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Halo 2 Multiplayer Madness
Perhaps one of the worst-kept secrets was finally announced this week. Bungie has announced an expansion pack for Halo 2 to be released in June. The pack will cost $19.99 and feature nine new multiplayer maps for Xbox Live. But what strikes me as a bit odd is the way they are releasing the maps. It appears that the maps will cost you money if you buy them right away, but if you have the patience to wait a few months you can get the maps for free. Eh?
Here is what Bungie has to say from their web site:
- We're releasing a total of nine new multiplayer maps.
- All nine maps will eventually be available as Live downloads and as a normal boxed game disc - available at retail for $19.99 (US).
- The release on Live will be staggered, some paid, some free!
- The first two maps are free and coming in a few short weeks. (late April)
- The same day the 2 free maps are released, 2 additional maps will be available for purchase.
- The remaining 5 maps will be made available as a paid download on the same day the retail package goes on sale.
- The retail disc will contain extras, including a documentary, a cool project from our cinematic and animation team, every Halo 2 update released so far and possily one or two other little treats.
- By late summer, ALL the maps will be available for free.
Sounds like Microsoft can't wait to try out those new "micro payments" they were talking about at the GDC a few weeks ago. Oh goodie, I can't wait to pay for new content for all my Xbox games!
Check out the info direct from Bungie and Xbox.
Those micro payments will bring us lots of good things! Sadly some (many?) companies will see it as an easy way to earn more money without do anything more then offering normal services and support. Wonder how soon we'll be paying for patches.
Still it also has upsides. We can get/expect more content updates from companies that might otherwise no bother. So that might mean your favourite game has a longer lifespan. Plus add-ons might be cheaper when chopped up, instead of needing a retail package. With this you'll be able to only pick the content you really like.
Lets hope they understand what the word micro means.
You'll be voting with your wallet! So let them know what paid content/updates you do think are worth asking money for.
These micro payments might open a whole new world in console gaming, but I do hope Microsofts decides not to make an Xbox Live! subscription a requirement for getting the additional content.
I wouldn't like the idea of paying for content and for a subscription. Even with Xbox 2's vast array of Live-enabled games (I thought Microsoft made that mandatory), I might not play on Live!.
Posted by Terr at March 26, 2005 8:56 PM