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The Fenix Rises in New Gears 3 DLC Next Month

Justin Carter — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:55:15 +0000

Just a few days ago, Epic put out the Raam’s Shadow DLC for Gears of War 3. But they aren’t done yet. Next month, you can pick up the Fenix Rises Map Pack off the Xbox Live Marketplace. The DLC brings five new maps, four character skins, and a “Re-Up” system that lets you keep ranking up after you hit level 100 for a weapon skin and rank icon color. Here’s what you can expect from the DLC:

Academy (shown) –The lineage of the Fenix family can be traced back along a distinguished line of military officers. Officer training at the Oracle Academy was simply the expected path for Marcus, and he had visited the grounds many times in expectation that he would walk the same path as his ancestors. But it was not to be, and Marcus broke with tradition to be with his best friends Dom and Carlos. Like any number of fine Seran traditions, the Academy is now lost to the invasion of the Locust Horde.
Anvil – The fortress of Anvegad was called Anvil Gate because its impenetrable walls were forged in the fires of war. Huge cannons sat atop
battlements that guarded sprawling walls running the line of the UIR borders. Marcus went there to find Hoffman, and they both thought that Anvil Gate would offer protection from the incoming forces of Locust and Lambent. They were wrong, and little remains other than the ruined shell of a once mighty fortress.
Depths – The excessive opulence of Azura defied all normal reasoning. But Adam Fenix could see the cracks in the veneer of splendor from the moment he
arrived at this underwater processing center. And all that beauty mattered not at all once he was held captive by the Locust. Out of options, he had to find a way to contact Marcus, and finally reveal the truths he’d been keeping to himself for all these many years.
Escalation – Haldane Hall has been the home of the Fenix family for countless generations. But the only history that matters to Marcus’s are his
memories of warm summer evenings spent with his mother, Elain, relaxing in the estate’s gardens. Sadly, all the estate’s history and beauty was lost when the Locust destroyed it in an attempt to kidnap his father.

The Slab – Convicted for insubordination and treason, Marcus was incarcerated in Jacinto Maximum Security Prison. Known as “The Slab,” this
prison is not a correctional facility – it’s a place where Sera’s worst offenders are locked up and forgotten. The inmates are brutal, parole is not an
option, and the average life expectancy is about two years. But that was before the Locust showed up, and what couldn’t get worse, suddenly did. Now your life expectancy there is around two minutes.

Player Skins (for Versus multiplayer and Horde Mode (if COG)

COG

Recruit Clayton – Clayton was born a Gear, grew up a Gear, and on the very day he became eligible, he signed himself up to become the capable, confident, and devoted Gear he’d always known he could be.
Thrashball Cole (Limited Edition) – The Cole Train prefers to take the most direct path to the Locust Horde in any situation. What he lacks in finesse, he makes up in raw energy.

Locust
- Savage Marauder – Locust Marauders were the first to form any sort of organization outside of the Hollow – if their brutal infighting and bloodthirsty raiding parties could truly be called organized.
- Savage Kantus (Limited Edition) (shown) – The Savage Kantus were profoundly impacted by the loss of the Hollow. They have reverted to a primal, shamanistic state, and their battle cries have taken a dark, melancholy turn. Few sounds are as terrifying to human ears.

New Ranking System

After you reach level 100 you can “Re-Up” for another tour of duty in which your experience and rank will be reset, but other things like your TrueSkill rating will remain intact. You can Re-Up three times, and each time you do so you’ll earn a new rank icon color (Bronze, Red, Green, and Gold). Each time you Re-Up after Bronze you’ll get an exclusive weapon skin.
- Re-Up Plasma – Animated flowing plasma in gold
- Re-Up Omen – Shiny, red Omen
- Re-Up Electric – Animated, golden electric shocks

All of this will run you 800 Microsoft Points, but free if you bought the Season Pass. You can expect the map pack to hit January 17, 2012.

