Expansion Pack: Difference between revisions

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Extra material produced for an existing game, either by the game's original production company or by a third party. Expansion packs generally provide a new story line, more levels or maps and occasionally new items, equipment or units.
Extra material produced for an existing game, either by the game's original production company or by a third party. Expansion packs generally provide a new story line, more levels or maps and occasionally new items, equipment or units.


What makes an expansion different from a new game or a stand-alone game or even a sequel is that you need to have the original game installed to play it. The expansion contains more data for the game and does not have a game engine of its own, and it usually doesn't come with the original game. Although recently, a few companies have been releasing ''standalone'' expansion packs, which do in fact come with the engine, and allow the gamer to play with the extra content by itself, but having the original game too may have benefits (such as an [[Old Save Bonus]] allowing you to pick up with your endgame character, and avoid [[Bag of Spilling|bag-spillage]]).
What makes an expansion different from a new game or a stand-alone game or even a sequel is that you need to have the original game installed to play it. The expansion contains more data for the game and does not have a game engine of its own, and it usually doesn't come with the original game. Although recently, a few companies have been releasing ''standalone'' expansion packs, which do in fact come with the engine, and allow the gamer to play with the extra content by itself, but having the original game too may have benefits (such as an [[Old Save Bonus]] allowing you to pick up with your endgame character, and avoid [[Bag of Spilling|bag-spillage]]).


There has been some recent controversy over the fact that additional purchasable content on some recent games actually consists of unlocking material which shipped with the original game. While this practice is not exactly fraudulent, and has been employed for productivity software for years (for a recent and commonplace example, Windows Vista's five or so versions are all included on every disc, and the license key determines which features will be enabled), some gamers have felt cheated by being compelled to pay extra for content they already physically possessed.
There has been some recent controversy over the fact that additional purchasable content on some recent games actually consists of unlocking material which shipped with the original game. While this practice is not exactly fraudulent, and has been employed for productivity software for years (for a recent and commonplace example, Windows Vista's five or so versions are all included on every disc, and the license key determines which features will be enabled), some gamers have felt cheated by being compelled to pay extra for content they already physically possessed.
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* [[Blizzard Entertainment]] loves these. But not as much as they love using these to play the [[Bait and Switch]] by effectively reversing the ending of the game they're for. (Unhappy endings become happy ones and vice versa.)
* [[Blizzard Entertainment]] loves these. But not as much as they love using these to play the [[Bait and Switch]] by effectively reversing the ending of the game they're for. (Unhappy endings become happy ones and vice versa.)
** ''[[Warcraft]] II'' had ''Beyond the Dark Portal'', which took the fight, well, [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|beyond the Dark Portal]], to the orcs' homeworld of Draenor, adding several hero units and a new tileset in the process.
** ''[[Warcraft]] II'' had ''Beyond the Dark Portal'', which took the fight, well, [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|beyond the Dark Portal]], to the orcs' homeworld of Draenor, adding several hero units and a new tileset in the process.
** ''[[Warcraft]] III'' had ''the Frozen Throne'', which added lots of new heroes, units, buildings and maps in addition to a new campaign. One of the new places visited in the story was Outland, the ruined remains of Draenor.
** ''[[Warcraft]] III'' had ''the Frozen Throne'', which added lots of new heroes, units, buildings and maps in addition to a new campaign. One of the new places visited in the story was Outland, the ruined remains of Draenor.
** ''[[World of Warcraft]]''.
** ''[[World of Warcraft]]''.
*** First, there's ''the Burning Crusade'', which released Outland as the [[Expansion Pack World]] (seeing a connection already?) in addition to a lot of other stuff, including two new playable races.
*** First, there's ''the Burning Crusade'', which released Outland as the [[Expansion Pack World]] (seeing a connection already?) in addition to a lot of other stuff, including two new playable races.
*** ''Wrath of the Lich King'', the second expansion set, opens up a new continent, Northrend, and introduces death knights as a playable class.
*** ''Wrath of the Lich King'', the second expansion set, opens up a new continent, Northrend, and introduces death knights as a playable class.
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** Thanks to Steam, the Episodes also blur the definition between expansion pack and sequel: if Half-Life 2 was installed, the Episodes would re-use assets and engine components from that game, acting like expansions; but if it wasn't, they would add the necessary files themselves.
