RipTen Videogame Blog » downloadable-content

Fallout: New Vegas Lonesome Road Dated, Plus Two Additional DLC Packs

Chris Carlson — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:00:51 +0000

Bethesda has finally revealed the release date for their fourth downloadable content pack for Fallout: New Vegas. The DLC will be priced at $9.99 (800 MSP) and will be released on September 20th.

“In Lonesome Road you are contacted by the original Courier Six, a man by the name of Ulysses who refused to deliver the Platinum Chip at the start of Fallout: New Vegas. Ulysses promises the answer as to why he didn’t take the job, but only if you make one last journey into the hurricane-swept canyons of the Divide, a landscape torn apart by earthquakes and violent storms. It’s up to you whether you take the job or not.”

Bethesda also announced two additional add-ons, Courier’s Stash and Gun Runners’ Arsenal, which will be available the following week on September 27th.

Courier’s Stash gives players immediate access to four content bundles previously available only through pre-ordering Fallout: New Vegas. The Caravan Pack, Classic Pack, Mercenary Pack and Tribal Pack each offer unique weapons, apparel and aid advantages that will help you throughout your journey. $1.99 (160 MSP)
Gun Runners’ Arsenal increases the range of unique weapons, weapon mods, ammo types and recipes waiting to be uncovered in the vast Mojave Wasteland. $3.99 (320 MSP)

Free Portal 2 DLC Arriving Next Month

Chris Carlson — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:30:10 +0000

Earlier this year Valve announced free DLC across all platforms for Portal 2. Speaking with Kotaku, the company stated the first downloadable content pack for Portal 2 will be released “mid-Septemeber”.

According to Valve‘s Doug Lombardi, “That’s still technically summer”. The download pack is said to offer new test chambers for players, leaderboards, challenge mode for single and multiplayer modes, and more.

The Sims 3 Hidden Spring DLC Announced

Chris Carlson — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:30:45 +0000

EA has announced an all new downloadable world for The Sims 3 slated for later this month. The Sims 3: Hidden Springs will be available exclusively through The Sims 3 store using SimPoints.

This new downloadable add-on will feature new locations, items, Sims, and “a little magic”. Check out some of the first screenshots in the gallery below.

“With a whole new World to inhabit, your Sims will spend time exploring a stunning lakefront, relaxing at a luxury spa or ski lodge, escaping into the woods, and uncovering ancient mysteries at the Museum of Magic and Supernatural all without leaving Hidden Springs. If you’re interested in meeting new Sims, take them to the Redwood Heights Luxury Lodge and mingle with the social elites. If your Sims need to relax then experience true balance and well-being as you watch them bask in the ambiance of the Crystal Solarium Rejuvenating Waters. Once they’re done revitalizing in the healing waters, take your imagination to another dimension of fun by brining your Sim to Fairyfolk Park. Or, take your Sim over to the Silver Zephyr Health Spa to help them acquire world renowned techniques in the fields of health and beauty. In addition to these exciting new locations and activities, a deeper mystery lies within the curious magical properties of Hidden Springs. Discover what mystery is beneath the rejuvenating waters and maybe your Sims wishes just might come true!”

The Sims 3: Hidden Springs launches August 25th for PC and Mac. Unfortunately, no pricing details were revealed.

Homefront The Rock DLC Now Available (Trailer/Screens)

Chris Carlson — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:10:39 +0000

THQ has released the second downloadable content pack for Homefront today. First on Xbox LIVE, The Rock features four new multiplayer maps for 400 MSP ($4.99).

Alcatraz – America’s most infamous prison becomes the site of fierce close-quarters fighting.
Bridge – A combined arms effort to secure the North Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge and surrounding area, large-scale warfare at its best!
Waterway – Wage war atop storefronts and in the streets of the Spillway, where every inch feels like a mile.
Overpass – Battle in a fan-favorite Ground Control space for the first time in Team Deathmatch!

Check out the DLC trailer and screens below!

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Was Originally Intended To Be DLC

Catherine Cai — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 06:00:04 +0000

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (known forthwith as UMvC3 because the original title is just too damned long to type), slated for a November release, was originally intended to be DLC for Marvel vs. Capcom 3.

However, due to unforeseeable circumstances such as the Tohoku earthquake and staff health issues, UMvC3 was changed to a standalone title, at a lower price.

Considering that UMvC3 was meant to be a DLC, the lowered price ought to be somewhere in the $20 range, right? Nope. UMvC3 is going to be released at the “lowered” price of $40. After all, UMvC3 is now a standalone title, which allows Capcom to justify a higher price than a DLC.

Capcom plans on adding some DLCs for UMvC3, such as new costumes and new modes. Still, with the release date being only months away, I wonder if it’s worth paying $40 for some DLCs stacked on top of a DLC.

