Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen Not To Be Sold as Separate DLC

76
Richard Walker

Remember when Capcom released Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 rendering Marvel vs. Capcom 3 inferior by comparison? Well that looks to be the same deal with Dragon's Dogma's Dark Arisen expansion, which will apparently be only available on disc for $39.99, due to "technical limitations".

"We went round and round with the team on this topic as [releasing the Dark Arisen content as DLC] would have been a preferred option from our standpoint too," Capcom VP Christian Svensson explained on Capcom-Unity, responding to a reader's complaint. "As it turns out, I'm sorry but unfortunately there were major technical limitations that would couldn't allow for a digital upgrade path."

Svensson went on to explain further, adding: "The original game was just not designed to be expanded (no hooks in the original code) and so a full-game delivery mechanism was the only option.

"We also tried to explore a number of mechanisms to try and otherwise put this full product in original owners hands at a discount digitally but we would have run afowl of a few first party policies (not any first party's fault, t'was our fault).

"So instead, we're packing more than $20 worth of value in digital rewards for existing users:  100K rift crystals (which in DDDA have a LOT more uses than they did in DD vanilla) the Gransys armor pack and the unlimited Ferrystone. We hope this will be a sufficent "thank you" for being part of the first wave of Dragon's Dogma fans given the development limitations we had."

Svensson concluded: "Thanks again for your continued support and I hope to see you in Gransys in April."

All of that time and effort you sunk into Dragon's Dogma won't go to waste in Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen of course, as you'll be able to port your character and accompanying save data over to the new release. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen will be available to purchase on disc for $39.99 on April 23rd in North America and April 26th in Europe.

[Thanks, Aaron]

