Physical DLC Thread [Toys-To-Life. amiibo, etc.]

[NICKtendo DS]

The only instance I can think of where amiibo are treated as paid DLC is with Splatoon and the extra missions, because that content is just too valuable to lock that way.

amiibos contain an id and storage space for data of one source at a time, like Smash Bros. or Mario Party. What amiibo do what paid DLC doesn't is that the id works with more than one game. Little things, which is good.

Another example I'd like to look at is Shovel Knight, a game that gets a bulk of free DLC in the course of time. Even without it, the game could be considered complete. What the amiibo adds is purely extra. Even if it's something as big as 2 player mode, it's an extra. And from what I understand, there will be quite some customization options for your Shovel Knight you can store on that amiibo.

For me, I collect these figures for what they are: figures. What they do is a bonus. Only ever so often do I buy an amiibo for the unlocks, like Olimar. I have nothing with Pikmin, but the race suit in MK8 and the skin in Wooly World are just too epic. Besides, with the Pikmin, it a 4-in-1 figure.

[Kosheh]

hmm...

I think the idea of collectible figurines is neat, but using them as another form of paid DLC kinda bugs me...
Mainly because I only really see paid DLC as a marketing ploy.
Basically, I go and buy a game because I hear that the Pokemon Mew is a play-able character. Well, I try to play as Mew, and "This character requires an additional purchase" or something... (or I read it on the package) So, one trip to the store later, more money spent, just to use ONE CHARACTER... In worse case scenarios, EBAY/Amazon/etc...
The other possible way this could play-out is I go to the store for the figure, and read "scan/connect to this game on this console to unlock this character in-game!" well, naturally, I go buy a new system, and a game for that system, and whatever other stuff is required, just to play that game, unsure if I'm going to like it, even, just so I can play as that one character! In both of these cases, a lot of people just made a lot of money off of me.

Furthermore, it's another opportunity for people who came into the game late, or who lack extra money to feel left-out of the loop, or...resort to hacking. In short, the Nintendo exclusive events scenario 2.0

I also have concerns that it's another device to get broken, misplaced, or stolen...

One last concern of mine, its present validity unknown... but Do Amiibos and similar merely contain some completely random unlock code for an already existing feature/character, or do they physically contain another file/series of files, pertaining to that content? Whatever the case may be, it's not inconceivable for the latter option to come into play if it's not already... And thus, my last point I'd like to make, is what that means for sites like this. As-is, finding the normal roms isn't always an easy task. This could add another layer of difficulty for sprite/model/sound/texture rippers, as they'd also need a copy of the DLC files/roms/whatever you wanna call them... And this requires either an inside leak, or someone to go and dump the data from one they acquired.

That's all i'd like to say, hope this isn't violation of the rules laid-out in the OP, but it said anything related to physical DLC, and concerns about them do fall under that category. Anyways, if there's an issue, please notify me.

Hello I'm notifying you. What you're describing is literally Skylanders or Disney Infinity, and yeah that's a problem.

amiibo, for the most part have a header that describes what figure they are - SOMETIMES their alternate form, and what "family" they're from, i.e. "TOON LINK: variant of LINK from ZELDA series" and when they're tapped into a game. The rest is space on the figure which can be written to. It's only a few hundred kilobytes, but that's all you need. Other toys-to-life figures have a similar read/write function.
The game's reader reads that header and presents you with the relevant content.
The thing about Nintendo's usage of amiibo, though is that it's never really required DLC: It's actually supplementary content that's not required to enjoy the game experience. For example, Toon Link (from before) can be used within Smash Bros. as an AI training buddy, and can be "fed" equipment and taught player habits. You can level it up, and then take it to friends' houses and fight your amiibo against one another. Now, you could've just gone over your friend's house and played Smash; but amiibo allow you to enjoy another experience with your pals together.
Otherwise, they unlock pretty much cosmetic DLC in games that isn't really necessary to enjoy gameplay and it's generally stuff you can live without (mainly though, you're buying them for a primary usage in like Smash or something, and the other unlocks are just extra)

The only time where it's really "DLC behind a paywall" is the new Shovel Knight amiibo, which is literally Season Pass DLC in a figure...but that's also a third party amiibo.

[NICKtendo DS]

I'd have to say Splatoon is worse than Shovel Knight in the "DLC behind a paywall" department, because it's content locked behind 3 different amiibo instead of 1 and so far there is only read support for the Splatoon amiibo and no read/write, which the Shovel amiibo does have.
And I'd like to argue that the Splatoon content is there since day 1 whereas the Shovel Knight content comes after the finished product along with free DLC. (Splatoon's DLC is free too, but I wanted to point that out)

Regardless, I have nothing against them other than the poor supply and demand. And the price maybe, but that never stopped me from getting the ones I want. It sucks that I have to pay 16 euros when it is 13 dollars in the US though.

Another thing to consider is that if a friend has an amiibo that you don't have, but need to unlock a certain costume or whatever, they can bring it over to unlock stuff for you. I know someone who has MK8, but barely does Nintendo, so he doesn't have amiibo. I bring mine along and BOOM!, he got himself a couple of race suits to play with in the game he barely touches. On the flipside, I don't have Rosalina, but a friend of mine does and he got me the Wooly World skin and MK8 race suit.

[DarkGrievous7145]

k that does make sense...

I agree with the Skylanders and Disney infinity thing...
Those ads, alone, SCREAM, "Marketing Ploy!"

Anyone's thoughts on the McPlay app for the McDonalds Happy Meal toys?
Anyone who's even used it?

Personally, I'm satisfied enough with the physical toy, and don't see the point of scanning it with a special app

[TomGuycott]

Don't know if anyone else was as excited for it as I was, but the Chibi Robo bundle preorder was finally made live on Gamestop's website (Don't know where else, if anywhere). I know the game will probably be sub-par, but it at least looks playable, and I want that amiibo sooo bad.

[AuraLancer]

It's been up there since Saturday. The Yoshi Woolly World bundle, too. It looks like they still have Ganondorf, ZSS, Olimar and the retro bundle available, too. Grab 'em while they're hot!

I bought a second Ganondorf to complete my buddy's Zelda Amiibo collection.

[TomGuycott]

I've definitely been getting too many Amiibo (I have slowed down a lot recently, but still).

I'm going to finally make a photo of what I currently have, which is most of what I want, sans the retro pack which isn't out yet and the Chibi Robo pack.

[Ark Kuvis]

got my retro 3-Pack today, ROB actually looks awesome. It's also nice to have a piece of merchandise of the number 1 laughing douchebag in all of video gaming.

[senjen]

yeah i got my three pack today to as well as I ordered Bowser Jr of toys r us for me and my sister, wave 5 has definitely been the easiest to get so far.

[Helmo]

I remember I ordered one a long time ago from gamestop's site, so I guess it should come in the mail?

[TomGuycott]

Usually Gamestop won't ship until release day, so you'll probably see it a few days later. Sometimes sooner though.

[Helmo]

Got an amiibo for freebo.

Target gave me a $10 gift card for buying cleaning products and Luigi was discounted so

[TomGuycott]

Please tell me the product in question was a vacuum.

[AuraLancer]

I got the retro three pack finally. The swappable G&W poses were a pleasant surprise.

[Kosheh]

So, this weekend, I uh



100/100

Thanks, Nintendo World Store for having a trade event. I'm ready for Series 2 (but I'm still working on my collection binder)
I highly suggest finding or organizing a trade event in your area.

I have pictures of my trade binder that um, I guess I'll post later


EDIT: how the fucc am i supposed to work with that single card in the page doe


dumb dog