Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of the author and not PlayStation LifeStyle as a whole.
While Titanfall 2 offers up a lot to be impressed about, it’s not the amazing campaign or the fantastic multiplayer that has me most excited. No, it’s something far less exciting on the surface: the game’s downloadable content (DLC) model. In case you don’t know, Titanfall 2 will not have a Season Pass worth of DLC, nor will Respawn Entertainment be charging for any maps or weapons down the line. Instead, every major update to the multiplayer game will be absolutely free to anyone who bought the game.
This is vastly different from its competition as other first-person shooters such as Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare both charge for maps either by buying ’em piecemeal or with each games’ Season Pass. This is terrible for users since DLC maps end up splitting the community between those that have the core game and those that purchased the extra content. This leads to those with the DLC having a hard time getting into matches to play the content they paid for, and core users feeling left out.
While games like Battlefield and Call of Duty can survive this type of split due to the sheer number of players, other games can’t. As someone who actually enjoyed some of DOOM‘s multiplayer modes (although not enough to pay for more content) and would like to play them occasionally, that game’s DLC has made it far more difficult to find a match and has other players using powerful weapons that aren’t at my disposal. Even the original Titanfall suffered from a fragmented user-base, and Respawn eventually made the decision to make the DLC permanently free after they saw the game suffering from the outdated model they were using.
This Model Works
![Titanfall 2 Multiplayer](https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/09/rocket-league-rumble-mode.jpg)
Titanfall 2 isn’t the first multiplayer game to use this model, as it has proven very successful in the past. Valve’s über-popular Dota 2 took the MOBA world by storm largely due to every character in the game being free-to-play. Incredibly, it’s totally possible to spend hundreds of hours playing the game and not give the developers a dime. That’s not what players like to do, though, as they want to show their support for something they appreciate. Thus, Dota 2 has become a money making machine by selling cosmetic DLC, voice-over packs, and other items that don’t impact the in-game action.
Another example that is more familiar to PlayStation 4 owners would be Rocket League. The mashup of automobiles and soccer has seen huge updates in the past year, and it almost everything has been completely free. This has included multiple modes (such as hockey, basketball, and experimental mutators), and several different maps. What developer Psyonix has charged for is new cars (which all play identical), and these small pieces of paid DLC (typically going for two or three dollars) also come with Trophies to earn.
This model has proved incredibly successful for Psyonix to the point that they’ve sold over five million pieces of DLC. This is what happens when a developer manages to have a connection with their audience and then get support for doing a great job. Despite being someone who has never bought cosmetic DLC in the past, I’ve bought almost every piece of Rocket League DLC so far. I don’t even think about it anymore, as I’m more than happy to reward the developer for giving me month after month of enjoyment. I’m speaking with my wallet, and my money is going towards the correct model.
Do Something
![Titanfall 2 Multiplayer](https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/10/call-of-duty-infinite-warfare-season-pass.png)
That said, it’s time for other gamers to start speaking with their wallets as well. That doesn’t only mean that players should be supporting games, like Titanfall 2, that do things the right way, it also means not spending money on games that try to split the player-base and don’t have the player’s best interest in mind. Anyone who purchases the DLC for games like Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 are only encouraging publishers not to change, and are therefore hurting the industry.
Consumers often don’t realize the power that they actually have. These disgusting DLC models can be a thing of the past if gamers support better practices and actually vote with their wallet. Creating useless petitions online won’t make any publisher change their business model, but a lack of sales will cause a shake-up immediately. We’ve seen EA drop the price of Madden to $29.99 after NFL 2K5 had a huge launch at $19.99, and that was due to consumers being heard. Gamers have another chance to change the industry for the better, and this time no publisher can purchase exclusive rights in order to stop change from happening.
If multiplayer gaming is to get better then it starts right here. Support games that actually value their players, and don’t let fear over a “small” community of online players dissuade you. Not buying a game because “nobody” is playing is just feeding into the issue, and I believe that Titanfall 2‘s player-base will grow over time since the gameplay is top-notch and the model will retain users instead of lose them. Gamers should support games like Titanfall 2 if they want to make an actual difference.
Essential Reading:
- Shooter Showdown 2016 – Which Should You Play?
- Titanfall 2 Interview With Respawn – Prepare for Titanfall
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Review – Grounded in Space (PS4)
Titanfall 2 info dump
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Titanfall 2 - Everything You Need to Know
Wheels up, rock and roll!
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What is Titanfall 2?
It’s a visceral, futuristic shooter and the sequel to the 2014 breakout. Titanfall 2 is on course to deploy across PS4, Xbox One and PC and, for the first time in the series, comes packing a fully-fledged single-player campaign. Speaking of which…
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A Fully-Fledged Campaign
It is, without question, one of the major selling points going into the sequel's release. Having paid close attention to feedback from the original Titanfall, Respawn's sophomore effort will come packing a fully-fledged single-player mode. It was also a "pretty easy" decision to make, according to the dev.
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Jack Cooper and BT-7274
Though it may not be as catchy as, say, R2-D2, BT-7274 is the name of your towering ally in the Titanfall 2 story mode. And you're both in for quite the journey.
“When an investigation of a research facility on the IMC controlled planet of Typhon goes wrong, Jack and BT are thrown off course and behind enemy lines. With Lastimosa killed in action, there is no other option but for the two to link up and work together to finish the mission BT and Lastimosa started, whether Jack is ready for it or not.”
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An Entire Universe to Be Explored
The possibilities don't end there, however, with the studio teasing that there is an entire universe to be explored.
