Game Expansions & DLC Aren’t What They Used to Be

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It’s common for big video games to receive downloadable content (DLC) shortly after release, as players often anticipate significant expansions. While some DLC, like Shadow of the Erdtree for Elden Ring and Phantom Liberty for Cyberpunk 2077, are excellent and well worth the cost, many others don’t offer enough quality content to justify the extra price. Some expansions feel disappointing and don’t live up to the standards of past expansions.

A growing trend of downloadable content (DLC) being released quickly with less substance is linked to the rise of ‘live service’ games. These games often rely on ongoing purchases, which makes DLC pricier, but doesn’t usually deliver the amount of new content players expect. This has created some concerning patterns in certain game genres, and may require developers to rethink their approach to expansions.

Large Expansions For Popular Games Feel Mandatory, But Can Often Be Disappointing

Popular games often see players asking for more content, even if it doesn’t quite fit with the original game. Sometimes, downloadable content (DLC) includes material that was cut during development, like the free patches released for Baldur’s Gate 3 long after it came out. Other expansions, such as the free “Thank You Update” for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, are small ways to show appreciation for fans and add minor improvements to already excellent games.

Many popular games respond to player requests by creating large expansions that significantly change the original game and are sold as new products. Even single-player games, like Ghost of Yotei, often add major downloadable content, sometimes including multiplayer features and ongoing live services that don’t quite fit the original experience. Likewise, most recent big fighting games are released with plans to add more characters over time through multiple waves of downloadable content.

Big game releases now come with incredibly high expectations. Players immediately want more content, so developers often have to plan for downloadable content (DLC) even before the game is out. Interestingly, even when developers don’t intend to create expansions, fans often demand them. Popular series like Assassin’s Creed, Pokémon, and God of War consistently release DLC, though the quality varies and often leaves players either briefly happy or disappointed. Compared to expansions in the past, today’s DLC often feels less exciting and more like an obligation.

Expansions Tend To Act As Leftover Content That Couldn’t Make It Into An Official Release

Many games release downloadable content (DLC) that feels like it was created after the main game, almost as a way to satisfy players asking for more. For example, the extra story chapters in Marvel’s Spider-Man, featuring characters like Black Cat, offered some additional gameplay but weren’t as strong as the original story. This might be why Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales was developed as a separate game instead of just an expansion pack.

This new approach to downloadable content is quite different from how it used to be. In the past, DLC was often presented as a major addition that would significantly enhance a game you already enjoyed. Expansions for games like World of Warcraft were often large-scale events, introducing completely new stories and gameplay. Traditionally, DLC wasn’t seen as ‘extra’ content added to a game that was released too early or with missing features, but rather as a way to expand on a complete experience. The hope wasn’t to fix shortcomings, but to build upon success.

Very Few Titles In Recent Memory Have Created Truly Memorable Evolutions Through DLC

As a longtime gamer, I’ve noticed a lot of DLC these days feels…thin. It doesn’t really add much to the games we already love. I really miss the old days of expansions! They used to change a game, sometimes even saving a disappointing launch with incredible new content. It felt like developers were willing to take risks and try something completely different. Take the first Red Dead Redemption, for example. The Undead Nightmare DLC was amazing! It threw a totally unexpected zombie apocalypse into this realistic Wild West world – it wasn’t part of the main story at all, and it was just so much fun. That’s the kind of expansion that really stuck with me.

As a big fan of games, I’ve started to feel a little disappointed with DLC and expansions. It used to be so exciting when a game you loved would get a surprise update with a ton of new content! Now, it feels like every game has to have DLC, and it’s less about adding something truly special and more about finishing the game they should have released in the first place. Honestly, sometimes it feels like developers are using expansions to fix problems or add features that were missing from the original, instead of genuinely building on something great and giving us a really awesome experience.

What are your thoughts on downloadable content and expansions in modern video games? Share your opinion in the comments or discuss it with others on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-26 17:15