In a recent Sonic the Hedgehog live stream over on YouTube and Twitch, Sega's Aaron Webber answered a question about microtransactions, paid DLC and if anything similar will feature in Team Sonic Racing.
Despite many companies embracing this model like there’s no tomorrow, Sega's development team have apparently decided against it, on this particular occasion. All of the content is included on the game card from day one and it's simply a matter of playing the game to unlock everything. Here's precisely what Webber had to say (thanks, Nintendo Everything):
"So there are two things I want to talk about for Team Sonic Racing real quick, because I think they’re important to talk about. The first is DLC. And there were a couple of options, and option one, was to essentially take content and sell it as DLC later and that was not something that I think the team wanted to do. The team is in a case – and I kind of prefer this – which is just all the content that’s going to be in the game is there right at launch. So we’re not going to charge you like 3 bucks later for characters that were cut out of the game or anything. It’s all there. And you’ll unlock everything as you’re going through."
So, based on this explanation, all of the characters will be there, and if anything else is released in the future, it will presumably be free. We guess we'll find out for sure later down the line. For now, though, it's clear there a total of 15 characters in the game and all of them can be freely unlocked. As for how the various other unlocks work in Team Sonic Racing, it's all tied to Mod Pods. Webber also mentioned how there were no microtransactions:
"The mod pods are the way you unlock parts and customization and color pallets, and all that in the game. This is a system that does not use real money it does not use microtransactions of any sort. And we thought that was really important. So it’s completely random and you earn the currency as you play the game. The more that you race, whether you win or lose, you’re earning this currency and you can cash that in through these mod pods which give you like boosts at the beginning of a race like Wisps or give you the car parts that you can then change and dye and all that.
"We did not want to do the microtransaction route at all, and that’s why we’ve got this different angle, which personally I think is a lot better, but we’ll leave it up to you guys to obviously voice your opinions and hopefully everyone’s cool with that route.”
Are you glad to hear you won't have to spend extra money to unlock more characters and content in the game? Tell us below.
[source nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 60
I wasn't worried, mainly because I have no intention of buying the game. Maybe if I find it super, super cheap one day.
I'm not really interested in this game, as MK has my kart racing needs covered, but I almost feel like buying it just to lend support to this kind of model for a game from a major publisher.
First two comments “aren’t interested in the game” but clicked on an article about the game and then made a comment.... Welcome to Nintendo Life.
Not sure why Sega thought people would be delighted with announcing “You know the game that everyone says doesn’t have enough content - well we have decided to not add more. Everything is there day one”
Poor ole sega. No real clue of what people want.
Ruling out paid dlc but saying game would be supported with content post launch. That’s how you do it and so many games now realise that’s the way.
Looking forward to getting this next week, I preordered months ago. For those not interested I agree it will be no Mario Kart beater, but it should hopefully be a fun addition none the less to the Switch's library.
I would have preferred at least some DLC characters later down the line to keep the game fresh... There's quite a few missing characters from the general Sonic line up which could have easily made a few DLC packs with a team of racers and a new cup or something.
I'm not surprised with Sega though, No DLC can be a great thing but Racing games and Fighting games have a longer lifespan if it's supported
So no plans to increase the weak roster size? Yeah not looking good imo...
I'm keeping an eye on this one, from afar. But this is good news.
In general, I don't mind actual content DLC. DLC that more closely resemble what we used to call "expansion packs". Or even things like map packs or new characters. Priced reasonably, I really like that.
Within reason!
But micro-transactions for things like in-game currencies, consumable items, unlocking weapons or vehicles early or exclusively... No. That is some crap.
Cool. Cant wait to play on Tuesday.
I'm not about to praise a company for delivering a complete product. Microtransactions and day-1 DLC are generally stuff I look down on either way.
Complain complain complain,
I love sonic racing, and indeed everything should be in there. As a full game, and later they can add stuff if they want. Not like company's like ubisoft who makes games 50% complete and decides to add payed DLC / micro transactions that should already be in the game.
So good job Sega let the haters hate, and just focus on a good game.
I'd say they left half the frames of animation off the cart
For a brief moment the world has returned to normality.
