But it seems like they're just looking for more money from those same people that bought into it at the beginning. It's like they have no confidence in the original product, now it's this new thing. No one would ever buy that old thing, this new thing is what we have now and we have to SELL SELL SELL!
Well, it is about that to an extent. It gives a product more legs. When DLC gets released people start talking about the game again, and playing it again giving more people on servers. It all leads to people that forgot to buy it the first time getting intrigued and picking it up. To that extent it's good for everyone, not just publishers, as it gives more of an install base and keeps people around longer so there's more of a community.
It's sad. As a customer who bought Civ V it's insulting to see them try and sell me stupid shit like this for $7. Oh you like Civ? How about this for $7? How about a T-Shirt? You wanna t-shirt? $5. Come on...gimme some more money. When you bring something so pathetic to the table it's almost like your begging for money.
This perception is a huge problem. I'm not saying that it's right or wrong, just that it's a problem. If your customers feel nickeled-and-dimed you're screwed. Even if this $7 purchase represents 33% of Beyond the Sword for 25% the price, creating a better deal for players, they feel nickeled and dimed. Lord knows I do. Plus it diminishes the value of the product. What would you rather get - 2 ounces of water ever hour or an 8 ounce glass every 8? The bigger glass feels like it has more substance to it even if it doesn't actually.
Fuck you. I already paid you $40. (or whatever you paid) So now you're going to come ask for more?
They always do. They always will. It's a question of how they do it. I thought Beyond the Sword was pretty good, Warlords pretty bad (I think, maybe I don't know which one is which.) I liked new gameplay mechanics, liked new civs, have never played scenarios so I have no clue if I like them, but... I don't feel like I'd pay $7.50 for two new civs. Can't explain why boxing 6 new Civs for $25 feels different.
Lastly, DLC tends to stay the same price. Expansions fall in price like other retail games. When I finally got BtS and Warlords I got them with Civ4 (which I already owned) for $9.99. I guess it was years later, but DLC seems to not decrease in value as quickly.