New Gears of War maps hit this Thursday
by Justin McElroy 
{ May 1st 2007 at 10:14AM }
For 800 points ($10) you'll get the "Hidden Fronts" pack, which includes "Bullet Marsh" (a Kryll-infested swamp), "Garden" (an overgrown conservatory), "Process" (an Imulsion processing plant) and "Subway" (piece it together). They're not free like Epic wanted right now, but that'll be rectified if you download after Sept. 3, when they'll become a free download, Halo 2 style. So, will you be waiting, or will you be wearing out the places with the rest of us?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Moe @ May 1st 2007 10:21AM
You know what else is hitting on this thursday? CAC! CAC CAC!
Doc @ May 1st 2007 10:24AM
on the bright side at least your not getting some ubi-style tatics of hey give us money and we'll relight a few maps for you shit. At least they are new maps to explore.
Warlord Luthias @ May 1st 2007 10:30AM
I'll wait until September, thanks.
FrankTheCrank @ May 1st 2007 10:25AM
What does 800 points translate to in real money?
Justin McElroy @ May 1st 2007 10:27AM
It's $10 Frank. I've dropped a mention of that in the post.
TxdoHawk @ May 1st 2007 2:42PM
I'm definitely passing. Honestly, I was done with Gears multiplayer as soon as R6 Vegas came out. Awesome co-op but the MP just isn't my bag, not enough variety.
Also: I'll likely be distracted by...Catan!
cwolf267 @ May 1st 2007 10:32AM
So I pay $50 dollars a year for live, and I'm rewarded with being charged for a map pack Epic wanted to release for free?
And don't give me this "They'll be free in September, so if you don't want to pay you can wait." Anybody tried playing GRAW when the map pack came out? You always got an incompatibility error whenever the host had the map pack and you didn't. regardless of whether or not he was playing the old maps.
Alex @ May 1st 2007 10:36AM
I'll wait, I'll be playing RE4 Wii meanwhile
fffunfarm06---xbl @ May 1st 2007 10:37AM
with how many people that are going to get the map, everyone is going to have to get it. epic i love you for at least trying to get it to us free, but it seems like M$ is like EA and wants to nickel and dime us, especially for something that they made millions of dollars off of us from...
i cant complain, 360 pwns ps3.
ZenGaijin @ May 1st 2007 10:40AM
The way I play Gears I should be getting paid for it as is.
Come Thursday after work they will have my $10.
DemonG @ May 1st 2007 10:52AM
Screw that. No one pay for this shit. Not worth it at all.
At Least they didn't charge for Annex. And isn't it the policy that DLC that can be used in Ranked Matches is supposed to be free?
Nice to break your own rules.
Moe @ May 1st 2007 10:43AM
@8 no no you've got it backwards. ps3 pwns 360
robert @ May 1st 2007 10:49AM
see you in september.
i'm not paying for free content... that's just stupid.
Chris @ May 1st 2007 10:52AM
you smell that, smells like a jealous sony fanboy because GoW is a 360 exclusive
CaptNink @ May 1st 2007 11:05AM
I'll be downloading come September; no sooner.
Cryoakira @ May 1st 2007 11:13AM
I know it won't happen, but it would be so good if nobody actually buy the maps and wait until september.
It would be a clear signal to MS & co.
I'm just so fed up with the XBLA which ask us to pay a fee so WE (US players, not MS) can ha ve the right to host the games. In Fact, MS should be paying us for that.
Viridium @ May 1st 2007 11:10AM
I'll at least give MS/Epic credit for letting me know that the content will be free within 4 months. If Ubisoft had let me know that GRAW Chapter 2 would drop its price after X months, I would have waited for that too. As it is now, Ubi can SUCK IT.
September for me.
polly @ May 1st 2007 11:15AM
I'll try and hold off until September, but it's going to be a hard wait, because that Kryll map sounds friggin sweet.
sheppy @ May 1st 2007 11:20AM
Okay, you know what? Here's the deal.