Via [Game Informer]

Battlefield 3 ‘Gulf of Oman’ Gameplay Trailer Calls in New Vehicles

Dave Oshry — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:50:20 +0000

Are you ready to head Back to Karkand? I sure as hell am.

In this latest gameplay trailer from EA and DICE, the team shows off the Gulf of Oman map and the new vehicles that are being brought back from Battlefield 2 to help players wreak havoc on the ground and in the air.

Here’s the rundown:

We are bringing back three popular combat vehicles from Battlefield 2 into the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack: The STOVL fighter jet, desert buggy, and one of the APC’s. In this gameplay trailer from the Gulf of Oman map, you can also get a first glimpse of a classified fourth vehicle bound to strike fear into the very hearts of the enemy. Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand is out December 2011 at no extra charge if you own a copy of the Battlefield 3: Limited Edition, or available the same date at $14.99/1200 Microsoft Points.

I swear I just saw a guy driving a Bobcat one minute into that video… what the hell…

For more on Battlefield 3 be sure to check out the RipTen Review.

New DLC Announced for Warhammer 40K: Space Marine

Chris Carlson — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:45:16 +0000

THQ has announced the second downloadable add on for Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. The new DLC will add 3 new maps to Multiplayer, extends the Co-Op Campaign with new Missions and Arenas with the addition of boss fights. And a 100% Free new Multiplayer mode Capture the Flag.

Alongside this add-on content THQ will also be releasing a number of new player skins for sale on the Xbox LIVE, PSN and Steam. You will be able to purchase unique Salamanders, Alpha Legion, Legion of the Damned and Blood Angel skin packs.

Unfortunately, no release date or price were announced. They did however release 2 brand new screenshots for the DLC which you can view below. Enjoy!

New Homefront DLC – Can You Smell What “The Rock” Is Cooking?

Chris Carlson — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:35:30 +0000

THQ has just announced the new map pack “The Rock” for Homefront will be coming soon. The new map pack offers two new maps for Ground Control: Alcatraz and Bridge, as well as two new maps for Team Deathmatch.

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!

The new DLC will be available first on Xbox 360 with PS3 and PC to soon follow after. You won’t pay $15, not even $10, but a low price of $5 (400MSP) for four new maps! Okay, so maybe that sounded like something out of a bad infomercial and my Rock reference wasn’t the greatest. But hey, four new maps for $5? Count me in.

New Trailer For The Black Ops Annihilation Map Pack Drops in From The Jungle

Aaron Alexander — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:48:35 +0000

It only feels like a week or two since the last map pack was released for Black Ops, at least from an outsiders perspective. Sure enough though, another ones on the verge of release for Xbox players tomorrow, and what better way to commemorate the “occasion” with another trailer. Watch away!

The Annihilation Map-Pack will release on Xbox Live for download tomorrow. Does anyone actually like that song? It makes me shudder. If you do, make sure to leave me hate messages in the comment section below.

CoD: Black Ops Annihilation Map Pack Trailer and Screenshots

Bryce Wilson — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:16:35 +0000

Looking for a media blowout on the just announced Annihilation pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops? Well look no further!

RipTen has for your viewing pleasure six awesome new screenshots showcasing the new maps plus an in-depth look at the content featuring commentary from some of the creative geniuses over at Treyarch.

The latest (and possibly final) content pack comes to Xbox LIVE exclusively on June 28th for 1200 MSP.

Crysis 2 Decimation Map Pack Hits Online Stores

Bryce Wilson — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:08:31 +0000

If you’re still playing the forgotten shooter Crysis 2, you’ll be happy to know that EA has continued their post-launch content support with a second map pack including five maps and two new weapons.

After the Retaliation pack, EA and Crytek have now launched the Decimation pack that includes the following five levels:

5th Avenue

Chasm

Plaza

Prism

Apartments

Alongside the five new arenas is a new FY71 Assault Rifle, perfect for destroying masses of enemies, and a smoke grenade, a tool that will no doubt be used for covering large open areas and providing cover.

