1)+ONLINE+MULTIPLAYER:

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2)+DLC+AND+PRICING:

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We get it. Everyone loves Skyrim. We do too.But there's another RPG experience that will steamroll into stores in a few weeks, one that just might change the industry and the way we look at our favorite pastime. Skyrim's getting all the attention, it will probably grab most of the sales, but there's one game that has it beat in all kinds of areas. We're talking about Dark Souls Here are five reasons why Dark Souls Skyrim will have no online multiplayer component of any kind, despite years' worth of fan requests.Bethesda's Todd Howard said of multiplayer: "The two most requested features we get are dragons and multiplayer. We got one of them this time," he said to IGN . "We always look into multiplayer, put lots of ideas on the whiteboard and it always loses. It's not that we don't like it. I can think of ways it would be a lot of fun. At the end of the day, that dev time is going to take away from doing the best single-player game we can, and that's where our hearts are."That means no online, no co-op, no PVP. None.Dark Souls spiritual predecessor Demon's Souls was heralded as one of the most challenging and epic action-RPG's on PS3. IGN awarded Demon's Souls PS3 RPG of the year in 2009, and other outlets even awarded it their overall Game of the Year in 2009. It had multiplayer aspects over two years ago that rivaled any in the industry, much less its specific genre, all without compromising the singleplayer game.Why have competitors not taken note?From Software has TRULY innovated where competitors like Bethesda have stated they simply couldn't find or spare the dev time.We've been playing the game and verified the following multiplayer info with From Software . There's no doubt, as IGN's Keza McDonald says, that multiplayer in this game is "one of the more compelling...features of Dark Souls". From Software has innovated while others have passed on making the effort.- Developers have clearly not reached their creative zenith when it comes to the conception and execution of multiplayer components in games. We're certainly not suggesting Bethesda tack on after-thought multiplayer content, ala Dead Space 2 or BioShock 2, but to explore the possibilities for multiplay and innovate, especially considering they've been working on the game for more than 5 years now. Bethesda either didn't deem it important enough, didn't care to make time for it or didn't have the imagination to bring something on this scale to life.Bethesda announced DLC plans FAR in advance of the game's actual launch, going as far to herald the signing of an exclusive deal with Microsoft . Expanded content would be 360 exclusive, leaving PS3 owners to wait.Standard Edition of the game will cost $59.99. Collector's Edition will run players $149.99 for a small statue, artbook, map, and 'making-of' DVD. There are pre-order offers available including goodies like a special map.Average DLC packages run $10-15 apiece, plus weapons and armor for a few bucks more. For reference, there have been four pieces of Fallout: New Vegas DLC.From Software announced at Gamescom that no current plans for DLC exist.Daisuke Uchiyama, Chief Publishing Producer, Namco Bandai Games Inc., (NBGI), recently went on record with this statement : "...we are not planning any DLC for Dark Souls. The game is deeply balanced with its exquisite enemy placements and map designs...I would rather prefer to provide an equal amount of opportunities to everyone in order to strive and achieve getting all items based on the effort a player makes."Collector's Edition of Dark Souls cost $59.99 - the normal asking price for any regular edition of a game - at launch to all who preorder at any retailer, which will net you a limited edition collector's tin, a limited edition hardcover artbook, plus a digital download token for the digital soundtrack of the game, digital mini-strategy guide, and digital behind the scenes making of videos.- Dark Souls will ship feature-complete, harkening back to the days when buying one product in a box meant a final sale. Skyrim fans can expect to wait months or more for the 'final' feature complete version, aka the 'Ultimate Edition' that will cost less than buying the game at launch and all the DLC/expanded content put together.