Leading video game developer BioWare today released new downloadable content for the critically-acclaimed games Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2.

Throwing gamers back into epic battles with new stories revolving around key supporting characters in each franchise, the Dragon Age: Origins DLC pack, “Witch Hunt” (560 Microsoft points on the Xbox 360, 560 BioWare Points on PC) features a story that reconnects players with one of the series’ original larger-than-life heroes, Morrigan. The Mass Effect 2 DLC pack, “Lair of the Shadow Broker” (800 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360, 800 BioWare Points on PC), centers around Liara, a popular character and squadmate from the original Mass Effect.

“Both ‘Witch Hunt’ and ‘Lair of the Shadow Broker’ represent our commitment to keeping the game worlds alive with high quality content, even post-launch,” said BioWare Edmonton General Manager Aaryn Flynn. “Fans are asking for more characters, more adventures and that is what we’re delivering. Morrigan and Liara are two of the most beloved characters in their respective franchises and completing these new journeys will add to the story and action of both games.”

Dragon: Age Origins “Witch Hunt” picks up Morrigan’s story after the defeat of the Archdemon and her disappearance into the shadows. Nearly a year has passed since the Archdemon’s death, and word has reached the Wardens that Morrigan has returned to Ferelden. Seeking to confirm her presence and confront her about her mysterious disappearance, players will head into the forest to tie up this last loose end once and for all. Players can either import their characters from Dragon: Age Origins and Dragon Age: Origins — Awakening or create a new, high-level hero. Dragon Age: Origins was the “RPG of the Year” for 2009 as named by Game Informer, the SpikeTV Video Game Awards and IGN.com among others.

For more information on “Witch Hunt”, please visit http://dragonage.bioware.com/dao/witch_hunt/.

In Mass Effect 2 “Lair of the Shadow Broker”, Liara T’Soni is tracking down the mysterious Shadow Broker with the hopes of recovering a kidnap victim. Liara enlists the help of Commander Shepard and his crew, chasing clues from the luxurious heights of Illium to the depths of the Shadow Broker’s own secret lair. The new DLC pack adds the Shadow Broker intel center, new research, as well as the chance to continue a relationship with Liara from the original Mass Effect. With more than 70 perfect review scores, Mass Effect 2 is the highest rated game of 2010 on Xbox 360 and PC* and was recently named the number one game of all time for Xbox 360 by IGN.com. For more information on “Lair of the Shadow Broker,” please visit http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/dlc/.

505 Games and developer A2M have today announced plans to release a new pirate-themed downloadable chapter for Naughty Bear via Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation Network.

Chapter 9 will soon lay siege to the Island of Perfection with even more mischievous action, including all-new characters, costumes and challenges.

Filled with exclusive hidden treasures, deadly weapons and brutal buccaneers, in Chapter 9 players will be able to plot a course through four new challenges. As the terrors of the high seas come ashore to battle, players will encounter the other Bears and their leader, Admiral Giggles, as well as The Pirates and their leader, The Great Beard Bear.

To commend their efforts in combat, Chapter 9 will allow players to don two new hats (Admiral Naughty and Pirate Naughty). Players can also choose to dress Naughty in his own version of the Pirate Bear costume or assume the identity of The Great Beard Bear, and even collect the lethal cutlass, a classic pirate’s curved sword with unique ultra-kill capabilities.

Naughty Bear is available now for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for an MSRP of £39.99. The downloadable Chapter 9 will be available by the end of September on Xbox Live Arcade for 400 MS points and on PlayStation Network for the UK price equivalent of $4.99 USD.

One of the most addictive games on the planet is to get a free level cap increase to 69, Mature-gaming has been told.

A feature to the Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution DLC, which will be available on September 28th, will arrive as a free update for Borderlands gamers will be available on this date.  The update will rebalance the original story to take into account the level increase.

Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution will be available on the above date for 800 points or £6.29 on PSN.  If any of you have ever purchased earlier content then you will immediately know that these pieces of DLC are some of the best value for money add ons you can buy.  Luckily for people coming to the LAN, you will not have to sit there whilst we get our weekend sucked away, totally engrossed in the latest content!

Just when you thought it was safe to go outside, the action in Pacific City rages on.

Coming soon to Xbox LIVE Marketplace, Microsoft Game Studios and Ruffian Games keep the “Crackdown 2” adrenaline pumping with “Toy Box,” the first Game Add-on for the action-packed, open world Xbox 360 exclusive. “Toy Box” offers “Crackdown 2” fans free downloadable content and an additional premium content pack for 560 Microsoft Points to keep the guns blazing and the bodies flying long after you rid Pacific City of crime and injustice.

