Long ago, downloadable content was a way to extend the length of a game after release, but recently publishers have started using it as a means to shamelessly reap more money from their customers. Perhaps one of the most egregious examples of this came with Mass Effect 3, which had the gall to remove an important character from the core game and sell him separately as DLC. Both Mass Effect 2 and 3 had entire characters and missions sold as such, and while some of them (such as Overlord) were worthy of a separate purchase, others (like Arrival and Leviathan) were much too important to the overall plot of the trilogy to be released as optional content. It felt like bits and pieces of the story were being sold to fans despite already paying full price, which made them feel ripped off and cheated. It felt shady, and tarnished otherwise great releases. Three years later and this practice is still going strong, which doesnt generate much confidence that the next Mass Effect wont suffer from this same issue. If the next instalment continues making players pay extra for more characters and plot-specific missions, it will only confirm fan suspicion that the anti-consumer policies of publishers like EA are negatively contributing to this great series. Hopefully this wont be the case.
