What dlc stands for

What is DLC? Understanding downloadable content, a feature of nearly every new game

Twitter LinkedIn icon The word «in».

LinkedIn Fliboard icon A stylized letter F.

Flipboard Facebook Icon The letter F.

Email Link icon An image of a chain link. It symobilizes a website link url.

Buying a video game isn’t strictly a one-time purchase anymore. Once you own a game, it’ll typically offer you extra content and features with what’s commonly referred to as DLC.

What does DLC mean?

In gaming, DLC stands for «downloadable content.» It refers to add-ons to a game that give it extra features that weren’t included with the game’s initial release.

You usually download DLC through whichever online store you bought or run the game through, whether that be Steam, the PlayStation Store, or another platform.

Although it’s usually associated with modern games, DLC has been around for years. The Sega Dreamcast, one of the first video game consoles that could connect to the internet, had DLC for a few of its major games. DLC became more commonplace upon the release of the Xbox 360, which expanded the availability of extra content through its Xbox Live service. PlayStation and Nintendo followed suit with their respective online services. The rise in popularity of PC gaming on Steam also helped tremendously.

Nowadays, as more users buy games digitally instead of on physical discs, DLC is incredibly common. Most big games from major studios (often called AAA games) offer DLC. It’s become a major aspect of the gaming industry, and can extend a game’s popularity and money-making potential for years.

The different types of DLC

There are different kinds of DLC available for all types of games. Some of them affect gameplay and take up a lot of space on your console, while others are hardly noticeable.

DLC can include extra stories and levels, new characters, unlockable weapons, bonus items, and more depending on the type of game. DLC can also be cosmetic, changing a character’s appearance with a new outfit or modification (these are often referred to as «skins»). Some DLC might just be bug fixes.

Some games offer DLC for free, which you can download from your console’s online gaming store. However, it’s much more common for companies to charge for DLC, especially if it adds a significant amount of content.

Games that have a lot of DLC released over time may offer a package deal called a «season pass.» Season passes include all current and future DLC for a given game, usually at a discounted price, so you only need to pay for the game’s DLC once even if some of it hasn’t been released yet.

What Is DLC in Gaming and How Does It Work?

The inside scoop on downloadable content

What is DLC? Downloadable content, or DLC, is what gamers call extra content players can download after purchasing a video game. While some DLC is offered for free, players typically must pay additional fees to unlock new content. Freemium games rely entirely on DLC to make a profit.

What Does DLC Mean in Games?

DLC is sold exclusively by a game’s publisher in digital format. It tends to be tied to the individual customer’s console or account, which means DLC can’t be resold or traded like physical game discs. A similar concept to DLC is disc-locked content, which must be activated through an online service.

Sometimes, companies release physical copies of games with a code needed to download additional content. For example, the Switch version of Resident Evil Origins Collection requires players to enter a code to download the remake of Resident Evil. It has also become common practice for publishers to offer DLC as part of pre-order bonuses, special edition bundles, and re-releases.

Examples of DLC

Types of DLC that games offer include:

The History of DLC in Gaming

The concept of digital game distribution dates back to the 1980s with Atari’s GameLine service, but the real-time strategy game Total Annihilation is credited for normalizing DLC in 1997 when its developers started releasing new content every month. A few years later, Sega, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo began supporting DLC for their consoles and handheld systems. Franchises like Guitar Hero and Just Dance have relied heavily on DLC to keep players engaged.

In the late 2000s, social media and mobile gaming normalized the concept of microtransactions, which make it easy for players to quickly download new content with a single tap. Thus, developers were incentivized to continually add new features that players can buy. Today, nearly every major console or mobile game supports some form of DLC.

What Parents Should Know About DLC

Although most games claim you must be 18 to purchase DLC, many game consoles and mobile devices allow users to make instant purchases with previously stored credit card information. Therefore, parents should set up parental controls to manage in-app purchases.

Some services, like the Nintendo 3DS eShop, require users to enter a password before completing a transaction.

Is DLC Safe?

DLC offered through reputable services such as the PlayStation Network, Google Play, or Steam is always safe to download.

DLC is different from a mod, which is content made by a third-party. Always use a virus scanner when downloading files from the internet.

