MW2 Stimulus Package costs 1200 MSP

By Tom Bramwell Published 15 March, 2010

Five maps detailed for March DLC.

Infinity Ward has detailed the Modern Warfare 2 "Stimulus Package" downloadable content and said it will cost 1200 Microsoft Points (£10.20 / €14.40).

Stimulus Package consists of five multiplayer maps - three new, two brought back from the original Modern Warfare - and is due out on 30th March.

The new maps are called Bailout, Storm and Salvage. Bailout is a wide map set in an overrun apartment complex with long sight lines. Storm is a series of abandoned warehouses in the midst of a thunderstorm and is good for larger team battles and objective gametypes. Salvage is a smaller, snowy effort in a junkyard.

The two returning maps, meanwhile, are Crash and Overgrown. Crash is an urban map with a downed helicopter, while Overgrown - one of the stars of the original Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta - is a wide open map suitable for snipers.

Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling revealed details of the pack on this week's Major Nelson podcast and said that the returning duo had been spruced up slightly but with no major changes to layout.

Microsoft has previously said that the first two Modern Warfare 2 map packs would be exclusive to Xbox Live, and Eurogamer recently learned that both are exclusive for 30 days.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (105) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • doulema #1 2 years ago

    So almost 15Euros for 2 maps they just transferred from the older MW and 3 new maps? What an offer.

  • f00b_inc #2 2 years ago

    Just: wow, that is ludicrous. HMV will give me £25 for my copy of MW2 so I think I'll take the cash and run!

    /pines for days of post-release free maps :-(

    /pats PC
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 08:28

  • Brianstorm #3 2 years ago

    Obscene.

  • giant_frying_pan #4 2 years ago

    "You are excited about Modern Warfare 2!"

    *clicks Undo

  • Peew971 #5 2 years ago

    I guess they decided since no one really argued about the higher RRP for the game, they could get away with higher priced DLC. The sad thing is, everybody will be furious about the cost of the DLC but most people will end up buying it. Vote with your wallet people!

  • Spekingur #6 2 years ago

    Were there any map-package news for the PC version?

  • Harmonica #7 2 years ago

    £3.40 per each new map.

    Yeah...

    I'm a sucker for the old maps, but the new ones have to be insanely good quality, and even then, there's only three of them.

    Activision really are complete bastards.

  • DDevil #8 2 years ago

    Ouch! Thank God Bad Company 2 now has my attention.

  • Tomo #9 2 years ago

    I've not followed the pricing of similar DLC for other games' map packs, but that really sounds like it's taking the piss.

    Selling maps has always felt slightly odd to me having downloaded countless maps for nothing back in the days of Quake 2 and Quake 3.

    Still, just like the idiots who paid 55 quid or whatever it was for MW2 on release, they'll lap this up too.

  • berryl227 #10 2 years ago

    Right serious question to all how do you feel about DLC in general?

    To be honest im torn with it. For me the DLC which adds value to my experience is one which extends longevity of the original SP (fallout etc) whilst map packs very often split a thriving community. I have bought my fair share of map pack DLC in the past but i just dont know wheteher it actually extended or improved my enjoyment of the game.

    So going to give this one a miss and save a few pennies. If this means I stuggle to get a game then I will have to move on to new things. im already fearing the DLC for BFBC2....

  • dupplawt #11 2 years ago

    So you rip-off your fan base for the actual game, now you rip them off for 'new' maps. Get out Activision.

  • makariel #12 2 years ago

    For 15 € I know much better things to do than getting 5 new maps (while only 3 of them are really 'new'). After they ran Guitar Hero into the ground Activision is doing it again, this time with CoD. When we see Lego Call of Duty: Beatles, it's time for the Apocalypse.

  • bad09 #13 2 years ago

    1200 points for 3 new maps and two old ones????? My god you disgustingly greedy bastards!!! I'm glad MW2 wasn't that good and I deleted it off the HDD already, and also glad MOH will serve my war shooter needs this autumn.

    Sad that this rip will make them a fortune as people throw their money at them :(

  • Nath_monn #14 2 years ago

    I think I'd rather just play cod4 to enjoy all the orignal maps, rather than pay 1200msp for the pleasure of two. Besides cod4 had the right balance, and decent flow of gameplay, instead of the noob hole that is mw2.