[Via Andriasang]

Rockstar Reveals Rockstar Pass and a Slew of L.A. Noire DLC

Matthew Sims — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:34:45 +0000

A few days ago, we wrote a story about Rockstar and their intent to release something called a Rockstar Pass. At the time, we had no idea what it was other than to guess it was similar to the Cerberus Network from Mass Effect 2. It turns out that we were correct.

The Rockstar Pass gives players access to “all seven paid DLC” that are planned to come out through July. The Rockstar Pass is available through June 14th for $10, with the price shooting up to $12 thereafter. Here’s all the DLC included, and the price of the DLC should you choose to forgo the Rockstar Pass.

“The Naked City” DLC case – May 31; $4

“A Slip of The Tongue” DLC case – May 31; $4

Broderick Detective Suit and Gun – May 31; $1, includes Sharpshooter Suit and Gun

Sharpshooter Detective Suit and Gun – May 31; $1, includes Broderick Detective Suit and Gun

The Badge Pursuit Challenge – May 31; $2

Chicago Piano Machine Gun (free community unlock) – May 31; Free to everyone

Nicholson Electroplating Disaster” DLC case – June 21; $4

“Reefer Madness” DLC case – July 12; $4

If you factor in the price of purchasing the DLC individually, purchasing the Rockstar Pass is a smart investment saving you $10. If you enjoy L.A. Noire and DLC you can’t really go wrong with the Rockstar Pass. Just be sure to pick it up by June 14th for the special discounted rate. I’m pretty excited for the new DLC and I’m particularly interested in the Reefer Madness case. The Rockstar Pass is available now on PSN and XBL

Portal 2 DLC Inbound This Summer, Free For All!

Bryce Wilson — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 06:37:57 +0000

Following the astounding success of Portal 2 the world over, it was almost a given that Valve would be releasing post-launch content, however it may be coming sooner then first expected.

Update: Here is the official word from Valve:

Portal 2 DLC #1 will offer new test chambers for players, leaderboards, challenge mode for single and multiplayer modes, and more.

Targeted for release this summer, Portal 2 DLC #1 will be offered free of charge for the PC, Mac, Xbox 360, and PS3.

During an interview with Valve team members, marketing head Doug Lombardi said, “We will be announcing some DLC for it, so folks can keep a look out for more content coming this summer.”

He also revealed that some details would be arriving about the content saying, “We’ll be putting more details out about that in a week or so. We’ll support that with more videos or more comics.”

Portal 2 has so far received bucket loads of praise, and is currently the number one selling multi-platform title in the world.

Check out the RipTen review of Portal 2 HERE.

Preorder Content Hits Red Dead Redemption As DLC Next Week

Matthew Sims — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:40:34 +0000

Rockstar finally has a concrete date for the anticipated DLC pack that contains the preorder content that was exclusive to those who, well, preordered the game.

The content, which had been set to release earlier, was pushed back due to some “unanticipated technical delays”. The content will finally be available to everyone next week for the low, low price of $.99 or 80 Microsoft points.

Here’s the content that will be included in the pack:

The Deadly Assassin Outfit: John Marston’s Deadly Assassin outfit causes your Dead Eye meter to regenerate at twice the speed. With more Dead Eye, you have more time to place each shot with total accuracy, making you the deadliest gunslinger in any fight.

The Golden Guns Weapon Pack: Available for use in the Red Dead Redemption Single Player story, the player who wields the Golden Guns receives more Fame for each kill. The more Fame you get, the more in-game side missions become available. So there will be more opportunities to duel, more kidnapped townsfolk to rescue and you can bribe lawmen for less.

The War Horse: There are countless horses to be found in the massive world of Red Dead Redemption, but none is stronger, faster or tougher than the War Horse. Whether storming gang hideouts, exploring the wilderness for hidden treasure, or outrunning the law, the War Horse gives gunslingers an advantage in nearly every situation.

Source [VG247]

David Jaffe Weighs In on Downloadable Content Debate

David Oxford — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:38:00 +0000

Downloadable content has been a sticky-subject among gamers since its inception, particularly when it involves money changing hands. And while that alone is able to draw a divide between gamers, things can get really heated if a company is so bold as to release downloadable content on the same day a game is to arrive in stores.

Recently, Eat Sleep Play founder and God of War/Twisted Metal designer David Jaffe carried out a lengthy discussion with some fans on how he perceives the matter, including his thoughts on when it is justified and when it’s not, or whether publishers are “lazy and greedy” for releasing it on Day One.

This debate, of sorts, was carried out in its entirety on Twitter. We are reformatting it slightly for ease of reading; contents, most errors, and the like are unchanged. The person tweeting will be in [brackets].

[@davidscottjaffe] http://bit.ly/9L5sjH I find paragraph 2 and 3 of this write up to be utter horse shit. Man I’m in a cranky mood today! :)

Money’s worth is great. But 60 bucks for 1-2 months worth of entertainment (1 month=30 days!) is a bad deal?!?

