9. Paid Downloadable Content
In previous articles I have made my thoughts on paid downloadable content very clear: I don't like (most of) it. When I buy a game with a story I expect to be buying the full game, but at some point it became acceptable for developers to release effectively an unfinished game and make me pay for the rest. DLC has grown a lot since "Horse Armour" and has fallen into four distinct camps: Post-Game Content, Map Packs, Items/Upgrades, and Mid-Game Content. The first two I am kind of OK with, as long as they weren't developed during the initial development stage of the game, as they are adding to the end game experience of people who want more and you don't get any less main story or base online play than anyone else. The latter two are where I start to become irritated. Items/upgrades can give those willing to invest an advantage online against those unwilling (or unable) to pay, Battlefield 3's Ultimate Shortcut Bundle being a prime example of giving some people unlocks and abilities in advance of others, Mid-game content (such as Mass Effect 3's single player DLC) contains content that when installed forms part of the main story that only those willing/able to invest even further in are able to experience, which is irritating because the initial investment should cover the main story.