This is four maps (I don't play gears much but last time I tried, I remember six maps), essentially adding a significant amount to the online gameplay portion. This is four maps for $10. This breaks down to $2.50 a map. Maybe I'm just an idiot but I'm not seeing the big ripoff with this one.
I mean, I don't play gears but I don't see how $10 is the "fucking kill them all" rally cry for you people. GH2 packs, yeah. Lumines Live, yeah. Shivering Isles and Horse Armor? Yeah. Tattoo and clothing packs for Saints Row? Yeah. Those I can see the ripoff in. But they are asking you to pay $2.50 a map and, in all honesty, how many hours of gameplay will go into each of these maps? Seriously.
Quit bitching so much.
cwolf267 @ May 1st 2007 11:26AM
It's not the fact that it's $10, it's the fact that they were forced to charge for it.
Ben @ May 1st 2007 11:28AM
I'm def. downloading come Thursday. With the amount of hours GoW has given me, 10 more bucks to extend that playtime is 100% worth it to me.
Ugh @ May 1st 2007 11:30AM
I think it is a fair price, but I'll be waiting. Compared to GH packs, Lumines, Horse Armor, etc, this is a steal. However, I'm just to my breaking point with the whole live deal. WHAT AM I PAYING 50 A YEAR FOR???? Online multiplayer? Um, no. Sony, Nintendo, PC gamers all get that for free. I'm not putting another cent into the XBLM.
Les Doodis @ May 1st 2007 11:30AM
I don't know if I can make it all summer without downloading these. Especially since Mass Effect is supposedly not coming out anytime soon.
Must...hold...out.
sheppy @ May 1st 2007 11:36AM
"It's not the fact that it's $10, it's the fact that they were forced to charge for it."
Welcome to the wonderful world of Publisher/Developer relationships. Nothing new, been around for a while. Get over it.
REP96st @ May 1st 2007 11:38AM
Think about how much it cost THEM to develop these 4 new maps... $10.00, and ya'll CRYING?? LOL, just chill out and get them.
-OR wait till september.... I wont!
Oh, BTW #18 made the most sense.
AZSLIC @ May 1st 2007 12:11PM
Since the last update, cheating has been a concern for me. That coupled with quitters makes the game annying. Aside from that, yeah, I'm getting the maps upon release.
Alex @ May 1st 2007 11:50AM
Les Doodis, Mass Effect is coming out in June, and Too human and Bioshock are supposively coming out in August, so x360 owners, put off your 10 bucks on those games and wait for the free map, MS should stop price gauging us.
Phil @ May 1st 2007 11:59AM
Last time I checked, MS still loses money from the division that xbox is in (could be due to the Zune flop this time though), so yeah, $10 for those who want the maps now doesn't seem like a big deal.
I would have been willing to pay $5, so I will wait until they are free.
MS, you could have made $5 off of me, but $10 is just too much right now. I may change my song later, I don't buy that many games.
hunt2115 @ May 1st 2007 12:14PM
im not joking but a few people on this post are moaning at the cost of xbox live firstly in england i can get it for £20 (year subscription) which is $40 however for that u get a great experience and $40 is nothing to be honest, if u look at the PS3 and Wii online serivces they are complete Bo**ocks ( u pay for wot u get)and anyway anyone with internet on there PC with aol or virgin etc pays £25 a month wot u all moanin about, anyway back to the maps i gonna wait till september as im not really playin gears a lot at the moment
mastafool @ May 1st 2007 1:28PM
I enjoy playing Gears of War. It has it issues, but for the most part, it's alot of fun.
You know whats funny. I wonder how people would react if this $10 deal included Annex and the other 2 free maps. Maybe they shouldn't have released annex and the other 2 maps for free.
(*Imagine, I could see the Joystiq Headline)
New Gears of War DLC: 6 maps and a new game mode for only $10. That's a deal!!!!!
How many posts against this would there be???
Arno @ May 1st 2007 12:30PM
I thought the GoW multiplayer was tired. I wonder sometimes why I subscribe to Live Gold.
Roger @ May 1st 2007 12:38PM
im gonna try to get gears this week. i think ill wait , or maybe the next time i renew live ill get the pack.
