DoFuss’s 2008 Top Downloadable Game and Content of the Year

Digital distribution is spreading its wings still further and continues to branch into the console market. The lower production cost and longer tail on game sales make it a attractive prospect for small developers who may be unable to find a publisher or who don’t want to risk releasing their games in direct competition with ‘triple A’ boxed titles.

It is hard to select one of these titles from all of those released this year. There were classics with face lifts, retro-revivals and innovative new games on each platform and all of them helped establish the downloadable space as a viable alternative for developers. In choosing one game I feel like I am turning my back on numerous others which I enjoyed and continue to play. Street Fighter 2 HD Remix, Mega Man 9, 1942, Bionic Commando (that’s four Capcom titles), Pixel Junk Eden, Castle Crashers, Geometry Wars 2, Rez HD, Braid all titles worth of note, fantastic gaming experiences at a bargain price.

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But the point of this article is to pick one and it falls to Braid. It is actually the hardest of all of the choices I have made during this set of articles because of my love of classic games. Braid however is an original title from the mind of Jonathan Blow which spins a classic platform game into something different. A game which makes you think not just in the puzzles it presents you with but also in it narrative and message. The fact a game like this, which openly places its self as art, can find a space in such a commercial market and with in that gain an audience through word of mouth really demonstrates a new maturity that is starting to emerge in console gaming. 

For larger companies it is not only a space for smaller titles and re-releases but also for downloadable content (DLC). Some of these companies are even starting to offer significant updates to top tier titles for free. While this may seem like fan service it manages to serve its own purpose for the developers. As long as new content keeps the game fresh people won’t trade it in meaning new comers will have to buy the game new.

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This leads us nicely into the company with the best DLC support for this year, and if you paying attention to the last paragraph it should be obvious. Criterion’s Burnout Paradise has offered outstanding support though out the year for their fantastic open world driving game. In a surprising move EA backed them in their continued development of free content for what was already an outstanding game. Including front end overhauls, weather and day cycles and even a whole new mechanic with the introduction of bikes. Even after a full year of updated content the support continues on, though now at a modest price. Truly exceptional support for what was already among the best games of the year.