ALSO this ‘day 1 DLC = greedy publisher” is such utter horseshit.

[@GweedyJ] Day 1 DLC is utter horseshit my friend

[@Sam_Stone_] @davidscottjaffe I agree with you, but I feel it’s nice when publishers/developers go out of their way to give you value. look at the following that Valve has for PC gamers, they go out of their way to treat the customer well.

[@davidscottjaffe] @GweedyJ As I always say, it’s about value for money. U R owed $60 worth of entertainment. If I have another $10 worth of entertainment ready to go on the same day, that really has nothing to do with you. As long at the $60 game u bought makes you happy and taken care of.

[@davidscottjaffe] .@Sam_Stone_ I am ALL ABOUT treating the customer well. You should feel like a fucking king for your $60. No doubt. BUT if I have more I want to sell outside of that $60 experience- whenever I want to sell it- that is NOT greed. Gamers R not owed EVERYTHING we have just cause they WANT it.

[@GweedyJ] @davidscottjaffe Day 1 DLC tells me yr not confident enough in yr product & R just looking 4 easy $$. No offense 2 U just my feelings

[@ZoopSoul] @davidscottjaffe DLC IS a statement of greed in most instances. I feel like I’m not receiving the full game for my $64. Examples: AC2 removed two full chapters scheduled for the disc. It makes the purchaser feel like they aren’t getting total package. Mass Effect 2 promised loads of free DLC with new purchase; two 30 min pieces were free, several $7 DLCs released after. Simply put, it feels like nickel and diming. Furthermore, I have yet to buy a piece of DLC I’ve thought was worth the $$$.

[@davidscottjaffe] .@ZoopSoul Right but in that case you have a valid issue about not feelin u got your $60 worth. That is a GREAT thing 2B pissed about. But that has NOTHING to do with selling DLC day 1. They are 2 totally separate things, or they SHOULD be.

.@GweedyJ Well to be fair, you feel that way because the industry has made you feel that way. And that is unfortunate. But that is more of an issue with specific publishers taking advantage of customers versus an issue with the DLC system.

[@GweedyJ] @davidscottjaffe thats a very good point. I would not mind day 1 dlc done right.

[@Matty1209] @davidscottjaffe I’m not bothered about DLC as long as it isn’t an unlock key and it’s already on disk but if they were on your tray and they wont allow you it untill you pay extra is cheeky :)

[@davidscottjaffe] .@Matty1209 I got not issues with that either. All I care about is ‘did we take amazing care of you for the money you paid’.

[@Sam_Stone_] @davidscottjaffe I mostly agree with you for sure, and just know that if TM has I’m probably going to buy it.

[@GweedyJ] @davidscottjaffe Already on disc DLC is horrible. When i pay money for something i want all of it not most of it.

[@davidscottjaffe] RT @doboworth You don’t demand for more fries for free in McD’s as they are already made JAFFE: Best argument ever! Genius sir!

[@cmabbott] @davidscottjaffe as a game designer, do you ever get irritated/pissed off with the sense of entitlement that (most) gamers have?

[@davidscottjaffe] .@cmabbott Yes. People’s sense of entitlement drives me up the fucking wall. The line between demanding value for your $ (good) and being a greedy asshole is a pretty thick line. And yet people seem to have a hard time telling the diff between the 2.

[@brenden77] @davidscottjaffe @doboworth and as such when that fry container isnt quite full, you wish they would have put a little more in there.

[@davidscottjaffe] .@brenden77 But that is a DIFFERENT issue. If you don’t get enough fries for your money first go around, that’s a real problem.

.@SamRosenthalI agree 75% of the games out there are not worth 60 bucks. SOME tho are worth 500 bucks in terms of playtime.

[@Xenokai] @davidscottjaffe “long as my bills are paid and i can take care of my family id do it for free” U said this once. Just wondering wht changd?

[@davidscottjaffe] .@Xenokai NOTHING changed. But my desire to do my job for almost free does not mean gamers should get games for free. 2 different issues.

[@Xenokai] @davidscottjaffe Wasnt sayng gamrs should get FREE games, i understand buying used games = no dev support, just seemed like ur outlook chngd

And that’s pretty much it. That said, do you agree or disagree with any of the points Jaffe (or anyone else) made? Has anything changed your mind after reading this? Feel free to sound off below.

Crackdown 2 Developer Talks Criticism and DLC

David Oxford — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:37:27 +0000

Crackdown 2 was finally released yesterday (want to know what we thought? Then click here), and thanks to the game’s list of Achievements, there is already buzz spreading about premium downloadable content packages called “Toy Box” and “Deluge.”

Eurogamer (via Destructoid) reports:

The description for one locked goodie reads “(Toy Box Add-on only) Complete ‘Fly Swat’,” presumably referring to an Achievement, while the adjacent one says “(Toy Box Add-on only) Thank you for buying!”

