14 DAY TRIAL // Gears of War 4 is getting close to delivering a beta stage that will offer players a first look at the multiplayer mechanics, and the development team at The Coalition is ready to reveal how it plans to improve the mode once the title is launched with new content.
NeoGAF has collated info from various sources that say the system implemented by the studio will deliver a new map each month for one year once the title is out and that maps will be rotated in and out for online play every time, although the criteria for this are unclear.
Gamers will need to buy a map to keep playing it in their own custom games for Gears of War 4, which will be seen by many fans as an attempt to obtain a new revenue stream from the most dedicated of fans.
According to The Coalition, the plan is to deliver ten full maps for the third-person cover shooter at launch, with nine entirely new environments and a remake of Gridlock included.
Many gamers thought that Gears of War 4 would use a system similar to another major Xbox One exclusive, Halo 5: Guardians, offering all new content entirely for free, both maps and modes, while asking gamers to pay for items if they are interested in boosting their experience.
The Coalition is also adding microtransactions
The studio has already confirmed that it is working with Microsoft to introduce a microtransaction system to the game, which will allow players to get access to packs that can also be obtained via actual gameplay.
All the items included are cosmetic in nature and have no effect on gameplay, with the option introduced to make sure that those gamers who want to make their avatar unique without playing too much can do so.
The only new mode for the multiplayer side of Gears of War 4 that has been revealed so far is called Dodgeball and is centered on the idea that a team can get a respawn ticket by taking out a member of the enemy force.
Gears of War 4 will be launched on October 11 on the Xbox One, and the beta stage will be introduced on April 18 for all those who have picked up the Ultimate Edition of the first title in the series while the rest of the community will be able to get access one week later.