Uncharted 4 DLC will be unlocked by playing, not paying, to win

Playing multiplayer earns you in-game currency used to unlock weapons, skins, and more.

David Craddock

May 4, 2016 1:15 PM

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Naughty Dog revealed Uncharted 4's multiplayer DLC roadmap... in the form of a literal map.

As you can see, the map details what new content will be added to the game from this summer all the way through spring 2017. You won't be nickel-and-dimed for this content, though. Naughty Dog has embraced a free-to-play approach for Uncharted 4.

"Right off the bat, we want to highlight that all future maps and modes will be included with Uncharted 4 at no additional cost, and all vanity and gameplay in-game store items will be unlockable through gameplay," lead designer Robert Cogburn announced in a PlayStation blog published earlier this week.

The decision was made to avoid fragmenting the game's multiplayer community into haves and have-nots. By giving all players free access to modes and maps, no one will get left behind when the community migrates to new content.

As for gameplay- and vanity-oriented content, you'll unlock that the old-fashioned way: by putting in time. "We strongly believe that players must be on an even playing field. To do this, we made Relics, a currency that can only be earned through gameplay and will be able to unlock all DLC, present and future. We will be putting future gameplay items ranging from Mysticals to Boosters into DLC Gameplay Chests. Each Chest will contain new gameplay items."

Players earn Relics by competing in matches. Relics can be spent on Vanity Chests and Gameplay Chests—the former containing things like skins and hats, while the latter offers up weapons and boosters.

This way, Naughty Dog avoids luring players into pay-to-win traps so pervasive in premium and freemium titles: you'll earn new stuff by playing the game instead of buying your way to better gear.

Check out the full blog for more details, such as how points are awarded in multiplayer matches.

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.