Exclusive DLC - Will it Win the Console War?

A while back, when it was revealed at E3 that Final Fantasy XIII will be going multi-platform, I posted my thoughts on game exclusivity and multi-platform titles. In short, I have no problem with it.

These days, exclusivity is fairly rare from anything other than in-house studios for these console makers. Sony makes their own games, Microsoft makes their own games. What I absolutely abhor is certain consoles getting exclusivity on downloadable content. To me, this screams, "Our console is worse so we need a reason for people to buy one!"

The latest game to cause a big fuss about exclusive DLC is Fallout 3, from Bethesda Studios, the same developer behind The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. What I disliked about Oblivion was that they never released any DLC besides the Shivering Isles expansion for the PS3 (although the Knights of the Nine add-on came in the Game of the Year Edition and was also sold separately for that console). None of the cool little quest add-ons, secret lairs or horse armor were ever released in any form for the PS3.

It seems Bethesda is continuing this unfortunate trend with their latest "RPG", Fallout 3. While I was on the fence about this one, given its setting, I was still really looking forward to trying it out, as I've seen several people refer to it as a post-apocalyptic Oblivion. But, I will not be bothering with it now, since it was announced at E3 that the PS3 will not be getting DLC for the game.

Why would I buy a game that is incomplete right out of the box and with full knowledge that it will never be complete? In my opinion, if you release a game for a console, you should be planning to release all the DLC you develop for that console, as well. Its a huge disservice to the people who purchase your game and, really, gamers in general, not to.