DICE criticises paid Modern Warfare 2 map packs

NewsPosted 11/03/2010 - 11:23am GMT

Bad Company 2's second map pack to launch for free on March 30.

DICE has announced that it will launch the VIP Map Pack 2 free of charge on March 30 (the same day at the first Modern Warfare DLC), noting players will be able to "avoid 'mapathy' without getting nickel-and-dimed".

Mapathy is the term coined by Infinity Ward to promote the upcoming Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package DLC.

VIP Map Pack 2 features:

Arica Harbor Conquest mode - US Command launches a break through action directly at the Russian base. Collateral damage is of no consequence. Capture and secure tactical positions in Conquest Mode across the vast Arica Harbor map.

Laguna Presa Rush mode - The valley and surrounding mountains possess a strategic value in the battle for South America, and an infantry assault supported by light armour vehicles is likely by both armies as US forces defend the nearby Dam.

"VIP members will be able to expand on the deep and ever changing sandbox experience, which in itself provides near endless hours of entertainment, by having new content to keep things fresh. It also plays a vital part in making sure you, the players get proper value for the money you’ve invested in Battlefield: Bad Company 2," commented DICE Executive Producer KM Troedsson .

He added: "This is why these map packs are available at no extra cost, contradicting the industry standard and what our direct competitors are doing. Of course, it also helps avoid segmenting the community, making sure everyone can play together having the same maps available."

Troedsson also took a swipe at Activision, Infinity Ward and Modern Warfare 2's paid for DLC policy.

"We're dedicated to taking care of this product for a long time - helping you avoid 'mapathy' without getting nickel-and-dimed," he said.

That's not to say Bad Company 2 won't also see its share of paid DLC, but Troedsson said "these packs will focus on expanding other parts of the game experience rather than the selection of maps available for the basic game modes".

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is out now on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Comments

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User Comments

elvis

console DLC, charging the rest of the world what the pc was giving it free for years for no tangible benefit other than watching your pocket get ass raped by microsoft, sony, IW and activision.

At least Dice are making an effort even if it is token.

All the paid dlc does is segment an otherwise healthy online community

Posted 23:49 on 11 March 2010

fps_d0minat0r

ok even though i criticised DICE in my comment above, thinking through it, activision might make the maps for free or atleast make them come out on PSN and PC quicker.
activision and infinity ward are getting too big headed and EA should teach them a lesson but i still think modern warfare 2 is better.....its just that kotick ruins everything.

Posted 23:07 on 11 March 2010

thegreatODEN @ Karlius

I spend $60 on MW2 hoping to get a great online experience,but all i got was glitchers and campers, so yeah MW2 is garbage, i say that not because i'm some battlefield fanboy but speaking from first had experience

Posted 19:40 on 11 March 2010

GeNeCyDe1993

Its always going to be an uphill battle for Dice regardless, its a nice gesture but its only going to be costing them money.

Posted 16:41 on 11 March 2010

nothing more than a publicity stunt.
they know if they had 25m addicted players, they would charge for map packs too.

atleast with MW2 you can get the DLC on any copy. for battlefield you have to pay full price for a brand new retail copy if you want DLC. so if your amongst the millions who buy pre-owned to save money then DICE are basically saying, "pay more, let us pocket that money if you want the rest of the game otherwise we will limit your class upgrades if you buy preowned"

oh well, they have to do something if they want to get even half the number of people playing MW2 to play their game.

Posted 14:09 on 11 March 2010

Johns23

Battlefield 2 is my most played game at the moment but come on, free map packs? We had 2 VIP maps that were already on the disc, this is actually in EA's favour as it stops people buying the game second hand (whereby EA will make no profit). And as for the upcoming 'map pack' they are maps already available but with conquest or rush now unlocked to play on them which should, again, have been open from the start. So before they go getting on their high horse EA and DICE should release some ACTUAL free DLC!

Posted 13:14 on 11 March 2010