Free. Is there any word half as awesome in the English language? Harmonix agrees and is now accepting redemption codes for the twenty downloadable tracks that were included with the purchase of Rock Band 2 (the code is located on the back of your game manual). Once the registration information is filled out and you receive your confirmation email you get to play the game ... the waiting game that is.
Unfortunately this process is only a precursor to the tracks being made available which Harmonix promises will be "in a few weeks." When the tracks are available gamers will automatically receive an email that includes a unique code which is then used to grab the tracks from the Xbox Live Marketplace. The track list for the free content has yet to be released, however, the official Rock Band forums has a possible set list if you're eager to spot possibilities. Regardless of the track list, this could be the best "free thing" ever made available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. You know, unless you count those Nacho Libre gamerpics.
Star Wars is popular for the multitude of memorable characters yet every decent Star Wars game is based on completely different people within the universe. Sure, The Force Unleashed main character Starkiller is cool but wouldn't it be fun to go all "Force crazy" as Luke Skywalker or Obi-Wan? LucasArts agrees and has announced plans via news release to add new character skins for the main character which will allow gamers to play as Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan, Ki-Adi-Mundi and Kit Fisto.
LucasArts also announced plans to release a new mission in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where the Apprentice will learn more about his father and battle his inner demons while navigating through the rubble of a destroyed building.
No amount of Jedi Mind Tricks were able to extract the pricing or release details from our contacts at LucasArts. The Force is strong with them. For another image of the re-skinned Apprentice do as the Xbox ads say, jump in.
As players return to Xbox Live they'll be happy to know new DLC awaits them in Rock Band 2. Available now on the Xbox Live Marketplace is the entire album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Grab the downloadable package for 1,600MS Points or 160MS points per track today via the Marketplace and start rocking. Not familiar with Blood Sugar Sex Magik? RHCP fans will tell you the album, the bands fifth, is widely regarded as the release that put the group in the public eye. Just how popular is it? Blood Sugar Sex Magik has sold a reported 12 million copies worldwide since its release in 1991. Included in the track pack are:
When Mega Man 9 was first revealed retro-purists tightened up at the waistband nearly exploding with delight. A retro style Mega Man that continues the hyper-realism of the original series? Yes, please. And then Capcom started to let info drop on the downloadable adventure that made fans scratch their heads.
Oh, Megs lost the ability to slide and charge even though he's been doing that old trick since Mega Man 3and Mega Man 4 respectively? Well, we're sure it's a technical issue. Oh, Proto Man is downloadable and he can charge and slide for 160MS points? Crap. Well the content doesn't end there. According the virtual manual that is included with the Wii version of the game set to hit Xbox Live Arcade on October 1, a slew of content is planned, including: difficulty settings, endurance modes and a new time attack stage.
Of course each of these premium content packages will cost gamers a small fee. We suppose Capcom wanted to get really old school and create a model in which Mega Man 9 will end up costing about as much as an NES cart did in the 80's. Thanks, Capcom! Retro rules! Check out the listed Wii prices and dates for the Mega Man 9 DLC after the jump.
Continuing the long standing tradition of annoying customers by announcing (or releasing) downloadable content for a game that hasn't even come out yet, Capcom revealed to GamesRadar that Proto Man will find his way into Mega Man 9 by way of DLC. An additional 160MS Points could net you your very own playable Proto who controls similar to good ol' Megs, other than the fact that he can slide and charge his blasts. Great addition or price gouging? We'll find soon as Mega Man 9 is set to release on October 1.
Attention cyber-soldiers: Infinity Ward has dropped word that the Call of Duty 4: Modern WarfareVariety Map pack will be made available for half price (400MS points) this weekend. Attempting to gain popularity for the struggling title, players will also be able to earn Double XP during ranked games beginning September 12, 12AM PDT and running through September 14 at midnight -- the same time-frame for the discounted maps.
If you'd like to show your support for a title that barely made a splash during its release downloading the four map package would be a nice start. Infinity Ward needs your help and are even offering Limited Edition Prestige gamerpics for free as yet another bonus. Save a developer. Help this struggling franchise. Oh, wait. We were thinking of Soldier Of Fortune for some reason. Never mind, Modern Warfare sold like a bajillion copies.
Ed. Note: Bajillion is SO a word.
Those who purchased Civilization Revolution know the game shipped with a pack-in card with a code to download exclusive content based on their retailer of choice. The only problem is, the content was not available when the game launched. A few days ago the 2K Games Code Redemption site updated to reveal pack-in cards can now be used to download the free pack via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Using the code found packed in with your copy of Civilization Revolution, gamers can get a Marketplace code good for a download of fresh content for the turn-based strategy game. What is the content? Well, that depends where you bought your copy of the game. Jump in to find out.
When it was introduced to the masses, digital distribution of games and content seemed too crazy to work. Press a few buttons and a game is delivered to me ... legally? Well sunshine, it did work and for EA it worked out really well.
During their fiscal Q1 conference call, Electronic Arts announced it has generated over $90 million in revenue through digital distribution. Ostensibly compiled from data of sales via the EA Store and downloadable content on consoles, the $90m shot in the arm accounted for 11% of EA's overall quarterly revenue ($804m in total).