** Thanks to Steam, the Episodes also blur the definition between expansion pack and sequel: if Half-Life 2 was installed, the Episodes would re-use assets and engine components from that game, acting like expansions; but if it wasn't, they would add the necessary files themselves.
** Meanwhile, ''Blue Shift'' inverted the concept: it was packaged with its own copy of the engine and was in fact [[Mission Pack Sequel|a full standalone install]], but marketed as an expansion pack rather than a sequel due to its short length and unaltered gameplay.
** Meanwhile, ''Blue Shift'' inverted the concept: it was packaged with its own copy of the engine and was in fact [[Mission Pack Sequel|a full standalone install]], but marketed as an expansion pack rather than a sequel due to its short length and unaltered gameplay.
** A third party, ''We Create Stuff'' released (before ''[[Portal (series)|Portal]]'' came out) a flash-based 2D game based on the idea of Valve's 3d Puzzle game. We Create Stuff then released a complete replacement map pack for Portal that can best be (charitably) described as exceedingly [[Nintendo Hard]].
** A third party, ''We Create Stuff'' released (before ''[[Portal (series)|Portal]]'' came out) a flash-based 2D game based on the idea of Valve's 3d Puzzle game. We Create Stuff then released a complete replacement map pack for Portal that can best be (charitably) described as exceedingly [[Nintendo Hard]].
* ''[[Civilization]] IV'' has 3 expansion packs- ''Warlords'', ''Beyond the Sword'' and ''Colonization''.
* ''[[Civilization]] IV'' has 3 expansion packs- ''Warlords'', ''Beyond the Sword'' and ''Colonization''.
** However, ''Colonization'' is so different as to virtually be another game, a remake of the old ''Sid Meier's [[Colonization]]'' from the early 90s using the Civ IV engine. It's kind of a weird mix of expansion and separate game.
** However, ''Colonization'' is so different as to virtually be another game, a remake of the old ''Sid Meier's [[Colonization]]'' from the early 90s using the Civ IV engine. It's kind of a weird mix of expansion and separate game.
* Civilization V also now has a new expansion pack announced called Gods and Kings
* Civilization V also now has a new expansion pack announced called Gods and Kings
* Crysis: Crysis Warhead.
* Crysis: Crysis Warhead.
* ''[[The Sims]]'' is worldwide known for being an [[Expansion Pack]] [[Cash Cow Franchise]], the first one having seven expansion packs (all now conveniently packed with the original for the price of one game, spiting everyone who actually bought them separately) and the sequel having 8 expansion packs containing new game features and content, and 8 lower priced 'stuff packs' containing content only. The new game, Sims 3, already has 4 expansion packs and 3 Stuff packs.
* ''[[The Sims]]'' is worldwide known for being an [[Expansion Pack]] [[Cash Cow Franchise]], the first one having seven expansion packs (all now conveniently packed with the original for the price of one game, spiting everyone who actually bought them separately) and the sequel having 8 expansion packs containing new game features and content, and 8 lower priced 'stuff packs' containing content only. The new game, Sims 3, already has 4 expansion packs and 3 Stuff packs.
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls]] III: Morrowind'' has two expansion packs, ''Tribunal'' and ''Bloodmoon'', adding additional areas and quests, and possibilities (as the title hints, the character can become a lycanthrope). However, they also update the game .exe to include additional functions not present in patches for the original game, introducing unfortunate dependencies on the expansion packs for the vast majority of the enormous selection of ''Morrowind'' mods created by the community.
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls]] III: Morrowind'' has two expansion packs, ''Tribunal'' and ''Bloodmoon'', adding additional areas and quests, and possibilities (as the title hints, the character can become a lycanthrope). However, they also update the game .exe to include additional functions not present in patches for the original game, introducing unfortunate dependencies on the expansion packs for the vast majority of the enormous selection of ''Morrowind'' mods created by the community.
* ''City of Villains'' is an expansion pack and [[Gaiden Game]] for ''[[City of Heroes]]''. It is also an example of an expansion that is fully built into the core game, and has to be unlocked by paying the complete price of an additional game. Furthermore, as of the end of 2006 ''[[City of Heroes]]'' has at least two smaller "bonus" packages that add extra powers and costume options to the game which can only be activated via separate purchases from NCSoft. (As of 2008, the games are no longer separate and everyone who had only one can access the other for no extra cost. 2010's Praetorean story arcs will be another stand-alone gaiden game that can be an expansion pack for City of Heroes / Villains.)
