September 3rd is when you should check with XBL Marketplace

Sep 1, 2007 14:23 GMT  ·  By

Stats say that with around 500,000 downloads to date, Hidden Fronts, the Gears of War map pack, has become the #1 piece of premium downloadable content on Xbox LIVE. Who cares, right? Well, what if I told you that Hidden Fronts is FREE for download starting September 3rd? Yup, now I've got your attention. No actually, the headline did.

That's right dear Xbox 360 gamers and fans of Epic's shooter. Hidden Fronts will join the Annex gametype and Multiplayer Map Pack 1 on the same day, according to an official report. Here's what you'll find in the map pack, just in case you're one of those who were waiting for it to be free:

Bullet Marsh In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving combatants to fend for themselves against the Kryll.

Garden This overgrown and crumbling conservatory still has a working fertilization and pesticide system. This system can pose a serious hazard to anyone who ventures into the greenhouse without first venting the air.

Process Fight for control of this subterranean Imulsion processing plant, still active despite the cessation of the Pendulum wars.

Subway Timgad 's Central Subway station used to serve as a central hub for commuters. Now the tunnels are crawling with Locust.

And of course, there will be new achievements to be earned as well. Mark Rein himself confirmed this when they announced Hidden Fronts and Annex, back in May: "The title update is free and that's what contains the achievements. However some of the achievements are tied to things relating to playing the maps in the Hidden Fronts map pack which currently costs money but will be made free in a few months."

Don't you wish we hadn't told you about this so soon? Now you're going to scratch your eyes and not be able to sleep at night because you have two more days to go. Chances are, you're so excited now that you'll probably go and buy it... hehe!