The first DLC song lists for Rock Band were leaked today. That is kinda ridiculous, don’t you think? I mean, the game hasn’t even come out yet and there is already DLC set up.

But, what worried many when they saw the DLC list, was that it showed bundled songs. It also listed singles, but, early on, it appeared that you had to purchase the bundled songs in groups of three. Thankfully, 1up.com has confirmed with MTV that you can purchase the songs individually or bundled. Suffice it to say that…er…rocks.

Guitar Hero III, on the other hand–which already has DLC out for both PS3 and 360–still only has songs purchasable in 3 packs. Yeah, it sucks. But, what sucks even more is that people are buying it. Bitching only goes so far, it’s the power of the purse that matters.

Though personally I am still in the boycott Rock Band camp–due to their stupid bundle only option–I can appreciate that they aren’t screwing the consumer with the online content. Now, if they would only sell the individual fucking instruments…..

Chufmoney

So it looks like we were right a week or so ago when we published our story about Tomb Raider Anniversary on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Earlier today Eidos UK formally announced that Tomb Raider Anniversary will be the first full, serialized game on Xbox Live, with the Croft Manner releasing for free, and Episodes 1 and 2 launching first, all in September. Episodes 3 and 4 will follow “soon after”, with no official date attached. Finally, near the end of the year (gee, maybe, oh, I don’t know, November?), they’ll be releasing it to retail, most likely as bonus content with a Special Edition of Tomb Raider Legend.

“We have created this version of Anniversary specifically for digital distribution as episodic content. This is part of our strategy to grow our presence in online and digital distribution as we believe there are huge growth opportunities arising from this delivery format and we intend to capitalize on the increasing demand for digitally downloaded content,” said Jane Cavanagh, Chief Executive, Eidos. “Lara has always been at the forefront of technology and this world first initiative with Microsoft really highlights that fact. Ultimately we also intend to make the title available at retail so that it reaches the maximum possible audience.”

The best news here though is the one thing we weren’t sure of before, which is price; Eidos expects that the total cost for all 4 episodes will be about 30 dollars.

See Microsoft? That’s DLC done properly.

-Aegies

Killzone received the downloadable content treatment today.  Now, free of charge, those who own Killzone:  Liberation can download four new missions and a new multiplayer mode.   To learn how to acquire this downloadable content go to the killzone.com page where the instructions are provided.

For those of you who don’t own this game and own a PSP you could also wait because it should have a price drop soon due to the fact that it went platinum.  I believe this means the game should hit that ever coveted 19.99$ price very soon.  Also if you are still on the fence about the game you can get a demo from the playstation website.

But what does it all mean?!  I insinuated in my title that I knew what it “could mean.”  I believe that this could very well be something that in the next year becomes a unique selling point for the PSP.  If the PSP really emphasizes its ability to give games downloadable content as well as game demos it could have the effect that Live has had for the 360.  While the DS can go online and can download demos from demo stations in game stores there has yet to be an efficient way for DS gamers to get demos.  Furthermore due to the lack of expandable memory for the DS there is a limit to what demos could be like.  And, as far as downloadable content is concerned, the DS essentially cannot do it because it has no memory that the player has access to do whatever they want with it.

The PSP really needs to press this advantage if they want to gain more marketshare.  Not the PSP is dead or even in need of saving, but if it wants to garner a larger install base it needs to show gamers that it can do some things better than the DS (besides graphics).

Just as we discussed on our latest podcast, I truly believe that from this generation on Internet integration via demos and betas will be something that will define the future of gaming.  Players will become connected in more intricate ways with those who make the games.  The PSP certainly has the best potential in the hand held market for pushing us forward on this path.  Its time for them to seize that idea and run with it.

Am I reading too much into a little piece of DLC?

Chufmoney

While it is no secret that we here at ESG don’t feel like the PS3 has gathered a compelling enough library to make it worth the 600$+, we will all soon succumb to the big black box. For Aegies, the game that will make him buy the system is Ninja Gaiden: Sigma (aka. rehash part 3). For myself it is Little BigPlanet.

While I was originally skeptical if it would be as fun as it looks, the recent post on 1up by Sam Kennedy reassures me that it has the potential to be one of the greater games we have seen in a long time. And I do not just say this because it is reported to play well, or because of how it looks. For me what will make LittleBigPlanet great and not just fun will be if the level designer is as intuitive as Sony is touting it to be. We shall know more about the level creator when Sony makes it more accessable in July.

User generated content in mass quantities would easily make up for the otherwise lacking PS3 exclusive content. Don’t blow this Sony or it will be a LittleBigSlap to your name.

Chufmoney