The Crysis 2 Decimation pack is now available for PC and Xbox 360 through their corresponding in-game stores and will ship for Playstation 3 on the 28th of June, 2011.

EA Announces Free DLC “Outbreak” for Dead Space 2 (Screens)

Matthew Sims — Wed, 25 May 2011 17:45:53 +0000

Yesterday EA announced that the company would be releasing another add-on for the critically acclaimed Dead Space 2. Fans are of course happy with that, but perhaps fans lost their damn minds when it was revealed that the content would be free. That’s right, 100% free.

The new content consists of 2 multiplayer maps entitled The Academy and The Concourse in which you either play as the humans or the necromorphs in the game’s Left 4 Dead-esque multiplayer mode.

The Concourse map will need to traverse through an abandoned mall and map their way to the distress beacon outside. Of course, the necromorphs will seek to make this as difficult as possible.

The Academy map takes place inside of an elementary school located on the Sprawl. The humans must join forces to activate a decontamination pump to win the match and the necromorphs, of course, must try to prevent this in any way possible.

The good news about this DLC is that even if it completely sucks, it’s free. You won’t lose a thing if you download it May 31st. I mean, how could you not?

Black Ops Escalation Pack Dated For PC

Aaron Alexander — Fri, 20 May 2011 06:30:33 +0000

For those of you that are keyboard wielding Call of Duty fans, you’ll be pleased to know that the “Escalation” content pack will be hitting the PC on June 2nd for $14.99 ($13.49 if you pre-order on Steam).

Not only does Escalation feature 4 new multiplayer maps, but it also contains a brand new Zombie map “Call of the Dead” created by the grandfather of Zombie movies himself, George Romero. Still no news regarding the Playstation 3 release of this content, however expect more concrete news when the Playstation Store is back up and running.

Let us know what you think of this latest piece of Black Ops news in the comment section below, and feel free to express your thoughts to me directly via Twitter -@iamaaronalex

Crysis 2: Retaliation DLC Map Pack Out Today

Justin Carter — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:19:34 +0000

So maybe you’ve completed Crysis 2, and have hopped into the multiplayer. And maybe you’re done with all the maps they’ve put out. Luckily for you, Crytek has released the Retaliation DLC pack on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PC for 800 Microsoft Points. A PS3 date is currently unknown, but it’s assumed that it’ll come with one of the PSN Store updates in the near future.

If you want a sneak peek of what you can expect from the four maps, check out the trailer below:

Call of Duty: Black Ops “Escalation” Map Pack Now Available on Xbox Live

Dave Oshry — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:31:44 +0000

This is your friendly reminder that the Escalation map pack for Black Ops is now available on XBL. This has been a public service announcement.

Check out everything we know about Escalation HERE including details, gameplay videos, developer diaries and screens.

Also be sure to tell us if you think this pack was worth the wait and the $$.

Get Some!!

New Video Game Releases 5/2 – 5/8

Garrett Hartman — Sun, 01 May 2011 18:13:46 +0000

Hey, ho…let’s go. Another week brings more releases and despite being out of town ( in Cali this weekend), I’m still here to give you the 411 on what you can expect to be out this week.

Like Superheroes? I do, and the big multiplatform release this week is the Nordic god of thunder Thor in game titled Thor: God of Thunder. If it’s anything like the movie (which is getting great reviews), this might be one to look out for. Unfortunately, movie tie-ins almost always suck.

Anyway, Xbox 360 gamers get their hands on the timed exclusive dlc Call of Duty: Black Ops: Escalation – new zombie map people!! With the return of the PSN, PS3 owners finally get their hands on Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath and Yar’s Revenge plus the new Stacking: The Lost Hobo king. Last, and pretty much least, Hunting season starts this week for Wii owners as Remington Super Slam Hunting: Alaska.

Pick of the Week: Remington Super Slam Hunting: Alaska…kidding. I’ll go with Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath for the second week in a row because it really didn’t have an opportunity to come out last week.

