Free content for GoW, cuz Epic said so!

by Dustin Burg { Dec 14th 2006 at 7:00PM }

Backstage at Spike's Video Game Awards, Epic's Mike Capps was interviewed and asked about future downloadable content for Gears of War. Capps responded by saying that,

"We started long before the game ever came out; we started on the next stuff. We always take care of our customers, we always give them stuff for free and we're going to keep doing that forever."

So is that confirmation that we'll get some free Gears goodies in the upcoming months? Simply put, no. Microsoft is a different publisher and Gears is living in a world of micro-transactions, so nothing is set in stone ... yet. But, if Microsoft is smart they'll allow Epic to give some content away for free as that will make fans flock to the game. What's also cool is the speculation of what exactly the content is that they've been diligently working on for months. My $5 is on free multiplayer maps and possibly new multiplayer characters ... what do you think?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Cole @ Dec 14th 2006 7:07PM

It's not going to happen, but Face-mapping via the Vision cam 'ala R6:Vegas would be frickin awesome!

KineticOnline @ Dec 14th 2006 7:12PM

Im thinking the free content is really just an update, but my making it optional its becomes content. Ok thats the sceptic side of me happy, Im hoping its going to be more multiplayer maps, or characters, maybe a new weapon or two? Then again other than the maps wouldnt they be included in an update?? Damm i just cant shake the sceptic tonight. Anyway whatever it is i cant wait, ifs its free then im happy.

Anticrawl @ Dec 14th 2006 8:04PM

Dude what the fuck is going on. Did the world end today leaving only around 6 other people besides myself here to roam it? Did Gears of War inflict some sort of massive heart attack to anyone that played it within the last 24 hours except 7 people who hold the gene that keeps them from dying? There are only six fucking people on GOW live right now, what the fuck 6, SIX people on multiplayer? What the hell, no way they are all playing the glitchy as hell half-assed multiplayer in Vegas.

6 people in versus, dude... I'm uploading a picture of it, check it out.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8364/dsc05771hu7.jpg

Sad sad day,
Anticrawl

kromekoran @ Dec 14th 2006 8:23PM

I've actually been asking for marketplace point cards for christmas in anticipation of new GoW maps. but good on Epic for giving us free shit, thus allowing us to buy XBLA games.

smak from irvine @ Dec 14th 2006 8:37PM

6 on 6 multiplayer would be a nice add-on. Plus capture the flag and 2 new maps.

That would be BOSS.

Marcos @ Dec 14th 2006 9:12PM

maybe they could possibly add some new acts? like maybe to add to the actual back story, and give us some information on it. they could call them like act 1.5, 2.5, and such. id buy those for 400-800ms points depending on what they have.

Nautical Wheeler @ Dec 14th 2006 9:24PM

Cole you hit it on the head man, i WHAT to be IN Gears, that would be so tight

Joey @ Dec 15th 2006 1:10AM

EA could learn a little something from Epic.

EA's charging for GAME CHEATS, and Epic is more than likely making Multiplayer maps set for a free download...

Irwin @ Dec 15th 2006 12:24AM

@Anticrawl
you probably were lagging
im on wireless, and on the rare occasion when my connection drops because someone is on the phone, gears only pics up a couple of games, and sometimes there is a red bar to the far right.

thehondaboy @ Dec 15th 2006 3:45AM

I forget. What the hell I am paying for with XBL?

GhostDoggy @ Dec 16th 2006 7:17AM

I'd be happy if they increased the cooperative Live multiplay to at least four, and if necessary increase the AI difficulty.

JRock3x8 @ Dec 15th 2006 9:05AM

that's actually quite funny that you would put money down betting on free content...ironic.

joe @ Dec 15th 2006 9:59AM

Fix the shot gun, needs to adjust spay of bullets

Add CTF and Base Wars

2 - 4 New Maps

Add Flamethrower

Fix Reload time on Rocket Lanucher

Improve damage mapping, and collision detection.

Improve chainsaw so it actual works when i hit B

and fix all the bugs that people have found while playing, self chainsaw, falling through the game etc.

i could go on.

matthew @ Dec 15th 2006 11:24AM

There are some quirks, but unless they're quick and easy fixes I'd prefer they concentrated on new stuff. The bugs are pretty rare, and the weapons aren't exactly broken. I'd like to see some maps with more variety instead of the bombed-out cities and warehouses. A few ideas:

1. oceanside sand dunes with lighthouse and large rocks. Basically the Pacific Northwest coast. Rolling sand dunes that hid players from one another would be awesome.
2. A hidden fallout shelter in a swamp.
3. A rusty battleship floating in the middle of the ocean.
4. Grand Canyon type setting where you navigate through a space inspired by the indian cliff dwellings in Colorado.

In other words, get out of the city.

josh @ Dec 15th 2006 11:45AM

And Client Side Hit Detection and fix it so there is no more team stacking in ranked.....
and let me see the ping please...

RustyTro @ Dec 15th 2006 4:33PM

I'm betting on at least 2 multiplayer maps, and either a new weapon or a new model for COG and Locust.

Their primary concern should be the bugs though, which I'm sure it is. Free content is great but this is just news worth reporting on that came from the interview. Don't take it as though Epic is focusing on more content and forgetting to tighten some nuts and bolts, that’s not the purpose of this news.

The biggest thing they need to address immediately is the chat bug. After that, allowing you to remap run to another button would bring tears to my eyes. Getting stuck covering on walls and what not is a hassle when you're trying to run away, or at least lower the collision detection or known problematic areas such as the archways outside the mansion. Being able to stop frag tagging would be nice, the chainsaw rarely works as intended in those scnerios.

Seeing your ping to host would be teets, the holes in the map should be cleaned as well.