* ''City of Villains'' is an expansion pack and [[Gaiden Game]] for ''[[City of Heroes]]''. It is also an example of an expansion that is fully built into the core game, and has to be unlocked by paying the complete price of an additional game. Furthermore, as of the end of 2006 ''[[City of Heroes]]'' has at least two smaller "bonus" packages that add extra powers and costume options to the game which can only be activated via separate purchases from NCSoft. (As of 2008, the games are no longer separate and everyone who had only one can access the other for no extra cost. 2010's Praetorean story arcs will be another stand-alone gaiden game that can be an expansion pack for City of Heroes / Villains.)
* Almost all [[MMORPG|MMORPGs]] that remain popular long enough will release numerous expansion packs. ''[[Ultima Online]]'' and ''[[Ever Quest]]'' both have over a dozen expansions apiece.
* Almost all [[MMORPG|MMORPGs]] that remain popular long enough will release numerous expansion packs. ''[[Ultima Online]]'' and ''[[EverQuest]]'' both have over a dozen expansions apiece.
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls IV]]: Oblivion'' has had several small downloadable content packs, and a full sized expansion.
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls IV]]: Oblivion'' has had several small downloadable content packs, and a full sized expansion.
** Said downloadable content packs were later made into another full sized expansion.
** Said downloadable content packs were later made into another full sized expansion.
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* One game with tons of expansion packs is ''[[Ultima VII]]: The Black Gate'' (commonly regarded as the best in the series), which didn't just get ''Forge of Virtue'' and ''Serpent Isle'', the SI expansion pack even got its own expansion pack in the form of ''The Silver Seed''. Due to clumsy marketing and a rushed release (ordered by corporate suits), ''The Silver Seed'' was shipped partially unfinished; while the expansion is in 'winnable', numerous unchecked plot holes, dangling story threads, and even one or two only partially-designed-but-abandoned-midway sidequests mar what is arguably one of Origin's finest works.
* One game with tons of expansion packs is ''[[Ultima VII]]: The Black Gate'' (commonly regarded as the best in the series), which didn't just get ''Forge of Virtue'' and ''Serpent Isle'', the SI expansion pack even got its own expansion pack in the form of ''The Silver Seed''. Due to clumsy marketing and a rushed release (ordered by corporate suits), ''The Silver Seed'' was shipped partially unfinished; while the expansion is in 'winnable', numerous unchecked plot holes, dangling story threads, and even one or two only partially-designed-but-abandoned-midway sidequests mar what is arguably one of Origin's finest works.
* Probably the ultimate expansion pack would be ''[[Sonic 3 and Knuckles|Sonic & Knuckles]]'', a cartridge game that ''literally attached to'' the previous title, ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]] 3''! This was because they were [[What Could Have Been|originally meant to be one game]], but it was split in half to meet the deadline and a lock-on system was devised to allow the games to be played on their own or combined into one game. The feature also allowed them to make it an expansion for ''Sonic 2'' as well, allowing players to be Knuckles.
* Probably the ultimate expansion pack would be ''[[Sonic 3 and Knuckles|Sonic & Knuckles]]'', a cartridge game that ''literally attached to'' the previous title, ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]] 3''! This was because they were [[What Could Have Been|originally meant to be one game]], but it was split in half to meet the deadline and a lock-on system was devised to allow the games to be played on their own or combined into one game. The feature also allowed them to make it an expansion for ''Sonic 2'' as well, allowing players to be Knuckles.
* ''Warhammer 40,000: [[Dawn of War]]'s'' only true expansion pack, ''Winter Assault'' made videogame history as the first RTS expansion since ''[[Command and Conquer Red Alert|Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge]]'' to introduce a new race or faction to play (The Imperial Guard), as well as the first where the new faction was playable in the game's campaign mode. ''Dark Crusade'' also introduced two additional races (The Tau and the Necron), but that was an example of that rarer beast, the ''Standalone'' [[Expansion Pack]].