Then there’s “(Deluge Add-on only) Complete ’15 Minutes Of Maim’,” presumably another Achievement, and “(Deluge Add-on only) Thank you for buying!”

Xbox360Achievements.org says that the rewards for unlocking those Achievements are a green Agent suit, a green helmet, a PVP suit, and a PVP helmet, respectively.

At MTV Multiplayer, Ruffian’s Crackdown 2 Producer, James Cope, took the time to address the downloadable content situation, as well as a few other items.

On the subject of DLC, he confirmed the above reports, though the packages seem to be “tentatively titled.” Toy Box will come first, and brings with it new gadgets, vehicles, and the “Keys To The City” debug mode. This allows players the ability to “spawn in any object they want, gain even more powerful abilities, and generally just mess around.”

Deluge, on the other hand, is focused on changing how people play. Says Cope:

“We’re looking at new game modes to expand the play, rather than say, ‘Here’s some new map packs for the game you’ve already got,’ which I don’t think it great value from a consumer’s perspective. We’re aiming at having a completely new way to play the game you’ve already got. I think people are much more appreciative of that.”

Beyond that, Cope remained mum on the DLC subject, leaving the time frame of its availability subject to speculation.

On another topic, Crackdown 2 has been subject to criticism regarding how similar it feels to the original game. Part of that is due to the return to the setting of the first game, Pacific City, and the reason for that is all a matter of time: whereas Realtime Worlds had five years to develop the original, Ruffian was given a mere 18 months to produce a triple-A title.

“The timescale aspect did factor into that decision. At the beginning of the project we thought, Ok, there’s potentially some effort savings here and we can focus that time in places where we can expand upon the gameplay. The gameplay always won out in those decisions. Did it work? It’s arguable.”

Cope does dispute the idea that it’s the same city all over again, citing that it is a “complete evolution” of what came before. However, he is understanding of the consumer perspective as well:

“As a consumer, I think it’s a fair criticism. With my consumer hat on I would look at it the same way. But for us we see [Pacific City] as a huge positive. It’s something that’s unique to ‘Crackdown,’ people know it, and new fans to the franchise won’t have that baggage, so they’re getting that great big new experience.”

Cope talks more about other issues, including the deliberately duller color palette (part of which will be remedied through DLC), the lack of story, and repetitive missions. You can read his thoughts on those issues in the full article over at MTV Multiplayer.

New Bioshock 2 Protector Trials DLC Incoming and Screenshots

Bryce Wilson — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:07:02 +0000

2K Games recently announced the launch of the newest downloadable content for their award winning title Bioshock 2. Set to put players in the role of a Big Daddy defending his Little Sister against swarms of hyped up ADAM-crazed splicers, it is sure to put players to the ultimate test.

Available for download on August 3rd, this post launch content will give players access to six levels featured in the single player story. Gamers the world over will also have full access to the destructive underwater arsenal of Bishock 2 in order to help them most effectively dispatch their foes. To balance out the new challenge is three new and unique difficulty levels for when the going gets tough. Your reward? 7 new achievements and trophies plus a bunch of never before seen concept art and developer videos.

The big issue is cost though, and the Protector Trials weigh in at a very nice $4.99 USD on the Playstation 3 and 400MSP on the Xbox 360. Check out two screenshots of the upcoming content below;

Skate 3 ‘Hawaiian Dream’ DLC for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360

Bryce Wilson — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:22:34 +0000

The first thought that pops into my head when I think of Hawaii is Kokomo by The Beach Boys, and it isn’t even about Hawaii! So when I heard about the new Skate 3 DLC the first thing I imagined was The Beach Boys dancing in short skirts made of long reeds. I was happy to know that wasn’t going to be the case when Black Box launches the new Skate 3 downloadable content in July, instead we can look forward to huge ramps, long rails and awesome lines.

With the designs and ideas coming from Danny Way, one of the most influencial and renonwned figures in skateboarding, you know it’s going to be great. The video below takes a short look at the new content and at the same time provides a behind the scenes look at Danny Way’s experience with Skate 3. We don’t have a confirmed price as of now, but when we get one we will be sure to let you know.

[Source: x360a]

GTA4 DLC Release Confirmed for Feb. 17th

Dan Landis — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:58:13 +0000

Earlier today, Rockstar confirmed that the much-talked-about downloadable content for Grand Theft Auto IV would be released on February 17, 2009, exclusively for the Xbox 360. The DLC will be titled ‘The Lost and Damned’, and it won’t star Niko Bellic. Details follow.

The DLC will feature a new character named Johnny Klebitz, a member of the gang you’ll likely recognize called ‘The Lost’. Rockstar’s vice president of creative development, Dan Houser, had the following to say:

“Johnny is a very different character than Niko, with a very different background. I can’t go into too much detail on the story, because we try not to give away too much plot before the game is released. But I can say that the story will show you a different side of Liberty City.”