    Ha 1200 msp, I feel sorry for the poor little bitches suckling on the teets of actihells cash cow. Thank fuck I got a promo copy of mw2, no money has been spent on this shit game and no money will be.

    I bet it's gonna be like waw too, buy the maps or get Kicked every other game!

  • Xerx3s #15 2 years ago

    Heh. A big FU to IW then. Too much awesome stuff out atm to waste so much money. 2 of the maps are nothing but rehashes ffs. They have some nerve.

  • vegard #16 2 years ago

    whoa, 1200 points...i guess activision has done some research and found out that gamers will shell out that much. thanks alot you dlc-buying idiots. vote with your wallet this time around!

  • Jonny5Alive7 #17 2 years ago

    Overgrown? I really dislike maps where you get sniped constantly, argh!

    1200 is quite a lot for some new maps, but I probably will end up getting them because I will probably end up getting my money's worth out of them.

  • peteb #18 2 years ago

    ...and yet Perfect Dark XBLA is 800 ms points.

  • CaptainQuint #19 2 years ago

    I'm gonna trade in MW2, I don't play it. Battlefield Bad Company 2 wipes the floor with it.

  • kratos-i-am #20 2 years ago

    Just a quick question...
    Don't most people who have MW2 also have the original MW?
    Perhaps Infinity Ward should consider giving the 2 maps from the original free to those that own it?
    But I guess it's Activision after all.. Pigs are probably more likely to fly...

    In all honesty though do the original maps even need to be in MW2 seeing as I could just play them in the original COD4?

  • TeaFiend #21 2 years ago

    Similar price to Gears 2 innit?

  • Nath_monn #22 2 years ago

    Nah of course the maps don't need to be on mw2, their initital charm that made these maps so good, is going to be deminished every single time you get predator missled, or chopper gunned, or sniped with thermal scope.

    I'm so bitter towards mw2 I hoped and longed for it to be something it isnt, saddly all we got was a charmless multiplayer braw, with a lot of the original joys lost somewhere between a care package and a ac130, shame.

  • The_Inquisitor #23 2 years ago

    If they were going to rework old maps into this latest DLC, I would have preferred something like they done with China Town, which was lifted from CoD2 and given a new paint job. MW1 is still popular online, I can't see the initial benefit of reusing those maps.

    When I first saw 5 maps, I thought it was good will gesture for the fans, what a fool I was.

  • Apostle #24 2 years ago

    Good god this is getting silly. Take note DICE. You need to be the good guys, 2 maps for 400 and 3 for 600 seems spot on to me. Any weapon or vehicle unlocks less. All this stuff should get cheaper and even become free over time too.

  • Beano #25 2 years ago

    Strange to charge 1200p for a "Stimulus Package"?

    Shouldn't they instead change money from all the users which are not benefitting from the map pack, while the users who use it, get it for free? Seems to be more fitting for something called a "Stimulus Package" :p

    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 09:21

  • TruWari3r #26 2 years ago

    Let's see what to do on March 30th

    mw2 stimulus map pack 1200 points
    bfbc2 vip map pack 2 free

    I know what I'll be playing

  • icematt12 #27 2 years ago

    1200 points, a game or 5 maps for something I don't really play? CoD is on a slipperly slope.

    Maybe Kasumi will be more price appealing.
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 09:52

  • optimusprym8 #28 2 years ago

    Luckily I bought it from Sainsbury's for £26 and traded it in for £35 so screw you Activision, BFBC2 is a much better game in so many ways

  • mcmonkeyplc #29 2 years ago

    Here's hoping Bad Company 2 completely fucks MW2 over. Fuck you Activsion.

  • DestructiveBambi #30 2 years ago

    I'm so glad I traded this in now, no way would I ever pay that much just for a few extra maps! Especially with so many games to choose from that are coming out this year.

  • LiveForever #31 2 years ago

    Microsoft Rip-off and yet lots of stupid idiotic people will buy it just like gears of war 2 map packs.

