Lets Chat About DLC

[seeker939]

You have to be honest though...You are using the words "expectations" and "assumption".
These are all influenced by each user, and not the same for each user.
Your expectations and assumptions about this process are different than mine.
You are asking Frontier to manage them.

So what are you saying? Frontier has no part here and the real problem is the players taking their word at face value? Come on!

Just to be clear, I am not saying all of the comments were justified. There's places you don't go no matter how upset you are.

**The devs promised ongoing support. In response to complaints about the lack of content they told us the base game wasn't done and there was more to come. There was a winter, spring and summer update. Now you could argue they technically never promised a halloween update. Right, they didn't. But of course, many people were expecting a halloween update (and by that I don't mean 1 free ride). They did because of the actions and communication of Frontier. So, obviously it would have been their job to "manage expectations" and it would have been in their own best interest to do so because they want to keep the community happy.

Frontier tried, and is in a pickle now. After all the uproar about the initial announcement of paid DLC, they came out with a statement: "Don't worry, they will be cosmetic". They should have never responded at all. Did "they will be cosmetic" only apply to the first DLC release? Whose to say? There is two ways to interpret that. Either all DLC will be cosmetic, or the first DLC will be cosmetic. I think this is why Frontier tries to keep quiet. Whatever they say will get thrown back at them in one way or another, based on interpretations of what was said. We've seen that again and again here.

The problem with that statement was that it was misleading at best, don't you think? Instead of being upfront about the nature of the DLC they made it seem like there was the possibility DLC wouldn't even be new assets, just re-skins and new clothes for the peeps. Frontier had plenty of time to clear up that "misunderstanding" but afaik they never did. It's things like that, you know?

"Many feel the game is still incomplete," Many feel otherwise. *shrug*

I'm glad the devs are in the first group!

Plans change. Backlash to changes is why they probably are not giving us a roadmap. Why put themselves into that tough position?

I don't think their current strategy is working out so well. And I believe the community wouldn't run amok if it was clearly communicated that a roadmap is something different than promises and that things could still change. It's my impression the community is very kind and understanding, just these days patience is growing thin.

Edit:

Think about real Themeparks. A lot of us spend each year a lot of money for entrance into these parks just to ride the newest coaster or attraction in this parks. No-one of would say ... "Hey I have paid last year for the entrance and now I want to see the new themed area and ride the new coaster for free". Break that just down to the game.

I didn't understand the part before the quote, but the breakdown you requested is in this post at the **.

 

[NainConPetant]

I am a little divided on this particular DLC. While I agree that a base spooky theme pack is something which should have been free, the amount of free great content we have received so far makes me a little less resistent to this particular DLC pack. What I'm hoping for is that this doesn't become a trend going forward. I hope Frontier continues to proved free DLC, and saves paid DLC for either 1.) Purely cosmetic and/or licensed content (ala BttF, Knight Rider, etc.) or 2.) Significant additions and expansions to the game (I'm thinking of water park content, animal content, maybe hotel management/content, etc.). Frontier has built up enough good will with me over the past year that I will pay for this pack, but if it starts becoming a trend, my support will quickly wither. [...]

I honestly miss the old days of large costed but larger in content expansion packs. I would much rather pay $20-30 for a full and complete proper expansion, complete with game-changing content additions, balance changes, bug fixes, etc. rather than pay $10 every time a [edited] content pack such as this is released. [...]
Keep paid DLC for major content like Water Parks, [...]

And one final note for Frontier, can we get some more of your great animatronics? They add a lot of detail and life to my [park]

Who says, that we didn't see a free update in October? I think it will be called Fall Update or Autumn Update. Did we get Parasols or Beach Chairs in the Summer Update? Did we get Tulips or Easter Eggs in the Spring Update? No! So how could we expect a free Halloween Update for October? Only just because of the bigger Holiday Update with the Festive Theme in Winter? I have seen the Winter Update as a kind of christmas gift, which has made it more special as the other ones. [...]

theses 2 + Bitter Jeweler resumed my thoughts.

For me,

Im not THAT of a builder so I already have more than enough stuff compare to my creativity/capacities

60$ was a bit expensive for single player game, but I spent it and have over 200hrs so far in the game.
I bought the 3 first dlc, they're ok, but as someone else said, not really usefull outside of their proper meaning. (duno if its sound ok, am french)
15$ in canadian funds is a bit high for a dlc, I've watched the yesterday stream, they said there is many many items in that dlc but.....

Still, I spent more in other games just for keys that would open a box for a slight chance of getting something epic so.........

I'd pay up 1/10 of the game original cost for any decent dlc or like 20$ for a game changer dlc

Reading some post I feel like this new generation of gamers will never have enough.......