“The story is not directly impacted by decisions you took in the main game, but tons of details and mysteries from the main story get explained, so it will add a lot of color to the main story. We feel like we’ve only scratched the surface in terms of the depth and detail.”

As previously stated, the DLC is expected to hit Live on February 17th of next year. Analysts predict it will end up in the $15-$20 price range. I personally predict that I won’t buy it.

Source: USA Today

Sony Scores Exclusive DLC for Mirror’s Edge

Dan Landis — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:08:35 +0000

PS3 finally gets some exclusive DLC TLC. Sony has entered into an “exclusive marketing agreement” with Mirror’s Edge publisher and evil overlords Electronic Arts to bring downloadable content to the title via PSN. How’d they manage that without the exorbitantly deep pockets of Microsoft?

Sony has also gone on record to squelch rumors that Mirror’s Edge would be a timed exclusive, stating that the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC versions would all release on the same day.

This is one of the things that amuses me about the console wars. People are quick to point the finger at Microsoft’s wallet every time they get something exclusive (mainly because they publicly stated how much they paid for GTA4 content), but they also argue that Sony is above paying for exclusives “because they don’t have to”.

So that begs the question: What did Sony do get exclusive content in Mirror’s Edge? Obviously, they didn’t pay for it, so it must just be that EA loves the PS3 so much that they decided to give them something special. Apparently Microsoft didn’t see Mirror’s Edge as worth the cost to buy the DLC away from Sony… or maybe Microsoft is finally running out of money (not likely).

In actuality, Sony getting exclusive content does not rule out the 360 or PC from getting their own exclusive content, much like the exclusive characters in SoulCalibur IV. I’m still curious what the point of exclusive DLC is anyway, as it doesn’t seem to have made that big of an impact so far.

Sony used to agree with that, but apparently exclusive DLC now has a purpose and is way cool… or maybe they just couldn’t afford GTA4 and Fallout 3. What do you think? Are Sony and Microsoft bidding on exclusives, or do you think perhaps there are some console fans in the development houses themselves putting out content for the system they prefer?

Source: Eurogamer

Bungie Hint At Halo 3 Expansion, Not New Game

Patrick Steen — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:05:15 +0000

After receiving the Edge Award for Interactive Innovation, Halo 3 creators Bungie have thanked the publication via a highly entertaining video. In it there are hints towards a new Halo development, but not a new game as many have been suggesting.

We suspect that when Luke Smith says, “Even though in Halo 3 you finished the fight, it doesn’t necessarily mean the ride’s over,” he is referring to the often teased Halo 3 online expansion. For example, a few weeks ago this was said on Bungie’s very own blog:

While a lot of the changes done this month were backend things that players will never notice, you would be right to think that August’s changes feel very minimal. The reason for this is that we’ve been focused on preparing a larger series of changes to Matchmaking for September. Much larger.

Much, much larger.

No, really. It’s huge. You should see how giddy Luke gets when I talk about the tentative plan.

And even before then “major changes to the Halo 3 Online experience” were teased. Check out the video below.

After the controversy of E3, where Bungie were stopped from making a new game announcement by Microsoft, it seems all they can do is hint and tease. Well, we’re taking notice and we expect to hear more about an online expansion very soon. September maybe…

Image Credit: DeepBlue of Neogaf

Rumor: Metal Gear Super Surprise in December

Dan Landis — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:17:36 +0000

Word on the street is that a super secret special surprise awaits players that have completed Metal Gear Solid 4. Rumor has it that something will unlock in the game come this December. If you’ve beaten the game, you’ll know the relevance of the six-month time frame (no spoilers here, sorry). Kojima has supposedly said that people who pirate the game will miss out on “something special” which further fuels the idea since pirated copies don’t necessarily sync well with PSN. So, what’s the surprise?

Speculation is that an update will occur via PSN that will unlock the mystery of what happens to Snake after the ending of MGS4. Because it’ll occur via PSN, you won’t be able to “cheat” and find out ahead of time what the secret is by changing your PS3′s internal clock. Now the question remains of whether this content will merely be an additional cutscene or if it will actually be playable.

Again, this is just a rumor, but one that is picking up some steam within the Metal Gear community. It could all just be bullshit to make you never want to get rid of your copy of the game, or there really might be some truth to it. After all, you know what they say about Internet rumors…

Source: GameBlog.fr (it’s French, so maybe this is all just a mistranslation)

Mass Effect PC Launching With Free DLC

Roly Reyes — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:40:50 +0000

As you may or may not know, the PC port of Mass Effect has been delayed. It kinda sucks, but at least we have the consolation of further optimization for the PC (if yours can run it, that is). And if that wasn’t enough, we’re being told that those of you that have been holding off until the PC version are going to be rewarded with the awesome Bring Down The Sky DLC pack that was originally announced for the Xbox 360.

