As far as the Bioshock 2 is concerned, I believe they are entitled to do what they like with content they have created. I'm happy to be able to download the patch file quickly in order to play the DLC quickly. It would have been excellent if Rockstar had done this for GTA because that large download was not pleasant. The amount of weapons and characters available in Bioshock 2 on release was reasonable enough.

Also, until the game was released 2K had no idea how popular multiplayer would be. I'm sure this was a pack they prepared in the event that it wen't well, and needed to add 10 more levels onto it quickly. I doubt the next pack will already be on the disk, and I think it will probably feature a lot more.

Seems like a pattern forming, with major publishes screwing over their customers where ever possible. It's not suprising at all that his has happened and I believe its most likely true. At least its not just the PC gamers being shafted for once! I mate of mine who works in Port Moresby was in Brisbane last weekend and brought two PC games, DoW expansion and SupCom2. He gets back to Moresby and finds he can't play either game due to them being tethered to Steam and demanding updates before they will let him play Single Player. Unfortuantely he's on the equivalent of dialup speeds and multi hundred megabyte updates just aren't happening - so the games he paid good $$ for, won't work at all.

Luckily GSC Gameworld knows how to treat its consumers and (third time lucky) Stalker Call of Pripyat worked out of the box!

This is pretty poor if this is the case.

I dont have the game myself, but if the DLC was ready to be put on the Disk at manufacture, surely they had time to include on release!?

"Here is your product. . . now you need to buy the key for the chest i gave it to you in" Just doesnt seem right?

All for DLC that you buy, but the timing on this one seems a bit off!?

I would love to see an explanation for why they have decided to unlock content like this. They certainly don't seem to have put extra effort into making this content since it was already on the disc. Much like underarm bowling it is within the rules of the game but not really in keeping with the spirit of it.

If they think annoying the purchasers of their game like this is the way to go, good for them. I also doubt it will take long for someone to hack it.

Isn't the definition of Downloadable Content that it's downloadable (ie not already on the disc)?

And I'm playing through FFXIII and having gotten about 9 hours in I'm enjoying it. Yes it's very linear (the biggest critism I've heard) but by knowing that upfront it hasn't been a big problem - FFX was also linear for quite a long time - so as long as eventually I get to an open world I'll be happy. One question though - why do two of the girls have Australian accents?

No gaming what so ever......and no sunshine either....spent the whole weekend planning derogatory slogans for signs to take to the cricket test matches. Main target is Shane Watson (honestly who can like that guy!) but M Clarke is sure to get some attention!

Resident Evil 5 would like to have a word with you, Gerard. :) Personally, I don't like that sort of thing, no. I'd like to have to actually DOWNLOAD my downloadable content, instead of download a mere key that unlocks it. Unfortunately I have double standards in regards to that, as PlayStation Network games frequently do this (Super Stardust HD, PixelJunk games, etc are all unlock codes). When it comes to disc-based games, though, I don't feel it's right.

In regards to Final Fantasy XIII: I finished it on Friday, so my weekend freed up considerably. I'd be willing to let you know what I think of it so far, but it might spoil the game experience for you and all the other GJ readers who haven't quite gotten that far. ;) I may do so if enough people post their thoughts, though.

Right on about the visuals. However, as I noted over on Connector, I've found the refresh rate to be slightly out of whack on my TV. The prelude sequence in particular feels slightly choppy (with the canyons, etc). I don't have a 100Hz TV, and I'm running plasma instead of LCD (which shouldn't make a difference)... does anyone else have any thoughts?

The English voice acting is a lot better than I thought it'd be. I'm pleased they resynced the mouth movements to fit English as opposed to try and force English dubbing into Japanese mouthing. And I'm so hot for Lightning. LOL... I'm sure I know which voices you find terrible though - EVERYONE does, don't worry. ;)

Its a load of crap I reckon when publishers charge for an unlock key on a game that just came out. The content is blatantly already on the disc, but you have to pay for it. DLC is good when its something that adds to the original game, and is clearly something that has been created after a games release (eg. the Fallout 3 expansion packs), but charging for content you already 'have' is striaght up gouging. Boycott this "DLC"! 2K's spin on it is ridiculous, they just waffle in a roundabout way in an attempt to confuse whoever is reading it, trying to justify this behaviour in one way or another. I also heard it was 800 MS points? Am I wrong?

I played Winterbottom, it had some interesting ideas but I could see it just getting very frustrating to play so didnt buy the full game.

As for FFXIII, apparently you have to get 15 hours in before the game opens up at all, and JRPGS in general are much more linear than western RPGS.

First time ever playing a Final Fantasy game & I love it.

I've been told that the linearity pretty much continues until the entire game. I'm also wondering if PS3 has japanese voice.

Frankly, I'm waiting for Yakuza 3 so I skipped over FF13.