Microsoft has revealed the third piece of downloadable content (DLC) for Gears of War 3, one of GamesBeat’s top 10 games of the year.
Titled “Fenix Rising,” the DLC will add five new maps and a few new character skins.
The new maps will playable across all multiplayer modes (Versus, Horde, Beast) and include:
- Academy
- Anvil
- Depths
- Escalation
- The Slab
Gamers familiar with the campaigns throughout the Gears of War trilogy will recognize most of these locations.
As for the multiplayer skins, Recruit Clayton, Thrashball Cole, the Savage Marauder and the Savage Kantus will be joining the fray.
And finally, a new system will allow players to “Re-up” upon reaching level 100. This is exactly the same as the Prestige system first introduced by Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, where all stats and experience will be reset to zero. The trade-off is a unique emblem displayed online, as well as the ability to select one of three exclusive weapon skins. Players can Re-up a total of three times.
Fenix Rising will be released for Gears of War 3 on the Xbox 360 on January 17, for $10. Owners of the Gears of War 3 Season Pass will receive it for no additional charge.
Not to be left out of the party, Activision is also unveiling plans for the first DLC for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Specifics are still forthcoming, but Call of Duty: Elite subscribers will gain access to the DLC on the Xbox 360 before anyone else on January 24, 2012. The first teaser screenshot can be seen below:
“The way we’re doing downloadable content this year is unlike we’ve ever done before,” said Infinity Ward Creative Strategist, Robert Bowling. “Not only in how you can get it – in content drops or choose for the collection – but also the type of content you’re getting. We’re doing more than just maps. We’re going to do Spec Ops missions and a variety of things that players have never seen before.
“That’s the great thing about having three developers that are contributing to the season of content. You have Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer and Raven all pitching in,” Bowling added. “The full season of content for Modern Warfare 3 kicks off for Elite subscribers on January 24 on Xbox Live.”
As with previous Call of Duty games, Microsoft has secured a 30-day exclusivity period for Modern Warfare 3 DLC on the Xbox 360.