Team Racing is an all-new mode for Need for Speed Shift that pits two teams of up to six racers against each other. In team-based races, winning isn’t simply about crossing the finish line. You’ll have to coordinate with your teammates, work out strategies, and yes… sometimes you’ll have to lose in order to win. It’s a difficult concept for some to grasp. I’d suggest watching Talladega Nights for inspiration. If you bought a launch PlayStation 3 you should have a copy. It’s all about the “Shake N’ Bake”.

The Team Racing pack also comes with five renowned racing cars:

1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 427
1967 Shelby GT-500
1969 Dodge Charger R/T
1971 Dodge Challenger R/T
1998 Toyota Supra Mark IV

The Team Racing pack will be available worldwide for the Xbox 360 on December 1, December 3 for European PS3 consoles and December 10 for the North American PS3.

At the beginning of Dragon Age: Origins, a battle between the forces of good and evil at Ostagar leave the Grey Wardens nearly extinct and young King Cailan seriously dead. In Return to Ostagar, players revisit the scene of the slaughter, exacting revenge, uncovering secrets and seeking out the arms and armour of the fallen king. I’d expect the armour might need a little hammering out, considering the good king was crushed like an empty Sprite can.

“We are very proud of the phenomenal launch of Dragon Age: Origins and we’re pleased to announce the next installment of downloadable content that will be available to fans of the game,” said Ray Muzyka, Group General Manager, RPG/MMO Group of EA and Co-Founder, BioWare. “The Return to Ostagar DLC pack is a prime example of BioWare’s commitment to give fans a game that continuously offers new experiences and further enriches a storyline that has already received critical acclaim and positive feedback from the players.”

Return to Ostagar will be released for the PlayStation 3, PC and Xbox 360 around Christmas/New Year, with a price tag of 400 Microsoft points, 400 BioWare points or $US4.99 depending.

“I think reports on the death of package goods have been greatly exaggerated,” Feder told a gathering of analysts in New York earlier today. “Downloadable content is interesting and will continue to be interesting, not because it’s eclipsing retail but because of the instant feedback.

“You can learn as you go along” from customers.

Feder said that while he thinks that downloadable content will continue to increase, it won’t be at the expense of retail goods or retail stores.

“I’m bullish on downloadable content but not necessarily at the experense of retail stores and packaged goods,” he said. “I think package goods are here with us for a long time. I am pretty confident we will be seeing package goods and stores for a long time.”

The Tears of the Hextadon map pack consists of two new maps for Brutal Legend’s completely non-real-time strategy online multiplayer mode. The Circle of Tears map is completely surrounded by water, while the Death’s Fjord map takes place in an icy mountain path, where players must brave wide open spaces in order to reach the fan geysers needed to generate units.

Double fine’s Tim Schafer explains the map names.

“I play Brütal Legend online every night,” said Tim Schafer, President of Double Fine Productions. “And I need more maps! Circle of Tears is named after the crying of my vanquished foes on the battlefield, and Death’s Fjord is obviously a tribute to my Nordic ancestors, and their love of fan geysers and… Well, actually I just thought the name was cool. See you online!”

He doesn’t explain, however, why the PlayStation 3 version of the downloadable content is free from the November 5 release until November 19, while the Xbox 360 pack costs 400 Microsoft points as soon as it hits Xbox Live on November 3. Perhaps EA is trying to drum up more PS3 business? We’ve contacted EA about the reasoning and will update as soon as we hear back.

Everyone who buys Fairytale Fights for the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 will be getting free downloadable content in the coming weeks, but prove your love for the game and you can get even more. How does one prove their love? Simply register at the Fairytale Fights website, and you’ll be eligible for extra downloadable content, which Playlogic says is valued at $US15. Whether four new playable characters and three new PVP arenas are worth $US15 to you is a moot point really, as you’ll just be getting it for free anyway. Let’s not split hairs here.

To register for the extra DLC, visit http://www.fairytalefights.com/dlc. Details on the content coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 users who don’t register will be announced in the coming weeks.

Guitar Hero gets three new tracks every Thursday in October, kicking things off on the 5th with the Queens of the Stone Age track pack, consisting of “Mexicola”, “Avon” and “How to Handle a Rope.” Then we go backwards a bit on the 8th, with “The Stroke”, “Everybody Wants You”, and “When She Comes To Me” making up the three songs in the Billy Squier track pack. October 15th sees the last of this month’s artist-specific packs, with Wolfmother’s “Pilgrim”, “California Queen” and “Cosmic Egg” making their way onto the Guitar Hero store.

The last two Thursday’s of the month are dedicated to Classic Rock and All Hallows’ Eve, with tracks from GWAR, The J. Geils Band, The Misfits, Peter Frampton, Triumph, and Marilyn Manson. I’ll let you folks figure out which artist belongs to which track pack, or you could just cheat and scroll down.