Criticisms of DLC

The rise of DLC and microtransations has been linked to video game addiction. Some lawmakers have compared loot crates to gambling since players don’t know exactly what they’re getting before making a purchase. In fact, countries like Japan regulate the sale of loot crates as a form of gambling. Season passes have been criticized for the same reason.

Game developers have been accused of intentionally leaving content out of games so they can offer more DLC. Multiplayer games that offer a lot of power-ups for purchase are sometimes called «pay-to-win,» since players with deeper wallets have an advantage.

What does DLC stand for?

What does DLC mean? This page is about the various possible meanings of the acronym, abbreviation, shorthand or slang term: DLC.

Democratic Leadership Council

Diamond Like Carbon

Digital Loop Carrier

Data Link Control

Dual Listed Company

Direct Lift Control

Double Layer Capacitor

Donation Land Claim

Digital Line Controller

Distribution Line Carrier

Digital Leased Circuit

Dry Liquid Concentrate

Disappearing Lieberman Campaign

Democrats Looking for Cash

Democratic Losing Campaigns

Democratic Losership Committee

Danish Lutheran Church

Dark Lord Cometh

Destroy, Liberate, Create

Dateless Losers Club

Dalian, Mainland China

Differential Leukocyte Count

Documentary Letter of Credit

Popularity rank for the DLC initials by frequency of use:

Couldn’t find the full form or full meaning of DLC?

Maybe you were looking for one of these abbreviations:

Discuss these DLC abbreviations with the community:

Report Comment

We’re doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we’ll take care of it shortly.

What Is DLC In Gaming? All You Need to Know (2022)

DLC is the newest way for games to offer extra gameplay, items, and content that can’t be found in the original release. Games with DLC often have a lot of downloadable content for sale on their official website.

Getting DLC has an effect on the gamer’s experience as it offers more things to do and interact with and more information and options to learn and explore. However, What is DLC in gaming? Read on our following guide to find out more.

What does DLC stand for in games?

DLC stands for downloadable content. It’s digital content that a player can add to a video game. DLC can be downloaded online or through a gaming platform like Steam or the Playstation Store. Sometimes it may be free. Sometimes, it may be required to buy it separately or included in bundles with the base game.

DLC can include many things. Some DLC is cosmetic, like skins or voice-overs. Others are entirely new stories or areas that completely transform the game.

Many content packs offer hundreds of hours of extra playtime. Developers often use DLC to keep their game current and players engaged for many months or even years after its initial release.

In many ways, downloadable content is a natural successor for expansion packs. Originating from the card and role-playing games, the idea of game expansions was born.

These expansions allowed many publishers to add content to existing games without having to create a new one. Expansions often featured characters or items that could increase the game’s longevity and keep players engaged.

Later, expansion packs were introduced to video games and they were distributed in discs that players could add to a game through their computers. Expansion packs were standard in large multiplayer online games (MMOs), such as Ultima Online and World of Warcraft.

Today, expansions, which are expensive downloads with a lot of content, still refer.

The History of DLC

Atari’s gameline service introduced digital game distribution in the 1980s through its GameLine service. However, Total Annihilation, a real-time strategy game, is believed to have normalizing DLC in 1997 after its developers began releasing new content each month.

Sega, Microsoft, and Sony all began to support DLC for their handheld and console systems a few years later. Franchises such as Just Dance and Guitar Hero have heavily relied on DLC to keep their players interested.

Microtransactions were popularized by social media and mobile games in the 2000s. This allows players to quickly download new content from their phones with just one tap. Developers were thus incentivized by the possibility of adding new features that could be purchased to their games. Almost every console and mobile game today supports DLC.

Different types of DLC

Different types of Downloadable Content are available for various games. Some DLC can significantly impact gameplay and take up lots of space, while others are barely noticeable.

Depending on the game, DLC can add stories, levels, characters, unlockable weapons, and bonus items. Cosmetic DLC is also possible, changing a character’s appearance by giving them a new outfit (or modification). These are commonly referred to as skins. Some DLC may be used to fix bugs.

You can get DLC from the console’s online gaming shop for free. It’s becoming more common for companies to charge for it, especially for DLC that adds significant content.

A season pass is a package deal that includes all the DLC for a game. Season passes offer all current and future DLC for a game at a discounted price. This means that you only have to pay once for the DLC, even if it’s not yet released.

Advantages of DLC

DLC received mixed reactions from fans, as we have discussed. DLC was originally introduced to improve the game and add more dimensions.

