On Friday 20, November Square Enix announced two downloadable content packs for their newest title Gyromancer. The problem? The game was released Wednesday 18, November. Two days prior to the release of the DLC.

Numerous games have come out with extra content packs mere weeks after the game’s release. What is this new trend? A dedication to expanding the gaming experience or simply a money grab and a way to rip gamers off? Looking at the Square Enix debacle I can’t help but think someone in the dark recesses of the company was s******ing, wringing their hands when they came up with this plan. "We’ll show them what we think of decades of Final Fantasy purchasing and supporting our company, we’ll screw ’em with DLC mere hours after a game is released" [insert maniacal laughter here].

Bioware announced DLC for their latest title Dragon Age: Origin. At least they had the decency to wait a full two weeks before releasing it. But they too announced that it would be ready at launch time. Bioware claims it shows their "commitment to give fans a game that continuously offers new experiences and further enriches a storyline." They forgot to mention how it will also enrich their bottom line and erode some gamer support in the process.

Multiple other companies are skipping any sort of waiting period and offering downloadable add-ons shortly after game launches. But it seems to me like this is just another way to stick it to their customers. First they charge $60 for a game (a game which then has advertisements in it where they make millions on top of the millions from the games’ sales) and then, as if that was just a drop in the bucket for most gamers, they start nickel and diming us with add-on items, map packs, legendary car packs, avatar items, premium themes for our consoles, t-shirts, hats, accessories and more.

Well alright some of that is actually legit and wise marketing. But the add-on items and map packs released days after a game is launched are simply poor form. What it really does is make gamers, like myself, think - Why wasn’t this included in the game? Why must I pay more money? Didn’t they just sell a million copies of the game at $60 each? Do they really NEED MORE MONEY?!

It also leaves a bad taste in our mouths. Some other companies decide to hold off on downloadable game content and instead pack it all up and ship it on a brand new edition of the game or a small sequel and say it’s a major update (Halo 3: ODST multiplayer disc is an example). I liked HALO 3: ODST, I’m just not sure it was 100% worth the price.

So if this is where the industry is headed, then should we, as gamers, not say something? Should we simply let them charge us for every single piece of digital crap they can whip up? I think not. We pay hundreds of dollars for game consoles and computers capable of playing their games, we have $50-60 or more for the game and then two days later we should pay a couple more dollars for a couple more things? Things that could have easily been put in the game or given to those who already own it?

NO. Someone needs to say enough is enough. We need to tell the game companies that we simply won’t stand for it. We need to write them emails, blog, Tweet, and if necessary, boycott. Yes, boycott the company and their products. If you absolutely need to buy a game from the company, wait until you can get it used because then they get no money from you.

Trying to organize gamers into a boycott is like herding cats or stopping Tribbles from multiplying. We need a consumer group that will collect gamer grievances and take them to the game companies. An organization that will gather gamers together in a single cause, create petitions, organize boycotts, demonstrations and the like. We need someone who will represent the interests of the gamer in the board rooms, offices and headquarters of those companies that seem to believe we are made of money and owe it all to them.

Me? I just won’t get Gyromancer or any of the downloadable content and probably won’t look into getting any Square Enix games new in the near future. Because who knows what they are holding back from them so that they can charge us more money 48 hours later? What’s next? Playing through a game with a story only to find out that we have to purchase the end cut-scene?