This is crap. Pure and simple crap. Modern Warfare 2’s upcoming map pack is going to cost $15 freaking dollars. $15! For five maps! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?

DLC’s have recently been touted as the future of video games. Developers like them because they can keep adding fresh content to games and the fat cats like them because they bring in more slush money. It’s a win win.

It’s even a win for gamers most of the time because they often share the same feelings as the developers. DLC at least in theory increase the replay value of a game. That’s great and normally these packs are available for around $5 or $10 dollars.

Borderlands is currently on its third DLC with The Secret Armoy of General Knoxx. For $10 players get the chance to beef up their characters an extra 11 levels to 61, drive more vehicles and collect a host of new guns to conquer the new missions. That’s worth $10.

Then there’s the new Modern Warfare 2 map pack. It will costs $15 and comes with five multiplayer maps, two that are recycled from previous games. Of course the fun part here is that online players will likely be forced to purchase the map pack if their favorite game server or buddies upgrade. There might also be new guns, but that’s not the point.

A $15 DLC should come with more than just five multiplayer maps. And if Activision only has five new maps available, then the packs should cost less. This is just clearly another example of Activision gouging gamers. Hopefully other game publishers are taking notes, not of Activision’s tactics, but rather of gamer’s reactions.

Autobots, roll out!

The first batch of DLC for Activision and Luxoflux’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is slated for an August 27 launch for the Xbox 360 (800 MS points) and PS3 ($9.99). The entire DLC list is detailed below but the quick and dirty version is as follows: eight new playable characters, three new character skins, three new multiplayer maps and a “Expert” level for single-player campaign.

Character Info:

• G1 Optimus Prime

• Primary Weapon: Laser Rifle – This weapons functions the same as Movie Optimus’ Dual Laser Rifles, however it has increased damage and slightly increased ROF since there is only one cannon.
• Secondary Weapon: Shell Cannon – Functions the same as Movie Optimus’ Dual Shell Cannons, again with increased damage and ROF to compensate for not dual wielding.
• Melee Weapon: Energy Axe – Just as it was in the original series, Optimus deploys an energy axe to melee his enemies.
• Special Ability: Valiant Leader – Same as Movie Optimus (Damage reduction, retain at least a sliver of health, increased melee damage), but now turns G1 Optimus Gold (a la “The Golden Lagoon”)

• PW: Lightning Gun – Works the same as Movie Megatron.
• SW: Dark Matter Beam – Works the same as Movie Megatron.
• MW: Energy Ball and Chain – Melee weapon from the original G1 series. Crackles with energy.
• SA: Fusion Arm Cannon – Works the same as Movie Megatron.

• PW: Dual Null Rays – Rapid fire weapon with G1 inspired FX and sounds.
• Dual Homing Missiles – Similar to Movie Starscream’s missiles, except you fire two bursts of three at the same time. Damage is lower to compensate for increased missile barrage.
• MW: Fists
• SA: Megatron Blast – A single shot, high damage blast similar to Megatron’s fusion arm cannon. When performed, a transformed G1 Megatron in gun form will pop out of Starscream’s back and charge up, then fire a massive laser blast.

• PW: Dual Null Rays –Same as G1 Starscream’s PW.
• SW: Flamethrowers – Dual Flamethrowers. Will cause sustained damage on enemies as well as overheat their weapons, but you must be very close to be effective with these.
• MW: Fists
• SA: Thermal Wave – Will do a radial blast that will overheat the weapons of any nearby enemies. Great to use in hit and run situations, leaving your enemies overheated and subject to the incoming fire from teammates.

• PW: Slug Repeater – Fast firing machine gun type weapon. Good accuracy and decent range.
• SW: Plasma Crescent Launcher – Boomerang shaped energy missile that will aggressively track to locked on enemies (automatically locks on like the Seeker missiles). Great for taking down air targets.
• MW: Fists – Jazz works with what he’s got.
• SA: Super Speed – Increases Jazz’s movement speed in all forms, allowing for faster travel on foot or in vehicle, and faster melee attacks.

• PW: Pulse Pistols – Rapid fire weapon that shoots big bolts of energy. Not as fast as Jazz’s repeater, but does more damage per shot.
• SW: Proximity Mines – Can plant multiple mines on any surface that will automatically explode when an enemy comes within range. These can be shot directly at enemies so they explode on contact, or can be used to booby trap control points or main areas of combat. Will explode on their own after a certain amount of time or if more mines (above the deployable limit) are fired.
• MW: Arm Blades – Sideways makes use of the dual forearm blades he possess.
• SA: Blade Strike – Single strike, homing melee attack that does high damage. Not a 1 hit kill like Megatron’s Fusion Arm Cannon, but brutally effective none the less.

• PW: Charged Pulse Blast – Charged cannon that does high damage and charges to full power very quickly. Requires skill to use properly, but rewards good aim.
• SW: Sonic Disruptor Waves – Rapid fire sonic energy blasts that do minimal damage, but slow the target down when they are hit continually with this weapon.
• MW: Fists
• SA: Dual Deployables – Depending on his form, SW can deploy one of two different deployables. When his special is used in vehicle form, he will deploy the Jammer Pod which will fly up over the battlefield, and fire down on enemies below, while also cloaking all allies from the enemy’s radar. When his special is used in robot or weapon form, he will deploy the AOE Pod, which will continually smash the ground and damage any enemies who try close in (excellent for defending a control point).

