2K suffers BioShock DLC backlash

Members of the 2K Games forum are up in arms this afternoon following accusations that recently released DLC for popular FPS BioShock 2 is in fact already sitting on the game disc.

The claims come after users spotted that the total size of the download for the PC version is just 24k and the Xbox 360’s just 108k. The assets needed to play the content promised by the DLC would need a far heftier download, leading to the conclusion that players are in fact paying for a digital key to unlock content that’s on the disc they’ve already paid for.

Responding on the publisher’s official forum, 2K community manager ‘2K Elizabeth’ stated: I noticed there was a bit of confusion about our Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack file size, and I wanted to clear things up for you.

The way our engine and game structure works is that people need to have the exact same content for people to play together. One of the challenges with post launch content for MP is that it can split the player base, and we want to avoid that whenever possible.

For this content, creating the DLC package the way we did allowed for us to not split the player base – so whether you purchase the new content or not, you can still play with your friends.”

However, several users have subsequently questioned the technical validity of these claims. And even if true, the statement makes no defence to the content already being on the disc.

The debate highlights an increasingly common issue as post-release digital content becomes more prominent – can DLC be a tool for increasing revenue on a per-disc basis as well as being a means of monetising the continued development of a title?

MCV has contacted 2K Games for comment.