  • LHH #32 2 years ago

    Well that's a nail in the coffin, mind you haven't played the broken mess called mw2 since receiving BC2

  • gjgjg #33 2 years ago

    i sense the tide turning away from acti pretty fast ...

    but i guess they see a pricey lawsuit on the way!

    edit: ps: I know ACTI researchers read these comments, so you can take this one done: stop shooting yourself in the foot, you are not immune to failure (EA 5 years ago)
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 10:55

  • Cpl.Hicks #34 2 years ago

    Battlefield BC 2's maps released on the same day are free..........

  • paul.doh! #35 2 years ago

    Even if it had additional Spec Ops scenarios I would think 1200MSP would be too high. BFBC2 is great fun so I'll stick with that. A really crap trend that i suspect will be adopted by more companies

  • cozeny #36 2 years ago

    Gross. Infinity Ward and Activision can fuck my cock. BF:BC2 has my attention now anyway.

  • frankfurter209 #37 2 years ago

    Five dollars a new map. I refuse to count the MW1 maps as "new". Who's honestly surprised? The most nakedly, unashamedly greedy game company of all time taking DLC exploitation to new heights. Nicely done, and anyone who buys this is a fool undeserving of his money
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 10:03

  • suicida #38 2 years ago

    Right serious question to all how do you feel about DLC in general?

    To be honest im torn with it.

    Me too. I'm starting to think of most DLC as a cynical ploy by publishers to extract cash from gamers. What started as an innovative way to add new features and extend the lifespan of games and reward the fans has become a corporate hell of cuntery and exploitation. When menu options are left greyed out in game menus (hello, Assassins Creed II) and you pay for an unlock code for content already on the disc (Bioshock 2) you know stuff is being held back deliberately during development to sell later. This stuff would've been included in the game a few years ago.

    And the prices are getting ridiculous too... 1200 points for 5 maps is a rip-off, fuck you Activision. Vote with your wallet and don't buy it.

  • kimchibaka #39 2 years ago

    Didn't we originally get a couple of extra free maps for MW before the map pack (Shipment and one more)?

    I seem to remember paying £7.99 at the time for that map pack...

    The old maps aren't even among the best ones. District and Crossfire would have been far more welcome. How's Overgrown going to play with the new Killstreaks?!

    I'm more and more tempted to return to CoD4.

  • darren1976 #40 2 years ago

    What a *&^%ing rip off! I would have probably taken them at 800pts but 1200 is taking the piss! Seriously this is mugging everyone off!

  • linksdad #41 2 years ago

    Just say no to Activillain

  • Beano #42 2 years ago

    Mordern Warfare, Smodered Waffles... give me more maps for MAG instead! :)

  • LR100 #43 2 years ago

    They shouldn't be charging more than 800 points for this, even if there are 5 instead of 3 and 4 as is the norm. 2 aren't even new! You have to expect a business to want to make money and Activision know they can milk an extra 400 points out of it's fans easily, they'll be laughing all the way to the bank over this! Lets go see how much rage spam is on the IW forums right now...

  • Timbercottage #44 2 years ago

    Meh

  • Harmonica #45 2 years ago

    Obviously CoD is dead as a game series, barring some kind of phoenix-like regeneration by other future devs.

    It's a positive for those who think sequilitus was much evidenced by most of MW2. Ex-IW devs are going to make some awesome games in the future.

    But it's sad because the core formula of the online experience, mostly as existing in CoD 4, was so utterly pure and well devised. I think it was a shooter as finely honed as any of the classics.

    As good as BF:BC2 is, it doesn't quite compare for me as a pure shooter. It makes up for it with other things, but I'll miss the feeling of killing dudes in CoD.

  • munki83 #46 2 years ago

    ......wow.

    This is far too expensive for 5 maps. Mind you its not surprising since they got away with charging £55 for the full game, mind you I doubt many paid the full price. If it was 800 points I may of bought it but at 400 I think everyone would of bought it and called them god damn heroes

  • MaxHughes #47 2 years ago

    Will not be getting those maps for that insane price. Go Fuk IW....

  • asphaltcowboy #48 2 years ago

    1200 points? lol!

