DLC 4 VGM

Editorial Written by Eduardo Friedman

So, how was downloading the latest Call of Duty 4 map pack? Or maybe you're a Rock Band or Guitar Hero III kind of person and got a couple of new songs? Whatever games it is that you like, you can't deny that DLC (that's "downloadable content" for all those not in the know) has become real popular this generation.

What I like about DLC, despite not owning any next-gen console, is that for a small fee your game gets prolonged a little more, so no more shelling out a ton of money for a game to end 10 hours later. FPSs and action games can get new maps, RPGs can get new items and dungeons, rhythm games get more songs, etc. Sounds fantastic, right?

Right, it does. So why aren't we seeing VGM-related microtransactions? I mean, think about it: an iTunes-like store for each company that so desires. It could carry a truckload of albums, both old and new, offer previews of future albums, let fans know of concerts... The possibilities are endless really.

Imagine the following scenario, if you will. You just got Final Fantasy XIII, and it's not in the too distant future; enough time has passed that the game atually came out, but not enough that the dinosaurs have taken over (you know it's going to happen, just accept it and move on, like me). You, certainly a person of great musical taste, have listened to the soundtrack and decided it was fantastic. Now what? Either you order it online or download it illegally.

Ordering online is great if game music is pretty much your only hobby, because things can get expensive. However, if you like in a godforsaken hellhole like yours truly, that is not a valid option anymore, because of taxes, exchange rates, some more taxes, and then a couple more taxes just because.

So what do you do? You log on the PSN and there you'll find the album to purchase. After choosing what you want to buy, you proceed to checkout and, after validation, you start the dowload. After it's done, you can move your brand spanking new MP3s over to your computer or portable media player. Oh, I forgot to mention that in this almost dinosaur-ruled utopic dystopia, there's no more digital rights management.

This would that make pretty much everyone who owns the console a prospective buyer. Heck, you don't even have to get the latest albums if you don't want to. Since there's no physical media involved, there's no reason not to upload older, out-of-print albums too. What? Rockman 1 all through Rockman X8? I'm in!

I know some humans are greedy, so that's when the bonuses start pouring in. Did you get the entire Final Fantasy Versus XIII Original Soundtrack? Congratulations, you just got yourself a nice little discount coupon to be redeemed anytime you want to for any Final Fantasy album or something to that effect.

If you're feeling a tad generous and want to give someone the gift of game music, you can do that too. No more bleeding all over gift-wrapping paper because scissors are the worst invention ever, no more showing empty-handed at a friend's birthday party having to say "Um, it's coming but it's not here yet" and then getting drunk.

Like I said before, the possibilities are endless, but I know what you are asking yourself. Will this solve piracy? Not in a million years, but it would certainly make getting game music a lot easier. Think of it this way: at least you'll have something to listen to while you're working in salt mines, and word on the street is that dinosaurs don't like pirates. Or ninjas. Man, it's going to be a sucky time.