“Horde Command Pack” DLC Announced for Gears of War 3

Gears of War 3 has certainly hit the ground running, selling more than three million copies in its first week on the shelves.  With that in mind, it’s unsurprising that Epic Games have announced the first piece of downloadable content for the game to be released on November 1st, to keep that momentum going.



According to the press release, the ‘Horde Command Pack’ will introduce ‘three explosive new maps, three new playable characters, two new weapon skins, and additional achievements worth 250 Gamerscore’ as well as ‘new fortification upgrades to help you mow down the Lambent and Locust threats in the fan-favorite Horde mode.’  The focus, then, is on expanding the multiplayer component of the game, something that will surely go down well with the legions of Gears of War multiplayer fanatics.  The new maps in particular are described in detail:

Blood Drive (pictured above) – The Jacinto Medical Plaza was overwhelmed by evacuated citizens after the government-sanctioned Hammer Strikes, and the ensuing riots quickly turned this safe haven into a dangerous inferno. An abundance of high ground and funneled choke points make this map a returning favorite to Horde.
Rustlung – Once the pride of the Royal Tyran Navy, the foredecks of this decommissioned battleship are now riddled with bullet holes. Any team with the fortitude to hold the exposed central torpedo bay will find that the ship's Loader has been replaced with a battle-ready Silverback mech suit.
Azura (pictured below) – This island resort was once the exclusive domain of Sera's educated elite, but the tranquil water gardens and lush foliage have become a hotly contested combat zone. Dual snipers overlook a powerful explosive weapon, while the defensive central platform may be your last resort of retreat.



The press release also mentions ‘new campaign and multiplayer content’ to come ‘later this winter’, which is surely an encouraging thought for anyone who’s already completed the single-player campaign.  Check out the Horde Command Pack for 800 Microsoft Points on November 1st!