I have no issue with paid DLC, as long as it’s created post launch and the base game is a complete experience without it. Purposely holding back content to sell separately is inexcusable, but creating additional content after the fact to expand and refresh an already complete experience is welcome in my book.
I welcome this title as I played to death MK8 on my Wii U and have no intention to re-buy this rehashed but still old game again. Will play this while waiting for MK9 to out.
So it’s basically Mario Kart but with Sega IP. Why not do something original? I know I’m in the minority, but MK bores me, so anything different I’d be all over ... but this is more of the same, only swapping blue turtles for a blue hedgehog. Yawn.
You can't worry about paid DLC if you never plan on buying the game . Seriously though, what a step backward from ASRT.
Well done, Sega. You've continued to keep my respect this gen. I'll be buying this next weekend; it looks great.
These are dark times. Times when you thank a person for delivering you exactly what you're paying for. I'm not the kind of guy who complains about all kinds of DLC. I just don't accept things like what happened to Mortal Kombat in that the guys are releasing the game today and already talking about DLC (which is probably ready, but held up). If the studio keeps working in the game and developing something extra that wasn't ready at the time the game came out, I don't see a problem with it. The real problem is to know exactly if the DLC was ready before release or was developed after release. But you know, I don't know if there's a way of knowing that.
Microtransactions are always a no for me.
Well, good on them. Microtransactions in particular should GTFO ASAP. So I'm glad this game doesn't include that. I'll certainly be buying this game now. If it did have microtransactions I would not have wanted this game.
DLC is something I don't mind though, so long as it's within reason, as people above have already mentioned. Developed (mostly) post-launch, sold at a reasonable price. Remember the 11 or 12 bucks for the two DLC packs for Mario Kart 8 on Wii U? 16 tracks, 6 characters, bonus skin colours for Yoshi and Shy Guy. Now that's value.
Am I the only one that noticed that paid DLC actually isn’t ruled out? It just won’t be things that hit the cutting floor.
@Stocksy SEGA haven't had a clue since 1994
I'll be honest it's surprising how they even get by
I won't be buying this game already got Mario Kart 8, SEGA transformed, Sonic R.. but I might get the soundtrack
Good. DLC is a cancer.
If your game is a good product and can maintain a healthy population on its own merits, then by all mean, release a real expansion. Leave the piece-meal pixel peddling to scummy mobile games.
Most games don't have a long enough shelf life to justify DLC investment. Why give EA, Activision et all, money for something that will be replaced by next years inevitable sequel?
So first of all it's nice to get an assurance on any game in this day and age that there are no Microtransactions or day one DLC.
I've read that statement and it's strangely worded, it can be interpreted as no DLC at all, only free DLC or only ruling out day one DLC (where they mention they aren't charging 3 bucks for characters available at launch). There could well be more characters coming down the line, either free or paid.
Anyway I was on the fence about buying this, but I think i'm going to pick it up, hopefully it'll keep me interested until CTR comes out.
"The first is DLC. And there were a couple of options, and option one, was to essentially take content and sell it as DLC later and that was not something that I think the team wanted to do."
Wow is that how they approach all their DLC? Their content is already made for the game and then held off to be released later at an extra charge? Yeah if that is your DLC model, then no one wants that. However, look at Mario Kart 8, launched as a full game and then later received brand new additions that were not already made when the game launched. No one would be upset if this is what they did here: release the full game as they are now, but later on add substantially more New content as legit DLC.
@Stocksy I’m not sure if I miss understood your comment - but I agree they shouldn’t rule out future content - but the biggest take-away for me on this is that the game is ‘complete’ without having to buy extra stuff that was probably already done before release anyway, for some extra cash... they may not be saying it in the right way but they should absolutely be applauded for not trying to ‘cash grab through DLC.
@duffmmann That isn’t the preferred model but the point is that many companies do exactly that kind of bad thing... I’m glad they chose to buck the trend and at least offer the game complete on day one.
Well, if the game is awesome, I kind of wish they hadn't said this, because what if I want more tracks and additions but it won't be worth it unless it makes money? They are talking themselves into a corner. Maybe they just don't expect the success.