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

@Seeker...I though I quoted your post.

No, I am not saying Frontier has no part of it. They do get some blame...I think they are purposefully vague.
But I come at this from a business point of view, because I am purposefully vague all the time in my business.
It may not be the best thing, but sometimes it is necessary.

What I just wanted to call attention to, which happens throughout the forum, is when certain words are used that help tell the story.

Expected.

Assumed.

And from your last post..."they made it seem like there was the possibility"

Yes, Frontier is to blame for being vague, or unclear.
That (cosmetic DLC) was a good example of something they said, that we don't know exactly what it meant.
It could be interpreted two ways. Like I said before.

But "if it was clearly communicated that a roadmap is something different than promises ", I guarantee you they would be held to anything they said. Again, from experience in my business, I am asked for estimates and no matter how clear I stress it is an estimate, not a price quote, if the job took longer, or more metal, and I charge more, I still get "but you said it would be $XXX.00". What kills me is that this still happens with customers I have been doing business with for 8 years!!!

That is what happens here. They showed concept art of picnic tables, an animation even! That signaled for some people a promise of picnic tables, even though they were never promised. People saw that and expected them to be in the game, they assumed they would be in the game, and they sure did seem like they would be in the game. But they are not, for whatever reason, and people are upset, still.

This is why I believe we will never get a roadmap. I believe this is why Frontier keeps things close to their chest.
Heck, they FINALLY announce a cheat code for a friction slider, and that STILL wasn't good enough. Arguments ensued.

 

[seeker939]

Yes, Frontier is to blame for being vague, or unclear.
That (cosmetic DLC) was a good example of something they said, that we don't know exactly what it meant.
It could be interpreted two ways. Like I said before.

But "if it was clearly communicated that a roadmap is something different than promises ", I guarantee you they would be held to anything they said. Again, from experience in my business, I am asked for estimates and no matter how clear I stress it is an estimate, not a price quote, if the job took longer, or more metal, and I charge more, I still get "but you said it would be $XXX.00". What kills me is that this still happens with customers I have been doing business with for 8 years!!!

That is what happens here. They showed concept art of picnic tables, an animation even! That signaled for some people a promise of picnic tables, even though they were never promised. People saw that and expected them to be in the game, they assumed they would be in the game, and they sure did seem like they would be in the game. But they are not, for whatever reason, and people are upset, still.

This is why I believe we will never get a roadmap. I believe this is why Frontier keeps things close to their chest.
Heck, they FINALLY announce a cheat code for a friction slider, and that STILL wasn't good enough. Arguments ensued.

If you want to communicate something you don't put it in ambigous terms. We both know why they used that language so the technicalities don't matter. I suppose from your job you're aware the you sometimes tell your clients is still even though it's phrased in a way you can't be held liable for it. I know how this works from my time in customer relations.

Anyway, I think maybe you're projecting your negative experiences at your job unto the PC community.

The picnic tables just went awol sometime during alpha and when the game was released they were still missing. I am not aware of there being an explanation for why the picnic tables weren't in the game so I think once again the lack of communication is what most likely has caused the problem.

It's no surprise people are getting frustrated. Not talking won't make things better.

 

[Stream]

Taken from their Facebook page, from the promo video showing off the picnic tables: "Teen Male Sitting Down to Eat
Bench tables offer your guests a good place to enjoy their meal. And that cheeky little hop at the end makes for a satisfying animation!"

I mean... it doesn't literally say "this will 100% be in the game" - but it pretty much does in other words.

 

[FutureFear]

Seriously, give them a break... ( I mean the devs)

They released not that long the monster, back to the future and knight riders packs.
It was the first paid content for the game (after ALOT of free updates), with some really nice stuff in it.
Not long after they released a new coasters aswell (steel vengeance) (FREE)

Now they announced the spooky DLC, and somewhat confirmed or not there will be another update after the expo...??!!

They must have a big team or a really devoted team that's for sure.

SO WHY DO PEOPLE COMPLAIN?
Frontier devs are probably working faster as their computers/servers can handle, and all I see is complains when they release a DLC for 11$.
Have some respect for those that make the game, they work really hard day after day to keep everyone of us satisfied with new content.

Those that complain about the price,... remember how manny people that need to be paid with ONLY those 11$?
Programmers, Artist (music, graphics, fanart), (community) managers like Bo & Ed for example... and manny more.
If people would only know how little actually remains for Frontier itself as been profit they will be suprissed.

Just keep in mind that the game industry is there for YOUR ENTERTAINMENT.
If you don't buy it, you don't but if you want it, you just buy it.

