What is this new trend in the gaming industry? Release a game and then release downloadable content within a month or two? It sure seems like it’s a rip off as they could have stuck it all into the games and instead they decided to hold it back and take more money from gamers. If the game wasn’t finished when it was to be released, it shouldn’t be released.

BioWare announced today that the Return to Ostagar downloadable content (DLC) for Dragon Age: Origins will be available for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, the PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and PC versions this Holiday season in North America and Europe. The DLC pack, Return to Ostagar, allows players to exact their revenge and embark on a quest for the mighty arms and armor of the once great King Cailan when they revisit Ostagar, the site of the Grey Wardens’ darkest hour, to reclaim the honor and learn the secrets of Ferelden’s fallen king.

“We are very proud of the phenomenal launch of Dragon Age: Origins and we’re pleased to announce the next installment of downloadable content that will be available to fans of the game,” said Ray Muzyka, Group General Manager, RPG/MMO Group of EA, and Co-Founder, BioWare. “The Return to Ostagar DLC pack is a prime example of BioWare’s commitment to give fans a game that continuously offers new experiences and further enriches a storyline that has already received critical acclaim and positive feedback from the players.”

Return to Ostagar, BioWare’s next thread in the Dragon Age: Origins tapestry, summons players to a new quest in which they will return to the fateful battleground in Ostagar where the Grey Wardens were nearly wiped out. Players will discover King Cailan’s top-secret political agenda and go behind enemy lines to revisit a place that many feared had been lost to history.

Return to Ostagar will be available for $4.99 on the PlayStation Store, for 400 BioWare Points on the PC and 400 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 in North America. Return to Ostagar will be released this Holiday season worldwide on the Xbox 360, the PlayStation3 console and PC. Dragon Age: Origins is rated M by the ESRB and 18+ by PEGI.

That’s $5 that should have been knocked off the original price, no matter how good the game is, because now we’re paying more money for what appears like it should have been in the game originally. Am I wrong here?