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Introduction

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, dyin’ time’s here! The first expansion to the roleplaying shooter Borderlands introduced the Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, a healthy helping of Halloween leftovers that debuted closer to Thanksgiving. The ample serving of new enemies, new locations, and new storyline was enough for one or more bounty hunters to tackle. The new content, however, is geared a bit more towards group play.
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In a previous article it was mentioned that Gearbox might have let it slip that the second DLC to their roleplaying shooter was already formulated. It was rumored that the new content for Borderlands would deal primarily with the arena battles that only briefly appeared during the initial story arc. That rumor has now been confirmed by Gearbox itself.

According to Jon Hemingway, Gearbox’s designer for the new content, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot consists of jumping into three new Riot Mode arenas and beating back waves of enemies in conventional shoot-em-up fashion…at first. Then Moxxi steps in with her “Maxims” that stipulate wacky variations that completely change the game, like a “Vampire Rule” that drains your character’s health, but refills it after a kill. Another Maxim by the name of “Shotgun Challenge” boosts the titular gun’s damage while other firearms’ lethality is lessened.

The trophies listed in the earlier article had mentioned small and big tournaments. Hemingway proposed that the small tournaments would take approximately an hour to finish, whereas the bigger, more challenging tournaments would require a whopping six hours or so of playtime. What’s even more rigorous is that progress cannot be saved intermittently, but you can walk away for a breather and come back to it.

Also in this expansion comes the answer to many prayers, to be sure. A bank feature was vaguely mentioned, providing more storage for Pandoran packrats. Instead of SDU, how about skill points? Players can become even stronger, unlocking two more skill points through quests.

Much like Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, the new DLC carries a $10 pricetag, and it is due to hit the Xbox 360 on December 29th. Gather up the Christmas card cash and call a few friends, boys and girls…dyin’ time’s here.

Introduction:
Last week while everyone was focusing on how they would digest all that turkey, Gearbox said thanks by revisiting Halloween in the first DLC for Borderlands. The expansion, entitled “The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned,” continued with the frantic tempo established in Borderlands. Inviting Vault-hunters to pick up their guns and shake off that Pandoran dust, the new content sets hordes of zombies against the treasure hunters as they get to the bottom of what happened to the once industrious Jakob’s Cove.

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GameStop’s Paul Raines is reported to have indicated that the video game retailer should be selling downloadable content (DLC) in-store as early as next year. Instead of engaging in the conventional method of purchasing the DLC through home consoles’ online networks, GameStop will present an alternative option. This option will allow the consumer to purchase the DLC and game disc at the same time, making the new content available once the buyer next goes online with his or her console.

Point Lookout is available now on your Xbox 360 Marketplace.  If you are unsure of what this is, it is the fourth DLC for one of the best RPGs released in 2008.  A trailer for it is here and you can read our review of the game here.

Game on!

“Gears of War® 2” Enlists 5 Million Recruits Worldwide; “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” Launches July 28 Unleashing All-New Campaign and Multiplayer Content
Global entertainment phenomenon launches a new assault at retail stores and Xbox LIVE this summer

“Gears of War 2,” the entertainment blockbuster of 2008, has surpassed 5 million copies sold worldwide, and the overall “Gears of War” franchise unit sales have eclipsed the 11 million unit mark. The momentum doesn’t stop there – to commemorate these milestones, Microsoft Game Studios and Epic Games will unleash the “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection,” a value-packed compilation that combines all previous “Gears of War 2” Game Add-ons with brand new multiplayer and campaign content. Available only at retail, the new collection invades store shelves worldwide on July 28 for $19.99/£14.99/€19.99.

Included in the “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” is the “Gears of War 2: Dark Corners” Game Add-on, which features seven new multiplayer maps and a deleted campaign chapter titled “Road to Ruin.” In “Road to Ruin,” Marcus and Dom return to the Locust Hollow in a scene that can be played two ways, guns blazing or in all-new stealth mode.

