Let’s be honest, we all knew this was going to be a thing eventually. Ever since a certain company which shall not be named (it rhymes with Mapmom) decided that one version of a fighting game is simply not enough, and that introducing a rebalanced version with a few new fighters merits a completely standalone re-release, every other developer working hard on a fighting game reasonably wanted to get in on that sweet repackaging action. Not to be left out in the cold with their silly single-release profits, Tecmo Koei has finally officially announced Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate.
Confirming the title’s existence to Famitsu after a not-so-subtle tease last month, details are scarce on what exactly this version of DOA 5 will contain. Aside from obvious jiggle-physics, Ultimate will definitely feature a few new fighters, with Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword‘s Momiji being the first confirmed new addition to the roster. Aside from that, expect a host of balance tweaks, and keep a few fingers crossed for a new feature or two. There’s no firm release date yet (innuendo that if you must, this is after all a DOA article) but Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate will be available for the PS3 and Xbox 360.
I honestly hope no one is genuinely surprised DOA 5 is getting a “Super” version. The only question now is, “when can we expect the Hyper Arcade Edition?” All joking aside, I’m not sure how developers expect to make much money on initial releases from here on out. This industry already punishes early adopters, rewarding those who “wait for the Game of the Year edition” that includes all of the DLC for one low price. Now it’s almost impossible to commit to buying a fighting game when the inevitable superior version is always less than a year away. Where’s the reward for loyalty?
If I were these developers, I’d be giving my early adopters a free upgrade to the superior version of the game, just as a way of saying “thanks.” It’s sort of disappointing we live in a world where considerate developers like CD Projekt Red, who offered a free upgrade to their “enhanced” version of The Witcher and always express appreciation and gratitude to their fans, deserve praise for simply looking out for their loyal consumers. Not that they don’t deserve praise for their great work and consumer-friendly practices, but we shouldn’t be supporting an industry where we have to reward kindness, as if it’s some treat we only deserve on special occasions. I guess where I’m going with this is that developers have to do a much better job of appreciating early adopters and loyalists, or risk abysmal sales and broken trust.
That’s my say, but what do you guys and gals think about the announcement of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate? Are you looking forward to seeing an upgraded version of the game? Do re-releases like this entice you to get back into a game? Let us know in the comments below.
Eden Sama
I think what the mess is all about is making money re-selling a game they already designed tweaking something and adding content is a simple process making a new game is the hard deal, so one could say lazy developers or ones that want to make easy money by re-releasing the same game but with extras and its easy money for them so they continue to do it because ijitz keep buying it. We live in a world were if you don’t have the money you can’t buy it or DLC or pre-order bonus content, and if you do have the money then ijitz will keep buying even if its just to make a little money they will still do it because its not hard for them to re-do the same game. I have a feeling if this continues with all developers from around the world, they will just enforce more players to hack their consoles to get it all for free.
There is no justice in this world only greedy companies. Look back and the reason why pirates exist and grow in numbers is because of the prices of the products, as if bills and living expenses aren’t enough to enjoy a game or movie here n there costs a small fortune in portions, that most people who live a standard life can’t afford. Only super rich people can afford it all, football players, movie stars, successful business people, aka the players/entrepreneurs will be able to afford remakes of games, and everything else. Its an unfair world we live in there is no equality, or an equal opportunity to study and live like a high class. We get what the universe throws at us individually. In my case I have debts because of my gaming addiction, and thus I’ve realized I can’t afford dead or alive 5 ultimate. So I’m going to think about hacking in the near future because most developers and consumers are forcing our hands to hack.
The way I see it I bought Dead or alive 5 they bring out an ultimate version I’m hacking it to get it for free, I own the right to play dead or alive 5 as I bought it right? so if they make the same game all over again just adding content this should entitle me to play it for free, no? Tough luck I’m hacking then and nobody can stop me and everyone should follow to teach all game companies a lesson make them make a brand new game instead it takes a lot more time to make a new game and it’ll give me the time to save up money to buy it. Lastly pre-order bonus DLC only available on a pre-order should not exist especially different DLC from different shops, it causes headaches confusion and jealousy. Jealous people will bite back.