It’s not going to be included on your install disk, which is reportedly going to install an insane 12GB worth of data on your HDD. It’ll be available for download in time for the release of the PC game, for free, so long as you’re a registered member of the BioWare community. If we don’t see another delay, expect it on May 28th Stateside and June 6th for our European brethren.

Press release:

First Downloadable Content Free with Mass Effect PC EDMONTON, Alberta—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Leading video game developer BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), has announced that “Bring Down the Sky,” the first piece of downloadable content for the award-winning space epic Mass Effect™, will be available for PC gamers to download free1 of charge when Mass Effect for the PC releases on May 28, 2008 in North America and June 6, 2008 in Europe.

Fully optimized for the PC, “Bring Down the Sky” is the first in a series of planned downloadable content that will further expand the Mass Effect story and universe. It includes a new uncharted world that introduces the deadly Batarian alien race, approximately 90 minutes of new gameplay and an original soundtrack.

Batarian extremists have hijacked a mobile asteroid station in the Asgard system, setting it on a collision course with the nearby colony world of Terra Nova. Only Commander Shepard can save the millions of innocent civilians before the asteroid completes its deadly descent.

Originally released for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, “Bring Down the Sky” has received critical acclaim as one of the “must have” downloadable expansion packs. Mass Effect has also received critical acclaim throughout the world with more than 80 awards including Console Game of the Year and Role-Playing Game of the Year.

The “Bring Down the Sky” downloadable content for PC will be available at the launch of Mass Effect for the PC, and will be free of charge to registered BioWare community members.

Electronic Arts Wants to Take Even More of Your Money

Dan Landis — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:48:04 +0000

After seeing the huge sales of downloadable songs for Guitar Hero III and their very own Rock Band, Electronic Arts had this fantastic idea – offer downloadable soundtracks for all of their games. Read on for why we think this is tremendously stupid.

Guitar Hero III has sold over 5 million songs, while Rock Band fans have downloaded more that 2.5 million. Considering these tracks are priced anywhere from one to two dollars, that adds up to a lot of money, especially for not being a physical product.

EA wants to take the assumed consumer demand for downloadable songs and apply it to their other franchises. No offense to anyone working for EA or to EA in general, but that’s fucking ridiculous.

EA doesn’t seem to realize that people are downloading these songs for Rock Band because the songs themselves are the game. People aren’t getting these songs just to relax and listen to. No one is going to pay a few bucks to hear different songs on the menus while playing Madden.

I would assume that if they offer a new downloadable soundtrack for Madden, for example, that the songs would only be available while playing Madden. EA could, however, have everything slapped together and have one large depository for music in their games — expand the “EA Trax” feature across all of their games.

All of that sounds okay on the surface, maybe, unless you know how to use your console properly and can navigate your way around a computer. I’m not completely savvy when it comes to the PS3′s media features, but the Xbox 360 lets you stream music stored on your hard drive, your computer, or a portable device (even a PSP) while you are playing a game. You can effectively replace any soundtrack to any 360 game with any music that you want.

So tell me, EA, why in the hell would anyone pay the same amount of money to download a song to use exclusively with your games as they would to download a song from something like iTunes and use it anywhere they want? They wouldn’t. That was a rhetorical question.

EA hopes that you just don’t know about these console features so that you easily fall victim to their bullshit. Unfortunately for the world, plenty of people probably will download EA’s soundtracks. NPD surveys suggest that half of PS3 owners and only 30% of 360 owners even know that their consoles are capable of hi-def graphics.

EA reads stats like this and assumes (maybe correctly) that you don’t know what you’re doing. Please don’t be one of those people, and help spread the word. Together we can fight the oppression.

Sorry, EA, but I’m going to have to hit the button on this one.

Source: Reuters

2008: Year of the _____?

Cavin Smith — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:12:38 +0000

Have you had enough of First Person Shooters? It was such a dominant genre this year that it seemed to define what it meant to be “next-gen.” We’re not quite out of the woods yet, but 2008 promises to bring us a more diverse line-up. What games or concepts will characterize the industry as we move into the second generation proper?

It wasn’t that long ago when I considered writing an editorial complaining about the lack of variety in games this generation. Some developers will always be making software outside the norm, so it would’ve been by no means absolute if I’d said “can’t you guys come up with anything else?!”

Let’s face it, First Person Shooters get a lot of attention in a lot of different ways and few games have been fawned over as much lately as HALO 3, Orange Box (Half-Life 2: Episode 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2), Crysis, or Call of Duty 4. Then there’s Unreal Tournament III, Resistance, Timeshift, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, Hellgate: London, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, Red Steel, Shadowrun, Soldier of Fortune Payback, Blacksite: Area 51, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Even, in many ways, the inimitable Bioshock qualifies. Not all are good, but some are great, maybe even “best game ever” material.

