Three new maps plus a bonus game mode are coming to the first-person shooter

Nov 30, 2012 15:19 GMT  ·  By

After a pretty big leak concerning Halo 4's upcoming DLC packs, Microsoft has now officially confirmed when it's going to deploy the first add-on for Halo 4, in the form of the Crimson Map Pack, which is out on December 10.

Halo 4 has already received DLC packs since its launch at the beginning of the month, in the form of episodes for its Spartan Ops campaign.

Now, the first full-fledged add-on for the regular multiplayer mode – the Crimson Map Pack – has just received an actual release date of December 10.

The DLC, which is the first of the three map packs confirmed for Halo 4, will include three new levels for the multiplayer mode as well as a brand new online game type called Extraction, which will be released as part of a special playlist only for Crimson owners.

Check out the full details about the different maps and the Extraction mode below, via Xbox 360 community manager Larry Hryb's blog.

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.

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.

The Crimson Map Pack for Halo 4 is out on December 10 and will cost 800 MS Points. Those who got the War Games Season Pass, however, will get it for free.