How the Total War Community Fought Back Against Greedy DLC Practices

With millions of enthusiasts worldwide who enjoy leading enormous armies and subjugating historical or fantastical territories, the Total War series is one of the most well-liked and critically renowned strategy game titles. But not everything in the world of Total War is ideal; the game’s creator, Creative Assembly, has been the target of backlash and criticism regarding its DLC practices from some of its most devoted fans.

In this article, we will explore how the Total War community expressed its dissatisfaction with the recent DLC releases, how the developer responded to the feedback, and what promises were made for the future of the series. We will also look at how the fans reacted to the developer’s apology and what lessons can be learned from this case.

1. The DLC Controversy

On April 29, 2021, Total War: Rome Remastered—a remastered edition of the 2004 classic Total War: Rome—was released, sparking the issue over DLC. Better gameplay, UI, graphics, and mod compatibility were all included in the remaster, along with all of the original DLCs and expansions. The Greek States Culture Pack, a new DLC pack that brought three more playable factions—Athens, Epirus, and Sparta—to the remaster, however, disappointed some fans.

The Greek States Culture Pack was available for $4.99 separately and was not part of the base game, which was the issue. Many fans were incensed by this because they believed the developer was attempting to defraud them of extra money by concealing information behind a paywall, especially because the Greek factions were previously playable in the original game. A few users also brought out the fact that the remaster was already more expensive than most, at $29.99, and that the new DLC didn’t really improve the game.

Social media sites like Reddit saw a noticeable pushback, with many posts and comments expressing users’ dissatisfaction and disgust with the developer. Some fans went so far as to demand that the remaster and DLC be boycotted, urging others to oppose the avaricious methods by voting with their cash. A few instances of the unfavorable comments are:

– “This is just a slap in the face to the fans who have supported this franchise for years. How can they justify charging extra for content that was already in the original game? This is just pure greed and laziness.”

– “I was really looking forward to playing this remaster, but this DLC nonsense has completely turned me off. I’m not paying $35 for a 17-year-old game with some minor improvements and a cut content DLC. This is a rip-off and an insult to the fans.”

– “This is why I stopped buying Total War games. They always release buggy and incomplete games, and then charge you for DLCs that should have been in the game from the start. They don’t care about quality or customer satisfaction, only money.”

2. The Developer’s Apology

The developer took note of the critical comments and, on May 6, 2021, apologized publicly on its website and social media accounts. The apology stated the reasoning for the decision and admitted the mistakes committed with the DLC. The Greek States Culture Pack, according to the developer, was included later as a bonus for fans who requested more content and was not originally planned for the remaster project. Additionally, the developer said that the DLC was inexpensively priced to represent the fact that it was an optional addition to the game and not a must.

The developer also expressed regret for not being more explicit in its communications with the fans on the DLC and acknowledged that it ought to have been more open and honest about its intentions. Additionally, the developer pledged to improve going forward and to take community comments and recommendations into consideration. Additionally, the developer declared that it was developing a free update for the remaster that will come with enhancements, bug patches, and new features. Additionally, the company made hints about working on additional material for other Total War games in addition to the remaster.

Fans reacted differently to the developer’s apologies; while many were grateful for the gesture, they weren’t convinced that the developer was sincere in his actions. A few fans acknowledged the apology and gave the developer credit for admitting its errors and making an effort to do better. A few fans also voiced their anticipation for the next material and update and their hope that the company will keep its word. Here are a few instances of the favorable comments:

– “Thank you for the apology and the explanation. I appreciate that you are listening to the fans and trying to make things right. I hope you will keep your word and make the remaster and the DLC better.”

– “I’m glad that you are working on a free update and more content for the remaster. I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us. I still love Total War and I want to see it succeed.”

– “This is a good start, but actions speak louder than words. I hope you will learn from this experience and avoid making the same mistakes again. Please don’t let us down.”

Some followers, nevertheless, remained irate and mistrustful of the developer because they were not persuaded by the apology. Some followers felt that the developer had come too little, too late and accused him of lying and fabricating up reasons. A few supporters also claimed that the developer should reimburse the DLC’s purchasers or make the DLC free of charge, as they felt that the apology was insufficient. A few instances of the unfavorable comments are:

– “This is a pathetic and insincere apology. You are only saying sorry because you got caught and lost money. You don’t care about the fans, only about your profits.”

– “This is a joke, right? You expect us to believe that the DLC was a bonus and not a cash grab? You think we are stupid? You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

– “This is not enough. You need to make the DLC free for everyone, or refund the people who bought it. You owe us that much. You can’t just say sorry and expect us to forgive and forget.”

3. The Lessons Learned

The Total War DLC debate serves as an example of how a developer can lose the respect and trust of its fan base by making bad choices and failing to communicate with customers in a clear and concise manner. It also demonstrates how a developer can make an apology and vow to improve in an effort to win back the respect and confidence of its fan base. It also demonstrates the fact that not all fans are amenable to forgiveness and moving on, and that sometimes an apology is insufficient.

The events of the Total War DLC have given us some food for thought:

– Be transparent and honest with your customers. Don’t hide or mislead them about your plans and intentions. Explain the reasons behind your decisions and actions, and be open to feedback and criticism.

– Don’t take your customers for granted. Don’t assume that they will buy anything you sell, or that they will tolerate anything you do. Respect their opinions and preferences, and value their loyalty and support.

– Don’t compromise your quality or integrity for money. Don’t cut corners or charge extra for content that should be part of the base game. Don’t release buggy or incomplete games, or DLCs that add little value to the game.

– Listen to your customers and learn from your mistakes. Don’t ignore or dismiss the complaints or suggestions from your customers. Apologize when you are wrong, and try to fix the problems and improve the situation. Deliver on your promises, and show your customers that you care about them and their satisfaction.

The Total War fan base is made up of ardent and outspoken individuals that adore the series and want to see it succeed. Additionally, they are a strong and important consumer base that has the ability to make or break the success of the show. In order to produce the greatest games and content, the developer ought to value and respect the community. By doing this, the developer will be able to regain the community’s respect and trust while securing the series’ long-term survival and popularity.

Related posts:
Total War developers apologise to fans, promise better content in the …