Playstation And Xbox Booths At The 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) In Los Angeles
IN PHOTO: People walk past the Playstation and Xbox booths at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, in Los Angeles, California June 10, 2014. Reuters/Jonathan Alcorn

There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding Take-Two's multiplayer-centric "Evolve." Over the past month this had led to outrage amongst gamers due to the games overzealous approach to DLCs, season passes and a confusing array of expensive special editions bearing different bonus items. The developer had even stepped in to placate gamers. The game nevertheless was released with a whopping $136 worth of DLC items that aren't even covered by the season pass.

This decision to leave gamers with even more in-game items requiring them to loosen their purse strings comes as a surprise. This is especially true considering the fact that Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick issuing a statement to calm the raging controversy. "Evolve" has launched with a total of 44 add-on items that amount to $136, if you were to buy them all. This comes on top of the $60 game, which is further fragmented due to many special editions that come with separate exclusive items and playable hunters and monsters, according to Gamespot.

The new DLC items being sold at launch aren't even covered by the $25 DLC season pass. This should leave a sour taste in the mouths of gamers who bought the season pass expecting access to bonus content. Out of the 44 paid DLC items, 24 are priced at $2, nine of them cost $3, eight at $5 and finally three expensive ones will set you back by $7 as noted by Polygon.

When the DLC controversy began last month, gamers were angered at concerns that the game would be keeping content aside for DLCs and incentivising gamers to spend by making the paid items powerful, thereby making the game imbalanced in favour of those who pay extra. Thereafter, Turtle Rock Studios co-founder Phil Robb made a forum post assuring that the game will ship complete and gamers will be able to play competitively without paying separately for the DLCs.

However, the inclusion of $136 worth of DLC content at launch has raised concerns again. It must be noted that the launch day paid content only covers basic cosmetic items. The more serious monsters, hunters and other gameplay-enhancing items will be released shortly. It's no surprise that gamers aren't exactly thrilled at the prospect of paying $136 extra (even though it's an option) over the $60 sticker price of the game.

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Evolve Intro Cinematic (Credit: Evolve official YouTube channel)

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