Capcom is releasing Mega Man 9 this week, which is totally fucking awesome. The old style of graphics and probably no horrendous voice acting? And maybe some difficulty up in there? Awesome!
What they have done wrong is announced some downloadable content far too soon.
See, you can get the option to play as Protoman for $2.
Okay, that’s more content for not much more money. Now, perhaps back in the day this would have been a free feature in the game. You put in some Game Genie code, or beat the game in 20 minutes or some crazy shit. Now you can play a new character! Yes!
Now the cost is cold hard cash. Now this is easier than going through a level three times without getting hit and warping out at a certain point (hadouken in MMX1, anyone?) but it is still my hard earned dollar. Yet I only have one problem with this situation?
See, the timing is all off. Why, Capcom, are you telling me about this extra stuff before the game is even out? Hell, I already want the game! I don’t need your coaxing. And to tell me that I have to pay more to have everything that is ready now, well, that’s not entirely insulting. But it’s kinda funny. Why not put it in the game? Why not release the game for $12 with the option built in? All of these seem less offensive to the senses.
But what would really work? Announce it three months later.
That would give me a different sense of the whole thing. Sure, they may have been planning it for months. But I wouldn’t have known. I would have bought the game, and when my $10, which seems like a huge amount at the time of purchase but like nothing three months later, has faded from my thoughts, all I will see is “New mode, $2.”
It’s all about how you think of your money. $12 at the start is ridiculous compared to $10. But $10 now and $2 later is nothing.
And don’t tease me either by telling me that this feature will be available later. Keep me on my toes. Surprise me, Capcom. And I will reward you with yens and dollars.
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