The “Toy Box” Game Add-on is a literal free-for-all, offering all “Crackdown 2” owning fans the new Vehicle Tag mode, a Level 6 ability reward and the Keys to the City at no cost to bring the high-flying action to even greater heights. For fans who want to take things to the next level, “Toy Box” also comes with bonus content that can be purchased for 560 Microsoft Points, including 10 new Achievements, Avatar Awards and new vehicles and gadgets.

“Toy Box” offers explosive free Game Add-on content to all “Crackdown 2” owning fans:

• Keys to the City: Made notorious in the first “Crackdown” expansion as the ultimate cheat mode, Keys to the City returns to “Crackdown 2” and puts an even bigger set of tools at your disposal, including God Mode, Infinite Ammo, Fly Cam, spawning of weapons, gadgets and more, the ability to freeze the time of day, and pushing all skills to the maximum to become faster, stronger and more lethal.
• Level 6 Reward: Fans who reach Level 6 on all Agent skills will be rewarded with the new Thruster Ability. Thruster Ability is like having jetpacks for your boots, giving Agents built-in vertical propulsion to activate flying with the Wingsuit no matter where you are in the game.
• Vehicle Tag*: Once you’re done taking down the Freaks and the Cell, join your friends for a thrilling new multiplayer mode where up to eight Agents can compete in these six arenas: Speed is the Quay, Industrial Action, Maim Street, Skid Row, Beachhead and The Sum of Human Knowledge.

If that’s not enough to get your heart racing, fans can purchase additional in-game content to extend their gaming experience for 560 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace:

• Two New Vehicles*: Access two new vehicles: the wall climbing aquatic mini-tank called the Agency ATV and the Squad Chopper, which allows four players to jump in and man their own weapon, including the proximity mine launcher, precision rocket launcher, twin machine guns and nose machine gun.
• Five New Toys*: Whether you’re soaring to greater heights or orchestrating a massive explosion, get creative with the following new toys: The Mass Driver (turreted gravity bending weapon), Portable Launch Pads (allows Agents to create their own launch pad jumps), Stickler Grenade (bouncing grenade that sets off smaller explosive charges as it bounces), Thrusters (allow vertical thrust), and Mags on Characters (allow Mag Grenades to be attached to characters).
• Two Avatar Awards: Deck your Agent in the latest gear. “Toy Box” offers two Avatar Awards to customise your Xbox LIVE Avatar with the Xbox Green Suit (must complete the Rocketeer Achievement) and Green Helmet.
• 10 New Achievements: Pacific City never sleeps and neither do the exploits. Industrious Agents will be rewarded with 10 new Achievements and 250 Gamerscore:

1)      Beyond the Infinite

2)      Run Get to the Chopper

3)      Rocketeer

4)      Tac Loc Takedown

5)      Burnt Offerings

6)      Mile High Club

7)      Never Give It Up

8)      One Careful Driver

9)      Wing a Ding Ding

10)  Hung Out To Dry

• Eight Agent Suit Colours: Pick up eight new shades of in-game armour for your Agent:

1)      Peacekeeper

2)      Terror Firma

3)      Agent Orange

4)      May Contain Nuts

5)      Minti-Sting

6)      Mega Agent

7)      Haz Mat

8)      Dem Apples

*Players who have not purchased the premium “Toy Box” content will only have access to the new vehicles and gadgets during multiplayer games if a friend who has purchased the premium content joins. Downloading “Toy Box” is not required to continue engaging in other multiplayer gameplay modes with those who have downloaded it.

To see what we thought of Crackdown 2 then read our review on this remarkable sandbox action game.

Gamers demanded it, and today RedLynx delivered, finally revealing Trials HD – Big Thrills, the hotly anticipated next expansion pack for its best-selling, award-winning Xbox LIVE Arcade game.
“Ever since we released the first Trials HD expansion, gamers have demanded more,” said Antti Ilvessuo, the game’s lead designer and creative director of RedLynx.

“They email us every day, they post on our message boards, and lately they’ve started calling my house and chasing me down the street,” he said. “With this announcement, I can now emerge from hiding and get back to making games.”

Forty new levels
With forty new professional tracks lovingly crafted by RedLynx’s level designers, the new expansion will bring a whole new world of obsessive challenge and bone-crushing gameplay to the game’s large and loyal fan base.

