Editing Expansion pack (section)

{{Short description|Addition to a game}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}

An '''expansion pack''', '''expansion set''', '''supplement''', or simply '''expansion''', is an addition to an existing [[role-playing game]], [[tabletop game]], [[video game]], [[collectible card game]] or [[Miniature wargaming|miniature wargame]]. An expansion may introduce new rules or [[game mechanic]]s that augment the original game and add more variety to playing it. In the case of video games, they typically add new game areas, weapons, objects, characters, adventures or an extended [[Plot (narrative)|storyline]] to an already-released game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is an Expansion Pack? |url=https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/e/expansion-pack.htm |access-date=2023-09-04 |website=www.computerhope.com |language=en}}</ref> 

While board game expansions are typically designed by the original creator, [[video game developer]]s sometimes contract out development of the expansion pack to a third-party company, it may choose to develop the expansion itself, or it may do both.

Board games and tabletop RPGs may have been marketing expansions since the 1970s, and video games have been releasing expansion packs since the 1980s, early examples being the ''[[Dragon Slayer (series)|Dragon Slayer]]'' games ''[[Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu|Xanadu Scenario II]]''<ref name="Xanadu">{{cite web|author=Kurt Kalata|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/xanadu/xanadu.htm|title=Xanadu|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|access-date=2011-03-25}}</ref> and ''[[Sorcerian]]''.<ref>[http://gamecola.net/2010/10/sorcerian-pc/ Sorcerian (PC)], ''GameCola.net'', 30 October 2010</ref> Other terms for the concept are '''module''' and, in certain games' marketing, '''adventure'''.{{Citation needed|reason=This is neither cited nor expanded upon below|date=July 2018}}