In a recent 1UP Yours podcast, Epic's own Tim Sweeney and Mark Rein sat down to discuss Gears of War and downloadable content. During the podcast, Sweeney talked about four new multiplayer maps that they have ready to give out, but are butting heads with Microsoft on how to distribute them. Word on the street is that Epic wants to give away the four new Gears maps, but Microsoft wants Epic to charge for them which is ultimately causing a delay. This of course has caused a community uproar, because we just want our free maps. Cue the Microsoft hating.

But just wait one second. Mark Rein posted Epic's response to this whole podcast interview mess and isn't pointing fingers at anyone. He goes on to say that Epic and Microsoft both want to make money and that they feel "the way to maximize the return on Gears of War is to give the maps away for free and Microsoft thinks the way to maximize the return on Gears of War is to sell the maps". So, they just weren't seeing eye to eye. Instead, Epic and Microsoft came to an agreement that they'll be offering all four multiplayer maps for a small fee on the XBLM and a few months later the content will be available for free ... a la Halo 2 maps. Mark Rein further clarifies things by saying that Epic must play by Microsoft's rules when it comes to the XBLM and as a publisher, but says both companies have the best interest of the consumer and their bank accounts. Still need some clarification? Head over to this post where Mark Rein answers the community's concerns and complaints about all this drama. We swear, it's like high school all over again ...