In general Microsoft doesn't allow free DLC. You can ship bug fixes and there's a tiny amount of title update space you can shove content into, but large amounts of content are meant to be deployed through paid DLC. In part, this is because MS pays for the bandwidth, but it's also because many of the vendors who use their platform would get angry since it would destroy the level playing field they've got going right now.

Part of the reason Sony gives you more freedom and control is that they do way less than Microsoft does. They charge you for bandwidth for the services they do offer (like demo downloads from the store), and you have to do a lot more of the work in terms of netcode and servers. Microsoft also runs XBox Live games/services behind a VPN while PSN stuff runs out on the open internet, so a PS3 game can hit a regular HTTP server but a 360 game can't.

> "In general Microsoft doesn't allow free DLC. You can ship bug fixes and there's a tiny amount of title update space you can shove content into, but large amounts of content are meant to be deployed through paid DLC"

That is incorrect - there are free Game Add-Ons (DLC) on Xbox LIVE for a number of games. There are also free Arcade (XBLA) games, by the way.

Here are some examples:

- Some Halo 3 maps/map packs

- Free tracks for Rock Band (several versions)

- Left 4 Dead Survival Pack

- Deadliest Warrior DLC

- Fable 3 free weapons/outfits

.. and a lot more. Disclaimer: I work there.

That is surprising to me, because I've personally heard developers complain that they weren't allowed to release free DLC. I apologize for the misinformation... I guess policies have changed?

I was aware that Xbox Live was pay and PSN is not, and that people are generally more satisfied with Live than with PSN. I didn't realize that Live prevented free DLC.

But, still, there is a middle ground where Microsoft could allow free DLC, but not open it up to other systems like Steam.