So why did we see so many this past year (and before you ask, yes, I’m aware some were technically released in 2006)? Part of the answer might be found in the types of technology they’re pushing, making them great showcases for what new gaming platforms can do.

There were also some hotly anticipated sequels released, with HALO 3 in particular having the “biggest day in entertainment sales ever.” Multiplayer features have also been a big draw, keeping players hooked for the long haul. And, of course, there’s also the socio-political pressure that’s been put on the genre since day one (though, ironically enough, most of the attention has been focused on Manhunt 2, which isn’t a shooter at all).

Taking all of that into account, maybe it was just a perfect storm of sorts — one grand coincidence created by the combination of a strict holiday deadline and finally-finished development times.

But 2008 looks remarkably different with fewer First Person Shooters on the docket. Thinking of the top of my head, only three stand out – Ubisoft’s delayed HAZE, hype-machine Killzone 2, and, well, Duke Nukem Forever (good one, Broussard!). There will unquestionably be others, but it looks like my original fears were unwarranted. I’ll no longer need to be writing that article.

So, with the FPS taking some much needed time off, what other genre will we be sick and tired of by the end of next year?

2008: Year of the Free-Roamer?

It’s a no-brainer that Grand Theft Auto IV is going to rule the gaming scene. Whether it comes out in the Spring (as planned), or in the Fall (as expected), it will serve as the anchor for free-roaming sandbox games to sail into port. Like a ship-load of liquored-up seamen on shore leave, though, we should probably hope they don’t overstay their welcome.

Remember what happened last time? Free-roaming elements shoehorned into every orifice of a game which otherwise might’ve been good, checkpoint races that take you from zero to frustrating inanity in four seconds flat? A redux of this kind of game design without appropriate context built around it would be unfortunate for an industry that really needs to start finding new ideas.

That said, I’ve got a feeling that we’re in for a few tasty treats. Last year’s GTA clone du jour, Saints Row, should be having another go-around. Up against the king itself, this time, the court jester’s got to become the assassin. Or at least some sort of bizzaro-world, evil twin assassin, considering that the more Volition tries to differentiate itself from its inspiration, the closer it seems to come to it.

“Saints Row has a much darker and more sinister story that leads your character down a path of betrayal, revenge, and redemption against the city that left him for dead, although we’ve blended that with the same light-hearted humor from the original.”

That’s from the official announcement press release. Bittersweet story of revenge with cheeky, culture-skewering laughs thrown in to balance out (or sometimes compliment) the wanton bloodshed? Sounds like a crib notes version of Grand Theft Auto to me.

If Volition’s up to the task and rolls out a quality product, though, I don’t think anybody’s willing to complain.

Speaking of inspiration, ’08 should see at least two from the school of Crackdown (and hopefully expanding on its great, but underdeveloped concepts). Prototype comes from the makers of Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, another last-gen free-roamer, and from the recent footage shown at the Spike Video Game Awards, it looks like your character’s super-destructive powers improve the more you use them.

Sucker Punch’s Infamous, of which we’ve seen nothing since E3, also looks to hit next year. Featuring a similarly-endowed avatar, it’s easy to draw comparisons to Prototype, but from what we can glean, it leans more towards a super-hero morality tale. The early trailer seemed to imply that you would do more than just play around in a sandbox, you’d shape it, and that you might have the delightfully villainous ability to destroy man in the process.

Assuming other titles like L.A. Noire and Mercenaries 2 also show up in ’08, sandbox games look poised to, er, rule the sandbox once again.

2008: Year of Game 2.0?

Game 2.0′s a fancy term, but it’s not at all a new concept. The idea that a someone could effectively change, hack, or recombine elements of a game has bred a healthy, if somewhat exclusive modding community. I say “exclusive” because of the technical know-how often needed to produce any worthy results, let alone something other people would actually enjoy fooling around with.

Game 2.0 aims to bring those capabilities down to the average human being, just as Prometheus did with fire. Hopefully no vengeful gods are angered in the process.

Leading the charge is Media Molecule’s Little Big Planet, now firmly locked as a 2008 title. Voraciously cute and brimming with creativity, it puts almost all of the game’s development possibilities in the player’s hands. Levels are completely customizable. If you can do it with physics, you can probably do it in LBP. Likewise, being able to import various stamps and graphics allows you to add your own, unique look to creations.

Often times, though, we don’t know a whole lot about a game’s customization features until later on its development cycle when it becomes a fully fleshed-out concept. It’s tough to say what may or may not come out way in 2008, but this year’s offerings gave us a tease.

HALO 3′s Forge was a great way to appeal to casual modders, stripping away the need to meddle around in screens of code for half a year before quitting, resurrecting your project two weeks later, and then another two weeks later finally telling the whole affair to sod off for good. Plus, we get some really neat things out of it, like Rit Dye’s self-portrait.

