I don't want to set the world on fire. I just want to start a flame in my Xbox 360.
June 15, 2009 10:29 AM Subscribe
Let's say you're interested in downloadable content for Fallout 3, but you're loathe to sign up for Xbox Live. Is it possible to access this content through other means?
The "means" that might come to mind are bittorrent, purchasing the content on CDs, or downloading it over the net and burning it to a CD. Ad infinitum.
I'd be willing to purchase a Fallout 3 expansion or two on CD--as was done in the pre-Xbox Live days--if these were available. However, my passion for them is not enough to justify a subscription to Xbox Live and the hassles entailed with connecting my Xbox to the net.
As a corollary question, what Fallout 3 expansions--so far--have given you the best bang for your investment?
The "means" that might come to mind are bittorrent, purchasing the content on CDs, or downloading it over the net and burning it to a CD. Ad infinitum.
I'd be willing to purchase a Fallout 3 expansion or two on CD--as was done in the pre-Xbox Live days--if these were available. However, my passion for them is not enough to justify a subscription to Xbox Live and the hassles entailed with connecting my Xbox to the net.
As a corollary question, what Fallout 3 expansions--so far--have given you the best bang for your investment?
Xbox Live is a walled garden. As ellF says, you can't access its downloadable content without accessing the service. If you want the content, you either connect, or you get the game's PC version and add the content through other means.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:35 AM on June 15, 2009
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:35 AM on June 15, 2009
This makes it looks like you can indeed buy the expansions in CD form.
posted by adamdschneider at 10:36 AM on June 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by adamdschneider at 10:36 AM on June 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
The downloadable content will, in fact, be sold at retail - here is the first one, with The Pitt and Operation Anchorage.
posted by Tomorrowful at 10:36 AM on June 15, 2009
posted by Tomorrowful at 10:36 AM on June 15, 2009
The Vault says: In case you need to go offline and want to play fallout 3 and include your DLC packs you MUST be online while you load your saved game with included DLC. So that would seem to imply that no matter how you obtain the DLC, you've first got have your XBOX "online."
I'm on the PC so that doesn't apply to me.
I've played the Pitt and Broken Steel. I enjoyed both. Broken Steel is the better of the two because it lifts the level 20 cap. It's probably the DLC I'd get first just because of that. The Pitt was great, though the ingot collecting part was tedious and not at all worth it once you get your repair up to 100 and maintain a Hellfire suit.
I've got Operation: Anchorage, but haven't started it yet.
posted by wfrgms at 10:37 AM on June 15, 2009
I'm on the PC so that doesn't apply to me.
I've played the Pitt and Broken Steel. I enjoyed both. Broken Steel is the better of the two because it lifts the level 20 cap. It's probably the DLC I'd get first just because of that. The Pitt was great, though the ingot collecting part was tedious and not at all worth it once you get your repair up to 100 and maintain a Hellfire suit.
I've got Operation: Anchorage, but haven't started it yet.
posted by wfrgms at 10:37 AM on June 15, 2009
There's going to be a "Game of the Year" edition released sometime this year which contains the full game and all five DLC packs. No definite date yet but it'll be sometime after the release of the fifth and final DLC pack.
Also, I'm pretty sure you only need to sign up for Xbox Live Silver in order to get DLC. This does not cost a monthly fee.
posted by Diskeater at 10:38 AM on June 15, 2009
Also, I'm pretty sure you only need to sign up for Xbox Live Silver in order to get DLC. This does not cost a monthly fee.
posted by Diskeater at 10:38 AM on June 15, 2009
Also, I'm pretty sure you only need to sign up for Xbox Live Silver in order to get DLC. This does not cost a monthly fee.
Yeah, you can buy stuff without any Live subscription fees using a Silver account. Gold (monthly/annual fee) is only needed for online multiplayer and the occasional "Gold accounts get this DLC for 25% off" offer.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:49 AM on June 15, 2009
Yeah, you can buy stuff without any Live subscription fees using a Silver account. Gold (monthly/annual fee) is only needed for online multiplayer and the occasional "Gold accounts get this DLC for 25% off" offer.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:49 AM on June 15, 2009
No -- you cannot load content to a CD and access it on your XBox unless you've modified your XBox, which in itself precludes ever using that XBox on Live!