User-Created content
Unique with this release, RedLynx will also include ten user-created tracks, fully credited and featured right alongside the professional levels created by RedLynx. Everyone whose track is included will in addition receive cash or prizes, as well as in-game credit.

“We’re thrilled – no pun intended – to present this contest with our partners at Microsoft,” said Tero Virtala, CEO of RedLynx. “We couldn’t think of a better way to give back to our fans than to give them the opportunity to have their work featured right alongside ours in the next expansion of the legendary Trials HD game.”

Cash prizes
Gamers can visit BigThrillsContest.com to view the rules, the prizes, and the process for submitting a track for inclusion in the Trials HD – Big Thrills expansion pack.

Trials HD – Big Thrills is scheduled for a Q4 release.

Rockstar Games, is proud to announce plans for an ongoing series of downloadable content for the highly acclaimed open world game, Red Dead Redemption.

Four packs of add-on downloadable content will be released for the PlayStation Network for the PS3 and Xbox LIVE over the next few months, starting with the Legends and Killers Pack at the beginning of August 2010, and culminating with the Red Dead Redemption ‘Undead Nightmare’ Pack this fall.  The packs follow the recent release of the free Outlaws To The End Co-Op Mission Pack, which is currently available on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE.

“We want to continue to provide Red Dead Redemption’s fans with a steady supply of innovative new content,” said Sam Houser, founder of Rockstar Games. “Our goal is to continue to pack as much entertaining gameplay and as many surprises as we can into the massive world of Red Dead Redemption over the coming months.”

The upcoming downloadable content for Red Dead Redemption includes:

Legends and Killers Pack

New active map locations, characters and more:

• Release date: beginning of August 2010;
• 9 new multiplayer map locations — more than doubling the amount of territories in the multiplayer competitive modes;
• 8 new multiplayer characters — play as characters from Red Dead Revolver;
• Introducing a new projectile weapon: the Tomahawk, with corresponding challenges for single-player and multiplayer gameplay;
• New achievements and trophies;
• Pricing: $9.99 (PlayStation Network), 800 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE).

Liars and Cheats Pack

New competitive modes, multiplayer mini-games in Free Roam, and more:

• Release date: TBC;
• Attack and Defend multiplayer competitive mode and challenges;
• New multiplayer horse races, complete with mounted combat;
• Play as the heroes and villains of Red Dead Redemption, as well as 8 additional multiplayer characters;
• Multiplayer versions of Liars Dice and Poker from the single-player game;
• Introducing a new weapon: the Explosive Rifle, with associated challenges available in single-player and multiplayer gameplay;
• New achievements and trophies;
• Pricing: $9.99 (PlayStation Network), 800 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE).

Free Roam Pack

Delve deeper into the world of Red Dead Redemption with new modes, challenges and gang hideouts to discover:

• Release date: TBC;
• Additional Free Roam challenges;
• New action areas and defensive placements;
• Posse scoring and leaderboards;
• New anti-griefing measures in Free Roam;
• Pricing: TBC.

Undead Nightmare Pack

Ghost towns and cemeteries come alive in a West gone horribly wrong:

• Release date: TBC;
• Brand new single-player adventure, challenges and quests;
• 8 new multiplayer zombie characters;
• Additional animals unleashed in the world;
• New dynamic events and more;
• Pricing: $9.99 (PlayStation Network), 800 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE).

More details on these upcoming packs and other updates will be revealed closer to each release.

Danny Way’s Hawaiian Dream….Now Your Reality.

SKATE 3 is packing its bag and heading to Hawaii! Gamers can now shred Danny Way’s Hawaiian Dream, an enormous skater’s paradise designed by the skating legend himself. Inspired by the tropical paradise of Hawaii, this all new SKATE 3 downloadable content comes loaded with everything from original street terrain to flowing skate parks and of course Danny’s signature Mega-madness. Danny Way’s Hawaiian Dream content pack will be released on Tuesday, July 6 on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network for 560 MS points or $6.99. The DLC will also include new challenges, create-a-skater gear, an all-new Danny Way playable character, and new achievements and trophies. Danny has been skating the dream for years, and now you can too.

The award-winning SKATE franchise breaks new ground with SKATE 3, delivering the definitive co-op skateboarding experience. It’s up to players to build the ultimate team and change the face of the city with their brand by taking on unique team challenges and competing against rival crews online. The game also features the ability to create and share custom built skate parks and a revamped Thrasher Hall of Meat mode that will have players spending countless hours pulling off bone-crushing carnage.