  • homerramone #49 2 years ago

    I hear theres no sun shining in the place activision should store these maps.

  • Tyronne #50 2 years ago

    I was considering trading MW2 in and now that the they are charging this much for just 5 more maps it is now a forgone conclusion.
    There are other games out there waiting to be played and the trade in money will enable me to do that.

  • Monkey_Puncher #51 2 years ago

    5 maps for 1200 ms points? Ahahahaha!

    They are not serious? I was livid back in the day when they charged 800 points for 5 new Call of Duty 2 maps, but this is beyond a joke.

  • Murton #52 2 years ago

    As a general rule gamers are against simple map pack DLC at the best of times, but when you charge a tenner for it you really are trying their patience.

  • Vortex808 #53 2 years ago

    1200 points? They're just taking the piss- that's *way* too much. Glad i've got BF:BC2 now, Activision aren't getting my money if that's what map packs cost now. Including some old ones too. Is the price enough of a tipping point for most MW2 players to resist though? Will be interesting to see what happens with this.

    Shame on them, I assume they're trying to make up for the tony hawks skateboard peripheral debacle and lack of sales for DJ hero here? If they'd kept it at 800 MSP they'd probably have sold a shed load. I'm really not sure i'll be buying activision games for a while. Wolfenstein reboot and prototype were pretty shit. And MW2 was fun for a little while, but seemed really hollow.

  • RedPanda #54 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • Harmonica #55 2 years ago

    It's an utterly shitty situation to be torn between the principle of not paying through the nose for something, and wanting some new maps just for a few hours every now and again.

  • carlitoswagon #56 2 years ago

    Crash is a classic. Would rather play it on cod4 without some nuke boosting wee wank wrecking my game. BFBC2 proving to be a far superior alternative anyway. Less stressful, more fun.

  • madgerald #57 2 years ago

    Ouch.

    /does best Dragon's Den impression

    "The only thing being stimulated here is Activision's wallet, and for that reason I'm out"

    /end impression

  • RedPanda #58 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • 00.00.01 #59 2 years ago

    30th of March is sooo close to April's Fools Day...C'mon, we've read the article and done the funny replies, you got us there EG. Now bring out the camera and play that Candid Camera tune.

  • bratmandu #60 2 years ago

    Do these maps work with rush and conquest mode?

  • RedPanda #61 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • GreasyWeasel #62 2 years ago

    Activision exec: "Just shut up and cut the goose open, why should I wait for it to lay the golden eggs?"

  • CaptainQuint #63 2 years ago

    If the comments here could be seen as a buying average, then this dlc would undersell. Shame these comments mean nothing, at the end of the day. Seriously, is there anyone here who plans on paying the premium for this?

  • VibratingDonkey #64 2 years ago

    Well I guess the potentially good thing about all this is that they're setting the pricetag for five map map packs lower per map than three map map packs.
    $3.33 > $3.

    The bad is that it's only really three maps.
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 12:04

  • sfp_noodle #65 2 years ago

    ill gladly buy this appropriately named 'stimulus pack' if kotick allows me the pleasure of ejaculating in his mouth
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 13:56

  • Jonny5Alive7 #66 2 years ago

    We need Supermarkets to somehow start selling DLC at ridiculously low prices.

    A good thing of them to do would be to charge a sum to import all of the COD4 maps in (in a similar style to Rock Band 1 & 2), that would be too simple of course.
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 12:15

  • NunianVonFuch #67 2 years ago

    Modern Warfare 1 had 3 new maps and one re-make of a classic CoD 2 and CoD 1 map (Chinatown) for 800 points. So we're paying an extra 400 points for 1 map I can already play on the 360 with Modern Warfare 1? This is madness!
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 12:25

  • Lebowski #68 2 years ago

    There is no way in this life or the next that I'm paying 1200 points for three new multiplayer maps.

  • Gormless #69 2 years ago

    I love crash, i love overgrown but i can put my COD4 disc in and play them for free you fucking numptys. I hope the IW blokes you sacked set up a new company and fuck you over.

  • Fella #70 2 years ago

    Hmm let me think about this for a minute. Perfect Dark for 800 points and some leftover for another arcade game, or 1200 points for 5 maps? Activision can go suck a big one.

