Hyperdimension Neptunia on the PS3 by NIS could potentially change the way party-based RPGs are played and it involves spending real money.
Traditionally RPGs either let you form your initial party from a pool of characters or let you recruit new characters either by force or as an option. This game lets you recruit characters in your party as long as you actually pay to use them.
You still unlock characters in the traditional storyline way but until you purchase the activation packs on the PSN store ($1.99), they remain "locked" for the entire game.
Unlike most DLC, the difference in this style is how the characters are actually advertised in ads or back of the box but purposely locked compared to adding stuff not on the disk or hiding it with a key. Same goes for certain missions, weapons, and clothing.
Square-Enix has already tested out doing something like this in the future with some WiiWare games but so far haven't done it in a big retail game.
http://kotaku.com/#!5776688/a-role+p...-party-members
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A lot of news from Epic games concerning Gears of War 3 with the beta starting April 18 (Bulletstorm owners) or April 25 (pre-order owners) and finishes May 15.
Also announced was 3 versions of the game will be released as Standard, Limited, and Epic. If past collection sets are any indication, Limited should be around $70-$120 and Epic around $90-$150.
Finally, Epic also brags how their Easter Eggs in the game will be much harder to find taking "Months If Not Years" to find.