And that’s really the spirit of Game 2.0, isn’t it? Flexing your creative muscle and accomplishing things even the original developers would never have conceived?

Some of the other things that have impressed me lately are custom paint jobs. Forza 2′s liveries were a huge hit. Using up to a thousand different shapes, modified for size and color, players have concocted some truly elaborate skins for their cars.

With features like this, Forza becomes just as much a canvas for budding artists as it does a game for car enthusiasts.

Rock Band’s character customization has a similar, if slightly less elaborate, system for creating tattoos to slap on your avatar. Even I was able to construct a basic Pokeball, clearly making my rocker the coolest dude in town.

Ah, and then there’s the unique art of making a complete fool of yourself. Perhaps latching more onto the “unfortunate internet celebrity” bandwagon instead of the “express yourself” bandwagon, Sony’s SingStar lets you record videos of yourself singing like banshee and shuffling back-and-forth as awkwardly as possible in your very own living room! Though it hasn’t hit the US yet (licensing issues, to be sure), the game is beginning to leak out around Europe, and the results couldn’t be more embarassing.

In 2008, modders will continue to mod, but you don’t need to be a coding whiz to participate in the creation of something new. The concept of Game 2.0 is just beginning to hit its stride, dragging every undiscovered genius along with it.

2008: Year of the Downloadable Content?

Not all predictions are hopeful. The DLC model has introduced us to the concept of microtransactions, and we’re bound to see more in the coming years, both good and bad. For every The Godfather cheat in the world, you’ve also got new songs for Rock Band and Guitar Hero.

But if we’re talking about digital distribution in general, then we’re getting some pretty keen stuff through the same channels – fully, downloadable games, many of the “independent developer” persuasion. Highlights of 2007? Everyday Shooter, Super Stardust HD, Gripshift, Warhawk, PixelJunk Racers, High Velocity Bowling, Pac-Man Championship Edition, Bomberman, Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and others. That’s some serious pedigree right there.

Nintendo’s entering the fray next year with WiiWare (Virtual Console aside, of course), which should only push the phenomenon further.

There’s also the hope that we’ll see bigger titles available online, like the aforementioned Warhawk. Older titles are great (VC, Xbox Originals, PS Classics), but new games are even better. Since we know this is the direction that the industry is moving towards in the future (how can we forget about the crazy success of Steam?), I don’t think it would be far-fetched to say we’ll see a lot of DLC in 2008.

2008: What It Probably Won’t Be

Perhaps the most ideal year will be one in which no particular genre or concept will dominate. We’ll all live together in harmony and skip down Candy Cane Lane as unicorns soar overhead dropping rainbow-colored gumdrops straight into our mouths. Then one bold individual will realize that our utopia is a sham and that human nature always has a way of breaking out of its shackles. We’ll suffer through the Great Fluffy Bunny War for a few years before society can be rebuilt, and then a clever author will write a best-selling book about the whole affair.

Or maybe I’m thinking of 2012, when the Mayan calendar ends. Oh well, we’ll deal with that when we get to it.

Something we can’t deny, though, is the entertainment industry’s penchant for taking a good idea and driving it into the ground. That’s the one constant we can depend on.

That said, 2008 probably won’t be the Year of the RPG (FFXIII won’t hit until 2009, or later), it probably won’t be the Year of Waggle (it’s either outlived its welcome or already become so ingrained in our collective gaming consciousness that we won’t think about it so much anymore), and it probably won’t be the Year of Sports Games (bold prediction, I know!).

And, thank the gods, it probably won’t be the Year of the FPS again!

For what it’s worth, I’m banking on my very first pick (Year of the Free-Roamer) to be the right one. What about you, dear readers? What do you think will define the world of gaming in 2008?

Skate To Have No Downloadable Content

Josh Pankratz — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:42:59 +0000

For better or for worse, it looks like downloadable content is here to stay. From horse armor to new car tracks, everyone seems to be cashing in. From a gamer’s standpoint it’s hard not to be concerned by this new industry trend. That’s why this news comes as such a surprise to us.

Knowing EA, we cant help but be skeptical about all of this. Is this a goodwill gesture to the community? Or is it a shifting of resources, so that all available assets are spent working on the inevitable sequel to Skate? Executive Producer Scott Blackwood commented to EGM that they are “not planning any new content for Skate 1″.

“We didn’t want to go back and ask [people] for more money to get more shoes and shirts,” Blackwood said. “That’s not how we wanted to enter this market.”

Is this the beginning of a trend for EA? It’s no secret the company hasn’t had the best track record for staying out of gamers’ wallets. So what’s their angle here? Are they hoping to build positive PR between iterations of the Skate franchise? Or are they beginning the first steps towards compromising with gamers?