Grandmarquee1 @ May 1st 2007 12:39PM
Yeah I'll be waiting and even in Sep. it will be to late for me to care. There's gonna be much better games out at that point in time.
And WTF MS epic has been doing free maps for ever with Unreal and it wasn't just 4 maps here and there.
there was large map packs.
These map pack on live are getting money hungry ridiculous.
gtpunch @ May 1st 2007 12:51PM
Wow, some people around here are tight-fisted. The 360 represents the most advanced complete console experience ever created, with fantastic graphics, solid online play, and dozens of casual and retro arcade games.
To properly experience the 360, an extra several thousand dollars worth of HTDV and audio equipment should be used. You kids in your bedrooms who saved up pocket money for months to buy a Core and hook it up to a crappy old 27" CRT TV should quit whining. You bought into a premium product, and you should expect to pay to support it. It's like hearing a BMW owner whinge about the price of tires- you want a car that's cheap to run, buy a Hyundai.
I'd even rather pay for these maps, on the basis that it'll encourage Epic to go and create even more maps. If you can't afford $10 for something that you're going to spend hours and hours using, go back to playing free flash games.
aylera @ May 1st 2007 12:57PM
"Think about how much it cost THEM to develop these 4 new maps... $10.00, and ya'll CRYING?? LOL, just chill out and get them.
"
You do know that Epic released a psuedo-expansion for Unreal Tournament 2004 that featured new vehicles, new maps, and new characters, all for free ?
After dealing with Epic for years with UT content, this is quite hilarious on Microsoft's part.
Grey Fox @ May 1st 2007 5:19PM
"Wow, some people around here are tight-fisted. The 360 represents the most advanced complete console experience ever created, with fantastic graphics, solid online play, and dozens of casual and retro arcade games.
To properly experience the 360, an extra several thousand dollars worth of HTDV and audio equipment should be used. You kids in your bedrooms who saved up pocket money for months to buy a Core and hook it up to a crappy old 27" CRT TV should quit whining. You bought into a premium product, and you should expect to pay to support it. It's like hearing a BMW owner whinge about the price of tires- you want a car that's cheap to run, buy a Hyundai.
I'd even rather pay for these maps, on the basis that it'll encourage Epic to go and create even more maps. If you can't afford $10 for something that you're going to spend hours and hours using, go back to playing free flash games." By GTPunch
That is the most self centred excuse for supporting premium content. Here's an analogy for you: I have lots of money and many of you don't therefore I have some self appointed right to tell you all I'm better then you because I can afford tons of frivolous purchases. OR you can see that by buying the maps you are supporting the idea that new content should come at a premium and patience is not a virtue. Lets not forget that by putting this stuff out now and dragging their feet on a free release until the school year starts that they are pushing even harder then they did with the Halo 2 Maptacular Map pack which was at a premium for only about 2 months. Fuck this I've got other games to play until then so it can wait.
jlo @ May 8th 2007 8:54PM
$10 for four maps? Remember the days when Quake/Doom/HL/TF/Cstrike maps were free?
Those were the days...
I'll be waiting to get them for free, thank you.
WarcraftAddiction @ May 1st 2007 1:40PM
"You do know that Epic released a psuedo-expansion for Unreal Tournament 2004 that featured new vehicles, new maps, and new characters, all for free ?"
QFT
3cubedminus3squared @ May 1st 2007 1:43PM
I already paid 40$ for the game, I shouldn't have to pay anymore. I'll just wait until Septmeber also.
Ordeith @ May 1st 2007 2:13PM
Live is $40/13 months in the US at most retailers. the only people mentioning $50/year are sony fanbois.
$40/13 months = $3.08/month
Thats less than half the cost of adding Caller ID to your phone.
complete non-issue.
cwolf267 @ May 1st 2007 2:38PM
@38
Really? A 12 month card goes for $50, go back to your 4th period English class and learn how to spell "Fanboy" and go get some math tutoring while you're at it.
