Categorizing DLCs can be a bit tricky. Past terms stop being used, new terms are introduced, new ways to deliver content are created, expansions become full sequels, full sequels become DLC, a big DLC becomes an standalone expansion. It's all a bit confusing and subjective.

We have established some objective rules to categorize additional contents, though. Let's go through them and their definitions.

DLC

This is the catch-all term for all official (i.e., not fan-made) contents that expands upon a game.

It's very broad and non-specific and includes everything below.

Expansion

Any large piece of meaningful new contents for a game, regardless of how those contents are packaged and/or distributed. To be considered an expansion, the DLC must require that the player owns the base game.

To mark a game as an Expansion, add a new game to the database, setting the Base game field to the game that is required. You can also go to the DLCs section of the base game and press the Add Expansion button that it will automatically set the Base game field.

In general, expansions will be hidden from listings (such as the Database > Games section or in the Franchise page of a game).

Standalone Expansion

A game that expands on a previous game's systems or contents, but does not require owning the previous game. The important part to know is that a standalone expansion IS NOT DLC, but a different game.

To mark a game as a Standalone Expansion, add a new game to the database, leaving the Base game blank, then add it as a related game to the game it expands upon using the "Standalone Expansion" relation.

Add-on

A small piece of content that you can usually buy piece-by-piece, like extra items, a new character or game mode.

To add an Add-on, go to the DLCs section of an existing game's page, press the Add Add-on button then fill the form with the required information and press the Save button.

Add-on Form Fields

Name (required)

The name of the add-on.

Category (required)

A category that describes the type of content contained in the add-on. You must selection one value from the available choices.

Affects gameplay (required)

Whether the add-on has any influence in the gameplay. Things like characters, items and boosters usually affect the gameplay, while skins, emotes, songs and such don't.

Release Date

The date when the add-on was first made available.

Game Mode

If the add-on is only available in a single game mode, you can mark it here. The game mode must have been previously added to the game for it to show in the available choices.

Description

A more detailed description about the add-on and what it actually does.

Notes

Any other relevant observations that players might be interested to know can be added to this field.

After correctly filling all required fields, the game will be created and you'll be redirected to the game's DLCs page.

Add-on Bundles

Collections of various add-ons sold together. These bundles may vary from store to store.

Sometimes it can be hard to decide if a DLC (such as a season pass) is an expansion or an add-on bundle, and honestly, it can be both, depending on the contents. We expect contributors to rack their brains to their best ability to decide these kinds of conundrums, but if you need some help figuring it out, reach out for other contributors, moderators or admins through our various contact channels listed in our [help page]](/help/).

Add-on Bundle Form Fields

Bundle name (required)

The name of the bundle. Remember to use English only.

Add-ons contained in this bundle (required)

Select the add-ons that this bundle contains in this field. Add-ons must have been previously added to appear in the choices.

Description

A more detailed description about the bundle and the add-ons contained in it.

Notes

Any other relevant observations that players might be interested to know can be added to this field.

After correctly filling all required fields, the game will be created and you'll be redirected to the game's DLCs page.

A note about fan-made content

We currently do not offer many features to mark fan-content.

At the time of writing this article, the only community content we support are fan-games and total-conversion mods, which must be added as separate games then linked to a specific game using the appropriate relation in the "Related Games" section.

There are currently no features to catalogue or track other community contents, such as patches, fixes, tweaks and small mods (but we might be working on something wink wink nudge nudge).