This is COMPLETELY untrue. You may want to be careful with a modified XBox if you wanted to play on XBox Live (only play non-pirated games), but my old modded xbox 360 will happily connect to Live, allow me to play my legally-bought games, and download whatever DLC I like.
I don't believe you can get DLC content on DVD or CD though, certainly not unless your XBox is modded.
posted by splice at 11:46 AM on June 15, 2009
This is COMPLETELY untrue. You may want to be careful with a modified XBox if you wanted to play on XBox Live (only play non-pirated games), but my old modded xbox 360 will happily connect to Live, allow me to play my legally-bought games, and download whatever DLC I like.
I don't believe you can get DLC content on DVD or CD though, certainly not unless your XBox is modded.
posted by splice at 11:46 AM on June 15, 2009
"Bowman added that Australian XBox Live users would use the same Seattle-based server that currently detects mod chips in US consoles to gain access to XBox game servers that Microsoft planned to disperse internationally." (http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Microsoft-poised-for-Australian-XBox-Live-mod-chip-crackdown/0,130061744,120270193,00.htm)
Microsoft has had the ability to detect mod chips since 2002. They have alternatively banned consoles and accounts and been permissive about it; modchip makers have come up with ways to circumvent this detection and had their fixes overcome numerous times. If you're planning to mod your console, you could be banned from Live.
posted by ellF at 1:44 PM on June 15, 2009
Microsoft has had the ability to detect mod chips since 2002. They have alternatively banned consoles and accounts and been permissive about it; modchip makers have come up with ways to circumvent this detection and had their fixes overcome numerous times. If you're planning to mod your console, you could be banned from Live.
posted by ellF at 1:44 PM on June 15, 2009
I've played all three add-ons. The Pitt is good, but takes you out of the main Fallout 3 map. I enjoyed Operation Anchorage for what it was, but it does totally remove any RPG elements from the game and turn it into a (slow) FPS. Broken Steel is by far the best, it removes the original game's ending, which is great if you want to just hang around in the Wastelands for a bit longer.
There are two more DLCs coming soon, looking forward to them.
posted by hnnrs at 3:53 PM on June 15, 2009
There are two more DLCs coming soon, looking forward to them.
posted by hnnrs at 3:53 PM on June 15, 2009
I dont know if it's true for all games but you can definitely get XBox DLC as physical media. I got the Shivering Isles expansion for Oblivion as a CD. Not all DLC is free with a Silver account; for most of the better stuff you need to purchase XBox Points & then redeem them for the items you want.
posted by scalefree at 11:44 AM on June 16, 2009
posted by scalefree at 11:44 AM on June 16, 2009
It seems your first question has already been answered better than I could, but I'll offer my input on the corollary question...
I think the chronological order of the DLC packs is the same as their quality. Anchorage was ok, The Pitt was better (if shorter) because it had much cooler loot, and Broken Steel is the best by far, because it has great new weapons, new levels (therefore new perks), and it doesn't separate itself from the main game. Instead of doing some missions, fighting new enemies, and getting new loot in a smaller, closed-off area and then taking it back to the Wasteland, Broken Steel is a true "expansion" to the game.
posted by N2O1138 at 11:23 PM on June 16, 2009
I think the chronological order of the DLC packs is the same as their quality. Anchorage was ok, The Pitt was better (if shorter) because it had much cooler loot, and Broken Steel is the best by far, because it has great new weapons, new levels (therefore new perks), and it doesn't separate itself from the main game. Instead of doing some missions, fighting new enemies, and getting new loot in a smaller, closed-off area and then taking it back to the Wasteland, Broken Steel is a true "expansion" to the game.
posted by N2O1138 at 11:23 PM on June 16, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ellF at 10:33 AM on June 15, 2009