Supplemental content designed for applications or operating systems other than the ones a user possesses can create usability issues. For instance, a video game might include an art book in a proprietary file format readable only by a specific image viewer not included in the standard software package. Attempting to access this content without the required software will result in an inability to view or utilize the extra material.
The emergence of downloadable content (DLC) and digital distribution models has increased the prevalence of this issue. Often, developers provide extra features to incentivize purchases, but compatibility isn’t always guaranteed across platforms or software versions. Historically, this has led to customer frustration and a perceived devaluation of the overall product, as promised features become inaccessible.
