The Great Paywall
Sometimes I think about gaming and how expensive it is. Although it’s not necessarily required to get a gaming computer because there are plenty of good low-end PC games that are super fun, usually gamers will get a gaming device. That could be a used 3DS for like $200 or less. Or it could be something more expensive like a Playstation 5 for like, $500 (or more unfortunately). Or it is a gaming computer for $900+. And then you gotta buy the games. And deal with the pains of learning accessories and whatnot.
And it can get expensive…most of the time. There are so many good, free to play, major games like Path of Exile, Guild Wars 2, Starcraft II, Warframe, all of the free battle royales, and many more. And then there are giveaways all the dang time. Epic Store has been giving away major games every week for the past like, I don’t even remember anymore. Two years? So maybe getting the games part isn’t expensive. There is, however, the major and valid hurdle of what kind of games you like. So I’ll have to leave that up to you and the availability of games that you like.
So what is this big DLC I’m talking about then? I’m talking about life.
Life has the most DLC out of any game. You think about other hobbies that involve standard real life applications, and you are going to be spending cash on every single little thing. Need a small part for your car you’re working on? DLC. Need to get some more paint to replenish your “mana”, by which I mean your oil paints for your canvas? Pay to win. Want to travel? Dang, you’re gonna be paying hundreds of dollars, and you don’t even get the DLC permanently, because you’ll be back home. I hate to say it, but games have very little DLC compared to standard hobbies.
The difference is that most of the time you can apply those other hobbies to being “productive”. Everything is seen as more productive than playing video games. Let’s be honest, the stereotype that gamers are trolls in the basement is still a thing. Unless you’re rich, attractive, or famous. Apparently they get a pass.
Maybe it’s about getting our money’s worth? Learning how to cook a new recipe always costs a lot, but it always comes with the bonuses of eating good food, sharing with family and friends, and upping your cooking skill. I’m not hating on games or anything. Come on, this is Game Praisers. But the weird thing is that game DLC is both really great and not great at the same time. My new adventures in the snow for Monster Hunter don’t teach me anything about survival in the snow, but I get to go to lands I never would see in real life.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, I am so grateful for media. I am grateful for content. Because this huge world that pummels us with unwarranted updates like Covid and hate is also the same one that demands us pay for DLC whether we want it or not. Let’s be real, that’s a low standard to be pitting video games against. That’s even lower than comparing gaming to other hobbies and their expenses and rewards. But… I’m at least grateful for it.
Rarely would I get free food just because, like I can do on Epic Games. Never could I travel so easily to foreign lands and learn cool lore. Never could I have met friends as a cool engineer character I’m totally not like in real life other than personality. And also, rarely could I do the same in reverse. I’m so glad I bought those ingredients to make a cool recipe in real life to make for my family. I’m so grateful that the darn cleaning product worked in the bathroom when I cleaned it again.
I’m so grateful for content in both worlds.
…but sometimes it still gets so darn expensive.
Thanks for reading. I’ll see you again soon.
Elise
Game Praisers 