"We don’t have necessarily a trilogy in mind. You always hope when you create something that it’s embraced and that people will love it for generations to come…I hope we do more of it. We probably plan to do more–as you know, we have the mobile games as well. I would like to see the universe live on. I think it’s very expandable. I think there’s a lot we can do with it. There’s a lot of great ideas floating around here [at Respawn] that I would love to see come to life."
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Titan Guide
Meet the Titans of Respawn's sequel: Tone, Ronin, Legion, Northstar, Scorch and Ion.
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Pilot Boosts & Executions
Curious as to how the Pilot boosts and executions function in Titanfall 2? We've got you covered, along with an overview of the Titan progression system, too.
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In-Game Arsenal & Equipment
If you're looking to delve into the small print of Titanfall 2, you'll find all the pertinent information regarding the shooter's arsenal and equipment right here.
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Tips and Tricks
Thanks to helpful YouTuber TacticalBrit, we've also got a handy video guide to help you get started in Titanfall 2.
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EA Targeting Big Splash
Despite launching so close to Battlefield 1, Electronic Arts is bullish in its sale projection of Titanfall 2, claiming the shooter sequel can break past 10 million units.
"We’ve told people that typically a Battlefield title does about 15 million in a year. Our guidance is slightly under that. And we hope that that excitement builds and it will clearly go through that number. But for right now, it’s slightly under that number. And Titanfall did a little more than 7 million units last time. It was early in the cycle and one of the few titles out there. We think it’ll do more than that, but it’s probably closer to 10 million than it is to 15 million as built into our guidance. So closer to 9 million to 10 million on Titanfall and just under 15 million on Battlefield 1."
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Dual Tech Tests
Two months ago, Respawn hosted two separate tech tests for Titanfall 2 designed to both stress the multiplayer servers and gather feedback on modes, Titans and balancing. Our resident shooter expert Alex gave his two cents on the two-tier beta, though it wasn't without its faults.
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Maps Designed for Chaining Wall Runs
PSLS had the chance to speak to Respawn’s Art Director Joel Emslie and Chief Operating Officer Dusty Welch at TGS, where the latter touched base on the sequel's map design.
"I think first, people haven’t seen this, but we offer a wide variety of maps that accommodate different play styles. Some of them are very heavily focused in chaining wall runs together and playing that way. You’ll see those pretty soon. Maps we showed in the tech test were shown for different purposes — for testing out different gameplay elements."
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Attrition Mode Confirmed
Looks like Respawn is ready to bring back a fan-favorite mode in time for Titanfall 2. In the same interview with Emslie and Welch, the pair essentially confirmed that Attrition will be included will chatting to PSLS.
"Interesting question. I would answer this way: The tech test was a very small subset of the game. We’re fans of playing (the original) Titanfall and all of its game modes, and just think people will have to wait to see what we provide next. Is that enough of a hint? But we’re all ears. I know the right people. I know the right guy. I know a guy and I think he’s listening."
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Online Level Cap
Respawn has confirmed that, at the time of launch, online levels will be capped at 50 for Pilots.
"Pilot max level is 50. Max gen for Pilots is 10 at launch, and will likely increase as time goes on. Max gen for everything else is unlimited."
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All DLC Maps and Weapons Free
While we fully expect Respawn to roll out paid DLC in the form of cosmetic items, fans can take solace in the fact that all post-launch maps and weapons will be available at no extra cost.
"We’ll definitely be supporting Titanfall 2 post-launch, and I can confirm all maps and modes we deliver post-launch will be free. We’ll be talking more about post-launch plans closer to release so stay tuned for more info."
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First DLC Map is Angel City
Angel City has been confirmed as the first DLC map for Titanfall 2. Remember, those who pre-order the shooter will be able to access the arena three days early.
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Respawn Chats to PSLS
During an EA preview event, PSLS had the opportunity to quiz Respawn about all things Titanfall 2. Buried in that interview are tidbits relating to new game modes, Titans and why the studio is eager to extend a warm welcome to PS4 players.
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Multiplayer Preview
In the days leading up to our full review, our own Paulmichael Contreras dabbled with the multiplayer portion of TF2, writing that:
"With a healthy list of unlockable weapons, accessories, gadgets, abilities, and three customization slots for both your pilot and Titan, there is always a carrot dangling in front of you, and it will take easily a lot of hours to unlock absolutely everything that the game has to offer."
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Why We’re Excited
Still on the fence? Earlier this year, we listed down six reasons why we're excited for the arrival of Titanfall 2 on PS4.
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Vanguard Collector's Edition
The Vanguard Collector's Edition is one of two premium packages launching for Titanfall 2, and it even includes a 1:1 replica helmet. The second, the Marauder package, features a “highly detailed” bust of Jack Cooper, the shooter’s protagonist.
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No Titanfall 1 on PS4
You’d be forgiven for thinking that, two years after its debut on PC and Xbox platforms, Respawn would bring the original Titanfall over to PlayStation 4 as a neat primer for the oncoming sequel. Turns out that’s not the case, after studio head Vince Zampella told fans: “Don’t count on it.”
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PS4 Pro Support Confirmed
When the PS4 Pro touches down on November 10, Respawn will release a Titanfall 2 patch so that the shooter sequel supports Sony's mid-gen upgrade.
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Day-One Update
In what is surely one of the smallest day-one updates of the year, Respawn boss Vince Zampella has confirmed that the inaugural Titanfall 2 patch will weigh in at just 88MB.
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Our Final Verdict
Our final verdict is in and PSLS has not only given Titanfall 2 a stellar 9/10, but also the coveted Editor's Choice award too.