Bonus game modes? DLC?

[LuLingqi1]

Hey guys! So, this morning I have such a great topic I'd like to discuss!


How do all of you feel about bonus game modes or even DLC?

Spoiler

After I finished the script of reVITAlyze, and began to work on the skill and class system, I thought:


"Wow! This would be pretty awesome using one of the generic Dungeon Crawling game set-ups some of the RPG Maker games on steam have!" Such as Depths of Dread, Evil Maze, etc. You know, countless floors to conquer, all that good jazz. But like, I don't want that to be the main segment of my game. I would hate to sacrifice the wonderful story and universe i had created for normal floor clearing. Especially considering, I already decided I wanted there to be a new game plus.


So, I figured, I would just add in a dungeon crawling type mode where you can mix and match your characters based off of who you unlocked in the main story mode, where like they all start level one with all of their classes and sub-classes unlocked. It also occured to me, I could just make it a completely separate "game" and sell it as like DLC, or a companion? I'unno, haha.


A lot of my favorite RPG games also had like dlc that added in-game items, such as weapons, consumables, or gold. I kind of want to do something like that, but like, for free? I'unno, haha.

So yeah, what are you guys' thoughts and feelings on bonus game modes and/or dlc?


For me, as long as the bonus game mode is worth playing and is fun, I'm totally down for it. DLC? I'm so so, depending on what it adds. I like story content. Like a lot. If the DLC is a whole new game mode though, I'm iffy on that stuff cause sometimes they can be dumb modes.

 

[Punamaagi]

I can see bonus game modes suiting certain (kinds of) games: the example you gave of a dungeon crawling mode to a story-driven RPG could work. However, one possible problem is that these bonus games can "distract" players and cause them to focus on the bonus game instead of the actual story mode, especially if it's not a small mini-game or something similar.


As for DLCs, I am not usually too fond of them. From my experience, equipment unlocked by buying a DLC tends to be overpowered, and characters added in a DLC tend not to have strong ties to the story, which makes them feel distant and more or less irrelevant. Adding equipment, skills, characters etc. to paid DLCs can also make the game feel like a 'pay-to-win' game, which people often feel averse to. Cosmetic additions are more okay in my books, but usually I would rather unlock them by playing the game rather than paying real money.

 

[Blackyu]

I don't usually like DLCs due to the additional payment. I never really understood the concept of paying more money to either unlock the full game experience, or even to have some fun with the games, cause that's what games are for, right ?


However, when it comes to Bonus Modes and such, I'm a big fan. I also love to program more stuff after the Game End. For example, in my first game, the player gains access to the Bonus Zone, a place full of fun with things like Hyperspeed Mode, Invisible Mode, Disco Mode, 8-BIT mode, Mode 7, Changing the Screen Tone, the weather, a Music Player, a place to fight some bosses again, getting access to a place where you get the total presentation for every character as well as a lot of development facts.


And that's not all, you also have the possibility to replay the in-game vehicle sections and even some new and exclusive ones that were removed from the game due to them being a little too hard !


And, still not finished, there are also Bonus Bosses inside the Bonus Zone ! And beating one of the Bonus Bosses will give you an item (Respectively a Cute Ribbon, a Toothbrush and a "Dating Rulebook for Spuds"), and those items, once-given to a NPC, will give you a medal.


And that medal gives you access to a super secret map where you can see a lot of characters doing funny stuff. There's even a dancefloor on this map, so it's worth it.


...No, I'm not done yet. Because by doing a combination of certain actions in the Bonus Zone, you will be able to get a code that unlocks a Bonus Episode where you play as certain characters that have a relation to the story.


Point is, I love adding things in the End-Game ! <3

 

[LuLingqi1]

I can see bonus game modes suiting certain (kinds of) games: the example you gave of a dungeon crawling mode to a story-driven RPG could work. However, one possible problem is that these bonus games can "distract" players and cause them to focus on the bonus game instead of the actual story mode, especially if it's not a small mini-game or something similar.

What if the bonus game mode is only accessible after the end-game is reached? The way I'm trying to work it is that, you can only access it after beating the game once, and will only unlock whoever is in your end-game party. (Which can be anywhere from 4-12 characters) It would also add initiative to the player to beat it once or twice more cause like, you can unlock additional characters. I was perhaps thinking of adding playable monsters to work as well.


As for DLC, yeah equipment is usually broken. How do either of you feel about like, free "Boosts" of say like, gold, and maybe items like potions and stuff? I was thinking DLC characters would maybe be possible just for the bonus game mode, as maybe free bonuses, or possibly small payments.

I don't usually like DLCs due to the additional payment. I never really understood the concept of paying more money to either unlock the full game experience, or even to have some fun with the games, cause that's what games are for, right ?

Well, sometimes, DLC is made AFTER a game is finished. It doesn't always have to cost money. Like, for instance, say my game's player base is so high, and they're high demand for like, monsters to be played in the dungeon crawling mode, right? I would LOVE to do that for my players. Or maybe, DLC could just be like, the artbook, soundtrack, etc etc.

 

[Blackyu]

If there's no payment associated, then I like it.


(Couldn't think about a longer reply. '-')