So far the spooky DLC is worth the money if you see the amount of content it contains, and they even didn't show us everything.

Special thanks to the enitre Frontier team for their amazing work AGAIN.

 

[pwc1]

Seriously, give them a break... ( I mean the devs)

They released not that long the monster, back to the future and knight riders packs.
It was the first paid content for the game (after ALOT of free updates), with some really nice stuff in it.
Not long after they released a new coasters aswell (steel vengeance) (FREE)

Now they announced the spooky DLC, and somewhat confirmed or not there will be another update after the expo...??!!

They must have a big team or a really devoted team that's for sure.

SO WHY DO PEOPLE COMPLAIN?
Frontier devs are probably working faster as their computers/servers can handle, and all I see is complains when they release a DLC for 11$.
Have some respect for those that make the game, they work really hard day after day to keep everyone of us satisfied with new content.

Those that complain about the price,... remember how manny people that need to be paid with ONLY those 11$?
Programmers, Artist (music, graphics, fanart), (community) managers like Bo & Ed for example... and manny more.
If people would only know how little actually remains for Frontier itself as been profit they will be suprissed.

Just keep in mind that the game industry is there for YOUR ENTERTAINMENT.
If you don't buy it, you don't but if you want it, you just buy it.

So far the spooky DLC is worth the money if you see the amount of content it contains, and they even didn't show us everything.

Special thanks to the enitre Frontier team for their amazing work AGAIN.

Thank you for posting that.[yesnod] and Thank you Frontier for your time and hard work.

 

[Michael77]

Great game but still uncomplete

I also will buy the spooky update. So many updates had been released for free (big updates like addons!!!). So for me there's no reason not to buy the DLC. We have to think about the costs of programming games. Frontier is doing a great Job and so I will pay without any anger or frustration .

Anyway I am still missing contents like additionally water attractions, attractions for Kids, a tool to create mazes and unfortunately the missing ride signs or maybe a tool to create them. I have seen that many players are able to build signs, but unfortunately that is not my "Strength". So I hope that on EXpo 17 frontier will announce a big update with all those things. For me it doesn't matter if it will be a DLC main point is.... it will come. Since I'm playing planet for me it's not really complete, so I'm playing with a "tightened hand brake" waiting for the completion of the game. Also I'm no friend of typically fairground attractions which mostly had been released by frontier during the last months.

 

[seeker939]

Have some respect for those that make the game, they work really hard day after day to keep everyone of us satisfied with new content.

Those that complain about the price,... remember how manny people that need to be paid with ONLY those 11$?
Programmers, Artist (music, graphics, fanart), (community) managers like Bo & Ed for example... and manny more.
If people would only know how little actually remains for Frontier itself as been profit they will be suprissed.

Have some respect for people expressing an opinion that's different from yours! It's not the devs work ethic or dedication that's in question. I think most of us are very appreciative of their work and have expressed so before. I mean, I am! That doesn't mean we can't criticise (without being jerks, of course). The fact there is so much discussion in the community right now shows that people care.

Since you (and others talking about money) obviously never took a look at Frontier's numbers here's some interesting information (quote from someone else but all this is on their website):

I think it is fair to say the company is doing very well, and Planet Coaster obviously is their big money maker.
So no need to worry about staff wages and accomodation costs I think.

31 May 2017
Turnover £(M) 37
Profit £(M) 8

31 May 2016
Turnover £(M) 21
Profit £(M) 1

31 May 2015
Turnover £(M) 23
Profit £(M) 2

31 May 2014
Turnover £(M) 10
Profit £(M) -2

The point is, Frontier is not barely scraping by, they are making good profit with PC. I'm happy for them and it's well deserved. But you can't argue they have to go down the Sims DLC route - or whatever you want to call it - because they'd run out of cash otherwise. That is simply not true.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

SO WHY DO PEOPLE COMPLAIN?.

Its, because some people in the Planet Coaster community believe that every update should be free as they already paid for the game itself.

 

[LN]

Its, because some people in the Planet Coaster community believe that every update should be free as they already paid for the game itself.

It's not true. Expecting "every" update to be free would be insane, that's what you make of it.

If you read between the lines most people are wondering why content keeps being added while other things are not (yet) being adressed.
Or they are, but we don't hear Frontier say anything about it.

In my case, I don't care about the amount of money they ask for it, it's my task to judge the content and it's price tag and decide to buy it yes or no.

In this case, unlike my earlier response 3 days ago, I will probably buy it, because yeah, honestly, after seeing some screenshots I must say, it looks really good and 100+ items for € 10,99 sounds fair.

But if that means that other parts of the game or not adressed or looked into it could mean that future DLC's will be judged by me differently.

