In what will be an exercise in (we're so screwed up) human psychology, Battlefield 3 Executive Producer Patrick Bach spoke to OXM about the strange phenomenon of players complaining about the free map packs for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 but accepting the 1200 Microsoft map pack for Bad Company 2 Vietnam:
I know it sounds weird, but people got really upset with us [with the free DLC]. People said, 'If you're giving it away, why couldn't you give it away earlier?' There were a lot of complaints. [The paid Vietnam DLC] was a bigger pack and we charged for it, but everyone saw the value, and everyone enjoyed the game.
It's just fascinating. Consumers are not used to getting things. There are no free lunches, and people get very suspicious when they get something for free.
That said, Battlefield 3 will still offer the first freebie DLC, the Physical Warfare pack, as a preorder bonus that will eventually be given to everyone. Hopefully, I won't choose not to hear any whining about this.