To think, if those Battlefield: Bad Company weapons did go for sale EA would make like $90.1m -- because we all have that one friend who would think it was a good idea. And by friend we mean the guy we just deleted from our Friend's List, because that dude's a fool.
If you feel like the E3 2008 news blitz is getting to you then maybe you just need to rock out for a little while. Thankfully, Harmonix has finally released 'The Best of The Who' compilation -- exclusively thrown together for Rock Band. Released as a replacement for the originally planned album 'Who's Next,' the compilation pack includes such classic tracks as "Baba O'Riley," "Who Are You" and "My Generation." Basically you should stop-drop and roll toward your console and download the album ASAP.
The Best of The Who Rock Band Edition (1600 MS points / $20) -- All songs are also sold individually (160 MS Points / $2)
During the Microsoft Press Conference yesterday, Harmonix unveiled the full song set-list for Rock Band 2. Nearly doubling the set list size of the original release, Rock Band 2 will include 84 tracks (all master recordings) on the retail disc, plus there are plans to release an additional 20 tracks as free downloadable content after the game's release.
The Rock Band 2 press release, which included the final set-list for the game, also mentions that Rock Band content from the original retail disc will be transferable to the sequel, but for a price. According to the release, "owners of the original Rock Band will have the ability to export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay-the first time ever in videogame history!" A fee is required to unlock the content, which will be "under 5 dollars" according to the release. Also, as stated before, Rock Band 2 will support all downloadable content from the original Rock Band.
Rock Band 2 is set to release exclusively on the Xbox 360 this September. With classic bands AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Pearl Jam and more added to the game, Rock Band 2 hasn't had us this excited about music since the invention of the compact disc. Wow. Totally just aged ourselves there.
It's Tuesday and you know what that means. Rock Band Weekly! Available now on the Xbox Live Markeplace are four new tracks to help you rock out in style. "Snow ((Hey Oh))" and "Tell Me Baby" from Red Hot Chili Peppers as well as "Working Man (Vault Edition)" and "Closer to the Heart" from Rush dropped this morning for 160MS Points a piece ($2 in real money if your a currency snob) and are worth every penny. Unless RHCP and Rush aren't your thing that is. If free is more your style then may we recommend "Promised Land" from Vesuvius, which has been on the Marketplace for a little while but is still worth a look for the price. That price, if you missed it, is free. Happy rocking!
You already know about Cold Storage, the remake of a classic Halo: Combat Evolved map for Halo 3. You already know about Bungie Day, which is this Monday, July 7. Hell, you even already even know that Cold Storage will be free on Bungie Day (and forever after). But, we know you still crave knowledge regarding the latest Halo 3 content. Lucky for you, a few Bungie employees banded together to create a new VIDoc, aptly named "On the Seven7th Day," to showcase Cold Storage and compare it with its Halo: Combat Evolved father, Chill Out. There's even a tease early on that Bungie may have something new to announce in the future. If only there were large scale industry events for such an announcement!
You didn't think all this talk of Rock Band 2 made us forget about the beloved original, did you? This week in Rock Band Weekly, Harmonix brings us a double-shot of Rush and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Rock Band tracks drop Tuesday, July 8, for 160MS Points ($2) a piece.
"Closer to the Heart" - Rush
"Working Man (Vault Edition)" - Rush
"Snow (Hey, Oh)" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Tell Me Baby" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
All releases this week are master tracks, a trend we like seeing continue with Rock Band.Rock Band enthusiasts will remember a cover-cut of "Working Man" was already made available in previous Rock Band DLC, but this alternative cut is all Rush.
Jump in for the videos for all of Tuesday's releases.
To go with the overpriced and and relatively pointless downloadable costumes for Ninja Gaiden 2, we've got even more relatively pointless stuff for you. Why would we do such a thing you ask? Because cheap as the actual DLC is (we're really opposed to it more on principle) this relatively pointless stuff is absolutely free, that's why. And while we've seen one of the DLC concepts before, the shots are now hi-res and great for some backgrounds or wallpaper. What're ya waitin' for? Right-Click -> Save Picture As already!
Before giving us a chance to ponder what could make its way onto the replacement set list for Rock Band's The Who DLC comes an official press release from the official website for the classic band. Included in the compilation release are three original tracks from the originally scheduled, and subsequently canceled, Who's Next album as well as three Live recordings. While it may not include all your favorite Who tracks (Sup, Pinball Wizard?) it does have a wide assortment of awesomeness.
The Best of The Who Rock Band Edition (1600 MS points / $20) -- All songs are also sold individually (160 MS Points / $2)
"Amazing Journey"
"Baba O'Riley"
"Behind Blue Eyes"
"Eminence Front"
"Going Mobile"
"Leaving Here"
"My Generation" (LIVE)
"Real Good Looking Boy"
"Sea & Sand"
"Summertime Blues" (LIVE)
"Who Are You"
"Young Man Blues" (LIVE)
Videos of the songs can be found after the break thanks to Joystiq. The Best of The Who is expected the week of July 15.
To go with the overpriced and and relatively pointless 
