It happened with Star Wars: Battlefront, so would anyone expect otherwise from DICE and EA when Electronic Arts' fourth-quarter earnings report brought up the prospects of bringing micro and macro transactions to Battlefield 1? If you didn't expect it... well... surprise! Micro-transactions and map packs are coming to Battlefield 1.

"Given that in Battlefield 1, you will see both macro monetization opportunities from us like maps and large scale content, as well as micro monetization opportunities, smaller increments of gameplay, and then over time, what you will see from us is elements of gameplay that allow gamers to engage and drive, and extend and enhance their experience, much the way people do with FIFA Ultimate Team or Madden Ultimate Team today. We feel very confident in our ability to deliver that in a way that is deemed valuable by our player, and drives increased engagement over time with them."

- Andrew Wilson - Electronic Arts Inc. - CEO

That's right. Despite heavily critical reception by reviewers and fans over the lack of content in Star Wars: Battlefront, EA DICE's next project will once again feature macrotransactions in the form of map packs. What's worse is that unlike Battlefront, Battlefield 1 will also feature micro-transactions. Fortunately, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson reassures us that the micro-transactions will not heavily affect gameplay.

"As relates to Battlefield 1 and extra monetization opportunity, taking a step back, any time we think about extra monetization inside an experience, we really think about it on two vectors: One, are we able to provide value to the gamer, in terms of extending and enhancing their experience? And two, are we able to do that in a world where we give them choice? We never want to be in a place where there's a belief that we are providing a pay to win mechanic inside of one of our games."

- Andrew Wilson - Electronic Arts Inc. - CEO

As stated in the above quote, the micro-transactions in Battlefield 1 aren't going to be pay-to-win purchases, but they will undoubtedly be present.

It does bring into question what these features will include if they are not pay-to-win purchases. Will they be skins for vehicles and weapons? New costumes for players? Maybe something to prevent the gangrene that came as a result of fighting in the trenches during World War 1?

Who knows. Only time will tell. Hopefully the base game will have enough content this time around to warrant the macro-transactions though.

What do you think of micro-transactions and map packs coming to Battlefield 1? Are you cynical after Battlefront that these will be sold at the price of a full game in order to have a decent amount of content? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

Call of Duty: Black OPs Eclipse DLC is available now for a discounted rate through the Season Pass, and contains four new multiplayer maps, as well as a continuation the zombies origin storyline. 

The four maps featured are: 

Knockout

• Retro Shaolin Temple
• Mid-sized map
• Exhibits a sharp contrast between the tight quarters within the building and those mid-range elements outside. 

Spire

• A futuristic sub-orbital airport terminal that lays among the clouds
• Includes multiple floors and open areas promoting mid-range combat
• large map

Rift

• Takes place in a harsh futuristic military complex above an active caldera
• This map is perfect for close combat and good maneuverability
• There is only one way out, forward
• Small

Verge

• Call of Duty's World at War map, Banzai, just got an upgrade. Here you will be dropped in the middle of a post-apocalyptic active war zone. 
• Your goals are to take control over the major elements of the field, the bridge, the fortress, the tunnel systems, and the waterfalls
• Mid-sized

The highly-anticipated Zombies experience: Zetsubou No Shima, serves as the second stop in the Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies storyline that takes place across four different DLC map Packs coming out this year. Our main characters will be stuck on a remote Pacific island which hosts a secret biological research lab, which originated the disease that's now spreading through the human race. Zetsubou No Shima includes new zombie enemies, transport mechanics, traps, and classic Zombies side quests.

There was a live stream of the content done by Ali-A which you can find it here or search the YouTube channel. Alia-A will be talking us through some of the new features along with Jason Blundell.  

This DLC in available for PS4. Sadly it is not available for either PS3 or Xbox 360.  

While a number of fans are in uproar over the cut content from the international release of Fire Emblem Fates, the ones who are still very much interested in getting their fill of character-driven strategy action will be happy to know that the game is getting DLC support from day 1.

According to the official Fire Emblem Fates website, the game will be releasing alongside the Fire Emblem Fates: Map Pack 1. This DLC pack sold for $17.99 USD will include over 12 maps that range from generic missions, to story-driven ones, and even some reimaginings of missions from older games.

