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Fallout 3: New Operation Anchorage screens to whet your Rad-free appetite
Today, three new shots of the upcoming Operation Anchorage DLC for Fallout 3 were released today and while they aren't nearly as exciting as the last batch of screens we're chomping at the bit to get our hands on the content. Landing exclusively on the Xbox 360 and PC on January 27, Operation Anchorage is the first of three announced DLC packs for the award-winning role-playing game. It's just around the corner and we have our 800 ($10) ready.%Gallery-42267% Gallery: Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage
Navigon keeps PNDs fresh with downloadable data packs
As if a partnership with Rand McNally wasn't enough, Navigon's giving prospective buyers even more reason to hand over a pinch of their savings. Starting this Spring, Navigon GPS owners will be able to download several new content decks for their devices, including Red Light Camera data, a North American expansion pack, a European map, 3D landmarks and extended POIs. All of the new material will be hosted on the company's Fresh platform, and pricing ranges from $19.99 for each Rand McNally guide to $129.99 for European maps on North American PNDs. Hit up the read link for specifics on each.
Left 4 Dead DLC deets soonish?
Valve will reveal downloadable content for its popular zombie-fueled shooter Left 4 Dead, "shortly." According to a video podcast with Kotaku, Chet Faliszek, one of the game's writers, confirmed that the team was looking to add Versus functionality to the Dead Air and Death Toll campaigns and to release brand new scenarios. Faliszek also stated that, unlike Team Fortress 2, Valve plans to release DLC for the Xbox 360 and PC at the same time. During the recording, which took place on December 15, Faliszek speculated that DLC news would be releases before Christmas Day but said the announcement could be delayed due to the press team going on vacation. "We'll have an announcement shortly, I don't know exactly when." No pricing details for either platforms were discussed.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in. Via IGN]
Rock Band Weekly: Rock in the cheer with holiday themed DLC
According to Andy Williams, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Well Andy, you probably didn't have to deal with insane parking lot situations at shopping malls, stampeding consumers looking for for a deal and GameStop employees asking us if we want to pre-order that copy of Bratz Ponyz for the Nintendo DS we were looking for. Why would we order that? Clearly it's a gift idea and not a Game of the Year candidate we need to investigate, you up selling drone!* Whoa. Sorry. We get a little hot under the collar shopping for presents. Anyway, Harmonix has announced a special holiday song pack for Rock Band. Releasing on December 23, 2008, are three songs to get you in the spirit of the season and shy away from the bitterness we unfortunately displayed earlier in this post. Barenaked Ladies - "Hanukkah Blessings" Billy Squier - "Christmas is the Time To Say I Love You" The Pretenders - "Blue Christmas" Each track is priced to own at 80MS points a piece or 240MS points for the entire three-song pack. Looking for some holiday tunes, Rock Band has you covered. Videos for each song can be found after the break. *Note: We're just kidding GameStop employees. You know we love you! We know you're just doing your job so you don't get fired. This is what we call, "humor with dramatic effect." Also, we love you Andy Williams and Bratz Ponyz is not a game of the year contender, it was released in 2007.
Take-Two Interactive considering subs and microtransactions for top titles
Subscriptions have been the bread and butter of MMOs since the days of Ultima Online, but subs may be coming to some popular standalone PC titles from Take-Two Interactive, presumably the Grand Theft Auto franchise and BioShock. Brian Crecente of Kotaku reports that "at the BMO Capital Markets conference, Take-Two head honcho Strauss Zelnick seemed very up on the idea of downloadable content, micro-transactions and even... subscriptions." This falls in line with their business model of periodically offering downloadable content to either extend the storyline of a game, or to simply offer varied gameplay experiences. Downloadable content and microtransactions could solve some of the issues game publishers have with their titles being re-sold, allowing them to have a continuous revenue stream, and perhaps dissuading many consumers from reselling that game in the first place. Regular content refreshes could ensure that these games don't go stale and end up relegated to a dusty bookshelf. Zelnick implied that this business model, should it come to be, would likely only affect Take-Two's biggest titles. This implies changes to the business models for Grand Theft Auto and BioShock, although the words "Midnight Club Online" also seem apt. But do you feel that adding the trappings of the MMO business model, namely subs and microtransactions, would enhance your experience with a standalone title, both as a gamer and as a consumer? Are more MMO-like PC games a good thing, or are you more of an MMO purist?
