DLCs as Independent Games

[Morality Games]

So I use Backloggery to keep track of what games I have and haven't finished. Lately I've decided to marathon through the Fallout: New Vegas DLCs (which I've never tried).

An accounting issue I've faced is whether expansion packs and DLCs count as independent games. For example, I feel as though Throne of Bhaal is definitely an independent game but am unsure whether Tales of Sword Coast would pass, even though Tales of Sword Coast is much longer than either (or both) of the Half-Life 2 Episodes, which have to be reckoned as independent games.

The issue is complicated by the fact DLCs often 'feel' like different games because of introducing new challenge mechanics and independent narratives.

 

[Mustawd]

An accounting issue

The best kind. Continue...

whether expansion packs and DLCs count as independent games

What's important when you're classifying these things is how usable this information is. In other words, if you feel a DLC is a completely self sustaining experience, is it really all that useful categorize it as merely DLC?

In other words, don't follow the letter of the rule but instead follow the spirit of the rule.


But I get that even a "feeling" is hard to quantify. Why not try this experiment?

Game A has DLC B. Obviously Game A feels like a game. What about DLC B?

Try flipping it. Can you see DLC B being the main game or at least equal value as Game A?

If yes, then DLC B is a game. If not, then DLC B depends on the existence of Game A and should not be considered a separate game.


Disclaimer: I have had less that 3 hours of sleep and on my third beer with only a grilled cheese sandwhich in my belly. This bar is p. Cool tho...

 

[lukaszek]

deterministic system > RNG