*sigh* more paid-for maps? The main issue with them isn't even the cost, it's that then it becomes rather difficult to do stuff like for example play any of them on public horde, since every person would have to have the map for there to even be a chance of it coming up. One way or another the patch should be nice, though. One main exception, I don't like the idea of actually hiding the TrueSkill rank.
i completely agree. my experience with Gears of War DLC specifically multiplayer maps is that it fragments the community. there is nothing more frusterating than getting two great evenly matched teams for whatever gametype and having half of the players drop out when teh map changes. i also think that having EPIC speak of games being too expensive, Cliff's words that Microsoft strongarming customers and developers to offset the cost of the 360 initial sale to the end user burns both gamers and developers.
i think it was Mark Rein recently that said Xbox LIVE is essentially Microsoft's store but its their content in disagreement on the Titan pack. if this kind of thing keeps up i would not be surprised to see hidden costs soar the actual costs of console gaming up to that of PC gaming. think about any new features like a robust web browser made available in a firmware update or new console. i can easily see your silver membership, gold, and then a new platinum membership costing you more money to access new features when added.
i really think this is only the beginning of this type of thing. Windows LIVE, was forced onto gamers with the PC version of Gears of War charging you for VOIP. the PC crowd saw a quick death to that one. so yes 10.00 is not that big of a deal but it fragments the community which hurts the game. i see a lot of consumers being taken advantage of.
another angle is that once great maps being created by the mod comunity for free which hugely expanded the life of a game is now replaced by corporate greed on a closed platform. really if you look at it this way how can you be excited about DLC. new armor for Marcus Fenix 800 ms points.
/rant