[quote name='WebScud']I don't mind preorders getting free DLC, but exclusive DLC really sucks.
It's worse when something is "exclusive" like the Cardboard Tube Samurai skin for Tekken 6. I bought a code off of eBay at launch, but as of yesterday it's free on PSN. I was waiting for the game to drop in the $30 range, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity for Penny Arcade DLC. I know no one "owes" us anything, but I feel like developers should advertise bonuses as "exclusives" or "timed exclusives."
Ugh. Anyway, I agree. As focused as Bioware is on DLC I can imagine the preoroder stuff either being sold or bundled with future quest packs.[/QUOTE]
I think Dragon Age is probably the best example of how to NOT do pre-order DLC. Look at their website and how many different items were available from different retailers. You barely even knew the stats on the stuff or what they did. I was thinking along the same lines you were as well regarding releasing it as a big bundle or something later on down the line.
It seems to be a trend to bring pre-order DLC to the masses sometime later down the line. Next week the GS pre-order for inFamous (Gigawatt Blades) is going up, while they have the Marvel UA 2 Juggernaut character already available, and the Weapon X Arena GS pre-order bonus is available to buy as well. Maybe, just MAYBE, developers see that exclusive pre-order DLC really pisses a lot of people off that they're denied content.
You hit the nail on the head about the developers at least alerting us of their intentions regarding pre-order DLC post-launch. I really don't see the harm in announcing maybe 2-3 weeks after the game has been out that they're working on bringing those items/areas for those who didn't pre-order. That way I could wait, the people who got their pre-order DLC "free" wouldn't be pissed after that much time passed, and I wouldn't have to scrounge through listings on eBay to see that $44 BIN auction for Lion's Paw Boots.