So, I noticed this news item just now:http://www.videogamer.com/news/no_plans_for_hunted_dlc.html

A part of me is pleased by this news since it doesn't mean pay bit by bit along the way if the DLC is good or wait about a year for
a complete/GOTY/ultimate edition of a game so that I don't essentially have to pay double the price (looking at Bioware).

The other part wonders then about the preorder packs. It especially makes me hope that people can share levels made with the
demon/assassin boss/level types for freshness' sake.

I have mixed feelings about DLC, especially when it comes to planning before and after the game's release.

When done well DLC can be planned ahead of time and hooks and clues can be left in the game but you won't feel like you're missing out if you don't have the DLC. Fallout New Vegas did this well, with the possible exception of the other courier, in my opinion. On the other hand Fallout 3 didn't have pre-planned DLC and they integrated in to the whole without any problems.I know some other games have DLC planned from the get go and the player kind of gets poked in the arm for not having them.

Whichever path is taken what's important is to do it well - Morrowind had a few post-release DLC which didn't fit in to the main game all that smoothly and the hook for the Tribunal DLC was problematic for low-level characters. I know some games have had DLC planned from the get-go (and maybe even available from the get-go) and they really prod the player about it if you don't have them, and no one likes that.

Your thoughts largely reflect my own.

I'm generally not bothered by DLC unless it really makes me feel like I'm missing out (story add-ons, largely). I don't play multiplayer much, so I don't have to worry myself about map packs/character skin unlocks/playable character unlocks in fighters, etc.

I tend to have greater mixed feelings about non-free DLC because I see it as the solution to used game sales by the large. MMPORPGs highly survive on that promise of something good coming down the line, so I know free DLC would really hook me. I keep my games, but I'm more hesitant to pre-order / buy near release due to a question of value and need.

However, I know it is not always possible to make that content free. I certainly don't have a degree in business.

It does, however, mildly make me concerned about Hunted. Although largely most of the pre-order content is aesthetic/minor aid [like most bonus RPG items], there is the demon/assassin boss/level add-ons which I'm uncertain of. If they aren't offered in the main story, I'd feel like I'd pontentially be missing out if I have to pick and choose between the two pre-order wise for Crucible.

In following Hunted, the atmosphere of the game is always what caught me; the enemies and set piece design were a large part of it. If they can be encountered in user hosted levels for non-preorder customers I'd by the large say that Hunted is the first game in a long time that I'd not be worried about.

I purchased Brink with waivering feelings at the last moment, but I really hope it isn't the same for Hunted.

@the OP

About the comment about bioware.

When it comes to things like this Bioware has no say in the matter anymore because they have been wholely owned
and operated by EA for quite some time now. EA has a well known habit of Micromanageing every single aspect
of titles that They want devloped. EA also has a habit of Cutting content that was origionally supposed to come
on the CD/DVD then offering it up as DLC that you have to pay for. One of the reasons that I no Longer buy EA titles
until they hit the bargin Bin.

It does stink that there is no DLC planned for this title because if the gameplay was good I would have probably
purchased the extra content but it does depend on a number of factors/

"Right now, we don't have any DLC plans," this suggests to me that DLC may be considered after the game is released, especially if it is selling well. They simply haven't started planning them pre-release.