Halo 4's Crimison Map Pack has official been revealed and will release on Dec. 10 for 800 Microsoft Points. It is included for free with the War Games season pass that cost $24.99 or 2,000 Microsoft Points. Halo 4 will also recieve two additional map packs in February and April, both of those map pack are also included with the season pass.
Crimson Map Pack will also include eight all-new Achievements that can add a total of 250 points to gamer's Xbox Gamerscore. Crimson Map Pack owners will gain exclusive access to a single premium playlist that will feature the new maps and a unique 6 vs. 6 matchmaking experiences, according to Microsoft.
Below are the descriptions for each map per Microsoft and reported first by Game Informer:
Wreckage: Wreckage is the manifestation of the chaos of war. A medium-sized, asymmetrical map great for accommodating a wide range of objective-based game modes including King of the Hill and Capture the Flag, it is a ravaged environment of crashed debris, where the surrounding destruction creates complex paths perfect for throwing off your opponents, or testing the limits of your Warthog. This devastated landscape provides plenty of cover, and tons of nooks and crannies are at your disposal while fighting for your turn to become King. Wreckage supports up to 16 players in Infinity Slayer and up to 12 players in a variety of other modes, including Capture the Flag, King of the Hill and Oddball.
Harvest: Harvest is a canon concept brought to life - the doomed agricultural planet where humans first made contact with the Covenant. A small to mid-size map, Harvest is ideal for Capture the Flag. Here, you'll need to get creative to effectively use light vehicles which are limited to the exterior pathways and can't get into the bases, making this map perfect for infantry firefights and face-to-face skirmishes. Snipers will also feel right at home; long sightlines are broken up by great cover and hiding spots. Harvest allows up to 12 players to face off in Capture the Flag, Infinity Slayer, King of the Hill, SWAT and Slayer Pro.
Shatter: Shatter is themed around natural crystalline surfaces and the huge UNSC factories mining them. This large, symmetrical map is a playground for the Warthog and Mantis - its open pathways make it easy to get around, whether on foot or in vehicles. Shatter is a great fit for Dominion and the new game type Extraction. For some close-quarters face-time, escape the open landscape and duck into a mining facility, or slip through a doorway and hunt unsuspecting Spartans. This map has variety for different types of players. Shatter enables multiplayer mayhem for up to 16 players in Infinity Slayer and up to 12 players in other modes, such as Capture the Flag, King of the Hill, Dominion and Extraction.
According to the report, 343 Industries also announced a new game type called "Extraction" that will be introduced to Halo 4 online matchmaking on the same day that the new map pack releases. Below is a brief summary of the game mode.
Extraction: Extraction is a 5 vs. 5 objective-based game type where opposing Spartan teams are tasked with extracting assets from various sites around the map. Once a team has found a site and is in position, they must plant their beacon and protect it from the opposing team while the extraction process occurs. If the defending team remains in control of the beacon, they receive one point, however if the opposing team overtakes the site before extraction is complete, the point goes to them. Once a site has been extracted, a new site becomes available. The first team to extract five points wins.
Halo 4 is now available worldwide as of Nov.6 for the Xbox 360. You can read our review of the game here. If you want to more about how 343 Industries has attempted to make Halo 4 feel familiar and brand new at the same time, read more here. No more Master Chief in future Halo games? Maybe read about it here. Learn how you can earn free Microsoft points by playing Halo 4's multiplayer mode here.