Japanese LBP site shows upcoming DLC
What's on the LittleBigPlanet downloadable content horizon? Week one was fairly minimal for Americans, with two free costumes. Europeans were (mostly) happy to receive a MotorStorm costume and "Rare Week-1" t-shirt in addition to the free space suit and halloween mask. It doesn't stop there, though, and the Japanese LittleBigPlanet site may have revealed what's on the way this week.As you can see in the image above, Japan will receive a total of five new costumes this week. Don't expect the Toro costume (based on the main character from Mainichisshyo) to come westwards. Though there's no reason why we won't see the chameleon, shark, penguin or gorilla costumes hitting the store before long (who knows, maybe even this week). There's also another free costume listed, based on the winner of the European costume design competition. While it still may be early days, don't be surprised to see weekly downloadable content for LittleBigPlanet. Media Molecule are quick to state in interviews that just because the game is released, they haven't stopped working. We look forward to seeing whatever they choose to release to us and at these prices (Rare t-shirt excluded) we can hardly say no, can we?[Thanks Chris]
Valkyria Chronicles DLC heading west in 2009
Valkyria Chronicles is out today! You should really go buy it if you're a fan of strategy RPGs and/or excellent stories. Need another reason? A new post on the PlayStation Blog has confirmed that the downloadable content that was made available in Japan will be translated for western audiences. Both add-on packs will be made available in America and Europe in "early 2009." The DLC involves a new mission and an extra hard skirmish mode. One of these allows you to play as the evil Imperial army invading Gallia and includes new vocals and and new sets of battles. These packs were paid content in Japan so no doubt they'll be the same over here. So even as you play through the lengthy main mission you'll have some new stuff to look forward to early next year. Hopefully Sega will also add trophies at some point too.
Free Marble Blast Ultra DLC coming this Wednesday
In case you missed the announcement conveniently combined with next week's amazing XBLA release on Major Nelson's blog, here's a news tip that is sure to send classic Arcade fans in a frenzy. On Wednesday Marble Blast Ultra will receive free downloadable content. Weeks ago we were tipped to three new achievements that pointed at a MBU map pack and, while not confirmed as of yet, this content may be related. At least we'll be downloading something this Wednesday, amirite?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Rock Band 2 bonus track registration is online
Free. Is there any word half as awesome in the English language? Harmonix agrees and is now accepting redemption codes for the twenty downloadable tracks that were included with the purchase of Rock Band 2 (the code is located on the back of your game manual). Once the registration information is filled out and you receive your confirmation email you get to play the game ... the waiting game that is. Unfortunately this process is only a precursor to the tracks being made available which Harmonix promises will be "in a few weeks." When the tracks are available gamers will automatically receive an email that includes a unique code which is then used to grab the tracks from the Xbox Live Marketplace. The track list for the free content has yet to be released, however, the official Rock Band forums has a possible set list if you're eager to spot possibilities. Regardless of the track list, this could be the best "free thing" ever made available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. You know, unless you count those Nacho Libre gamerpics.
