Now everyone should know that I’m not really a fan of the downloadable content strategies we’ve seen from various companies on the Marketplace.  They’ve always really offered these crazy prices for a one-time shot at DLC.  I’ve always felt like a company who intended to consistently support a title should make a way for its fans to obtain all of the content without 800-1600 dips in their wallets everytime.

THQ it seems like is the first company that is making any sense of downloadable content for fans.  With Fax Axxess you pay a one-time anticipated cost of 800 Microsoft Points and get treated to select downloadable content for the life of Smackdown vs Raw 2011.  Or you can pay individual prices of 560 Microsoft Points for each little thing that they release.  Sounds like a no-brainer right?

I think I’m going Fan Axxess.

The downloadable content will include a number of playable WWE Legends, WWE Superstars and WWE Divas, alternate ring gear, playable arenas, a WWE Superstar Attribute Customizer, instant access to all unlockable content and an in-game badge to recognize the videogame’s biggest supporters.

“The Fan Axxess program for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 offers consumers a very attractive value proposition to significantly enhance the virtual WWE experience,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. “We have some of the most passionate fans in the industry, and we are pleased to offer them an opportunity to access premium gameplay content, customization features and recognition for their loyalty for one price point.”

The first downloadable content package for Fan Axxess, currently scheduled for release this holiday season, will include WWE Legends British Bulldog and Lex Luger; WWE Superstars Wade Barrett^(TM), David Otunga^(TM) and Justin Gabriel^(TM); WWE Diva Layla^(R); alternate ring gear for WWE Superstars Shawn Michaels^(R) and Shad^(R); and a playable WWE NXT^(TM) arena.

The second package is coming early 2011 and will include more.