Let’s start this issue with a couple of exclusive DLC announcements:
Far Cry 3‘s incoming co-op DLC, “High Tides,” will be a PS3 exclusive. The DLC will include two new co-op chapters, “Jailbreak” and “Redemption.” According to Meghan Watt of Massive Entertainment, “These are the gang’s final moments, and we’re really challenging ourselves to go all-out. We’ve got new missions, tougher fights, bigger competitions, some great up-close time with your favorite characters, and explosive moments unlike anything you’ve seen before.” The DLC is coming January, no price has been announced.
Over on the XBox 360, the first major Resident Evil 6 DLC is a timed exclusive. Three new modes are being added: “Predator,” “Survivors,” and “Onslaught.” All three modes will be launching December 19th for 320MSP each, or 720MSP for the three pack. Coinciding with the DLC release, a free patch is being released that unlocks Ada Wong’s campaign, the No Hope difficulty setting, increased subtitle options, and extra camera options. No word yet on how long the exclusivity deal lasts, but the content is expected for PS3 early next year.
With the Mass Effect trilogy recently releasing (including the first game on PS3 for the first time) it’s easy to think Shepard’s franchise is complete. Not so according to Bioware. The somewhat disappointing “Omega” will not be the last DLC for Mass Effect 3. It’s “all hands on deck” at the developer as they’re working on new content that will see the return of everyone’s favorite fragile pilot, Joker. Composer Sam Hulick (who was not involved with “Leviathan” or “Omega”) has confirmed he is providing new content with “high potential for tears.” No word on release date or pricing, though I’d be shocked at anything other than $15. It’s worth noting that the same file hacks that prematurely revealed “Leviathan” and “Omega” also provided some clues that the next add-on will see Shepard return to the Citadel.
If you’ve been playing Assassin’s Creed III but haven’t yet downloaded the “Hidden Secrets” DLC, available with the Season Pass, DON’T! Glitches are part and parcel of modern gaming but add-ons that reset your story progress to zero are a bit extreme. Something is clearly wrong with the program as it has been resetting story progress, but retaining certain side missions and activity levels. According to one report, a player with 100% completion suddenly found himself at only 45% after downloading the DLC, and his save game had him in the earliest chapters. Other reports indicate the Naval and Privateer progress has also been reset. Ubisoft is already undertaking a fix for the problem and seem to have locked down the cause while trying to recreate the problem. “AVOIDING THIS BUG: Do not load your saved AC3 game while the DLC is downloading in the background. This appears to be the key trigger for this bug. You can do anything else you want to do, just don’t load up your saved game and play it while the DLC is downloading.” Seems like an easy workaround, just queue up the download before going to bed. Then again, I’m paranoid. I’d advise waiting for their fix to go live first.
Bethesda reports that they have cracked the problem preventing Skyrim DLC on PS3. All three current add-ons will be making their way to the Sony console eventually, but not in the order you would expect. “Dragonborn” has been the most well-received DLC to date, so they’ll be starting with that one in early 2013. “Hearthfire” and “Dawnguard” will be coming a little later. “Once [they] have a better idea of release timing and pricing, [they]’ll let you know.”
Irrational’s Ken Levine has announced a four week delay for BioShock Infinite. The game was announced back in 2010 for an October 2012 release. The push to February 2013 was disappointing, but needed to make the game “into something even more extraordinary.” The latest push, anopther four weeks to March 26th, is no less of a blow to excited fans, but newcomer Rod Fergusson (formerly of Epic) feels the extra time will change BioShock Infinite from simply a great game to a defining entry in the generation. Considering Levine and Fergusson’s history of releases, he’s probably right.
That’s all for this week. Come back on Tuesday for your next semi-weekly gaming update.