@JR150 Roster means crap in a racing game. Mario Kart 8 only has like 8 worthwhile characters. The rest are just wasted resources.
Thank you Sumo Digital, finally this is one great moment where Sumo Digital does what Sega don't.
@FTL agreed. I think saying “look we won’t charge you more” - we are all down with that. No one wants paid dlc. We tolerate it if it’s big enough and good enough.
What irks me here is the biggest complaint since this was announced was lack of content and lack of content to draw from. Most of us have said sega all stars made far more sense.
Most of use believed they’d expand on this limited content release with updates and free content. That is now the norm really...
Instead saga rule that one before even day one...
This game will always feel like a missed opportunity to me.
@Stocksy "No one wants paid dlc." I don't agree. If done right, paid DLC is great and very much appreciated. If this game launches as it is now, as the supposed complete game that it is, but then a month or two later, they're motivated to make a ton more content in terms of new tracks, but not quite enough for a full on sequel, then why is paying for that substantial extra content a bad thing? I get it, microtransactions, loot boxes, in game currency, etc. etc. That stuff is awful. But we're talking about essentially full on expansions to what are considered already complete games. I guess I'm looking at it from the mindset that such a racing game can never truly be complete. For even if they include every single conceivable Sonic character, there is still infinite possibilities for new tracks to be made.
@duffmmann so many games have added so much content for free why would anyone want paid dlc???? As my comment says we tolerate it if it’s good enough. But no one wants to pay. I’d like brand new games to come with a season pass. Encouraging people to buy new. If a “season 2” happens all good - charge. So many games have less content than similar games in the last couple of gens yet charge for content released soon after release.
I’m all about extra dlc and larger games... but paid dlc shouldn’t be the first thought.
Sonic universal doesn’t lend itself to this solo approach. Mario kart could just about get away with just MARIO characters and they spawn their own games - but Nintendo add in all stars and give what 40 characters, 40 tracks plus reverse and so many unlockable karts wheels and flight options...
This has 15 characters... and some of those are a stretch.
@Stocksy I disagree on no one wanting paid DLC too, if I really like a game I actually want to give them more money if they work to create more content for me post release. They earned it and I don’t think all DLC should be free.
In this case, I don’t really care because I’m not getting this game either way. But for example Xenoblade 2’s DLC I was happy to fork over some money for that. I’m not so stingy with my money that I want everything for free; money’s tight right now but when I have the extra cash, I do enjoy showing my appreciation for a company continuing to create content after the game is out and I think they deserve more money if the original is a full game and the DLC is substantial.
Kinda sounds like they were trying to say if there was dlc it'd be something made after though it's hard to say cause it's not articulated well. I personally was hoping they'd expand on it with DLC though yeah thinking about it now having characters locked behind paying would be problematic, hope we see them as updated then.
I was hoping for some free DLC in the future. New characters (come on, you have a LOT of characters from the Sonic universe to choose), new tracks, more custom parts. Things to add more fun in the future, like Mario Kart with Link and his bike (I'm still hoping for Kirby, Samus, Captain Falcon, etc, DLC).
I don't think I'll be getting this game anytime soon (broke as F), but I'll be waiting for some free DLC anyway for when I have the chance to enjoy this one and for the people who got it.
I really want to be excited for this game because I liked both all star racing games but that's just it. I liked those games because it had golden axe, Shinobi and other franchises included. With this being only Sonic characters I'm still in the fence about getting it.
Quite enjoyed transformed so will be picking this up too,glad to hear all the game is on the card.
Even if stuff was paid DLC, I bet SEGA and Sumo Digital would make it worth the price.
EA and Activision take notes.
Given how some publishers love microtransactions and such, this is some refreshing news. So glad Sega is releasing a complete game on cart, this makes me more happy to have pre-ordered my copy.
I'll always wonder how much of the DLC made is cut content from development, or genuinely built from scratch. As much as I don't like the former, I can see wanting to sell it that way to make sure people will buy it. Strike while the iron is hot, since there's never any telling how relevant the game will be in a year or two (probably why season passes became a thing, get the money now and deliver on content later).