2K Games announced today Protector Trials, an all-new single-player focused downloadable game add-on for BioShock 2.

The DLC  puts players back into the boots of the Big Daddy as he defends his Little Sister against swarms of corrupt Splicers who are hell-bent on stealing the precious ADAM that she gathers from corpses. Available starting August 3, 2010, this exciting and action-packed addition will challenge players to use the full arsenal of the BioShock 2 tool set as they dispatch their foes and unleash their wrath on enemies across six different areas from the single-player experience.

“The team at 2K Marin has been working hard ever since the launch of BioShock 2 to develop ways for gamers to extend their time in the single-player world of Rapture,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “I’m proud to announce the first of these experiences, the Protector Trials, which takes players back to some of their favorite places from the original game and features some of the biggest challenges that fans of this series have ever experienced. This is just the beginning. More single-player content is on the way that will deliver more of the intense action and story-driven gameplay that fans have been craving.”

Protector Trials is being developed by the core team behind BioShock 2′s single-player experience. It contains a series of challenges focused on frantic combat and fast-paced action that are designed to push players’ mastery of weapons and Plasmids. The goal is simple, but tough to achieve: players must keep their Little Sister safe from the intense onslaught of Splicers as she gathers ADAM from corpses.

The pack includes:

• Six new maps: three unique difficulty levels, each based on favorite locales from BioShock 2;
• New unlockables, including never-before-seen concept art and videos;
• Seven new Achievements/Trophies.

Protector Trials will be available starting August 3, 2010 from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 and Games for Windows-LIVE for 400 Microsoft Points, and from the PlayStation Network for the PS3 for $4.99.

In the coming months, 2K Games will publish more downloadable content that extends the single-player experience, providing new insight into the world of Rapture. The next package will expand the narrative, and introduce new tools and new challenges that extend the lore and fiction of the failed utopia under the sea.

BioShock 2′s first two downloadable packages, Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack* and Rapture Metro Pack*, are currently available for download from both the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and Games for Windows-LIVE, and from the PlayStation Network for the PS3.

We have just been told to stand down in the wait for the new DLC for Battlefield: Bad Company 2, titled Onslaught.

A lot of people have been waiting patiently today for the DLC to appear on Live and also in the Playstation Store but there seems to be a hitch and it would appear that Onslaught will not go live today.

Details of the problem are unclear at the moment and no firm date has been confirmed but has been tentatively penciled in for sometime this week.

We will wait for the official release but we have it on very good authority that we will not see it today.  We just thought we would put your mind at rest.

In the meantime, check out the Onslaught launch trailer that went live earlier today.

This week sees a bumper week for xbox 360 owners on live.  Not only is there a tonne of arcade games available cheap but also it will see the launch of two big add on packs tomorrow.

‘Outlaws To The End’ is the first of several upcoming DLC packs for Red Dead Redemption and will be completely free to download via Xbox LIVE and Playstation Network. The ‘Outlaws To The End’ pack allows up to 4 friends to tackle new missions together, complete player challenges and earn new achievements/trophies.  A total of six missions will be available when the DLC launches on June 22, but only 3 were on display during your hands-on time.

New Features

• Revival/Bleed out: In co-op, if a player is mortally wounded, he will not instantly die. Instead, teammates have an opportunity to revive fallen comrades for a limited period of time. Once a player falls, a timer will appear over their avatar and slowly deplete. Once the timer is up, the character is permanently dead unless a fellow teammate reaches a checkpoint. Which leads us to…
• Checkpoints: These work a little differently in co-op than what players are accustomed to in the single player campaign. Checkpoints in co-op act as a respawn point for any fallen teammates. For example, if 3 players are killed in a firefight, but the last standing teammate finishes off the remaining foes and reaches a checkpoint, all his comrades will respawn. If all 4 players are killed the mission must be started from the beginning.
• Medals: Completing co-op mission earns players medals for performance as well as XP bonuses. Earning a silver medal or better unlocks new playlists with advances weapon load-outs for each class.
• Advanced Co-op: Once all co-op missions have been completed at least one time the Advanced Co-Op Missions playlist unlocks. This playlist contains all the same missions, but with harder AI and expert targeting forced on. These really ratchet up the difficultly and are a much tougher challenge.

Character Classes

For the first time, players will have the option to select a character class prior to the start of each mission. Each class begins with a distinct load out – a set of weapons and equipment unique to that particular class. Generally it is considered wise to bring a diverse group of classes into each mission, as players will encounter shifts in scenery that will call for new strategies and tactics.

