GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because "It Sells"

Steam now offers a GRID Autosport Boost Pack, a $2.99 upgrade that speeds progression through the racing game. Word is: "Download the Boost Pack and accelerate your GRID Autosport progression in career mode and online. Gain a boost of approximately 50% more XP in career mode and around 50% more XP, Vehicle XP and in-game Cash when you race online." A NeoGAF forum post purportedly from a Codemasters community manager reacts to the hue and cry over the cynicism this represents with refreshing honesty. "Regarding the boost pack we did similar with GRID 2 as a car unlock, we got a bit of flak from that but in all honesty and without any PR bull sh*t...it sells. There is a silent subset of players that do like that sort of content but whether or not it's here to stay is something the industry is yet to work out," reads part of the comment. "I can't really say anything else, the only response I have for you is the total truth. I don't want to spin it or anything like that. I'll probably regret this post in the morning, but hey-ho :)" The same post also responds to the accusation that Codemasters intentionally made the game a grind to sell these boosters: "Under no circumstances did we make the game a grind on purpose (that much I can promise you), in the grand scheme of things it's still relatively easy to progress via single player and online it's not that difficult to earn money." Thanks Videogamer.
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24 Replies. 2 pages. Viewing page 1.
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24.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 16:24
24.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 16:24
Jul 17, 2014, 16:24
 
It's best to kindly forget about Grid2 as it ever existed.
Steam: SpectralMeat
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23.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 13:40
23.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 13:40
Jul 17, 2014, 13:40
 
JaguarUSF wrote on Jul 17, 2014, 09:24:
All of the cars and tracks are unlocked from minute one. The only thing XP does is allow for very minor upgrades to existing vehicles. I have no problem with this.

That might be the case for Grid Autosport, but not Grid 2. In the latter game, there are cars on screen to select for a race that when you click on them, you're directed to a purchase page. It's the worst. That's a full priced game.
RIP RedEye9. We miss you.
Avatar 22024
22.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 09:24
22.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 09:24
Jul 17, 2014, 09:24
 
All of the cars and tracks are unlocked from minute one. The only thing XP does is allow for very minor upgrades to existing vehicles. I have no problem with this.
Avatar 24934
21.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 08:32
21.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 08:32
Jul 17, 2014, 08:32
 
Mordecai Walfish wrote on Jul 17, 2014, 07:51:
Creston wrote on Jul 17, 2014, 05:03:
Up next, an RPG where you can only level up if you buy (individual) level-up packs...


I think they already make plenty of games like that for IOS and Android.

And Borderlands 2's "Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Packs" where you pay $5 for a few more levels and a harder difficulty. The big failure about that is since it's primarily a coop game and exclusive stuff like this fractures multiplayer servers, finding one running the max DLC level is damn near impossible.
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20.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 08:29
Prez
 
20.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 08:29
Jul 17, 2014, 08:29
 Prez
 
"We made it easy/it's not that difficult to earn money" + "It sells" = "Our customers are either morons or lazy fucks!"
"We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far."

"Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality."
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19.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 07:51
19.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 07:51
Jul 17, 2014, 07:51
 
Creston wrote on Jul 17, 2014, 05:03:
Up next, an RPG where you can only level up if you buy (individual) level-up packs...


I think they already make plenty of games like that for IOS and Android.
Avatar 56178
18.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 06:55
18.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 06:55
Jul 17, 2014, 06:55
 
Game Genie? The real oldies on here remember buying Multiface cartridges for our spectrums. Then buying your Sinclair for codes each month. Migrated to Amiga? the Action Replay cartridges became your friend too.

Codemasters used to have helplines back in the spectrum days too selling codes for these if you rang them up. Rip off merchants. They can fuck spiders if they think i'm falling for their "DLC" crap, I didn't even bother buying their shite in any sale due to the douche-baggery they have employed in the past.

Cheats and boosts are fine. Go for it.

As long as they in no way influence the progression or difficulty of the main game.

What about artificially coding the game with a look to releasing a "cheat DLC" later? There is a difference between grinding for something and being a downright wallet raider.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
17.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 05:03
17.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 05:03
Jul 17, 2014, 05:03
 
At least the dude is honest about it, which is just about a first in the game industry.

