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Gears of War 2 celebrates new DLC with week of double XP
Listen up, COG soldiers! That new 'All Fronts' and 'Dark Corners' DLC isn't the only new development in the war against the Locust, as command has revealed that Gears of War 2 players will receive double XP all week long. This boost in our supply of experience points will be available to all fighting on the Dark Corners public playlist front, as well as in public and private horde skirmishes. You should already see a boost in your supply of XP and HQ has determined that this abundance of points should last us until August 3, so use them wisely. Now get out there and scratch some grubs!
Gears of War 2 'All Fronts' retail compilation on July 28
Gears of War 2 has done tremendously well, with Epic announcing that the game has sold over 5 million copies. So, how does a company celebrate such a milestone? Enter the "All Fronts" compilation, a $19.99 (£14.99/€19.99 for our European brethren) retail expansion that includes all of the game's previously released DLC map packs (Flashback, Combustible, and Snowblind) plus something new. Epic will also mix in "Dark Corners," a pack that includes seven new multiplayer maps and a deleted campaign chapter called "Road to Ruin." "Road to Ruin" sees Marcus and Dom teaming up again to go into the Hollow and take down some more Locust. What's interesting is that the press release mentions two ways to play this scenario: "guns blazing or in all-new stealth mode." Curious, indeed!The retail-only package will also provide more purchasing incentive in a custom Live theme, poster, strategy guide, and an introductory video by Cliff Bleszinski. The Dark Corners content will also be available separately, directly through Xbox Live for 1600 ($20) for those of us who already own the previously released DLC (where's our discount for being loyal?). Head past the break for a summary of the new maps from the press release.%Gallery-51731%
Gears of War 2 'Flashback' maps now on XBLM
If you bought Gears of War 2 new (and don't live in regions unsupported by Live), you can stop reading now. If you picked it up used, you didn't get a free voucher code for the Flashback Map Pack -- a set of five Gears of War multiplayer levels given face-lifts for Gears 2, which can now be downloaded from the Xbox Live Marketplace for 400 ($5).Think of those five bucks as Microsoft slapping you ever-so-lightly on the wrist for turning to the vile second-hand games market for your jollies. Then again, you might want to wait until Epic has ironed out all of the multiplayer kinks from Gears 2 before investing in more maps.[Thanks, Alex]
Consumer report: Gears of War 2 Combustible Map Pack
click to embiggen Generally, DLC is an honest and reasonable way to expand the longevity of a title. But "A": Gears of War 2 is barely a month old. Who's thinking about longevity at this point? (Hint: the one guy whose job is to see the future -- and no one else.) And "B": The game has sold more than 3 million copies. Is it reasonable to assume Epic is posing above a curbed-stomped economy? (Yeah, at least Cliff is.) So this brings us to "C": Being honest. Three new maps that didn't quite make the deadline for last month's "re-emergence" day? Three new maps for 800 ($10)? Is that good business? Is that the holiday spirit? Maybe it's us. Maybe we're the ones feeling Scroogey with our wallets. But how can Epic and Microsoft try to sell us more maps when online matchmaking is still broken? We suggest you preview the Combustible Map Pack before you buy. There's an image gallery below, and map descriptions and a video preview after the break. Let us know what you decide.%Gallery-39355%
Gears of War 2 Combustible Map Pack available 3AM ET tonight
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Gears_of_War_2_Combustible_Map_Pack_available_3AM_ET_tonight'; This just in from the Spike VGA Awards: Gears of War 2 Combustible map pack, which includes Flood, Gold Rush and Fuel Station, will be available tonight at 3AM ET. No price mentioned. Now back to the liveblog ... Update: According to a source speaking to X3F, the map pack will be 800 points / $10. Gallery: Gears of War 2 - Imulsion Map DLC
