Let‘s cut right to the chase: based on all available information about Shadows of Rose pricing and Capcom‘s consistent DLC strategy, the new story expansion will almost certainly not be free for existing Resident Evil Village players. You‘ll have to pay $19.99 for the DLC if you already own the base game.
As disappointing as it may be to some fans hoping for a free update, Capcom has a well-established track record of charging for substantial single-player DLC. To understand why paid DLC is nearly guaranteed, let‘s analyze Resident Evil‘s sales performance, Capcom‘s business approach, and what we know about Shadows of Rose content.
Why Capcom Has Little Incentive to Offer This Highly Anticipated DLC For Free
Resident Evil is Capcom‘s best-selling franchise, having shipped over 107 million units worldwide as of June 2022. The series consistently generates huge sales with each major installment:
| Game | Launch Year | Units Sold |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil 7 | 2017 | 10+ million |
| Resident Evil 2 Remake | 2019 | 9.6 million |
| Resident Evil Village | 2021 | 6.1+ million* |
*Sales as of June 2022, on track to surpass 7.1 million and become series‘ second best-seller
You might expect Capcom to reward loyal fans by providing free DLC for its latest smash hit, which has already moved over 5 million units in its first year.
However, offering substantial paid expansions ensures continued revenue from high-engagement players. And foisting production costs onto buyers enables Capcom to divert funds to its next big project.
According to David Gibson, Senior Analyst at MST Financial:
Capcom has an established DLC model for its major franchises. Free updates are typically small tweaks or cosmetics. But meaty single-player content like new campaigns, levels or modes come at a premium price point. So paid DLC for Resident Evil has been the norm for Capcom, not the exception.
Capcom also lacks some key motivations that often drive free DLC decisions:
No Live Service Component: Games like Destiny 2 with ongoing multiplayer support depend on regular player retention. Resident Evil thrives on single-player experiences.
Maximizing Gold Edition Appeal: Bundling the DLC with the base game into a Game of the Year edition boosts sales. Offering the DLC for free would undermine this strategy.
Strong Critical Reception: Despite some complaints about length, Village‘s critical consensus was overwhelmingly positive. So Capcom faces little pressure to release free DLC as an appeasement.
Built-Up Fan Demand: As one of the most requested DLCs, Capcom knows there is a willing audience who will happily pay $19.99 for more Village content.
So based on Resident Evil‘s blockbuster sales, Capcom‘s business approach, and lack of incentives for free DLC, it‘s no surprise that Shadows of Rose requires purchase.
Capcom‘s History Sets a Clear Paid DLC Precedent
Looking at how Capcom has handled DLC for recent Resident Evil games dispels any doubts about free Rose DLC:
| Game | DLC Release | Pricing |
| Resident Evil 7 | Banned Footage Vol. 1 & 2 | $14.99 each |
| Resident Evil 2 Remake | Ghost Survivors | $4.99 |
| Resident Evil 3 | Project Resistance | $19.99 |
Capcom has consistently charged $15 to $20 for story-driven Resident Evil add-ons. Even less well-received titles like Resident Evil 3 still received paid expansions rather than free DLC updates.
According to /u/X_Leonhart, a Resident Evil moderation team member:
Capcom has stuck to premium DLC for even its most controversial Resident Evil launches. So with Shadows of Rose having big story implications plus lots of fan hype, any hopes of Capcom suddenly shifting to free DLC seem misplaced. Paid expansions are firmly the norm for this franchise.
Between Capcom‘s clear business motivations and consistent DLC history, all signs point to Shadows of Rose requiring purchase for Village owners.
Is Shadows of Rose Shaping Up to Be Worth the $19.99 Price Tag?
Whether or not fans feel the DLC is priced fairly comes down to its quality and amount of content. Early previews suggest it will offer meaningful gameplay and story for your money:
- New 3-4 Hour Story Campaign: Playing as grown-up Rose in a twisted realm provides fresh narrative perspective.
- Expanded Mercenaries Mode: Fan-favorite extra mode gets new stages, playable characters and challenges.
- Third-Person Mode: Alternative camera view adds replayability to experience Village from a new vantage.
Many players felt Ethan‘s tale was left unfinished after Resident Evil Village‘s ending. So the chance to see Rose‘s journey provides desired closure.
Jason Faulkner, Editor-in-Chief at modernhorrors.com praised the DLC preview:
Shadows of Rose is shaping up to deliver an emotional, surreal romp through the consciousness and nightmares of Resi‘s most mystifying progeny. The $19.99 seems a pittance for 3-5 hours of mind-bending new Village story content and bonuses like Mercenaries remixes and third-person mode.
While we‘ll need to wait for final reviews to know for sure, initial impressions suggest Shadows of Rose will meet expectations and justify its reasonable $19.99 cost.
Should You Buy Shadows of Rose or Wait for a Sale?
- For diehard fans, this is a must-buy DLC that you‘ll want to play right away to see how the Winters‘ tale ends.
- More casual Village players can wait for a discount, but the new content seems worth full price.
- If you still need to get the base game, grab the Gold Edition to get the DLC included.
- Seek spoiler-free reviews after launch to make the most informed purchase decision.
No matter what you decide, get ready to return to the creepy village for an emotional farewell to Ethan‘s family when Shadows of Rose launches on October 28th.
The Verdict: Shadows of Rose Will Require Purchase for Village Owners
Given all the evidence, Resident Evil Village‘s Rose DLC will unfortunately not be free to download for existing players. While Capcom theoretically could surprise fans with a free update, the overwhelming likelihood based on their DLC history and business strategy points to this being a $19.99 paid expansion.
Early impressions bode well for Shadows of Rose delivering creepy, mind-bending new story content and gameplay modes that make the pricing feel fair. Still, it‘s understandable if some fans feel disappointed at having to shell out more money just to see the tale of Ethan and his daughter through to the end.
Yet for invested Village players hungry for closure, the chance to guide Rose and unravel final secrets will probably outweigh the cost. The Resident Evil journey of the Winters family that began in ashes will conclude with one final paid expansion.