But fully expect the game industry to go more and more towards this kind of bullshit. Up next, an RPG where you can only level up if you buy (individual) level-up packs...

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16.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 03:35
16.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 03:35
Jul 17, 2014, 03:35
 
Cheats and boosts are fine. Go for it.

As long as they in no way influence the progression or difficulty of the main game.

The most recent Forza is apparently guilty of this, which is an absolute tragedy. All F2P games are based on this which is probably ok as you know that going in (It's refreshingly absent from Dota 2).

If you compromise on your base design to support this, you are not making a game as fun as it can be for whatever budget you have anymore, you are tweaking for profit.
15.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 02:09
Dev
15.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 02:09
Jul 17, 2014, 02:09
Dev
 
Cutter wrote on Jul 16, 2014, 19:53:
What next? Sell virtual pumpkins to eat?
Pretty sure some of those facebook games that involve farming already do that.
14.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 17, 2014, 01:25
14.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 17, 2014, 01:25
Jul 17, 2014, 01:25
 
Lit_Reflex001 wrote on Jul 16, 2014, 22:13:
To the guy mentioning Codemasters is known for selling cheats....

If only you REALLY knew how much this is true!!!

As apparently you are too young to remember the Game Genie. This is what made Codemasters famous.

It wasn't making games that Codemasters originally made their money from it was an amazing way to cheat in almost ANY original NES game. They released codebooks every month with new cheats that would really work.

The damned thing was literally a piece of hardware that fit into the NES system that you put games into.

It was well worth the money.

Whoa, I had to look it up but you're right.
I never realized Codemasters was the same company that made the Game Genie. I guess it explains the name.
Avatar 17249
13.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 16, 2014, 23:34
13.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 16, 2014, 23:34
Jul 16, 2014, 23:34
 
NKD wrote on Jul 16, 2014, 22:32:
I wasn't actually addressing that poster in particular, but rather all the people who think they can somehow talk companies into not selling something that has historically been shown to sell really well.

That'll never work. They don't give a fuck what you post on Blue's News, or anywhere else for that matter unless it gets some kind of viral reddit/Twitter exposure.

No, bitching works too and there is plenty of precedent. Companies react when word of mouth has the potential to affect their bottom line otherwise no one would bother doing shit like changing an ending in a game you already paid for. Your solution of doing nothing at all is worse than complaining and complaining costs nothing so thats what people will do on Bluesnews and other websites, you can just deal with it.
Avatar 57682
12.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 16, 2014, 23:33
12.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 16, 2014, 23:33
Jul 16, 2014, 23:33
 
NKD wrote on Jul 16, 2014, 22:02:
jdreyer wrote on Jul 16, 2014, 21:29:
Shorter Codemasters: "We cut our smack with Borax because people still buy it."

Assholes.

Stop. Buying. This. Shit. Game developers have no leverage on you. You aren't going to die from withdrawals if you go without DLC or preorder bonuses. Grow a fucking spine and stop blaming other people for your compulsive and/or impulsive purchasing decisions.

I didn't buy it, for basically this reason. I bought GRID 2 only to discover that 90% of the cars selectable IN THE GAME are DLC and when you click on them to drive them, you're directed to a purchase page. For a game I paid for, I have to pay more to use the cars already in it. I will never buy another Codemasters game again for this reason. It's a shame too, as I own a bunch of their games and have enjoyed them.
RIP RedEye9. We miss you.
Avatar 22024
11.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 16, 2014, 22:32
NKD
11.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 16, 2014, 22:32
Jul 16, 2014, 22:32
NKD
 
Redmask wrote on Jul 16, 2014, 22:14:
NKD wrote on Jul 16, 2014, 22:02:
Stop. Buying. This. Shit. Game developers have no leverage on you. You aren't going to die from withdrawals if you go without DLC or preorder bonuses. Grow a fucking spine and stop blaming other people for your compulsive and/or impulsive purchasing decisions.

Who said he's the one buying it? Stop. Pretending. Everyone. Complaining. Is. Buying. It.

Some people do speak with their wallets, too bad that doesn't mean the market automatically adjusts to your preferences. It's better to try to get the word out complaining about it and trying to effect change rather than just saying 'o well'.