The seven new multiplayer maps in the “Gears of War 2: Dark Corners” Game Add-on are:

Allfathers Garden: Honor the sacred grounds of the Coalition founders in this explosive map, where powerful weapons catalyze fast and furious action at this COG landmark.
Memorial: Set near the Eternal Flame, which pays tribute to the fallen soldiers on the battlefield, a hard-fought battle ensues at the Tomb of Unknowns. Putting their flank formation and evasive skills to the test, players will fight to control the Boomshot.
Sanctuary: Once a peaceful ground for reflection and remembrance, all that remains of the Sanctuary is the chill of death. Feast your eyes on the arsenal of weapons available as you make your way through the tight paths and blind corners of the Locust-damaged temple corridors.

War Machine: In the abandoned train station that once served as a hub for travel, players will need to master the Longshot, Mulcher and Boomshot weapons to advance the fight while evading fire from the platforms above.
Highway: Take the fight deep into the Locust Hollow in the complex passages of this underground highway system brimming with enemy vermin. Stick together, separate the enemy and have an exit strategy ready or it’ll be a one-way trip.
Way Station: Sitting in limbo between death and “processing” are Locust way stations filled with fallen COG soldiers. Tread lightly and practice patience as it’s better to sacrifice firepower for stealth while navigating this minefield of hidden grenades.
Nowhere: Set in the middle of what was once a destination for weary desert travellers, the land is now barren and devoid of life. Pick off your enemies with the Longshot sniper rifle and make your way to the stairwell with a well-fortified team during this intense firefight.

In addition to the new content, the “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” also contains every “Gears of War 2” Game Add-on released to date, including the classic “Flashback” Map Pack, volatile “Combustible” Map Pack and the winter-themed “Snowblind” Map Pack. Also included is an introduction to “Road to Ruin” from Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski, along with a custom Xbox LIVE theme, collectible “Gears of War 2” poster and a strategy guide. Containing over 3,600 Microsoft Points worth of content, the “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” is an incredible value at $19.99.

Already enjoying the previously released “Gears of War 2” collection of map packs? Available day-and-date with “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” via download from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the “Dark Corners” Game Add-on will be available separately for 1,600 MS Points.

“Gears of War 2” is available exclusively on Xbox 360 and is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB and PEGI 16+. “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” and “Gears of War 2: Dark Corners” will be available in LIVE-enabled regions worldwide, where “Gears of War 2” is available. For more information about “Gears of War 2,” visit GearsofWar.com.

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More mulitplayer goodness AND another single-player mission?  Sign me up!

Game on!

Call of Duty: World at War Map Pack 2 continues to expand the addictive COD multiplayer experience with four exciting new maps. Battle to control the river bridge in Banzai, a bright jungle map featuring a waterfall and hidden caves. In Corrosion, face down your enemy in a shattered train yard, and in Sub Pens wipe the monsoon rain from your eyes as you struggle over a bombed-out submarine base. The Zombies return in Shi No Numa (Zombie Swamp) featuring Perk machines, the deadly new Wunderwaffe DG-2, new Achievements and flaming Hell Hounds.

• Shi No Numa (Zombie Swamp): Keep moving to survive the unending Zombie horde in Shi No Numa, the all new addition to the four player co-op fan favorite. Japanese Zombies rise from the misty swamps and flaming Hell Hounds blaze through the jungle as players struggle to find Perk machines and the deadly new Wunderwaffe DG-2 to stay alive. This new map includes 10 new Achievements.
• Banzai: Deep in the jungles of Japanese controlled territory, battle to control the tall river bridge in Banzai a bright, medium sized jungle map featuring a waterfall, villages and hidden caves well suited for deadly snipers, surprise attacks, and all-out gun battles.
• Corrosion: In Corrosion, face down your enemy in a deteriorated Russian train yard. Sprint under, over and through the shattered pipelines and war-torn train cars in this mid sized map great for full out team combat. Keep your head on a swivel as your enemy could be above or below you!
• Sub Pens: This close-quarter bombed-out Japanese submarine base is littered with live ammunition, breached subs, and idle fighter planes. Wipe the monsoon rains from your eyes and struggle to control key choke points in this tight map designed for exciting and deadly battles.