PlayStation 3
MotorStorm Apocalypse
Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath (PSN)
Sniper: Ghost Warrior
Stacking: The Lost Hobo King (PSN)
Thor: God of Thunder
Yar’s Revenge (PSN)

Xbox 360
Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury (XBLA)
Call of Duty: Black Ops: Call of the Dead (XBLA)
Thor: God of Thunder

PC
Fate: The Cursed King

Wii
Remington Super Slam Hunting: Alaska
Thor: God of Thunder

3DS
Thor: God of Thunder

DS
Brainstorm Series: Word Up
Challenge Me: Word Puzzles
Match 3 Madness
Thor: God of Thunder

PSP
Thor: God of Thunder

Five Minutes of CoD: Black Ops ‘Escalation’ Map Pack Gameplay Footage

Bryce Wilson — Sun, 01 May 2011 13:26:11 +0000

For those of you who can’t wait to get your hands on the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops ‘Escalation’ map pack content in a couple of days, the wait might be that little bit harder with five minutes of gameplay footage for your senses to enjoy.

The two videos showcase gameplay from all of the maps in the second post-launch content release for Treyarch‘s latest series installment, and I honestly believe this may be the finest map pack in the series’ history.

Check the videos out below:

New ‘Taste of Escalation’ Black Ops Gameplay Trailer Gives Us Shelter

Bryce Wilson — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 01:04:42 +0000

Treyarch has just released a fresh new gameplay trailer for their upcoming second map pack titled ‘Escalation’.

Aiming to deliver a blockbuster experience for the Call of Duty series, Treyarch recently announced that an all-star cast was recruited for what could possibly be the final map pack for Black Ops.

Featuring gameplay from all the maps (including Call of the Dead), the new trailer also shows off a new weapon that appears to transform Zombies into Federal Agents.

Not to mention everyone’s favorite waiter and Stones song is back!

Check it out below:

Let us know what you think of the trailer in the comments below, or hit me up on Twitter – @DrjftGaming.

Black Ops “Call of the Dead” Stars Buffy, Freddy and Danny Trejo!? Hell Yes.

Bryce Wilson — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:45:45 +0000

For you horror fans out there, the Zombie mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops is no doubt something right up your alley, and with that being said, Activision and Treyarch today announced something that is bound to make every horror fan out there jump for joy.

The upcoming Escalation map pack will see the introduction of a stellar cast of actors including Robert Englund (Freddy), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy), Michael Rooker and Danny Trejo (That Sexy Mexy). The storyline and theme of the next Zombies map is also written by George A. Romero, the king of Zombie films. Romero even makes an undead appearance in the game!

Dave Anthony, the Call of Duty: Black Ops Director over at Treyarch commented on the introduction of Romero and the others, sounding both humbled and excited for the fans;

“This is Treyarch’s tribute to the legendary George Romero, who truly defined the zombie genre and whose incredible work has been such an inspiration to our team. It was an absolute honor to work with such an amazing and talented cast whose passion and energy brought their characters instantly to life. Fans are going to love this.”

If you haven’t seen it already, check out the Xbox 360 video preview (and some sweet screenshots) by clicking here.

Escalation launches May 3rd as an Xbox 360 timed exclusive. Whilst no price has been announced, you could put a firm bet on 1200 Microsoft Points.

Call of Duty: Black Ops ‘Escalation’ Pack Officially Announced!

Bryce Wilson — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:23:06 +0000

Just shy of a week ago you would recall RipTen posting an e-flyer of a previously unannounced second map pack for Activision and Treyarch’s hit shooter “Call of Duty: Black Ops”.

Call of Duty: Black Ops and its millions of players the world over are set to be plunged into five new maps and unique experiences, with Activision and Treyarch delivering Zoo, Convoy, Hotel and Stockpile, plus a new and additional Zombies map titled “Call of the Dead”.