* ''Warhammer 40,000: [[Dawn of War]]'s'' only true expansion pack, ''Winter Assault'' made videogame history as the first RTS expansion since ''[[Command & Conquer: Red Alert|Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge]]'' to introduce a new race or faction to play (The Imperial Guard), as well as the first where the new faction was playable in the game's campaign mode. ''Dark Crusade'' also introduced two additional races (The Tau and the Necron), but that was an example of that rarer beast, the ''Standalone'' [[Expansion Pack]].
** Dawn of War also got a third expansion pack, ''Soulstorm'' which added Dark Eldar and the Sisters of Battle.
** Dawn of War also got a third expansion pack, ''Soulstorm'' which added Dark Eldar and the Sisters of Battle.
*** As did ''The Titans'' expansion for ''[[Age of Mythology]]''.
*** As did ''The Titans'' expansion for ''[[Age of Mythology]]''.
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* ''[[Magical Battle Arena]]'' has two. The first is a free, downloadable one that would add the characters [[Slayers|Lina, Naga]], and [[Mahoujin Guru Guru|Kukuri]], as well as the stages [[Slayers|Golem Fight Grounds]] and [[Mahoujin Guru Guru|Nekojima Valley]]. The second is [http://fly-system.net/product/mba/pack_lyrical.htm Lyrical Pack], which adds [[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha|Hayate, Vita, and StrikerS Nanoha, the Desert Planet and Virtual City Training Ground stages]], Mission Mode, Survival Mode, and various character and gameplay tweaks.
* ''[[Magical Battle Arena]]'' has two. The first is a free, downloadable one that would add the characters [[Slayers|Lina, Naga]], and [[Mahoujin Guru Guru|Kukuri]], as well as the stages [[Slayers|Golem Fight Grounds]] and [[Mahoujin Guru Guru|Nekojima Valley]]. The second is [http://fly-system.net/product/mba/pack_lyrical.htm Lyrical Pack], which adds [[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha|Hayate, Vita, and StrikerS Nanoha, the Desert Planet and Virtual City Training Ground stages]], Mission Mode, Survival Mode, and various character and gameplay tweaks.
* ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]: London 1969'' for the Playstation actually required you to have the original ''GTA'' disc to boot it. That is, it wasn't standalone like a [[Mission Pack Sequel]].
* ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]: London 1969'' for the Playstation actually required you to have the original ''GTA'' disc to boot it. That is, it wasn't standalone like a [[Mission Pack Sequel]].
* ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV the Lost And Damned]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV the Ballad of Gay Tony|The Ballad of Gay Tony]]'', two downloadable expansion packs that were originally [[Xbox 360]] exclusive, but were released for the [[PlayStation 3]] and PC a few months later.
* ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV the Lost And Damned]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony|The Ballad of Gay Tony]]'', two downloadable expansion packs that were originally [[Xbox 360]] exclusive, but were released for the [[PlayStation 3]] and PC a few months later.
* ''[[Doom]] 3: Resurrection of Evil''.
* ''[[Doom]] 3: Resurrection of Evil''.
* The ''[[Command and Conquer]]'' series considers them obligatory. The first few (''The Covert Operations'' for the first game, and ''Counterstrike'' for ''Red Alert'') just added new missions, but from ''The Aftermath'' for ''Red Alert'', they always added new units as well.
* The ''[[Command & Conquer]]'' series considers them obligatory. The first few (''The Covert Operations'' for the first game, and ''Counterstrike'' for ''Red Alert'') just added new missions, but from ''The Aftermath'' for ''Red Alert'', they always added new units as well.
** ''Tiberian Sun: Firestorm'', while adding little to the core gameplay, had a new internet mode that allowed players to join either the GDI or Nod in an attempt to conquer the world.
** ''Tiberian Sun: Firestorm'', while adding little to the core gameplay, had a new internet mode that allowed players to join either the GDI or Nod in an attempt to conquer the world.
** As mentioned above, ''Red Alert 2'' had ''Yuri's Revenge'', which added a third faction lead by the titular Soviet psychic, as well as adding new units to the existing factions (the Soviets in particular underwent significant changes, what with Yuri taking all their psychic tech with him).
** As mentioned above, ''Red Alert 2'' had ''Yuri's Revenge'', which added a third faction lead by the titular Soviet psychic, as well as adding new units to the existing factions (the Soviets in particular underwent significant changes, what with Yuri taking all their psychic tech with him).
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