Microsoft Makes Last Attempt to Cash In on Halo 2

Today, Microsoft announced two new maps for Halo 2, available April 17th on Xbox Live to the price of $4. The maps will be remakes of favorites Hang Em’ High and Derelict, renamed as Tombstone and Desolation.

Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios today confirmed the upcoming release of two new, eagerly awaited downloadable maps for “Halo® 2.” The maps will be available as premium downloadable content for Xbox® and Xbox 360™ on April 17.

Fans of the original “Halo” have long requested the addition of some of their favorite maps to the critically acclaimed multiplayer experience of “Halo 2.” These re-creations, developed by Bungie and Certain Affinity Inc., are a perfect way to thank fans for their support as they surpass 800 million hours of “Halo 2” gaming on Xbox LIVE®.

The two maps will bring new life to ancient battlefields and legendary skirmishes, as both are new, improved and redesigned remakes of fan favorites from the original “Halo: Combat Evolved.” For the price of $4 for the pair, these maps bring a fresh burst of action to the seminal “Halo 2” online multiplayer experience. Both of the maps will be available through the “Halo 2” in-game content downloader for both Xbox and Xbox 360.*

While many weren’t pleased, Joystiq’s entry was laced with snark and Digg was of course, filled the obligatory bitching but can you really blame Microsoft to cash out before Halo 3 when week after week Halo 2 dominates the Xbox Live charts?