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Rockstar doles out Grand Theft Auto 5 Stimulus Package starting today
Rockstar has begun dropping $500,000 in cold, hard, digital cash into Grand Theft Auto 5 players' accounts staring today, the studio announced. The money is meant to make up for Grand Theft Auto Online's rocky launch, and it should be applied to the accounts of everyone who played (or tried to play) Online in October. The Stimulus Package was delayed in late October, with Rockstar citing persistent bugs that it wanted to iron out before dropping the money in players' pockets. Now that the Stimulus Package has started deploying, it should reach all eligible players by Friday, November 8.
Grand Theft Auto Online stimulus package update coming next week
Rockstar Games announced that its planned "stimulus package" update for the Grand Theft Auto Online portion of Grand Theft Auto 5 will launch "early next week" for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. As part GTAO's stimulus package, players will receive a half-million GTA$ via two in-game deposits, the first of which will arrive when title update 1.05 hits next week. The update will be followed by the release of the Beach Bum Pack in November, along with a set of Content Creator tools. Next week's update was previously delayed as Rockstar sorted out bugs related to the saving of player progress, which arose as a widespread problem following GTA Online's launch in October.
GTA Online stimulus package delayed, persistent bugs to blame
Grand Theft Auto Online players will not be receiving a $250,000 infusion of virtual cash this week, despite Rockstar announcing such plans only a few days ago. That $250,000 deposit marks the first half of a payout designed to soothe the rage of players after the rocky launch of Grand Theft Auto Online earlier this month. Four days ago Rockstar claimed it would be issuing these piles of virtual cash to players this week. That never came to pass, and now Rockstar has offered another announcement regarding the stimulus package. "We know many of you are anxiously waiting for us to show you the GTA$ Stimulus Package money we announced a couple weeks back," reads the Rockstar Games website. "As mentioned in that post, we of course want to ensure that game progress loss issues are sufficiently sorted before distributing the GTA$ to everyone. We have a few more tweaks and fixes to make in a new title update that will hit sometime next week and then we will distribute the cash." Rockstar has offered no word on when we can expect the newly-delayed payout.
Black Ops 'First Strike' DLC sold 1.4M units in first 24 hours
During an investors call today, Activision announced that 1.4 million copies of Call of Duty: Black Ops' "First Strike" map pack were sold "in the first 24 hours" of its February 1 debut on Xbox Live. At $15 a pop, that's $21 million in gross revenue in a single day -- on a single platform! Notably, Activision Publishing's Eric Hirshberg pointed out that those sales were a "20 percent increase over Modern Warfare 2's 'Stimulus Package DLC'" launch. He added that First Strike, which was also released on PSN and PC in March, "continues to outsell the Stimulus Pack by more than 20 percent." But hey, let's give our old friend the Stimulus Pack a break -- after all, the poor thing had to suffer the full rage of the internet when it became the very first Call of Duty DLC priced at $15! First Strike had it easy.
Modern Warfare 2 DLC half off on Steam this week
First Xbox Live Marketplace, then PSN -- now Steam is offering a fire sale on all Modern Warfare 2 DLC "inventory." Hmm ... that must mean there's a new Call of Duty coming out soon ...
EU sets aside €6.4b for research and innovation grants
For all its foibles, the European Union does fancy itself as quite the progressive supranational body and you need look no further than its gigantic €50.5 billion (to be spent between 2007 and 2013) R&D stimulus program for evidence. Over the next 14 months, the Euro bureau will distribute €6.4 billion to universities, SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and other research organizations that seek to pursue its stated goals. Those include tackling the problems of climate change, the Union's greying population, food and energy source security and sustainability, as well as more generic health and quality of life challenges. The primary goal is stated as "translating research into new technologies, products and services" -- in other words, less vaporware -- though we imagine the biggest justifier for this sizable injection de dinero will be the 165,000 new jobs that it's expected to create. Full PR after the break.
Buy Modern Warfare 2 bundle from Direct2Drive, get Modern Warfare free
Digital distributor Direct2Drive is offering a puzzling offer until August 6: purchase the Modern Warfare 2 bundle (which includes the game and both map packs) for $89.99, and get the original Modern Warfare for free.