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-Live-Month-Gold-Card/dp/B000B9RI00
Mitochondria @ May 1st 2007 3:21PM
You Guys are whinny, did you already forget the free maps and stuff they updated. It's ok, it seems like the the only people paying for the maps are actually good at the game, hopefully I wont have any noobs on my team till September. lol
Shawn O @ May 1st 2007 3:47PM
Question: would people rather pay the $50/year for Live-style connectivity or the $0/year for the PS3 and Nintendo style of online services? I'm not talking about what these services *may* become, but as those services sit today.
Personally I like what that $50 gives me. The patchwork nature of the PS3 online component seems well, rather tacked on.
As far as the maps, $2.50 a map seems like a freaking *STEAL* compared to the ATM's that charge me $2 to $3 to withdraw cash. I also get *a lot* more satisfaction out of a $2.50 map than two tacos from Taco Bell. Hell, I've bought entire albums for $10 that I've listened to a lot less than I'd play 4 maps.
Vidikron @ May 1st 2007 3:48PM
@39
You fail at finding deals on the 12+1 cards. BTW, that card you linked to is actually 13 months. Anyway, you can find deals if you look around. Our local Target was selling original XBox branded Live 12 month cards for $35 (~2.91/month) just last week. These cards work just fine on the 360.
Triforceowner @ May 1st 2007 4:21PM
I usually find a map and mode in a game and stick with it, and some how it doesn't become repetitive. Halo it was Blood Gulch 2 Flag CTF. Gears it is Gridlock Warzone. So I will likely be waiting on this purchase.
Tom @ May 1st 2007 4:34PM
I'll buy the maps, but only if 3 or more of the people on my friends list do the same.
Dave R. @ Jun 7th 2007 4:12PM
hunt2115 - where the heck are you getting your Live subs from?! The going rate in the UK at the moment is £35, and that's after a discount (yes, US readers, that's 70 bucks).
Being in the UK sucks for XBL transactions, too, because our points exchange rate is 30% worse than you lucky US residents (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Points).
On balance I think Epic are suffering somewhat in this deal because of their generosity in the past. I guess aping the Halo 2 map pack deal was a decent compromise. I'll hold back for the time being, and I'll see what sort of response the maps get from my friends and the general community before plonking down my cash.
Jake @ May 1st 2007 4:35PM
Live is under $4 per month and is well worth it compared to PS3's current service. You can't hear the 360 drive noise while playing a game. Gears was game of the year, whether you personally like it or not. PS3 and Wii fanboys need to just let that shit go, seriously. It is in every thread and is basically absurd.
On topic. 4 maps for $10 is a bit upsetting, considering the last two maps and 1 game mode were free. But, they maps seem very unique, with three of them having environments that can kill you and effect gameplay. I'm pretty stoked and willing to pay $10 for these. But, I am a very big Gears fan, still play it anyways, and make 60k a year.
And, the most important point...If you don't like it, don't buy it. Gears is well worth retail the way it is. You losers would bitch less if they didn't come out with any map packs at all? Oh, and publishers make prices, not devs. MS didn't invest a lot of money and take a lot of risks on Gears just to leave money on the table if it actually worked out. Hell, MS is losing money and you are bitching that they are charging for something Atari offered free for a different game on PC 4 years ago? wtf?
Just look at it for what it is. 4 maps for $10. Wait for them to come out, read the reviews, then make a decision based on that. These maps are more for the hardcore Gears fans anyways, to whom they are well worth it. Christ, I hear people here bitching like "Gears and 360 suck anyway what a crock I'd never pay this".
Shut up and let us enjoy our new maps while you fold at home for free.
Ordeith @ May 1st 2007 4:43PM
@39
Really.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16874103030
and Fanboi is the correct spelling when referring to people like you. I am glad you paid too much.
Cheddacheese @ May 1st 2007 4:51PM
STOP YA BISHIN AND COMPLAINING!!! its 4 new maps....800 points...POINTS!!! wow..10 bucks...dude...u dont have anything else to spend it on...GET POINTS and ill see u on there...Gamertag is Cheddacheese