What is the difference between DLC, an expansion and a season pass?

They describe additional content sold after release, differing in scale and in what you are buying.

DLC (downloadable content) is the umbrella term for anything added after launch. It ranges enormously:

Cosmetic DLC — skins, outfits, weapon appearances. No gameplay effect.

Small content DLC — a few missions, a map pack, an extra character.

Practical DLC — quality-of-life additions, extra difficulty modes.

An expansion is substantial DLC — historically the term for something approaching a smaller sequel. Expect many hours of new content: a new region or campaign, new mechanics, a raised level cap, new systems. The distinction from DLC is scale rather than kind, and it is not precisely defined — publishers use whichever term markets better.

Historically expansions came on discs and were substantial by necessity; digital distribution made small increments viable, which is what produced the DLC landscape.

A season pass is a purchase commitment, not content itself. You pay up front for content that will be released over a defined period, usually at a discount to buying each piece separately.

The risk is inherent to the model: you are buying something that does not exist yet. You are trusting the publisher's plan, and there is no guarantee of quantity, quality or timing. Season passes have been sold for content that was delayed indefinitely, reduced in scope, or — where a studio closed — never delivered at all.

Distinguish it from a battle pass, which is a seasonal progression track earned through play, not a bundle of future releases.

Other terms:

Deluxe / Ultimate editions bundle the game with a season pass.

Expansion pass — usually the same as a season pass.

Microtransactions are typically small cosmetic or convenience purchases rather than content.

Practical advice: wait for the content to exist before paying for it; check whether an edition bundling everything arrives later at a lower price, which it usually does.