GameStop isn't worried about Online Pass
EA and THQ are looking to slow used game sales with the EA Sports Online Pass and THQ's unnamed, similar program for UFC Undisputed 2010 -- codes included with new copies to unlock online play and other features, forcing buyers of used games to pay extra for that access. GameStop, the company who would stand to lose the most from this, doesn't seem upset at all. For one thing, CEO Dan DeMatteo offered a supportive quote in EA's announcement of Online Pass. COO J. Paul Raines explained why GameStop isn't worried about the Online Pass program in an investor conference call. "We support the creation of added downloadable content for popular franchises," he said, "as we see that as extending the life of titles and broadening the base of game players." He went on to explain that the proportion of used game buyers playing games online is low, and that "as it grows, our proprietary models will manage trade and sale pricing to reach margin goals." In other words, if used game sales drop, so will the prices. Raines then compared the Online Pass program to another recent high-profile download, the Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package, which "ave us an opportunity to promote DLC in-store on a popular franchise, and we are pleased with the results." Raines said that GameStop leads in market share on DLC cards, and experienced increased demand for points cards during the Stimulus Package launch. Basically, as long as people don't figure out that they can buy DLC and points from home more easily than from GameStop, the retailer's business is secure.
PSN Tuesday: MW2's Stimulus Package
Welcome to PSN Tuesday. It's time for the Modern Warfare 2 troopers on PlayStation 3 to get their hands on the multi-million selling Stimulus Package. It's available now. ... Wow, you're still here reading? Okay, um, cool! PSP owners can grab Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake or What Did I Do To Deserve This My Lord! 2. Check out the full update after the break. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.) %Gallery-89046%
Joyswag: Modern Warfare 2 'Stimulus Package' DLC
At long last, PS3 owners of Modern Warfare 2 can jump in on the Stimulus Package DLC. The $15 bundle adds five "new" maps, including two returning maps from Call of Duty 4. If you want a chance of scoring a free code from us, you'll want to become a Joystiq fan on Facebook. Here's how to enter: Be sure to join Joystiq's Facebook fan page at facebook.com/Joystiq. Then, leave one comment with your PlayStation Network ID on this Facebook thread. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person. The entry period is now open and will end at 10:00AM ET on Wednesday, May 5. At that time, we will randomly select 10 entries to receive a code to download the Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package DLC (ARV $14.99). Codes will be distributed via Facebook. Please ensure your privacy settings allow for incoming private messages. Codes are only compatible with PS3 and require a copy of Modern Warfare 2 and internet access to redeem. For a list of complete rules, click here.
PSA: Modern Warfare 2 'Stimulus Package' DLC assaults PSN tomorrow
Looking to bolster your map count in Modern Warfare 2? Tomorrow, the Stimulus Package DLC deploys on PSN for $14.99, bringing with it five additional maps -- three brand-new; two return from Modern Warfare. For a quick rundown of the locales straight outta Robert "fourzerotwo" Bowling's mouth, check out his post on the PlayStation Blog. If you haven't managed to scrounge up enough change from under the couch cushions, don't fret: Infinity Ward is also turning on double the XP this week. So, even if you can't afford a stimulus package of new maps, you can at least whet your appetite for delicious experience points. %Gallery-89046%
Modern Warfare 2's Stimulus Package hitting Steam May 4
We know PC gamers probably got their hackles up when Modern Warfare 2's first batch of new content, the "Stimulus Package," was given a release date on the PS3, but not their platform of choice. Don't fret, folks -- the game's Steam listing has been updated, and now includes a May 4 release date for the new content. As a reward for your patience, Steam will even knock $1.50 off the price of the maps for pre-orderers. See? Good things do come to those who wait. [Thanks Daniel!]
Analyst ponders impact of MW2 'Stimulus Package' pricing and success
On IndustryGamers, EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich examines the economic impact of Modern Warfare 2's "Stimulus Package" on consumers, business and the future of DLC. He notes that "as an economist" he's glad a publisher tested the boundaries of DLC pricing, as millions of consumers (around 25 percent of MW2 owners) proved willing to drop $15 on the map pack. He points out that "if consumers deem it unfair for companies to overcharge their products, it is similarly unfair for businesses to unknowingly under-price their products." However, Divnich wonders about the long-term implications of continued high-priced MW2 DLC, should Activision go that route. He suggests that consumers could leave the Call of Duty "circle" for games like Battlefield: Bad Company 2, where the cost for new content over time appears to be lower. He also posits that "consumers could avoid the next iteration of the Call of Duty franchise, since again, cost of dedicated ownership is now much higher." Divnich explains that the current "situation" between Infinity Ward and Activision may cloud core consumer purchases of future DLC and the franchise, as well, compared to if everything had remained -- on the surface, at least -- hunky-dory.
Activision raises Q1 fiscal outlook thanks to WoW, MW2 map pack
Activision Blizzard raised its March quarter sales outlook today, expecting approximately $1.1 billion in revenues. CEO Bobby Kotick noted that the company is doing well due to continued demand for World of Warcraft (naturally) and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. He also stated that the company benefitted from the "record breaking launch" of the Modern Warfare 2 "Stimulus" map pack, which he claimed was originally expected to debut in the June quarter. Kotick remains cautiously optimistic about the next couple of quarters due to the economy and because "the majority" of Activision Blizzard titles aren't expected to launch until autumn. The company plans to announce the financial details of its better-than-expected March quarter on May 6.
