We have got a plethora of Gears of War 2-related news for you today, thanks to an interview GameSpot had with executive producer Rod Fergusson. First off, here's the relatively good news: the Snowblind Map Pack, which contains Grindyard, Under Hill, Courtyard, and a Fuel Depot remake, is looking at a March 31 release. A price point hasn't been specified, but 800 Microsoft Points sounds about right.
But here's where it gets even better: a third title updated is planned for March 24, and it's bringing a slew of new features like an experience system for multiplayer, more Achievements, and auto-balancing for when players quit out of a match (bots will then take their place).
As a strong supporter of integrating RPG-esque elements into first- and third-person shooters, the all new XP system is sounding mighty intriguing to me. Players can rank all the way up to level 100, and Achievements are being used as incentive to do so.
If any of this is sounding pretty good to you, do yourself a favor and check out the full interview for expanded explanations of the upcoming Gears 2 content and changes. I can't speak for the rest of you, but some of these additions might be enough to get me playing again. Might.
Contest:
2:30 PM on 03.13.2009
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Also, Def JM, that has been confirmed.
any word on updates that fix whats wrong with the game right now?
I have to sit and watch them shoot half a clip at each other on opposite sides of the map and hide behind cover for however long it takes?
I think a lot of people found the TrueSkill system a bit arbitrary. I know I would win a few matches and not have my rank go up, then lose 1 match and it would go down even though I played decently in all of the matches. Moreover, the rankings were based on wins and loses and people would quit a lot to avoid having their rank affected (if you quit before you "lost" the match, it didn't seem to effect your rank). I think the logic is that an experience system allows for more consistent, meaningful progress in terms of rank and since there is no penalty for losing, people are more likely to just accept a loss and not quit.
I'm with ya on that one. Personally, I don't really mind a ranking system - except for when you have to unlock weapons/upgrades (a la call of duty 4). And I prefer Gears of War 1's multiplayer system much more as well, since you could play ranked matches with 7 friends instead of 4, and actually choose who to host, what map, what mode, how many rounds, etc.