Differences between Expansions and Sequels (Destiny)

by Harmanimus , Thursday, October 05, 2017, 10:15 (2689 days ago) @ ZackDark

I think that misses some Very root differences in consumer bases comparing expansions and sequels as just two separate models for releasing new content to the same user base. Not accounting for standalone expansions, there is an inherent difference in audience between an expansion or map pack and a sequel.

Obviously, there are factors to mitigate the difference, but sequels are more prone to drawing in new players than an expansion pack is to getting someone on board who wasn't already. While an expansion pack or paid map pack inherently splits the player base into haves and have-nots for various reasons (desire, cost, value concerns) a sequel is not a split in the same regard. A migrating player base to a sequel can be viewed as splintering the player base but might also be growing players who were not previously part of the player pool.

I feel it is a bigger distinction rather than the pedantry of arguing if DLC and Expansions are different (quantifiably they are not, qualitatively it is a personal consideration; the terms are functionally interchangeable), because one is relying on an installed user base first and the other is trying to create a new user base, even if it is pulling folks from the same pool.