Marskman — Expert in long-rage combat.

Starting load out: Rolling Block sniper rifle; Cattleman revolver; throwing knives

Miner — Close-quarters powerhouse.

Starting load out: Pump Action Shotgun; Schofield Revolver; Dynamite

Gunslinger – Specialist in mid-range combat.

Starting load out: Double Action Pistol; Carbine Rifle; Fire Bottles

Soldier – Well-rounded, jack-of-all trades class that performs adequately in most situations.

Starting load out: Winchester Repeater; Volcanic Pistol

Missions

Ammunition – The Mexican Army has the town of Tesero Azul under siege. You and your comrades are pinned down, caught under heavy artillery fire and enemy reinforcements. Your first goal is to clear the town of all hostiles while avoiding enemy artillery blasts from the ridge. Once completed, the next phase of the mission shifts to clearing out the Eastern and Western fortifications surrounding the town. These areas are rife with snipers, riflemen, and gunners on mounted Gatling guns. Once the flanks are secured the final phase of the mission begins, prompting one of your team members to grab explosives from inside the town and plant them on the high ridge amidst the opposing artillery encampment. The mission concludes once the camp is secure and the explosives detonated.

Walton’s Gold – Walton’s gang has taken control of a small mining camp rich with gold. Fight through the camp while avoiding sniper fire from the ridge and mounted Gatling guns near the entrance to the mine. Once inside, pile as many bags of gold as you can into a mine cart while fighting off waves of Walton’s cronies. Be quick, the mine is rigged to explode! Once safely outside the mine, defend your newly acquired riches from Walton’s reinforcements.

The Escape
Interrupt an arms deal and steal a coach full of gold, with the option of using a second, Gatling gun-equipped wagon for protection.  Turn the gold in to the American Army and clear out remaining resistance in the town of Tumbleweed.  The battle at Tumbleweed involves cannons and Gatling guns. After a classic double-cross that ends in a stand-off, escape with the Gold Coach to Mexico, battling Army soldiers the entire way.

The Herd
Cattle rustlers have taken control of Box Canyon. Fight your way in and wipe out the rustlers, then use teamwork to protect the herd as you lead them home to Armadillo under heavy fire – watch for snipers on the ridge, and reinforcements on horseback.

The Kidnapped Girl
Another gang has taken over Fort Mercer, and they’re holding a farmer’s daughter hostage. Charge the fort and eliminate the gang’s inner stronghold, then fend off reinforcements as you transport the girl by stagecoach to her home at Ridgewood Farm.

The River

Use a raft to head downriver, taking out rebel encampments along the way until you reach the rebel stronghold of Nosalida and a final epic battle for the town’s massive weapons caches. Watch out for Gatling gun-equipped enemy rafts.

Next up is the co op DLC for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 which priced at 800 points is a must for anybody that owns the game.  Up to 4 players will help each other out on 4 maps to conquer the enemies flags in the fastest time and repel the hoardes of enemies zeroing in on your locations.

We have managed to get hands on with this already which you can read about here.

But that is not all.  The crackdown 2 demo is also available today for those of you who have missed it and also the Deals Of The Week are massive with a complete blowout.  Check out the details here:-

Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week:
Next weeks Xbox LIVE Deal of the week is a great for Sports Fans:

FIFA 10 Ulitmate Game Mode, 240 Points
Madden NFL Arcade, 800 Points
NBA 2K10 Draft Combine, 240 Points
Football Genius, 400 Points
Sensible World of Soccer, 400 Points
Soccer ball Xbox LIVE Avatar prop, 80 Points
MLB Stickball, 400 Points

You must be an Xbox LIVE Gold member to access this special DOTW pricing which will start Monday, June 21, 2010. Remember: You can upgrade your membership to Gold a variety of way

Xbox LIVE Games on Demand:

June 21: Mirror’s Edge
June 21: Bee Movie Game

Xbox LIVE Arcade:

June 23: RISK: Factions, 800 Points
June 23: Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, 800 Points

Xbox 360 Game Add-ons

June 22: Battlefield Bad Company 2 – Onslaught Mode, 800 Points
June 22: Red Dead Redemption – ‘Outlaws to the End’, Free
June 23: Hasbro Family Game Night: Jenga, Pictureka! and Connect 4×4, 800 Points each

Avatar Marketplace:
June 21: LEGO Harry Potter

So, what are you going to choose first??