Late Night Consoling

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  • Gears of War map pack detailed, dated

    [xbox360]

    Microsoft and Epic Games have revealed the details on the upcoming Gears of War map pack, known as Hidden Fronts. Contained within the downloadable pack are four new multiplayer maps: the Kryll-infested Bullet Marsh, Garden--which features a greenhouse packed with toxic fumes--the subterranean processing plant Process and the tunnels of Timgad's Subway.

    Priced at 800 MS Points ($10), the Hidden Fronts multiplayer map pack will be available via Xbox Live Marketplace on Thursday, May 3. Per the agreement between Microsoft and Epic Games outlined earlier in the month, the content will first be sold at a premium but will then become a free download at a later date--September 3, 2007, according to today's announcement.

  • D3 brings Puzzle Quest, 2 more to XBLA

    [xbox360]

    D3Publisher of America (D3PA) has announced three games for Xbox Live Arcade. First up is Infinite Interactive's puzzle-RPG hybrid Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, which garnered critical acclaim after its March release on DS and PSP. Also forthcoming is Load's racer Mad Tracks--said to be inspired by children's pull-back-and-go toy cars--and 21-6's version of Large Animal's RocketBowl--the first XBLA bowling game.

    Described in the press release as "the first of many games" D3PA plans to publish on Xbox Live Arcade, all three titles are expected later this year.

  • Gauntlet II on PSN Thursday

    [ps3]

    Sony Online Entertainment dropped word that Midway's dungeon crawling classic Gauntlet II will arrive on PlayStation Network this Thursday, May 3. Selling for $4.99, the downloadable game features four playable characters and over 100 unique levels, plus online multiplayer and leaderboards.

Misc. Media/Previews

Multi

Devil May Cry 4 (PS3, X360, PC): Screenshots, Artwork, and Movie.

Console Game Of The Evening [Submit Yours!]

Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction for the Xbox. "A guys got in his chopper before I could assasinate him so as the chopper flew over me I pulled out the armour pearcing sniper and killed the pilot by shouting throught the bottom of the helicopter. It then fluttered and fell into the ocean...awesome" (submitted by Dan 101)

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    May 1, 2007 11:11 PM

    [deleted]

    • reply
      May 1, 2007 11:13 PM

      If I had to guess, I'd say that's the point. They sell it first when people care enough to pay for it, once the hype dies down they give it away free to all players so they can keep people playing the MP.

      • reply
        May 1, 2007 11:19 PM

        [deleted]

        • reply
          May 1, 2007 11:35 PM

          $10 is a lot for 4 maps. What did Ubi ship w/ the R6 map pack?

        • reply
          May 1, 2007 11:37 PM

          Yeah the only ones still playing WILL be the hardcore players. Thats why M$ will release that free map pack to try and draw more casual players back in.

          • reply
            May 2, 2007 12:30 AM

            But by then it might be too late, casual players might not care any more and might already have traded in the game for Massgate, Bioshock, Forza 2 or whatever the game of the month happens to be.

            • reply
              May 2, 2007 8:45 AM

              I already don't care. Hows that for casual?

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