Comments
76
  • Ouch
  • This game is downright garbage. Capcom fucked up so big on this.
  • @2 Garbage? It was Capcoms best game of 2012 easily fucking DESTROYING Resident Evil 6 completely. Capcom did well with this release and made a fantastic RPG. Just leave the comments section alone you absolute troll. OT: Wtf Capcom?! So I have the original game, you're now saying I have to buy the original game AGAIN just so I can get the DLC that comes with it? Taking the piss now =|
  • Owners of the vanilla will get free dlc loaded with goodies. Nice!!
  • @3 I'm glad that because YOU liked a very horrible game, I'm a troll and this game is "BEST EVER LOLOLOL." Myself and several friends had trouble finishing this game, to the point that we didn't. Another friend of mine who enjoys redundant game couldn't stand the game for longer than a couple of hours, that's how mundane and BORING this game was. The demo was completely misleading and this game was utter shit. Just because you randomly put things in CAPS LOCK doesn't make you right. Go take your capcom fanboyism somewhere else.
  • so is this the original game and the dlc? only ever played the demo and know little to nothing about the game so have no idea seems abit strange that they couldnt add the dlc to the original game surely they knew they were going to do dlc for the game but didnt add the mechanism to do that, then again we all know capcom like to 'hide' stuff on the disc that you need to pay for at a later date hehe
  • Forgot to put my name but your welcome for the tip !
  • Nice i held off on buying the game due to the fact it looks like it would be the best coop rpg on the 360 but is in fact SP only. Will have to see how much gamestop tries to scam me with the price though
  • They did the exact same thing with the streetfighter update, capcom would never give away anything for free that could make them money. It sounds like an awesome package but if they think its a good idea to force owners of the original game to have to go out and pay retail price for another copy of the game then they are seriously deluded. It should have been available as a digital upgrade and the convenient "no hooks in the original code" is an amusing and original excuse.. Dragon age managed to handle an expansion via digital download fine as has oblivion and skyrim, even dark souls which when released had no plans for any DLC whatsoever managed to produce a digital DLC upgrade alongside the prepare to die edition. Dragons dogma is obviously a special snowflake and its most definately not an excuse to squeeze every penny they can out of games who bought the game on release day, honestly 100% impossible to allow owners of the original game the respect and gratitude to fix it so they wont have to pay for content they already own to access the new shiny stuff. Bravo capcom, bravo.
  • @1 Ouch indeed my friend. Not sure how I feel about this yet. granted, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this game. I'm a big fan of dlcs, but this $40 purchase for an expansion, stings a little too hard.
  • And, of course, every single word that came out of his mouth is bullshit. They just wanted more money. This is Capcom we're talking about. If it was truly just a technical limitation, they wouldn't be charging $40 for this bullshit. Charge the same price you would have charged if it was being released as an add-on, and we all know damn well you weren't going to charge $40 for a downloadable add-on. Greedy cunts.
  • So you no longer get the DLC download with an original version. Little confusing. I'm ok with buying the new version though since i traded the original in already.
  • I got the "vanilla" dragons dogma for £4 brand new, still yet to play though. At that price I don't care if the new edition makes it "inferior"!
  • 'I told you so', Capcom wouldn't give away a whole expansion for free. "The original game was just not designed to be expanded (no hooks in the original code) and so a full-game delivery mechanism was the only option." Yet there has been hundreds of side-quests added through DLC. Either Capcom is lying, either their devs are really stupid for not learning their lessons from SFIV and MvC3.
  • Never bought the vanilla version so I'll be happy to purchase this one. Early adopters sell or trade now before the price goes down. Really is a slap to the face.
  • I bought this game on 5/22/12, the day it came out. I got 1000/1000 on 6/7/12, 15 days later. I loved it, but I was burnt out on it, so I traded it in. Almost a year later, a sequel comes out. It has new features (and hopefully new achievements). I'd like to play through the game again, and this will be a perfect opportunity to pick up the definitive version. No complaints from me at all on how Capcom is handling this.
  • @11 it could be possible if dlcs go above a certain size xbl won't allow companys to publish it on the marketplace ala why we don't have Stranger's Wrath on xbla as it exceeds the size limit also what happened with divinty 2 why there is 2 different games the original more glitchy version and a more polish verison including dlc. I think the size limit is 2 gbs or something have to ask the guys who did divinity they went into explainiton about it
  • Angry Joe...
  • greed wins again.
  • tbh im fine with it its about £25-£30 for me so not too exspensive and plus there giving me extra shizz for already buying the game, it was a shitty thing too do but at least they try to ease the pain
