Crusader Kings III

[Norgy]

The thing I dislike about Paradox games is that if I haven't played them in a year or two, there's $100+ worth of DLC that they've released during that period.  Even I look at that and boggle a bit.  And it's not like that's a big expenditure on a hobby, but it seems so out of order when full on AAA titles are less than that and many of the more entertaining games on Steam are significantly cheaper.  Maybe if I was always playing and staying current, it wouldn't be such sticker shock. 

Paradox is working more along the lines of the drug dealers. The first hit etc.

And you are right. So do we really need the North African headgear DLC and the Byzantine underwear expansion? The smelly Norse footwear DLC?

Probably not, but this is how they add flavour. And a few mechanics that usually need a day one patch.

I still like Paradox and will buy future games. That being said, I am a bit underwhelmed by CKIII's progression as we speak.

[The Minsky Moment]

Yeah most of the time you don't need to buy the DLC because the core upgrade are included in the free patch. I really see the DLC as kind of like "skins" for FTP mobile games, a way to get some additional customization or flavor and/or a way to "vote" for Paradox continuing to support your favorite game.  I'm happy to buy Victoria DLC full price because I'm a fan of the series and want to PDX to keep putting in resources to improve it.  Most of the other games I'll wait till they get heavily discounted.