Remember that story about the new Gears of War content Epic was creating? How Epic wanted to give the content away for free, and Microsoft was preventing them because they wanted to charge for it? Well, it looks like Microsoft finally won this one folks. Coming this Thursday will be the "Hidden Fronts" map pack, which will add four (4) new maps and it will cost you 800 MS points. If you feel this is to much to spend on four maps, you can wait until Sept. 3rd 2007 and get them for free! That"s right, you can spend 800 MS points on four new maps this Thursday, or wait nearly 5 full months and then get the four maps for free. Here are the new map descriptions so you can decide whether or not they are worth the 800 MS points now or worth waiting to get for free in September:
Bullet Marsh: In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving combatants to fend for themselves against the Kryll.
Garden: This overgrown and crumbling conservatory still has a working fertilization and pesticide system. This system can pose a serious hazard to anyone who ventures into the greenhouse without first venting the air.
Process: Teams must fight for control of this subterranean Imulsion processing plant, still active despite the cessation of the Pendulum wars.
Subway: Timgad"s Central Subway station used to serve as a central hub for commuters. Now the tunnels are crawling with Locust.
So there you have it. $10 really isn"t that horrible for four new maps actually. But the fact remains that Epic wanted this content to be free, and Microsoft wanted to charge for it. Should the maps have been released for free, would 400 MS points have been a better price point, or will you guys just wait until Sept. 3rd to get the new maps for free?