  • WOW!!!! At every corner these guys are robbing their customers blind. Ive laid into Capcom and their fans many time's for stuff like this. Hopefully I have opened some eyes. Here we are again anyway though. Im bored of it now, it's just to easy anymore. Im gonna say how sorry I feel for the people who are bending over this time for Capcom and leave it at that.
  • Seeing as Capcom has done this countless times, it was more than expected. Remember before DLC, how many Street Fighter II's came out. Also, look at it like this, a possitive for an achievement website. Chance for double achievements.
  • @ 5 Yep. Just because you and your circle of friends didn't like a game certainly means it must be trash.. Get over yourself, dude. There's a repetitive nature to every video game and it is up to the player to decide whether or not it is repetition that is enjoyable to them. I was able to forgive the game for its shortcomings and actually got enjoyment out of it. To each their own, but your word isn't exactly law either.
  • It amazes me that people can rage on EA and Activision while Capcom pulls what they do. People make jokes about COD being the same game over and over. Only, with Capcom, it actually is the same game that they're telling you to buy. $20 worth of value for current owners?! Was that your middle finger?
  • @9, you got that right. The original game wasn't meant to be expanded? Funny that you released expansions so quickly after release then.
  • Weird although I have no problems with buying this game again. One of Capcoms best ever games and one of the finest games i've played this generation.
  • Corporate Commander strikes again!
  • I actually traded in Dogma a while back as I'd fallen out of the habit of playing it, so if I get this I likely would've settled for the disc version anyway. Still, this is definitely an underhanded move from Capcom. Cap are pretty much the only company who still insist on releasing their would-be expansions as a rehashed version of the game, and for good reason - it's just not a necessary practice in this day and age. If the claim that the game code wasn't designed to be DLC-compatible is true, then - same as with SF4 - that was clearly a horrible decision from the development team. If it *isn't* true, it's is just another classic "let's stick some new stuff in and make people buy it again" Capcom money-grab. So essentially... whatever the case, bad form Capcom. Bad form.
  • Good ol' capcom and then some guy will discover it was secretly on disc on the WHOLE TIME!! Great game but um capcom not so good.
  • It's a good game, but on disc DLC.... Comon Capcom, stop f ing up the gaming world.
  • "The original game was just not designed to be expanded" I'm not 100% sure, but I'm guessing that this is Capcoms way of getting around the "you guys can't make an 'ultimate' or 'arcade edition' versions of your games anymore."
  • The whole "we're giving original users more than $20 worth of content" is laughable. It's only $20 worth of content if I would actually consider spending that on in-game items, which I wouldn't. How about offering existing owners a $20 mail-in rebate with the original version's proof-of-purchase instead? $20 for this expansion sits a whole lot better with me than $40...
  • @2 I don't care what kind of hate I get, but I thoroughly enjoyed Dragon's Dogma from beginning to end and the fact that Mass Effect 3 and The Witcher 2 port beat it out for certain RPG of the Year awards is a travesty of the highest levels. I only mention this because you have a Krogan as your gamerpic. If you were a true RPG fan, you'd realize that BioWare became irrelevant after Dragon Age: Origins. ME2, DA2 and ME3 were commercialistic nightmares and DD was a breath of fresh air in a dead genre (on the 360). I miss the 'real' BioWare. :( lol
  • Watch the game be priced at $40, and there will be a little card with a code on the inside needed to "unlock" the content that you just paid for the whole game for all over again, guaranteeing that anyone who wants this will have to but it new, not used. THEN there will be an option to PAY for the unlockable content on xbox live for those who purchased the game used. My head hurts, Capcom. Side note: Still laughing that this came with an incentive download code for an early RE6 demo, and then blew RE6 out of the water.
  • never got this game but with this i might
  • I really wished it included co-op. REAL co-op. This game needed it. Especially if Crapcom isn't going to give us a Monster Hunter game.
  • Again Capcom? Really?
  • I honestly couldn't get into this game. It was just boring to me. I wanted to like it but it just never clicked with me.
  • So this doesn't include the original DD with it?
  • What #11 said. Screw off Crapcom, I'm just done with them as a customer. They can only piss on ppl so many times before they start speaking with your wallet. To me Dogma was their last Bastion of untainted, but they've even managed to fuck that up.
  • Trying to think of a positive here, but Dragon Age: Origins also had an expansion that was pretty good(at least I thought so). Thaan again, that expansion didn't force you to buy the game again...
  • UMVC3 is way different than MVC3 and SSF4 is way different than SF4. From system changes to other things, it would have been impossible to release as DLC. I don't know if it's the same for DD but... I'm just saying for the whiners who are comparing this to those.
  • I was annoyed until I noticed that Dark Arisen is £18 on ShopTo and I can sell my copy for about £15 currently. I'll end up spending less than £10 for an expansion, which is about right for something offering this much content. Saying that, the excuses given are poor as they already have DLC that 'adds on' to the game (as somebody else already mentioned).