Force Unleashed getting Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan skins, new missions
Star Wars is popular for the multitude of memorable characters yet every decent Star Wars game is based on completely different people within the universe. Sure, The Force Unleashed main character Starkiller is cool but wouldn't it be fun to go all "Force crazy" as Luke Skywalker or Obi-Wan? LucasArts agrees and has announced plans via news release to add new character skins for the main character which will allow gamers to play as Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan, Ki-Adi-Mundi and Kit Fisto. LucasArts also announced plans to release a new mission in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where the Apprentice will learn more about his father and battle his inner demons while navigating through the rubble of a destroyed building. No amount of Jedi Mind Tricks were able to extract the pricing or release details from our contacts at LucasArts. The Force is strong with them. For another image of the re-skinned Apprentice do as the Xbox ads say, jump in.
Red Hot Chili Peppers DLC lights up Xbox Live
As players return to Xbox Live they'll be happy to know new DLC awaits them in Rock Band 2. Available now on the Xbox Live Marketplace is the entire album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Grab the downloadable package for 1,600MS Points or 160MS points per track today via the Marketplace and start rocking. Not familiar with Blood Sugar Sex Magik? RHCP fans will tell you the album, the bands fifth, is widely regarded as the release that put the group in the public eye. Just how popular is it? Blood Sugar Sex Magik has sold a reported 12 million copies worldwide since its release in 1991. Included in the track pack are: "The Power of Equality" "If You Have to Ask" "Breaking the Girl" "Funky Monks" "Suck My Kiss" "I Could Have Lied" "Mellowship Slinky in B Major" "The Righteous & The Wicked" "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" "Under the Bridge" "Naked in the Rain" "Apache Rose Peacock" "The Greeting Song" "My Lovely Man" "Sir Psycho Sexy" "They're Red Hot" Next up, Californication or bust!
Mega Man 9 DLC: You got price gouged!
When Mega Man 9 was first revealed retro-purists tightened up at the waistband nearly exploding with delight. A retro style Mega Man that continues the hyper-realism of the original series? Yes, please. And then Capcom started to let info drop on the downloadable adventure that made fans scratch their heads.Oh, Megs lost the ability to slide and charge even though he's been doing that old trick since Mega Man 3 and Mega Man 4 respectively? Well, we're sure it's a technical issue. Oh, Proto Man is downloadable and he can charge and slide for 160MS points? Crap. Well the content doesn't end there. According the virtual manual that is included with the Wii version of the game set to hit Xbox Live Arcade on October 1, a slew of content is planned, including: difficulty settings, endurance modes and a new time attack stage.Of course each of these premium content packages will cost gamers a small fee. We suppose Capcom wanted to get really old school and create a model in which Mega Man 9 will end up costing about as much as an NES cart did in the 80's. Thanks, Capcom! Retro rules! Check out the listed Wii prices and dates for the Mega Man 9 DLC after the jump. Gallery: Mega Man 9 DLC [via Wii Fanboy]
Proto Man invades Mega Man 9 for a price
Continuing the long standing tradition of annoying customers by announcing (or releasing) downloadable content for a game that hasn't even come out yet, Capcom revealed to GamesRadar that Proto Man will find his way into Mega Man 9 by way of DLC. An additional 160MS Points could net you your very own playable Proto who controls similar to good ol' Megs, other than the fact that he can slide and charge his blasts. Great addition or price gouging? We'll find soon as Mega Man 9 is set to release on October 1.
Double XP, half-price maps invade Modern Warfare this weekend
Attention cyber-soldiers: Infinity Ward has dropped word that the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map pack will be made available for half price (400MS points) this weekend. Attempting to gain popularity for the struggling title, players will also be able to earn Double XP during ranked games beginning September 12, 12AM PDT and running through September 14 at midnight -- the same time-frame for the discounted maps.If you'd like to show your support for a title that barely made a splash during its release downloading the four map package would be a nice start. Infinity Ward needs your help and are even offering Limited Edition Prestige gamerpics for free as yet another bonus. Save a developer. Help this struggling franchise. Oh, wait. We were thinking of Soldier Of Fortune for some reason. Never mind, Modern Warfare sold like a bajillion copies.Ed. Note: Bajillion is SO a word.