Keep checking back for updates as we hear more about this new DLC and the growing infection that is Zombie Killing.

Game On!

Enter the simulation pod and embark on one of the greatest military campaigns of the Fallout universe – the liberation of Anchorage, Alaska from its Chinese Communist invaders. Experience harrowing winter combat using Fallout 3’s patented V.A.T.S. targeting system, and employ powerful new equipment like the Gauss Rifle, Chinese Stealth Armor, Winterized T-51b Power Armor, and more. Enlist today, soldier!

Download it here for 800 MS Points.  More screen shots here.

Bizarre Creations has just announced two new DLC packs for PGR4, which will be available for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace on Thursday, February 14th.

• Free Challenge Pack

“Download the new Free PGR 4 Challenge Pack from Bizarre, and you’ll drive the hydrogen-powered 2007 Peugeot Flux, winner of the 2007 Peugeot International Design Competition. Plus, you’ll get two new game modes-one of them the player-requested Tourist Mode, which lets you tool around any city in the game checking out sights with your friends. Or play Free Roam Cat and Mouse, where a slow mouse vehicle must avoid enemy cats. And you add another 10 achievements. Get more racing fun for the best price-free!”

• Premium Challenge Pack

“The Premium PGR 4 Challenge Pack from Bizarre, available for 400 Microsoft(r) Points, gives you seven new cars-the 2008 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept, 2007 Volkswagen Golf GTI W12-650, 2007 Peugeot Flux, 1987 BMW M3 E30 DTM, 2007 Ferrari 430 Scuderia, 2008 Honda S2000 CR, and 2008 Callaway C16 Speedster. You get three new bikes-the 2007 Yamaha YZF-R1, 1995 Aprilia RS 250, and 1998 Aprilia RSV 1000 Tuono R.”

“Plus, new World Challenge Arcade Mode gives you 20 arcade events in 3 themed chapters, including 5 events that can only be done on platinum. In Tourist Mode, get a free ride with friends around any game city. In Free Roam Cat and Mouse, a slow mouse vehicle runs from enemy cats. Ten new achievements fill out the pack.”

Here’s the breakdown for the new game modes:

World Challenge Mode

World Challenge Mode is a new option that appears in the single player menu. It contains 20 arcade events split into 3 themed chapters:

1. Platinum Plus - Arcade chapter that is harder than Platinum difficulty
2. DLC Challenge - Arcade chapter that limits vehicles to the Premium Challenge Pack cars
3. Arcade Challenge - Similar to the shipped Arcade mode

Online Race Modes

Free Roam Cat & Mouse Mode

Played in an open city, Free Roam Cat & Mouse is a team based game where each team has a slow ‘mouse’ vehicle, with the rest of the players in high powered ‘cat’ vehicles. The mouse earns kudos for every 2 seconds it avoids being hit by enemy cats. On being hit by a cat the mouse is ‘wasted’ and can’t earn kudos for set period of time. Cat players get a kudos reward for hitting an enemy mouse and also for defending their own mouse. The team with the most kudos after a time period set by the host wins the event.

Tourist Mode

This is a simple mode our forum users have requested. Players drive round an open city for a period of time determined by the host. The player with the most kudos is determined the ‘winner’, but this is really a sandbox mode where players can drive around looking at the environment and making their own games up. (Source)

Game on!

The first downloadable content for Mass Effect, ‘Bring Down The Sky‘, will be available for download starting March 10th at 2:00AM PST.   This is only the first in a series of DLC packs Bioware has planned for Mass effect. 

“Bring Down the Sky” includes a new uncharted world that introduces the notorious and feared alien race of the Batarians. A Batarian extremist group has 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.

“Bring Down the Sky” contains approximately 90 minutes of heart-pounding action and a new Achievement worth 50 Gamerscore points.

This content pack will run you 400 Marketplace points.  In this author’s opinion, that’s a pretty good deal for five bucks.

Game on!