Expansion pack

An expansion pack for a computer game is an installable package with additional content for an existing (main) game.

Add-ons usually require a base game into which they are installed and within which they run. In some cases, the base game is only required at the time of installation for licensing reasons.

As a paid expansion, add-ons enrich already released computer games with new content. This can be new levels, maps, enemies, weapons or even new functions, such as a multiplayer mode. Expansions (such as Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne or The Sims 2: Open for Business) are usually not stand-alone, for their installation, the base game (here Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos or The Sims 2) is usually required on the computer. However, there are also standalone expansions that run without the underlying game (for example Unreal: Return to NaPali or Crysis: Warhead).

Unlike sequels, an expansion does not change the original gameplay and graphics engine much compared to the base game, as it continues to use the underlying technology and user interface of the main program and, if necessary, adapts or expands it in some aspects. A free update or patch, on the other hand, usually only fixes the errors (bugs) of an existing program, but does not offer any new content. All patches of the main program released up to the production date are usually integrated into extensions, so that these also sometimes bring a higher stability compared to the unchanged main program. In addition, minor changes are often made to, for example, default settings or game balance (for example, the character skill changes in Diablo II).

An extension usually costs much less money than the actual main program. There are also free expansions that developers make available to players. If players make changes to a game themselves, they are usually called modifications or mods for short.

For particularly successful games, sometimes several expansions are released. One of the front-runners in this regard is probably the Microsoft Flight Simulator, which has hundreds of commercial extensions for almost all published versions. In addition, there is a very large number of free extensions on the Internet, some of which are of high quality.

Add-ins

Generally used incorrectly as a synonym for add-on, within the community one often speaks explicitly of an add-in when the extension is completely integrated into the application (as an example, a game extension that adds additional content, such as new areas, stories, tasks, characters, etc.). As a rule, add-ins cannot be removed or uninstalled independently, like add-ons, because this would irreparably damage the - now extended - basic installation. A complete uninstallation of the main application would be necessary.

Downloadable Content (DLCs)

A relatively new form of expansion is (usually) paid downloadable content (DLC), which is offered via the Internet (for example, via Internet sales platforms such as Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Steam, Games for Windows - Live or manufacturer sites) and, if at all, is only released later on a conventional data carrier. The designation merely describes the distribution channel originally used; the expansions, on the other hand, can be both add-ons and add-ins.

Additional downloaded content usually costs less than conventional extensions, but also offers less scope. Advantages for the manufacturer are savings in distribution media, transport costs and possibly also the distributor.

As a further motivation of the manufacturers for increased paid DLC shares in current games, it is also speculated that this is a sales measure that is primarily directed against second-hand buyers of games. In contrast to licenses that are tied to media, individualized licenses (for example Steam licenses) cannot be transferred.

There is also controversy surrounding DLCs in terms of their content, which is often small compared to the base product, and thus perceived as overpriced or poor value for money. A notorious prime example of useless and overpriced DLC content is the "Horse Armor DLC" on the Xbox Live Marketplace for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

DLCs have also been criticized in the form of continually required microtransactions in games. A well-known example is Electronic Arts CEO Riccitiello's idea to charge $1 each time you reload ammo in Battlefield 3, which he presented at a shareholder meeting.

The term "Day-One-DLCs" criticizes a possible dissection of already existing content into small, individually sellable DLCs, which are already available on the first day of release. Critics complain that this only serves to take more money from the players. In the election of Electronic Arts by The Consumerist in April 2012 as the "Worst Company in America" endowed with the "Golden Poo" trophy, the use of this practice was cited as one of the reasons for the election of Electronic Arts.