The 360 version isn’t as far behind the PS3 version as most people thought.

Apparently, to make up for the lack of user-generated content, Epic has thrown in a few exclusive bits to the Xbox 360 version of Unreal Tournament III. Oh, and the disc will also contain a sneak peek at Gears of War 2.

The 360 version will offer 5 new maps and 2 new characters not available in the PS3 release, as well as the aforementioned split-screen mode. But maybe you knew that already. What you probably didn’t know, however, is that Cliffy Blaznats will also offer some color commentary on an exclusive, as yet unseen video preview of the upcoming Gears of War 2.

Does this make up for the near infinite possibilities of user-generated content like that found on the PS3 version of UT3? Mark Rein, vice president of the world (and Epic Games), had this to say:

“This is a great title and, with two-player split screen support and some very cool new content, Xbox 360 players should be thrilled with this fantastic version of the game.”

I’ll be the judge of how thrilled I am about your game, thanks. UT3 is set to ship July 7th for the Xbox 360, with a review most likely to follow shortly thereafter.

Source

The recent PC update for Team Fortress 2 was a welcome addition to the already excellent gameplay, and it looks like our friends on the Xbox 360 will be able to enjoy the same delights soon enough.

The PC downloadable content included the new game type ‘Payload’: this tasks the attacking team to move a mine cart containing a huge bomb through the level and into the defending teams base, where it goes boom.

According to Valve’s marketing director Doug Lombardi:

We’re looking at bringing the Goldrush and the new achievements and stuff out to the 360. How and when is still sort of being determined, on pricing and that kind of stuff. On the PC it’s sort of wide open, you can release stuff whenever you want. On the console there’s a little bit more of a pathway.

What we’ve been waiting for is until we had a critical mass of new content to put out, so we feel like we’re kind of there now. We’ll probably be making some announcements pretty soon on what will happen with the 360 stuff. I don’t know that–unfortunately I don’t know that any of that will make it to the PS3.

The PC pack also included new maps and the first slew of unlockable weapons, which is sure to change TF2’s gameplay dramatically. Hopefully more news will be rushing towards us for both the 360 and PS3 DLC plans.

Source: Shack News

The makers of Call of Duty 4 are looking for new maps, and they’re going to outsource the job to the unlimited creativity of rabid Call of Duty fans.

They’ve set up a contest looking for the best user created map, with the winner receiving an unspecified prize.

On March 31st, we’re going to be choosing our favorite community made maps and award the map makers of our favorites picks with special prizing and opportunities which we can’t announce just yet but will be in the very near future (probably within a week).

However the clock is ticking to get your map designed, as I said, we’ll be choosing our favorite community made custom multiplayer maps on March 31st.

What will this mysterious prize be? As someone famous once said, “Well, dude, we just don’t know.” Presumably the winner will get to see their creation made available to the masses, which in itself makes this contest worth a shot. But the added prize incentive should have many fans frothing at the mouth. Who knows, maybe the winner will be offered a job?

To find out more please visit Infinity Ward’s website.

One thing’s certain: Infinity Ward has come up with a brilliant way to add new content without doing much work.

A fan of Stranglehold? Well then I have some good news for you. Today Midway have released 10 new Stranglehold maps onto the North American Xbox Live marketplace.

You can now go guns a-blazing from Kowloon Market to the Rooftops of Chicago. Accompanying the new maps, come 21 new online character skins and 10 new achievements stacking up to 250 points.

The bad news?  Even though you get a lot of bang for your buck, it’s $15.  Are Midway going to do well with this pack?  Only time will tell.

As for the PS3 version, these maps are “Coming Soon”, which is understandable since the game released later on this platform.