DLC Map Details:

• (Feb. 19) Before Awakening - Beyond the gate to another world lies the Halidom of Ylisse. Free DLC. Easy difficulty mission that rewards players with a pebble, as well as an Exalt's Brand or Hero's Brand.
• (Feb. 25) Boo Camp - It is said that there is another world where one can get plenty of experience... $2.49 USD. Easy difficulty mission that rewards player with extra experience.
• (Feb. 25) Beach Brawl - And the winner of the royal families' battle over a ticket to paradise is... $2.49 USD. Medium difficulty (fan-service) mission that rewards players with special event illustrations.
• (Mar. 3) Ghostly Gold - It is said that there is another world where one can get plenty of gold... $2.49 USD. Easy difficulty mission that rewards players with a sizable amount of in-game gold.
• (Mar. 3) Museum Melee - It is said that there is a world where one can get many new weapons... $2.49 USD. Easy difficulty mission that rewards players with various weapon drops.
• (Mar. 17) Royal Royale - A battle to determine the strongest royal. And the last one standing is- $2.49 USD. Intense difficulty mission that will reward players with an item to raise all stats, as well as a Dread Scroll / Ebon Wing.
• (Mar. 24) Hidden Truths (1 and 2) - The secret prologue to the world of Fates. 2 map set. $4.49 USD. Hard difficulty missions that will reward players with Fell Brand / First Blood.
• (Mar. 31) Vanguard Dawn - A trial ground using the stage Elincia's Gambit from Radiant Dawn. $1.99 USD. A medium difficulty mission that rewards players with a Vanguard Brand.
• (Apr. 7) Anna on the Run -  Anna is cornered by thieves! What will her fate be...? $1.99 USD. Easy difficulty mission that rewards players with Anna as a playable character.
• (Apr. 14) Ballistician Blitz - A trial ground using the stage The Wooden Cavalry from Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. A unique map including the rare Ballistician class. Rewards players with a Sighting Lens.
• (Apr. 14) A Gift from Anna - If you select "A Gift from Anna" from the "Play DLC" section of the Dragon's Gate after downloading, you may select and receive either the Sighting Lens or the Witch's Mark. Only playable once. Free DLC.
• (Apr. 21) Witches' Trial - A trial ground using the stage Fear Mountain from Fire Emblem Gaiden. $1.99 USD. Medium difficulty mission that rewards players with a Witch's Mark.

For those who don't like math, the total for buying the maps individually amounts to $24.90 USD. That's $6.91 more than buying Fire Emblem Fates: Map Pack 1, so if you are interested in getting them all then it would be best to buy the pack instead. Remember, some of the maps are free and can be played without buying Map Pack 1, so feel free to test those ones out before deciding whether or not you want to download the rest!

The DLC page also states that anyone who has not purchased the Special Edition of Fire Emblem Fates will have to wait until March 10th to download it. Anyone who purchases either Birthright or Conquest will be able to buy the other paths for a reduced DLC price of $19.99, although the site does not make it clear whether or not this will be as a bundle or individually.

It's worth noting that Fire Emblem Awakening did very well in DLC sales. While the chance of successful sales of Fire Emblem Fates are still in the air as a result of the recent controversies, hopefully the game will sell well enough that Nintendo of America still knows that North American players still care about the series.

Fire Emblem Fates will be released in North America on February 19th, 2016, while European players are still waiting for news of their release date.

Bonus one! On their days off from shooting people, Titans work as low-rent security guards.

(Source for this image: Game Informer)

Here's a topdown view of the whole map. If you look very closely, you can finally find where Waldo's been hiding all these years.

These contradictory directional arrows brought to you by Alice in Wonderland.

No lightcycles, but there is a Titan playing hide and go seek in the background.

Spectres have déjà vu as they are artificial intelligences inside of artificial machines demonstrating artificial artificial intelligence.

Observe the Digitalialis Titanfallenius in its natural cybernetic habitat.

Halo 4's Majestic Map Pack DLC has been announced, and 343 Industries has a video for those of you looking to extend your time with the game. The pack comes with Infinity Rumble mode and three new, small to medium-size maps: Landfall, Monolith, and Skyline.

The Majestic Map Pack will be released on February 25 for 800 Microsoft Points. Those with a War Games pass will be receiving the DLC for free. The next Halo 4 DLC map pack, Castle, is slated for release in April.