Modern Warfare 2 'Stimulus Package' DLC coming to PS3 May 4, worldwide on May 5
If you're a regular reader, you probably already know why we use the word "exclusive" in quotes so often. But if you're not, you might not know that it's because of situations like this, where the Xbox 360 "exclusive" Modern Warfare 2 DLC (a five map pack titled "Stimulus Package") is suddenly announced as heading to PlayStation 3 and PC. In fairness, as detailed by Microsoft to Eurogamer back in January, we already knew this particular exclusivity deal had a built-in expiration date. What we didn't know, however, was an official release date for the PS3 and PC versions. Infinity Ward community man Robert Bowling revealed the May 4 US release date for PSN via Twitter, also detailing a May 5 release date worldwide for PS3s and May 4 for PCs worldwide. Though he doesn't specify, we have to imagine that pricing will remain in line with the content's $15 tag on XBLM. We've followed up with Bowling for clarity's sake and will let you know the solid pricing details as soon as we hear back. %Gallery-89046%
Modern Warfare 2 'Stimulus Package' sells over 2.5M units in a week
Activision announced today that the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 "Stimulus Package" set a new Xbox Live record -- clearly, mapathy had set in. According to Microsoft's figures, the DLC pack was downloaded over one million times in 24 hours, surpassing 2.5 million units within a week. All at $15 a pop. To recap: 2.5 million of you are totally okay with a $15 map pack so, if this happens again, we aren't going to be there to kiss the boo-boo if it's suddenly $20. Just so we're on the same page. %Gallery-89046%
Modern Warfare 2 'Stimulus Package' early adopters rewarded with free week of XBL Gold
If you happened to buy the Modern Warfare 2 "Stimulus Package" map pack immediately upon launch, you got problems first, and maps later. To get over the complications caused by your attempted Mapathy treatment, Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb announced that day-one buyers of the map pack will receive a free week of Gold Xbox Live membership. "Check your Live messages," according to Major Nelson, for notice of the reward. Even if every single person who ever bought the Stimulus Package already has a Gold membership, now you have it for a week longer! And for nothing but a minor inconvenience.
Infinity Ward: Modern Warfare 2 glitches affected 'one percent' of players
CVG had a chat with Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling recently, and surprise surprise, the guy is really good at towing the company line (he'd better be, especially when he's getting confronted with Modern Warfare 2 questions even during random PAX panels about Twitter). He easily fended off questions about whether or not the Stimulus Package's two older maps are worth the $15, the ensuing competition from Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and the supposed backlash from hardcore players, saying that MW2's popularity proves the company has done everything right so far. Bowling was especially dismissive of the glitches that plagued what seemed to be most of the game's players, saying that only "like one per cent of our user base" of 25 million players "experienced those types of things and even participate in those types of things." Could have fooled us -- from our perspective, the frustration over the game's widespread cheating seemed significant. But Bowling persisted throughout the interview. According to him, Modern Warfare 2 is doing just fine, thanks.
PSA: Modern Warfare 2 'Stimulus Package' is live on XBLM, title update coming soon [update]
Your crippling case of "mapathy" can finally be treated, dear Modern Warfare 2 player. Just a few minutes ago, the "Stimulus Package" DLC bundle, which includes three new multiplayer maps and two tarted-up arenas from Call of Duty 4, went live on Xbox 360. At $15, it's a pretty pricey prescription for your blues, but it might just be the only option you've got. Curse you, pharmaceutical empire! Unfortunately, it seems the launch of the new maps was botched -- we've received a number of tips claiming the maps aren't loading in-game. Major Nelson recently Tweeted that the game needs a title update in order to incorporate the new content, which he says is coming soon. We'll let you know when everything's in working order. Update: The Major just confirmed that the title update is live, and should be available worldwide in "a few minutes." %Gallery-89046% [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Modern Warfare 2 'Stimulus Package' DLC in stills
Click to see the heavy rain more clearly Coming March 30 to cure you of that nagging case of Mapathy are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's new (well, mostly) multiplayer maps: Bailout, Crash, Overgrown, Salvage and Storm. Sounding like X-Men monikers, the five DLC levels (two of which, Crash and Overgrown, hail from the original Modern Warfare) that make up the MW2 "Stimulus Package" are going to set you back 1200 ($15). Check out the first screens of them below and Get Stimulated™! %Gallery-89046%