For example, if you want to buy Ronaldo or Messi in FIFA, then you don’t have to collect cards for many years to get them. This is quite amazing, I think.

Supporters of DLC argue that purchasing it is an option and not a requirement.

Remember, not all DLC workers are paid. There are also many unpaid.

PlayerUnknown Battleground has both paid and unpaid DLCs. There are paid skins available, but maps that are not aren’t. This is because the maps are essential for players to progress in the game.

Downloadable Content also has the benefit of allowing you to skip the line and wait for your store to open. Then, you can go straight to the Expandable Store and buy your DLC there.

Manufacturers are constantly on the edge of their seats due to user-generated DLC. Whenever the community feels the content is too expensive, they notify the manufacturer. The developers then make the necessary changes.

The disadvantages of DLC

DLC has its disadvantages, and it is also very costly. DLC favors the wealthy.

To unlock key players or advance in the game, you need to have played the game for a while. You don’t have to spend much money to get the DLC you want.

If there are two FIFA players and one has purchased all the top players like Messi, Ronaldo, Saurez, etc., and the other gamer doesn’t have any higher ranks, then who do you think will win?

Parents of gamers younger than ten years old complain that their children get easily moved by advertisements and end up purchasing something using their credit card on their phone.

Monetization and DLC

While some DLCs can be purchased for free, others may cost extra. Many game developers use DLC to make money. It is monetized at a variable cost.

While some are only a few dollars, others can cost as much or more than the base game. Some game developers may also split DLC into smaller purchases called microtransactions. These remote purchases can be used to purchase items, costumes, and even playable games. These are the best way to monetize free games.

A game may be available for download free of charge. These microtransactions can be used to gain additional perks. These purchases make the game easier for you and provide more income to the developer.

It’s a win-win for everyone. A season pass is another way to monetize DLC. These are usually sold close to the launch date of the game. This allows you to download the current and upcoming DLC and those that will be released within a certain time. The price is usually lower than buying them separately.

The act of monetizing DLC has drawn heavy criticism, particularly the concept of season passes. Some people claim that season passes are too expensive, but the developers are not truthful. Many gamers are skeptical about the true value of what they purchase because they don’t receive what they paid for until months later.

Many developers don’t include expensive DLC with their season passes. They sell them separately. This is a further source of criticism.

Is DLC good or bad?

DLC is a way for developers to make extra money by selling additional content to players who are looking for more out of their games. Some people are frustrated that the DLC has cost money, while others are happy that they can buy more to keep them entertained for longer periods of time. Whether DLC is good or bad depends on what you think about it. On one hand, developers could use this as a way to make more money.

Is DLC free?

DLC, downloadable content, is an additional piece of content that can be purchased or acquired for a game. It is sometimes offered for free, but it is often sold for a price.

How does a DLC work?

A DLC, or downloadable content, is an addition to a video game that often offers the player extra gameplay content, items, or levels. A DLC may be released as a stand-alone product or as a component of a full-game update.

How much does it cost?

Is there a limit to how much content I can get?

No, there is no limit on how much DLC you can have. The law allows for unlimited downloads as long as it doesn’t stop the console from working.

What makes a good DLC?

There are many factors that contribute to the quality of a DLC. A lot of people believe that a good DLC will offer new content and add more to the original game. Another way to make a DLC good is by listening to the gamers and incorporating feedback into the expansion. Lastly, some say that if a DLC is too expensive it will not be worth it.

Downloadable Content (DLC) and Expansion packs – Are they the same?

These terms are often used interchangeably by most people. They are fundamentally different. A DLC is also larger than an Expansion Pack. You cannot also download DLC from another source. The official game manufacturer must release it.

An Expansion Pack can be downloaded, but it may not be available. You can also get it on a CD, which you can then install in the existing game. Finally, DLC can make significant changes to the game, while Expansion Packs cannot make such drastic changes.

The DLC is the new Expansion Pack. Most game developers use it.

Conclusion

Now you know what does DLC means in gaming. A lot of people may still think that DLC is just video game upgrades. You now know that this is just the original game with some extra content that adds to its value.

Thanks for reading our post. I hope you have learned something new. If you have any more questions, just post them in the comments below!

Что такое DLC в видеоиграх

П очти каждая выпущенная крупная видеоигра имеет ту или иную форму DLC — контент, который Вы можете добавить в игру, чтобы расширить ее возможности. Давайте посмотрим на формы, в которых доступен DLC, и почему он так распространен.