Treyarch Studio Head Mark Lamia commented on the quality of the map pack, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it;

“In crafting the Escalation multiplayer maps – Zoo, Convoy, Hotel and Stockpile – the team developed them to be distinct experiences in their own right, giving players the variety they crave in both setting and gameplay, and I don’t want to spoil any surprises for Zombies fans, but Call of the Dead takes it to a whole new level.”

The Escalation map pack will be launching exclusively on Xbox LIVE, May 3rd. Treyarch will also be heralding in the launch of Escalation with a double experience weekend starting May 6th.

I’m picking this awesome looking content up for sure, but will you be? Let me know in the comments below or via Twitter – @DrjftGaming.

Call of Duty: Black Ops ‘Escalation’ Map Pack Revealed and Dated

Bryce Wilson — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:20:09 +0000

Thanks to an e-flyer being leaked by a major Australian videogames retailer, gamers the world over are in store for a second dose of Black Ops map pack action, this time with the Escalation pack bursting onto the scene.

An e-flyer leaked by GAME Aus confirmed the second Black Ops map pack which is set to include five maps; Zoo, Hotel, Convoy, Stockpile and finally a new Zombie map; Call of the Dead.

Escalation is due for an Xbox 360 timed exclusive launch on May 3rd and will launch on the PC and PSN at later dates.

I’m yet to pick up First Strike, but I’ll definitely be getting this one. Will you?

Let me know in the comments below or via Twitter – @DrjftGaming.

Bungie Will Not Be Releasing Any More Halo Reach Map Packs

Matthew Sims — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:45:42 +0000

Well the headline says it all. Bungie, the company that gave birth to Halo, will not release another Halo Reach map pack. This revelation comes from Bungie’s weekly update and really shouldn’t be too much of a shocker for anyone who has followed the company’s acquisition by Activision.

This is what Bungie had to say on the matter:

We are not building map packs for Halo: Reach and we’re not working on any engine modifications, with code pressed tightly to metal.

Now before you freak out and assume that Reach is going down the shitter and Bungie is leaving the franchise in the dust, the update also said this:

We’re still here supporting Halo: Reach until Microsoft takes the reins. As phases of the transition (which is already underway) unfold we’ll continue to work with Microsoft and 343 Industries to ensure the handoff requires as little brainpower from you as possible, and as we nail down significant dates we’ll hammer home your expectations in kind. Rest assured all sides are working diligently to make sure the transition experience is as awesome as possible.

There ya go, straight from the horse’s mouth. The Defiant map pack. the last map pack, (at least for Bungie’s involvement) drops March 15th.

Call of Duty: Black Ops – First Strike Map Pack Trailer

Matthew Sims — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:10:19 +0000

For those Call of Duty fanatics who can’t wait until February 1st to download the new First Strike Map packs for Black Ops, Treyarch has a new trailer that really shows off the new maps. The 5 maps Kowloon, Stadium, Discovery, Berlin Wall, and Ascension are shown in all their glory and we are shown what looks like real gameplay for the first time. The trailer also shows off new environmental factors like a zip line on Kowloon, and a destructible bridge on Discovery. The fifth map Ascension is shown crawling with zombies and looks to keep the quarters tight and the action frantic.

Check out the new trailer featuring the Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter:

The First Strike Map Pack is available on Xbox 360 February 1st. PC and PS3 dates are yet to be announced.

Call of Duty: Black Ops – ‘First Strike’ Map Pack Preview Trailer

Matthew Sims — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:55:07 +0000

We’re only two weeks away from the release of the first map pack for Treyarch’s blockbuster, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and Activision has released an in-depth trailer that shows where your hard earned $15 is going.

The traditional multiplayer maps: Kowloon, Discovery, Berlin Wall, and Stadium feature more variety than ever before. On Kowloon there is a zipline that allows you to take a shortcut, but leaves you completely vulnerable, and on Discovery there’s a collapsible bridge that will take you down if you don’t watch your step.

There is also a new zombie map called Ascension briefly mentioned but not shown, but with a still a sizable amount of time before the expansion releases, you can bet that you’ll get to see it before it hits the 360 on February 1^st.