EA to put out PDLC before full releases, says Pachter

Visceral boss Nick Earl has apparently said to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter that the firm intends to release premium DLC as a demo before a game's official launch.

Speaking in a report following an investor visit to the company, Pachter cited Battlefield 1943 as a tried-and-tested piece of the jigsaw.

"Mr. Earl also revealed a strategy to release premium downloadable content (PDLC) as a product for sale prior to the release of a packaged product," said Pachter.

"The PDLC would be sold for $10 or $15 through Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, and would essentially be a very long game demo, along the lines of 2009’s Battlefield 1943.

"A full-blown packaged game would follow shortly after the release of the PDLC, bearing a full retail price. Mr. Earl believes that the release of the PDLC first limits the risk of completing and marketing the full packaged version, and serves as a low-cost marketing tool."

Speaking to GI, Pachter further added: "Think about Battlefield 1943 as the prototype, so a full (but short) game experience for a reasonable price. At the same time, an expanded version of the game will be under development for release as a packaged product."

He said, however, he's "not sure" if the PDLC that would act as the demo would be included in the game.