Many games that release nowadays will have at least one piece of DLC or an expansion of some sort and, while many may object to the ‘we only own part of the game for full-price’ method of games sales, it’s looking to continue with the upcoming Real-Time Strategy game Halo Wars 2, due out February 21. Today, we were shown a screenshot of some files allegedly from Halo Wars 2 and they may detail some of the DLC plans that Microsoft has for their game.
Known Halo modder Gamecheat13, @Gamecheat13 on Twitter, shared a screenshot of a section of a file that they claim is from Halo Wars 2. As always with rumors, things may change and the rumor itself may be false, so keep that in mind. The screenshot details a list of ‘entitlements’ that would likely be linked to a player’s game and they are Pre-Order Leader 1, VOPacks, CustomPaintJobs, DLC Leader 1, DLC Leader 2, DLC Leader 3, DLC Leader 4, DLC Leader 5, UNSC Mini Campaign, DLC Leader 6, DLC Leader 7, and Banished Campaign. So, according to this tip, we can expect a slew of new leader roles for players to assume, as well as two separate campaigns outside the primary campaign outside of this presumed DLC. Now, let’s look at some known DLC for Halo Wars 2 and see what lines up where, and what we can expect to see in the coming months. The screenshot is just below.
Looking to the Microsoft / Windows / Xbox Store(s), we can see the various editions as well as addons for Halo Wars 2. The Ultimate Edition includes not only Halo Wars: Definitive Edition, but also a Season Pass for the unannounced DLC for Halo Wars 2. The Season Pass, according to its listing in the Window Store, “delivers regular updates that span more than six months including: New leaders with abilities that change the course of multiplayer matches, new Units that add to your multiplayer arsenal, new Blitz cards to collect and take into battle, and new campaign missions that expand the Halo Wars 2 story.” When compared to today’s details, we can presume that the DLC and Season Pass will go for six or seven months, possibly with one of the new Leaders to come soon after release and one per month after that, as Turn 10 and Playground Games have done with Forza Horizon 3‘s Car Pass.
Next, there’s the Welcome to the Ark DLC that comes with either the Standard or Ultimate Edition, according to the Windows Store. This DLC lets players “[e]xperience the exciting first battles between the UNSC and The Banished” and it “[u]nlocks the story missions and multiplayer leaders from the original Halo Wars 2 campaign.” This last part may be a typo, instead letting players play as leaders from the original Halo Wars game instead. This bit of included DLC is likely the Test Entitlement section of the details. As for the Banished Campaign, UNSC Mini Campaign, and Custom Paint Jobs, we can’t find anything fitting the description. Also listed in the store, and not apparently included in the Season Pass, is the Isabel Pack, a set of cards for Blitz Mode. It does state it comes when you pre-order Halo Wars 2, and could in fact actually be Pre-Order Leader 1. If and when we learn more on the DLC for Halo Wars 2, we’ll keep you updated so stay tuned to Rectify Gaming for that coverage.
Source: Gamecheat13 via Twitter