As for Team Sonic Racing, I wasn't worried about how it would sell itself. For all of Sega's screwups, they've mostly managed to stay away from the scummier monetization practices in the industry. They DID want to try selling Super Sonic as DLC in Sonic Forces, but wisely backed out after listening to the feedback, so they're at least a bit receptive to the fans.
Because no paid Season Pass and random quick character unlock behind $15.99 - $20 Amiibos in "complete" Nintendo games - right?
For me something like the AC: Odyssey Season Pass DLC is a better value (and less "exploitation of gamers") than most overpriced old ports on Switch.
If SEGA wanted to release other fan favorite characters as paid DLC... they should. Like anything we buy - If not a good value - people can simply not buy it.
The last Sonic Racing game that came out was very solid in my opinion. I enjoyed it as much as Mario Kart 8. Probably get this when it goes on sale. Not making dlc a focus first off is a huge plus
@Wags7121 not quite Mk8 level for me, but it was still one if my favorite games. I still play it.
My problem with this game and Crash team racing is the lack of race tracks compare to MK8. I might pick one of them up eventually,but Mario Kart 8 satisfy my need for racing game
it would be nice to have some sort of paid dlc later down the road just to give me a reason to come back to this game once i completed it. just something would be nice. no need to over do it like MK 11.... I'm still waiting for dlc tracks in sonic racing transformed!
From what I've read so far, this game is not as polished or as fun as Transformed which is a bummer but I still want to support them. It's sold for $40 which goes to show you that they knew the game wasn't as good or/doesn't have enough content to justify the full retail price of $60 that most new games command and they gave micro transactions and essentially at release DLC or off disc DLC the middle finger and that needs supporting.
@Stocksy Free DLC is always great, but how is that a model that would reasonably happen for the kinds of expansions we're talking about? The Octo Expansion or The Golden Country would never get released as free DLC because that's sooooooo much extra work for the devs with no real payoff. I'd love to live in the fantasy land where such expansions could truly be free for games, but that's not remotely realistic. And honestly it's completely reasonable considering how much work can go into these kinds of expansions.
@Stocksy they literally mentionined CUTTING content from the game and selling it LATER as DLC.. they never mentioned making it later and selling it later
Pretty much confirming to everyone that this is what devs/publishers do when it comes to DLC, literally take content out the game and then sell it as DLC lol
No wonder games do that though with people like you around defending said notion and getting salty when they don't take chunks out of the game to sell later
DLC was a mess for previous AST games, they made claims and polls and all that came of it was Ryo but only for the PC version along with random characters nobody asked for. I don’t know if it has to do with Sumo or Sega stonewalling them but history tells me that it’s likely the other, it didn’t help that they have to deal with getting approval from Sonic Team/Iizuka which is likely why this game isn’t filled with Mania content.
No Miku, No Ulala, No Ryo.
GG
@Doktor-Mandrake they are proud they didn’t hold some of the 15 characters back???? Ridiculous- they could be “proud” for “not holding content back” if the game was chocked full of content. This game is bare bones. All reviewers agree it’s bare bones.
This statement from them is PR spin. Sorry I’ve not fallen for it
@BANJO Just got my shipment notice from Amazon. I’m excited
@Antraxx777 Nice!!! Hopefully you like it. I ordered mine from Base.com, I should get my copy Wednesday I think.
@duffmmann That's what DLC is. HAHA, you believe they made the content later. No, they make the game and as much DLC as they can. Then they finish any DLC if needed. Then they layoff the dev team unless they have a new project for them, in which case they keep the youngest cheapest employees. Then they sell the DLC later.
@Stocksy With Crash Team Racing so close, I'm just going to wait for that
Might pick up this game in future though when it's on sale
@TheLightSpirit Works for me.
@StevenG lol, some games do genuinely get their DLC made after the title is truly complete. Those are the games I've been talking about since the start: Mario Kart 8, Splatoon 2, Xenoblade Chronicles 2. You'd have to be a moron if you believe those large expansions were done before the games were complete. HAHAHAHAHA
@duffmmann Citation please.
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