Что такое DLC

DLC означает «загружаемый контент». Это дополнительный цифровой контент, который игрок может установить поверх полноценной видеоигры. DLC может распространяться онлайн в игре или через игровую платформу, такую как Steam или Playstation Store. Иногда это может быть бесплатно. В других случаях Вам, возможно, придется купить его отдельно, или он может быть включен в комплекты, которые входят в базовую игру.

DLC может охватывать самые разные вещи. Некоторые из них представляют собой простые косметические изменения, такие как скины и голос за кадром, в то время как другие содержат совершенно новые области, истории или игровую механику, которые полностью пересматривают игру.

Некоторые пакеты контента добавляют сотни часов дополнительного игрового времени. Разработчики часто используют DLC для обновления игры и поддержания интереса игроков в течение нескольких месяцев (или даже лет) после ее первоначального выпуска.

Загружаемый контент во многих отношениях является естественным преемником пакетов расширения. Концепция расширения игры пришла из ролевых и карточных игр. Они предложили издателям добавить контент, не создавая совершенно новую игру. Расширения часто включали предметы, персонажей или способности, которые увеличивали долговечность игры и позволяли игрокам инвестировать.

Пакеты расширения позже пришли к видеоиграм — прежде всего, играм для ПК. Они часто распространялись как диски. Пакеты расширения также были очень распространены в массовых многопользовательских онлайн-играх (ММО), от Ultima Online до World of Warcraft.

Сегодня слово «расширения» по-прежнему относится к дорогостоящим загрузкам с большим количеством контента.

DLC как монетизация

Многие издатели используют DLC как форму дополнительной монетизации.

Разработчики обычно делят DLC на небольшие покупки, называемые «микротранзакциями», чтобы монетизировать его. Этими небольшими покупками часто являются предметы, костюмы или игровые режимы. Микротранзакции являются особенно распространенным способом монетизации бесплатных игр.

Другим вариантом, который они используют, является «абонемент». Они часто продаются после первого запуска игры. Это позволяет игрокам загружать все текущие и будущие DLC, выпущенные в течение определенного периода. Они часто доступны по более низкой цене, чем если бы игрок купил их отдельно. Они обычно используются в игровых франшизах, которые периодически обновляются, чтобы игроки могли получать постоянный поток контента до выхода следующей игры.

Пользовательский DLC

Не все DLC публикуются разработчиками игр. Во многих играх также есть игроки, которые создают внутриигровой контент и делают его доступным для скачивания. DLC, созданный людьми, которые играют в игру, часто называют «модом». Пользовательский контент может расширять игры различными способами. Это также часто ведет к целым сообществам и форумам, посвященным созданию, распространению и обзору игровых модов.

Фантастический пример этого — The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Несмотря на то, что Skyrim уже почти девять лет, он по-прежнему является домом для одного из крупнейших и самых активных моддинговых сообществ во всей сети. Быстрый поиск в Google приводит к тысячам руководств, баз данных и инструментов, посвященных моддингу Skyrim. Во многом это связано с тем, что Bethesda Game Studios (разработчик) разработала игру так, чтобы она была дружественной и простой в модификации.

Контент сообщества может продлить «срок службы» игры после того, как разработчик перестанет обновлять ее. Например, Blizzard’s Warcraft III был выпущен в 2003 году, но у него все еще есть активное сообщество игроков. Это связано со многими модами, которые продолжают поддерживаться.

DLC дает Вам возможность играть больше

Хотя DLC может привести к некоторым подозрительным схемам монетизации от крупных издателей, существует множество примеров компаний, которые используют его для улучшения игр.

Отличным примером игры, которая хорошо работает с DLC, является игра с открытым миром No Man’s Sky. После релиза ее критиковали за отсутствие обещанных функций.

Однако с тех пор в игре появилось множество бесплатных обновлений DLC. Все они расширили игровой процесс, добавили многопользовательские функции, значительно увеличили объем контента и сделали игру более приятной. No Man’s Sky теперь имеет активную базу игроков, и многие копии по-прежнему продаются каждый год.

Если Вы любите игру, то возможность получить больше от нее — это всегда бонус. Вот почему, несмотря на все недостатки, многие геймеры по-прежнему используют DLC.