• PW: Ancient Cybetronian Pistol – Energy weapon that fires at a relatively decent rate, but does good damage with each shot.
• SW: Energon Wave Cannon – Similar to Grindor’s Energon wave. When fired a slow moving projectile will impact the nearest object in its path, then turn into a energy shockwave that will travel for a set distance. Anyone caught in the shockwave will take a small amount of damage, but also be stunned until a few seconds pass or they take damage from an enemy. Great for immobilizing large enemy groups on control points.
• MW: Fists
• SA: Radar Scanner – When activated will reveal all nearby enemies on radar for a limited time.

• All weapons and abilities same as Movie Character

• All weapons and abilities same as Movie Character

• All weapons and abilities same as DLC Sideswipe

• All weapons and abilities same as Movie Character (this character is now selectable in certain SP missions)

Map Info:

Courtyard – Fast paced East Coast map that focuses on a heavily contested center action point. This key strategic area allows for views of the entire map as well as control of the high ground surrounding the middle courtyard and its perimeter. Flying characters are able to utilize the open skies and tall skyscrapers to quickly get to advantageous positions, but ground based characters can make use of numerous back alleys to flank around the sides of the map and attack from unprotected angles.

Hillside – A tiered map in a dense urban area of Cairo. Varied height sections on the map make for multiple small arenas of combat, while allowing sneaky players to move throughout the level virtually un-noticed under the cover the surrounding buildings. A central marketplace provides a high point to get views of almost the entire level, but the maze like street layout and numerous buildings mean that you will have to hunt your enemies down in the alleys of this ruined city.

Sandstorm – A very fast paced map that takes place in a smaller section of Cairo. Mostly populated with low level buildings and an open central area, combat on this map is fast and frenetic, with near instantaneous action as there is almost no place to hide. Flying characters can quickly hover above the map for near un-obstructed views of almost the entire map, but this also leaves them vulnerable to ground fire from almost every angle.

Activision and Luxoflux would announce new DLC for T:ROTF on the day my review goes live. D’oh!

Over TEN new multiplayer characters including ultimate fan favorites such as G1 Starscream and movie favorites like Sideswipe.
Three all-new multiplayer maps.
Play new characters in both the Autobot and Decepticon single player campaigns.
New Expert difficulty mode with a fresh set of leaderboards to challenge more experienced gamers in the single-player campaigns.
New Achievements and Trophies to earn.

Ensemble Studio’s Halo Wars has been out for about five months now, and in what has become the normal practice for RTS games, it’s time for some downloadable content. It’s not a full blown expansion, but rather a series of maps of various difficulties and sizes.

We liked the initial game, and having played it quite a bit myself, I can honestly say the gameplay is engaging. This is surprising to me, since I’m a fan of the keyboard and mouse school of RTS. The new content pack (available for 800 points, roughly $10) will contain four new maps, and a new achievements worth 100 points each. Here’s the specifics from the press release:

New Melees & Playgrounds Await Fans in the “Historic Battle” Game Add-on Pack for “Halo Wars”

UNSC or Covenant legs, mobilize your troops and report for duty at your next assignment in “Halo Wars,” the best selling real-time strategy game on any current generation console. Microsoft and Robot Entertainment expand the field of engagement with four new multiplayer Skirmish maps that highlight key turning points in the UNSC/Covenant war. Take on ruthless A.I. or live opponents in these brand new battlefields with the “Historic Battle” Game Add-on Pack, available on July 21 for 800 MS Points in all Xbox LIVE enabled regions.

“Historic Battle” expands the universe for “Halo Wars” fans with four new multiplayer maps with varied terrains for players to find their competitive edge by using unique features of each map. The four new maps include:

· Barrens (1v1 Map): Difficult terrain channels units into killing zones. The side that controls the Forerunner artifacts will have the advantage.

· Blood River (1v1 Map): Secure base locations on nearby cliffs overlook this naturally red-tinged river. The soldiers that fought over its two narrow crossings gave the river its name, which has since taken on a greater meaning.

· Glacial Ravine (3v3 Map): A snow-topped mountain range forms a natural barrier that cuts this region in half. Control of the two energy walls at the narrow central pass often determines the outcome of the battle, though clever use of the Sentinel Factories may play a role as well.

· Memorial Basin (2v2 Map): The high ground in the middle offers good cover for infantry, while the generally open terrain transforms organized battle plans into bloodbaths.

“Historic Battle” also adds four new Achievements worth a total of 100 points:
· Tour Coming Through: Hot drop 50 squads to your Covenant Leader in a single game on Memorial Basin (30 points)
· Never Leave a Man Behind: Finish a game with 5000 net resources contributed to your teammates on Barrens (15 points)
· Drain Cleaner: Kill 20 enemy squads with a continuous Covenant Leader Power on Memorial Basin (30 points)
· Killjoy: Disrupt 5 active Leader Powers in a single game on Blood River (25 points)