I wasn't actually addressing that poster in particular, but rather all the people who think they can somehow talk companies into not selling something that has historically been shown to sell really well.

That'll never work. They don't give a fuck what you post on Blue's News, or anywhere else for that matter unless it gets some kind of viral reddit/Twitter exposure.

These types of DLC/Pay 2 Win things will remain until people stop buying them. If you've got some way of convincing people not to buy this shit that I haven't considered, let me know.

But as far as I can tell the only thing we can do is not give money to developers whose business models we don't like. Not because that will stop them, it is what it is and it isn't changing. But because it feels better not being a hypocrite who only cries and complains until the next game he likes comes out.
Do you have a single fact to back that up?
Avatar 43041
10.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 16, 2014, 22:18
Quboid
 
10.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 16, 2014, 22:18
Jul 16, 2014, 22:18
 Quboid
 
"Under no circumstances did we make the game a grind on purpose (that much I can promise you)"

No. Not good enough.

You have not earned that trust. You have financial incentive to make your game worse and a promise from someone I don't know isn't worth a damn thing.

How stupid do you think we are? Worse, how stupid are we?


Forza 4 has the worst business practise I have seen and I've no reason to believe this isn't the same: intentional grinding in a single player game. The developers actually intentionally made the game worse, and then sold us ways to get around this. That is disgraceful, in my opinion worse than always-online DRM.

This comment was edited on Jul 16, 2014, 22:25.
Avatar 10439
9.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 16, 2014, 22:14
9.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 16, 2014, 22:14
Jul 16, 2014, 22:14
 
NKD wrote on Jul 16, 2014, 22:02:
Stop. Buying. This. Shit. Game developers have no leverage on you. You aren't going to die from withdrawals if you go without DLC or preorder bonuses. Grow a fucking spine and stop blaming other people for your compulsive and/or impulsive purchasing decisions.

Who said he's the one buying it? Stop. Pretending. Everyone. Complaining. Is. Buying. It.

Some people do speak with their wallets, too bad that doesn't mean the market automatically adjusts to your preferences. It's better to try to get the word out complaining about it and trying to effect change rather than just saying 'o well'.
Avatar 57682
8.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 16, 2014, 22:13
8.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 16, 2014, 22:13
Jul 16, 2014, 22:13
 
To the guy mentioning Codemasters is known for selling cheats....

If only you REALLY knew how much this is true!!!

As apparently you are too young to remember the Game Genie. This is what made Codemasters famous.

It wasn't making games that Codemasters originally made their money from it was an amazing way to cheat in almost ANY original NES game. They released codebooks every month with new cheats that would really work.

The damned thing was literally a piece of hardware that fit into the NES system that you put games into.

It was well worth the money.
7.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 16, 2014, 22:02
NKD
7.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 16, 2014, 22:02
Jul 16, 2014, 22:02
NKD
 
jdreyer wrote on Jul 16, 2014, 21:29:
Shorter Codemasters: "We cut our smack with Borax because people still buy it."

Assholes.

Yeah, because you go into painful withdrawals if you don't buy this car DLC, right?

People are responsible for their own purchasing decisions. I'm tired of people acting like they are being victimized WHILE they voluntarily throw money at the people supposedly victimizing them.

Stop. Buying. This. Shit. Game developers have no leverage on you. You aren't going to die from withdrawals if you go without DLC or preorder bonuses. Grow a fucking spine and stop blaming other people for your compulsive and/or impulsive purchasing decisions.
Do you have a single fact to back that up?
Avatar 43041
6.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 16, 2014, 21:44
6.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 16, 2014, 21:44
Jul 16, 2014, 21:44
 
I actually don't mind this, since I don't have to buy it. Cheat DLC like this is just for folks who suck at the game, and I can avoid it entirely by just RTFM and learning how to properly play.

What bothers me is their DLC for Grid 2, which required you to buy it to get the remaining 50% of the content they cut from the main game.
Avatar 13929
5.
 
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because
Jul 16, 2014, 21:29
5.
Re: GRID Autosport Boost Pack Released, Because Jul 16, 2014, 21:29
Jul 16, 2014, 21:29
 
Shorter Codemasters: "We cut our smack with Borax because people still buy it."

Assholes.
RIP RedEye9. We miss you.
Avatar 22024
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