Guitar Hero Downloadable Content – October 1

Queens Of The Stone Age Track Pack

* “Mexicola”
* “Avon”
* “How to Handle a Rope”

Downloadable Content – October 8

Billy Squier Track Pack

* “The Stroke”
* “Everybody Wants You”
* “When She Comes To Me”

Downloadable Content – October 15

Wolfmother Track Pack

* “Pilgrim”
* “California Queen”
* “Cosmic Egg”

Downloadable Content – October 22

Classic Rock 2 Track Pack

* The J. Geils Band – “Freeze Frame”
* Peter Frampton – “Show Me The Way (Live)”
* Triumph – “Lay It On The Line”

Downloadable Content – October 29

All Hallows’ Eve Track Pack

* GWAR – “Gor Gor”
* Marilyn Manson – “Beautiful People”
* The Misfits – “Astro Zombies”

Dirty cheaters.

Harmonix confirmed today what you may have already had leaked all over you: a Roy Orbison six-pack is hitting the Rock Band series next week. The tracks?

You already know. “Claudette”, “In Dreams,” “Mean Woman Blues,” “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Ooby Dooby,” and “You Got It,” six tracks that span nearly years worth of Orbison’s career. Pricing is the standard $1.99 USD (160 Microsoft Points) per track or $9.99 USD (800 Microsoft Points) for the full half-dozen. They’ll hit Xbox Live Marketplace on January 6th, the PlayStation Store on January 15th.

Good work, Harmonix. You’re this much closer to a copy of Rock Band being purchased by my dad. No joke.

The “South Central Upgrade Map” opens up L.A.’s southern charms for free early next year, giving Midnight Clubbers access to landmarks such as Exposition Park, the USC campus, Shrine Auditorium, Crenshaw Plaza, and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. And Randy’s Donuts! Wait, make that _____’s Donuts for the legal team.

Rockstar’s also releasing the “South Central Content Pack” which doesn’t come free. It will add new character competitions, races, cars (including SUVs) and new music to the standard package. Price? Rockstar’s not saying. But we’ll definitely be hitting the streets of South Central with the windows up when those free goodies roll out.

Rockstar Games Announces South Central Upgrade and Content Pack for Midnight Club: Los Angeles

New York, NY – December 12, 2008 – Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce the massive downloadable upgrade and content pack for Midnight Club: Los Angeles, the latest installment of its critically acclaimed and genre-defining Midnight Club franchise. The content will be available early next year for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

The “South Central Upgrade Map” provides players with a whole new area of the city, about one-third the size of the original map, and will be available for free. This area features L.A. landmarks such as Exposition Park, the USC campus, Shrine Auditorium, Crenshaw Plaza, and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum and stretches south to the 105 Freeway. In addition to the free new city area, players will be able to purchase the “South Central Content Pack” which includes new character competitions, races, cars and music available in a single complete package. The new vehicles include a variety of cars and a motorcycle. Also making an appearance for the first time in Midnight Club: Los Angeles will be SUVs, a longtime favourite of the series’ fans.

“This downloadable content hones in on a very iconic area of Los Angeles,” said Jay Panek, Midnight Club Producer at Rockstar San Diego. “‘This South Central download features staples of the area, from the landmarks to the types of cars, and we think it really helps enhance the overall L.A. feel we set out to recreate.”

Game Informer described Midnight Club: Los Angeles as “just what the doctor ordered: a fun, fast racing experience with enough content to keep you playing for months.” The addition of South Central will enhance the overall experience and extend the game even further.

Developed by Rockstar San Diego, Midnight Club: Los Angeles provides a seamless, breathtaking environment for everyone who loves to compete. With no load times, no tracks, and no rules, the game allows players to race at breakneck speeds through an unbelievable recreation of Los Angeles in fully customizable, licensed cars.

The racing experience in Midnight Club: Los Angeles is extended online at the Rockstar Games Social Club (www.rockstargames.com/socialclub), where players are able to enter tournaments, share in-game photos, rate other people’s rides, track stats with other gamers, and listen to and purchase music from the soundtrack.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles is currently available for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 and is rated T for Teen. The “South Central Upgrade Map” and “South Central Content Pack” both require players to have the full version of Midnight Club: Los Angeles for Xbox 360 or PLAYSTATION 3 and an Xbox LIVE or a PlayStation Network membership to download. For more information, log onto www.rockstargames.com/midnightclubla

What quick and dirty downloadables, particularly the less obvious titles, have been grabbing your attention in the face of the season’s AAA onslaught we discussed yesterday?

Exact details are to be confirmed, but I can confidently say that your readers won’t miss out.

So never fear, friends. Your Spaceman Sackboy outfit and the week one special T-shirt will be available for those who get in at the start.