Some of the basic complains i read:

- not happy about price/content
- not happy about communication
- not happy about other issues in game (which can be different per person and expectations from the game)
- not happy about workshop

And looking at above they are suggesting it should be free.
Maybe all party's might have some kind of truth in their opinions, but it still are opinions.

 

[DrowningStar]

The whole point of this thread is to openly talk about the future of this game and the way they release content. There's nothing bad about that, and both sides of the convorsation have truth to what they share.

Please do not assume that everyone who has point out their concerns or issues with matters want everything to be free. Some things should be free. There should be a base game with items that hit most of the common categories/themes, and common items. This includes items for interior decor. Some of us don't have computers that can handle making chairs and paintings out of hundreds of items. That is killer on anyones computer, especially once you start duplicating them. Just give us things to work with so we can make basic stuff, nobody is asking for a massive free expansion pack of items. People have been complaining about a lot of these things for a while, and their answer was to put them in a paid content pack. Some of you don't care about making interiors, but a lot of palyers do, and to put these items in a paid pack just flat out sucks. Maybe release the interior items and a few basic spooky items for free and leave the rest for a paid pack at least.

 

[2MileDollywood]

My only complaint about Spooky is the new mascot, King Ghoster. For Adventure theme we received Captain Lockjaw and for the Western theme we received Miss Ellie, along with the Sci-Fi theme Dex-R and Fantasy with Princess Amelie. We already received King Festive. I was really hoping for a true mascot that represented all things Spooky like a dancing skelton or a Planco Frankenstein's monster. I do hope that in the future of Planet Coaster we'll have a staff editor that could give us some varieties of mascot cosmetic changes, or even the ability to create our own mascots. But other than King Ghoster, I'm already in love with the Spooky DLC coming very soon. If the future of DLC content (not major expansions) are like Spooky, than Frontier, take my money... take all of my money!

 

[Darthreun]

feel the same here! this sould be free...i've deleted the game because of this DLC...i'm not going to pay 11$ for decor.... 2 track rides and again...a reskined coaster...i'm still waiting for picnic table...you know Frontier..those you have showed us but never released them....https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oytm1rHeEJw/maxresdefault.jpg you even showed the animation.... http://abload.de/img/guesttableshszx.gif

 

[Darthreun]

My only complaint about Spooky is the new mascot, King Ghoster. For Adventure theme we received Captain Lockjaw and for the Western theme we received Miss Ellie, along with the Sci-Fi theme Dex-R and Fantasy with Princess Amelie. We already received King Festive. I was really hoping for a true mascot that represented all things Spooky like a dancing skelton or a Planco Frankenstein's monster. I do hope that in the future of Planet Coaster we'll have a staff editor that could give us some varieties of mascot cosmetic changes, or even the ability to create our own mascots. But other than King Ghoster, I'm already in love with the Spooky DLC coming very soon. If the future of DLC content (not major expansions) are like Spooky, than Frontier, take my money... take all of my money!

the "witch" could have been one!

 

[SoapyIllusion]

So let me get this straight. You deleted a game because the added optional DLC you do not have to buy? Odd choice for sure.

Some people I think have taken this freak out a little to far.

Tons of people are trying to re-build from disasters as of late, if being mad over new game DLC is the worst of your problems you should consider yourselves lucky. Geez.....

 

[Darthreun]

So let me get this straight. You deleted a game because the added optional DLC you do not have to buy? Odd choice for sure.

Some people I think have taken this freak out a little to far.

Tons of people are trying to re-build from disasters as of late, if being mad over new game DLC is the worst of your problems you should consider yourselves lucky. Geez.....

i've deleted the games..yes after having played more that 700h in the alpha and more than a thousand in the real game...because the game is not really stable....even if we are going to pass the 1y ann. i've deleted...cause i felt bad AF after buying the 3 packs in jully and saw the content.... because simple stuff like picnic tables are still not in the game...because i don't care about coaster reskin or flying book that will slow even more the game... i'm just fully disapointed about frontier! i tought they were different than EA...look like i was wrong....if i could i would ask back my 100$ already paid for a game not finished...

 

[aDOLPHINjoy18]

I'm not interested in any DLC unless it's like a water expansion pack with swimming pools and water slides. I'd happily pay NZ$100 even, for it. I don't care how highly priced it is. But know Frontier is a reasonable company and they need the finances to continue supporting all the work they put into it.

As for the DLC they've already made, I'm not really for it. A lot of people want water parks. Silvarett, lady designer, keralis, and the list goes on. This may require a fair amount of resources (employees, time, etc) to make. The cost of living is expensive. So we shouldn't be complaining about having to pay for DLC since they need the money to keep them in business.