What does DLC stand for? In video games it means downloadable content: anything added to a game after its main release that you download separately, such as new levels, story chapters, characters, outfits or weapons. Some DLC is free, and some must be bought.
Before online stores existed, extra content came on a separate disc called an expansion pack. Now it arrives over the internet and installs into the game you already have, which is where the "downloadable" part of the name comes from.
Quick facts
Stands for
Downloadable contentType
Initialism, said D L CUsed in
Video games, game stores, patch notesPlural
DLC or DLCs, both commonCan be
Free or paidOther meanings
Diamond like carbon coating; DesignLights Consortium in lightingRelated terms
What does DLC stand for in gaming?
Each letter is a word: Downloadable Content, with L taken from the "load" part of downloadable. It is a clear example of an initialism that does not use only first letters; read more about that in what is an acronym.
The term covers a wide range of add ons. A store page might list a single costume as DLC, and it might also list a 30 hour story campaign as DLC. What they share is that they are delivered after, or alongside, the base game and are not part of the standard package.
Common types of DLC
| Type | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Expansion | A large chunk of new story, areas and hours of play |
| Story chapter or episode | A shorter piece of plot, released in parts |
| Cosmetic item | Skins, outfits, colors or emotes that change looks, not power |
| Character or map pack | New fighters, racers, levels or multiplayer maps |
| Season pass | A bundle that pays up front for several planned DLC releases |
| Soundtrack or art book | Extras for fans that sit outside the game itself |
Free updates that fix bugs are usually called patches, not DLC, even though you also download them.
How players talk about DLC
- "The base game is great, but the DLC is where the best story is."
- "Is the new map free or paid DLC?"
- "I bought the edition that includes all the DLC."
- "You need to finish the main quest before the DLC unlocks."
- "That outfit is DLC only."
A store listing: "Requires the base game. This DLC adds two new zones and a level cap increase." This tells you the add on will not run by itself and only works if you already own the main game.
Debates around paid DLC
Players and studios do not always agree on DLC. Supporters point out that it pays for continued work on a game, keeps communities active and lets people buy only the extras they want. Critics argue that some games hold back content that could have been in the base release, or push many small paid items. A related term, the microtransaction, refers to small in game purchases, often for cosmetics or currency.
Families who share a console sometimes use parental settings to require approval for any purchase, including DLC. That keeps surprise charges off the bill.
DLC outside of games
Outside gaming, DLC has a couple of unrelated meanings:
- Diamond like carbon: a thin, hard coating on watch cases, knife blades, tools and engine parts. A "DLC coated blade" resists scratches and wear.
- DesignLights Consortium: a group that keeps a list of qualified energy efficient lighting products. A "DLC listed" LED fixture may qualify for utility rebates.
On a gaming forum or console store, though, DLC nearly always means downloadable content.
Saying and writing DLC
Say each letter: "D L C." Use capitals and no periods. Many players treat DLC as a mass noun, like "content" itself ("lots of DLC"), but DLCs is also common when counting separate packs ("three DLCs"). Use a before it, since the letter name dee opens with a consonant: "a DLC pack." Fans of game made worlds may also like UGC, content made by players themselves. For more letters from the screen and the web, browse tech acronyms.
Questions people ask
What does DLC mean in a game?
It means downloadable content, extra material you add to a game after getting the main version. It can be free or paid.
Is DLC free?
Sometimes. Studios release some DLC at no cost, such as holiday events or new maps, and charge for others, like large expansions.
Do I need the base game to play DLC?
Almost always. Most DLC only works with the main game installed, and the store page will say "requires the base game" when that is true.
What is the difference between DLC and an expansion?
An expansion is one kind of DLC, usually the biggest kind. DLC is the broader term that also covers small items like outfits.
What does DLC mean on a knife or watch?
There it stands for diamond like carbon, a hard, dark coating that protects the metal from scratches and wear.