  • Capcom is trying its best to wrest the shittiest-gaming-company-ever-trophy from EA with stunts like this. Luckily I've not gotten the game yet, might as well wait till this edition drops in price.
  • Typical Crapcom always having to release the same game over and over. I'm not a fan of COD but we all talk about how its the same, well Crapcom is in your face with it. In the day and age of DLC Crapcom keeps building games without a way to simply add DLC.
  • Seems fine with me. I'll probably buy the original used, create a save file, and then return it to Gamestop in order to take advantage of the bonus. That's assuming this has new and different achievements. If not, then I'll just buy the original when its prices drop at this release.
  • Capcom...here we go again.
  • It's all good. I'll just GameFly it.
  • I'll admit I never played the game, only the demo, so this news doesn't really affect me. But, I'm having a hard time believing anything Capcom says. The statement about how the "vanilla" game wasn't set up for future DLC is quite unbelievable. DLC is not some new aspect of gaming that suddenly appeared in the last few months leaving Capcom behind trying to catch up. DLC has been around for several years. Even if they never planned on DLC, they can still code the game to allow for it in the event they change their minds. It seems really shortsighted for a dev team and publisher to not set a game up for DLC, which is why I don't believe their statement that it can't be done for DD. They've lied and made excuses regarding on-disc DLC so many times now, I feel like they're doing it again. It's a real shame for those who paid $60 on release day and now have to buy the game again just to get more story. Sure, original owners get $20 in free stuff, but is it enough to make up for having to repurchase the game? I don't know. These free digital items for early adopters doesn't really cost Capcom anything, but they found a way to profit from gamers by selling the same game twice. They did it when they released SF 4 and then Super SF 4, MvC3 then Ultimate MvC3. Why couldn't those "upgrades" be done through DLC? Are they so behind in technology that they can't figure out how to do it or is it just pure financial greed?
  • @ #49 That's why it pays to be an informed gamer and be a part of a community like we have here. You gotta know your developers and the shit they pull. Best off waiting on just about every Capcom release to end up having a complete version release. ----------- So forgive me for sounding stupid but this collection is still kind of confusing to me, what exactly do we get? Is it the original game and the new content plus a few bonuses on one disc with the $39.99 Dark Arisen release?
  • Before I say my piece, I'm not particularly happy about this. However people are knee jerk reacting so bloody hard right now it hurts. It turns valid concerns into a mockery when you go around calling for the doom of Capcom. Anyway first thing I saw was they already had DLC that expanded on Dragon's Dogma. Not true, all that DLC did was add in virtual items and put up minor quests on the Notice Boards. The stuff in Dark Arisen is supposedly a large new area with new enemies and lots of new loot tables for enemies in the areas and the chests. While I do feel it probably would have been tenable to make it all digital, I'm not a programmer so who knows. Also people were comparing this to street fighter and UMvsC 3. That would be fair, except in those games you couldn't keep your progress in the new ones. You had to start from nothing, plus they were 60 bucks AND they didn't give crap to anyone who had the first version. So with the bonus content (I admit infinite ferrystones sounds friggen nice), the lower price, and the ability to keep your character... while still not 100% happy it feels a lot better than most of Capcoms moves in the past. Also I'd like to play Devil's Advocate and say that at very least they told us about 3 months ahead of time, which they honestly didn't have to if they really wanted to stab everyone in the back. So while I am kind of upset having to pay 20 bucks more, I might just do it since I really would like to see a full second game. All that being said yeah sure give em flak, they deserve at least half of the crap they'll get for it.
  • Damn, Crapcom. This is a horrible precedent: the idea that now you have to buy the game multiple times to get DLC, which, ironically, doesn't get downloaded. The only thing this moneygrab is missing is a season pass. After the abortion that was Resident Evil 6, I'm now done with this company.
  • @33 where do you get off telling people who are and are not 'true RPG fans' based on their choice of game? I'm an RPG fan, but I haven't played DD. am I not a 'true fan' then? OT, man I'd be pissed if I'd shelled out full RRP for the original and then they pull this shit.
  • @2 and 5: What makes you a troll is bad mouthing a game in a sentence or 2 in an article about that game.
  • For those that haven't played Dragon's Dogma, I highly suggest it. Aside from the on-disc DLC, the game is amazing. While Capcom may have a legitimate(?) reason to re-release this game, we'll always think it's some sort of scam due to past experiences.
  • Wow, way to wipe out about 75% of their potential DLC sales in one go.
