but I can only imagine that it gets worse.
I am also a fan of the Elder Scrolls series. The last one, Oblivion, was a complete game, and I will admit, the cost extra add on, Shivering Isles, was amazing, and worth every penny, as it was, essentially, an entire new world, and not just some cave, or extra quest, to do. Haven't played Skyrim, yet. But I'm willing to bet money...that there are cost extra add ons, more so than the last, and I'll bet money, that increasingly, those extras are becoming more integral parts of the story.
Imagine a book that is sold by the chapter.
Add to that, it was announced that the new X-box, whatever number it's gonna be...is going to make it impossible to play used games on it. As in, no buying used games at reduced prices, no trading in old games for new ones, etc. No letting a friend borrow a game, I imagine. Not sure how they are going to handle rentals. And I get it. The developers want to stop handing over such sizable chunks of their profits to store fronts that exist almost primarily to sell used and second hand goods.
I remember when developers would not release a game until it was 100% complete, until they were happy with the product. Now, they stay on schedule, no matter what, because, hey, they can always release an unfinished product, then charge extra for the rest at a later date, once it is finished. I mean, take that Mass Effect series. From Mass Effect 1, to 3, was, like....5 years, tops? They rushed them, because they new they could flesh it out more after the release...and make more money doing it besides. When Final Fantasy came to the SNES, they Square only had time for 3, Final Fantasy 4,5 and the legendary 6. Of which, only 2 of those made it to the US, or anywhere, outside of Japan...so reduce even more developing time, lacking a need for translations. That was over the entire life of the SNES, which was, what, 15 years, or something like that? Final Fantasy 6 along, known as 3, in the US, took YEARS to develop, and it shows. It is still regarded by many as being one of the best RPGs of all time. Great story, excellent music, good character development, good gameplay, the works. I can only imagine how ****ty that game would have been if they had operated then the way they do now.
I was never going to buy another system after the PS2...but a buddy sold me his 360 for 65 bucks...couldn't pass that up. But I can once again say, with certainty, even more so now, that I will not be buying another system after the 360, unless another buddy wants to give that next next gen one up for 60 bucks again, lol. Which is doubtful. If the trend continues, the next systems will be between 600-800 bucks, lol. And while the games still cost 50-60 bucks new, there will be no used ones to buy...and when you DO buy it, if you want everything out of the game, be prepared to spend an additional 30-40 bucks.
And that's something I'm just not prepared to do...especially not for games that aren't up to par with the likes of FF6, FF Tactics, Secret of Mana, Ogre Battle, Suikoden, etc.