Bethesda to charge for small plugins for Oblivion

[BDC]

It makes sense. Easy to make a lot more money for little effort.

It will backfire eventually though. EA will try selling a game which doesn't work without you buying an add-on and get wasted by EU business law.

[IPoseTheQuestionYouReturnTheAnswer]

Where exactly did you hear this? I don't think it's credible, interviews from as recently as a week ago have Bethesda saying they're going to be releasing free downloads. They did the same thing with Morrowind (FREE downloads).

[Modestus]

I’m afraid it appears to be true, there is a thread on the official forum, which is now locked. Came from an interview.

[zarkis]

Yep, it's official quite some time now. Bethesda wants to offer downloadable content for Oblivion on a regular basis, charging "some bucks" for each plugin but promises to offer more worthwhile content then their Morrowind plugins had.

[Samurai Waki]

Modders always seemed to make better plugins anyway... If I like Oblivion I wouldn't mind dishing out the few extra $$ if a plugin adds a LOT of content.

[econ21]

I'm not sure this is any different in principle from charging for an expansion. As someone keenly looking forward to an Alexander add-on to RTW, I can't really object here.

The only danger I worry about is what it implies for modding? If a company goes this route, it sounds like they would have an interest in preventing modding, as it will compete with the add-ons they will charge for.

[Trithemius]

I'm not sure this is any different in principle from charging for an expansion. As someone keenly looking forward to an Alexander add-on to RTW, I can't really object here.

The only danger I worry about is what it implies for modding? If a company goes this route, it sounds like they would have an interest in preventing modding, as it will compete with the add-ons they will charge for.

Indeed, I worry that it might result in cease-and-desists to people who are doing mod projects that are a bit too close to something that the developers are working on for a paid download.

Oh well, unless the content of these "official" mods is extremely worthwhile I don't think I will be inclined to pay for them - they would have to be a lot better than the ones for Morrowind (that female armour one turned Sirrolus Saccus into a cross-dresser!).

[Trithemius]

Modders always seemed to make better plugins anyway... If I like Oblivion I wouldn't mind dishing out the few extra $$ if a plugin adds a LOT of content.

I'd pay for something like "The Illuminated Order" or even for "Wakim's Game Improvements", but I can't imagine paying for Bitter Coast Sounds.

[Samurai Waki]

Oh no, of course not. I wouldn't give Bethesda a dime. If they plan on trying to sell their plugins, they had better well be Epic.

[Steppe Merc]

Where exactly did you hear this? I don't think it's credible, interviews from as recently as a week ago have Bethesda saying they're going to be releasing free downloads. They did the same thing with Morrowind (FREE downloads).

The official forum. Trust me it's true, and it sucks.

The first charged thing will be for horse armor (but you can't fight on horses) and holidays. And this was because of Xbox.

[Samurai Waki]

It all depends on how much they want to charge, especially for something as inane as horse armour, I might throw em' a dollar... but anything more than that and I will be hesitant.

[Tabris]

I say only one thing. I'll enver buy it, and i will get it by alternative ways if it's possible.

[We all need someone]

Perhaps ye are all overreacting. Why you ask? Let me extrapolate.

Building a new game engine takes years of work, and truckloads of money investment. Also, retail outlets require their own part of the eventual take, as they must put the physical game boxes up in stores for people to purchase, provide labor at checkout aisles, etc., adding more dollars onto a game's price.
Perhaps Bethesda is trying a Valve-like manuever with continual online content, direct to the customer, and any profit made goes directly back to the development house. Although Bethesda is still working with a large game production company, this move might be their "master plan" to undermine that relationship, and become independent, much as Valve's Adventures with Steam(yeah yeah, buggy at first, but independent games! games that matter, propel the medium forward, etc.).
Although I agree any purchase will require a cost vs. benefit analysis in this case, and it is unfortunate to see the previously free model used for money, perhaps it still ain't so nefarious for this reason. Bethesda may not want to spend years developing a new game and engine for a big release, then have it become out of date within months, as far as graphics/sound technology is concerned, or as far as playing time is concerned. Perhaps this way they can continue to update Oblivion, keeping it up to par and extending the story and content to provide more meat for the players. It will cost money, but should be far less(for players and the developers) than a totally new Elder Scrolls coming out every 4(or more) years.
And I know I used the Valve analogy many times, but I'm not surprised by this move by other developers, because Valve seems to have hit on a nice idea with this "episodic content" with two upcoming titles. Which is fine, for maybe I CAN FINALLY KNOW WHO THE G-MAN IS(or what he is), WITHOUT WAITING 7 YEARS.

Just offering some ideas of the benefits. And don't pirate shizz. Especially if its Oblivion type goodness, work that deserves rewarding.

[Just A Girl]

IMO it Wont work.
the plugins will be released for free within a day of some 1 paying for them, Lots of people detest this sort of underhanded profit venture.
and as such just give the things away for free after paying for them.

Moders will make their own versions which would haft to be free.
And if things get really silly.
Modders will start trying to charge for their plugins which will infringe copyright laws.

I say its a bad idea.
and one which wont last to long.

[Trithemius]

The official forum. Trust me it's true, and it sucks.

The first charged thing will be for horse armor (but you can't fight on horses) and holidays. And this was because of Xbox.

So they can guarantee the "family safe" nature of some of the content I bet - that was the big problem with allowing fan-made content to be available on Microsoft's network apparently.

Personally I think anyone who gets these games for a console is a loon - mod content can be really excellent, so why people would remove their own ability to access it is something I cannot comprehend in the slightest.

[quende]

Well I think it har to do with porting the mods to the xbox 360, nothing comes free in the world of Mikrosoft, and that Bethesda (sp?) didn't want to treat PC users and Xbox users differently. None the less, I'll wait for the free mods from the modding comunity. It's the modding comuinty in Morrowind and the total war series that keeps me playing these games over and over again. Keep up the good work all modders!

It is unbeliveable how mutch good content the modding communitys make both with RTW and in Morrowind.

Say no to paying game developers for mods that ought to bee in the game the first time. Let's hope this dosetnt get to become a trend in the industry.

[Shigawire]

Oblivion looks to be all eye-candy... for a proper RPG with a kick ass combat system, you only have to try "Mount & Blade" - best "simulation" of medieval combat I've ever tried - also includes PROPER mounted combat with polearms :D

And in Q4 of 2006, Age of Conan will hopefully lay waste to all mmorpg's before it, with a similar combat system. :)

[Just A Girl]

Have they finished mount & blade yet?