  • @33 and 53 Do I seriously have to quote the tfwiki article on "true fans"? I tell you, you'll both feel very foolish. Anyways, I've been waiting to play this game for a while so as I am concerned, it is good news for me. However, their reason for not including it as dlc is indeed sketchy since no hooks are actually needed to add more content. Unless adding them would break already broken code. It's still possible, but I doubt they have the time or money to waste. It really sucks that I want to support the developers for making what I hear is a good game but I have to pay the publishers as well. Dumb but sadly unavoidable.
  • Complete bullshit, owned the game since it came out and loved it, but no way i am paying for the whole game again just for some extra content. doubt i'll ever buy a capcom game again now, even if it is great i know im gonna get ripped off when some new edition of it comes out
  • I've thought it over whilst playing Doom 3 BFG for my 600G and, well, sure I'm actually cool with this, though only as an exception and not as a rule. Dragon's Dogma, hands down, is the best 3D RPG I've ever played and isn't riddled with glitches, has a fantastic, enjoyable and immersive combat system, has a great story, world and artistic direction and is actually made and optimised with console gamers in mind. So yeah, I'll buy it on release.
  • That's fine, I will get this game so I can enjoy get lots of contents on disc. Capcom seem make sense. Wish some more games to do that not because of money but because then people can have many contents on one disc though. Anyway look forward new story link in this game.
  • @3 Personally I thought Asura's Wrath was the best Capcom game of 2012 (though we can all agree that Street Fighter x Tekken was the worst). OT: This news sucks for Dogma players :
  • capcom just cant do dlc can they?
  • @62 - Here it is Sir Cock, a DLC made by Capcom - http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news-13584-First-Major-Resident-Evil-6-DLC-Announced--Timed-Xbox-360-Exclusive.html I know, crazy!
  • Never played Dragons Dogma in the end so I will be all over this complete edition :) Sounds like a great RPG.
  • Capcom strikes again!
  • This gives new meaning to 'on disc DLC'. :p
  • On retail websites its showing the game at around £18 pound and reading up on it i dont think you get the original DD aswel? anybody know different?
  • I'm surprised people still get shocked when they hear shit like this... This is Capcom we're talking about here. The fucking kings of "nickel-and-dime" the customers. The sad part is most of you will continue to enable them, picking this up when it comes out.
  • I'll pick it up when it comes out asi loved the demo just never got roud to getting it. Plus I saw this version for £17 online preorder so worth it for me. But I can see how for owners of the original release this is disappointing
  • I'm a little surprised by the shitstorm this news unleashed. Personally, I don't mind. If there were a disc version of the expansion, I would have bought it that way anyway. Buying the full game again plus DLC (yes it includes the full base game) for 40 bucks is fine by me, it really isn't a ridiculous price. Good jump point for new players, welcomed continue for veterans.
  • @70, I think you're totally missing the whole point... People who put faith in a game, such as Dragon's Dogma who purchased it first at $60 would essentially spend $100 to ultimately receive the game and an expansion. For all the johnny-come-latelys, who didn't care in the first place are getting the benefit of the deal. For all the loyal day-one customers, its a big fuck you. This is exactly why Capcom games will always be a used, wait until its 15 bucks purchase for me, and I will never buy a fighting game from Capcom after getting suckered with Street Fighter.
  • Capcom never surprise me anymore. I took a "I'll believe it when I see it" stance when I read we'd be able to dl this expansion for free. Now we're being treated to the same old excuses as to why they just couldn't help bending us over again. But....this is Dragons Dogma. My favorite game of the last 18 months. I've logged more playtime and gotten more enjoyment out of it than any other game since its release. Probably any 5 games. i will be playing this when it releases, and hope they come thru with something good to spend my 40mil rift crystals on.
  • @71: Not missing the point at all. I bought DD day 1. Played pretty much nothing but it for near two months. So under your ideas, I should be feeling a fuck you from Capcom. I dont. They have me one of the best RPGs of the current generation, a shit ton of fun, and now they are giving me more about a year later for a bit more money. I have no issues with this, I am actually pleased more is coming and I do not mind the 40$ asking price. I don't understand why people seem so pissy about it. It's an extra 20 bucks and it includes the full game. Trade your original and it will cost you 30. Or don't buy it. Or whatever, but the instant "fuck you Capcom" this news has created is just... Ridiculous. It and all things like it, are friggin video game entertainment. I just... Why get worked up by something so minor...
  • Thats so stupid. It better be co op then.
  • New achievements ?
  • For Any Who Are Confused On what CoMes In This Package, It Is A Two-Disc Game. It Will Come With An Install Disc For The New Content As Well As A Game Disc Used To Play The Game With The Installed Content. A New Game Disc Is NeedEd Because It Has The Modified Code To Handle The New Content. It Will Also Import Any Achievement You Earned In The Vanilla. NO DOUBLE ACHIEVEMENTS.
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