Civilization Revolution pack-in DLC available for redemption
Those who purchased Civilization Revolution know the game shipped with a pack-in card with a code to download exclusive content based on their retailer of choice. The only problem is, the content was not available when the game launched. A few days ago the 2K Games Code Redemption site updated to reveal pack-in cards can now be used to download the free pack via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Using the code found packed in with your copy of Civilization Revolution, gamers can get a Marketplace code good for a download of fresh content for the turn-based strategy game. What is the content? Well, that depends where you bought your copy of the game. Jump in to find out.[Thanks, Frosty22]
DS Daily: The other Wi-Fi
While there are lots of DS games that support online multiplayer over the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, there are also many titles that use the service for some other online content. Level sharing is becoming a more common feature, and even downloadable content is available in a few games (though sometimes, it seems to really just be unlockable content). While we know many gamers crave online mutliplayer to extend the fun and replay values of their games, we're finding that these other uses for Nintendo's Wi-Fi can be just as interesting. Sometimes, of course, they're mediocre, but that's par for the proverbial course with any feature. The question is -- do you enjoy these options? Do you remember to use them? Have you unlocked puzzles in Professor Layton and the Curious Village or check out Civilization Revolution's games of the week?
No more DLC planned for My Life as a King
FFCC: My Life as a King's director, Kenichiro Yuji, commented to 1UP that fans of My Life as a King (and fans of spending money on DLC) aren't going to get downloads anytime soon. "All DLC has been available since May 30. That's everything for now, and we have no plans for future DLC at the moment." So much for more downloadable bikini outfits!How many of you have picked up some DLC for My Life as a King? Want more? Could care less?%Gallery-12067%
Guitar Hero III Interscope track pack available this week
Activision has announced yet more downloadable content for Guitar Hero III today. Partnering with Interscope Records, three new tracks will be made available to download this Thursday, August 7th. The songs in question are Flyleaf's "Tina," AFI's "Carcinogen Crush" and a remix of Marilyn Manson's "Putting Holes In Happiness". This is the same song pack that was made available to those who bought the Guitar Hero III soundtrack CD but this time, we assume you have to pay for it. If you're fans of these tracks, then no doubt this is all good news. If not, go play some more Rock Band.
EA snags $90m booty from digital distribution in Q1
When it was introduced to the masses, digital distribution of games and content seemed too crazy to work. Press a few buttons and a game is delivered to me ... legally? Well sunshine, it did work and for EA it worked out really well. During their fiscal Q1 conference call, Electronic Arts announced it has generated over $90 million in revenue through digital distribution. Ostensibly compiled from data of sales via the EA Store and downloadable content on consoles, the $90m shot in the arm accounted for 11% of EA's overall quarterly revenue ($804m in total). To think, if those Battlefield: Bad Company weapons did go for sale EA would make like $90.1m -- because we all have that one friend who would think it was a good idea. And by friend we mean the guy we just deleted from our Friend's List, because that dude's a fool.[via Joystiq]
The Best of The Who available now!
If you feel like the E3 2008 news blitz is getting to you then maybe you just need to rock out for a little while. Thankfully, Harmonix has finally released 'The Best of The Who' compilation -- exclusively thrown together for Rock Band. Released as a replacement for the originally planned album 'Who's Next,' the compilation pack includes such classic tracks as "Baba O'Riley," "Who Are You" and "My Generation." Basically you should stop-drop and roll toward your console and download the album ASAP.The Best of The Who Rock Band Edition (1600 MS points / $20) -- All songs are also sold individually (160 MS Points / $2) "Amazing Journey" "Baba O'Riley" "Behind Blue Eyes" "Eminence Front" "Going Mobile" "Leaving Here" "My Generation" (LIVE) "Real Good Looking Boy" "Sea & Sand" "Summertime Blues" (LIVE) "Who Are You" "Young Man Blues" (LIVE) Videos of the songs can be found after the break.
