Joel “The illmatic” loves his downloadable content but I’m not sure Downloadable content loves me nowadays. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have their versions of downloadable content and all of the current generation consoles have lost their way.

I am starting to have issues with the marriage of downloadable content and micro-transactions. For instance, a friend told me that my favorite game will deliver downloadable content this week-end. Friday night I checked the content on XBOX LIVE and noticed the content was pointless character skins, concept art and some freakin themes. Are they really charging for this?

Shouldn’t downloadable content enhance game play? Elder Scrolls Oblivion took downloadable content to a level unparallel to console gamers. Oblivion introduced us to new chapters, weapons, ingredients, structures, enemies etc. Whether you finished Oblivion or not, the game-play was enhanced drastically, “Mass Effect” added new planets and missions and “Bioshock” gave us plasmids and new way to off your enemies. That is the kind of upgrades gamers should demand. We shouldn’t have to pay for aesthetic content excluded from development strictly for the purpose of micro-transactions. Sixty dollar for every PS3/360 is an outrage especially if the game is called “Beowulf The Game.”

I love most downloadable content and I have nothing against micro-transaction. I think it’s good for the consumer and the developer but I have a problem with developers holding out on game development to charge of for addition content. I believe minor skins, themes, style weapons; thing of that nature should be attained through achievements. The perfect example is Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Skins and concept art were unlocked as you played the from level to level achieving milestones. “Marvel Ultimate Alliance” is the perfect mix of downloadable content (new players and achievements) and achievements that included skins and concept art. All games should model themselves after MUA.