  • Bursk #71 2 years ago

    Activision you appalling cunts!

  • makeamazing #72 2 years ago

    I could join in the chorus of complaints about the cost, but its kinda pointless, the only good thing will be if no one buys the maps and talk with their wallets, unfortunately I can imagine lots of people going and buying it, which makes a mockery of the cost and gives them even more justification for such high charges.

  • JahB #73 2 years ago

    Trials HD
    Shadow Complex
    Greed Corp
    The Lost and The Damned
    The Ballad of Gay Tony
    5 CoD Maps

    uhm, come again mr. bowling?

  • Artemus #74 2 years ago

    There was no way these were gonna be less than a tenner. If you buy this pack you're essentially allowing Robert Kotick to insert his penis into your arsehole. Repeatedly. And he will really enjoy it.

  • Eighthours #75 2 years ago

    Activision really is losing touch with reality, isn't it? :(

    Makes the EA of old look like Mother Teresa.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #76 2 years ago

    Please please do not buy this guys/gals!

    Fucking disgusting.
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 14:14

  • kimchibaka #77 2 years ago

    RABicle 'So how many of you "this is way too expensive" hypocrits went out and bought it anyway?'

    Methinks this reflects more on you than most of the people you're accusing.
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 14:19

  • Tyronne #78 2 years ago

    So how many of you "this is way too expensive" hypocrits went out and bought it anyway?

    Picked it up at Sainsburys when they were selling it for 25 notes, no doubt will get that back for trade in

    net result - cost me nothing, owe them nothing

  • SilentScream #79 2 years ago

    Yeah.. I didn't buy MW2 in the first place, I could already see before it was out that it was going to be rubbish.

    This is crazy though, I don't know what they're trying to do, ruin the franchise or what?

  • neoman #80 2 years ago

    so...there's fallout 3's expansion packs for 800 each providing hours of gameplay and diversity, theres countless quality xbla games for 800 ms points, there's all gears of war 2 map packs for 1200...and 5 multiplayer map packs for 1200 ms points??! huh? are you kidding me?

  • ISmoke #81 2 years ago

    Wow. I love MW just as much as the next guy. I also love wasting money. I bought a PspGo at launch and I've hardly touched it. I'm quite happy to buy something for just for shits and giggles. But for 3 new maps £10. That's just wrong.
    Thinking about it I bought prince of Persia and it's dlc for £10

    It's sad but I know I'll end up buying it.

    /crys in shame /o\

  • Eraysor #82 2 years ago

    Horse Armour, round 2! FIGHT

  • UKLL #83 2 years ago


    I'm still playing and enjoying MW2 (yeah, it's glitchy and pretty broken but I can drop in and out no fuss..) but I won't be buying the new maps.

    1200 points is a ridiculous price forwhat is essentially three maps since I still own COD4.
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/10 @ 17:04

  • chessboxer #84 2 years ago

    ROFLMFAO.

    I bet the shit really hits the fan when this get announced for the PC (and PS3) in a week or two with a similar price tag.

  • coolbritannia #85 2 years ago

    Fuck this. Trade in MW2, spend £9.99 and get Bad Company 2. Activision are such Cunts.

  • mattigan #86 2 years ago

    Han't it been proven by PC Haxors already that the original maps are already on the disk waiting to be unlocked?

  • Stratix #87 2 years ago

    Christ, I was looking forward to this, but there is no way I am shelling out that much. That is extortion that is. I hope this sells badly, but I know it wont...

  • General_Zod #88 2 years ago

    Ah so glad I didnt buy MW2, I hope you MW2 PC buyers feel sufficiently shamed for giving Activision money.

  • CARL05 #89 2 years ago

    Anyone know the best place to trade in MW2?

  • coolbritannia #90 2 years ago

    Zod, I do, but I bought it for £30, and will trade it for a new copy of BC2, which I will then give to my mate for his birthday. Thereby robbing Activillain of a sale and scoring +1 for the BC crowd. Karma restored?

  • MattyD #91 2 years ago

    Three new maps for the price of a premium Arcade game? They can lick my balls.

  • coolbritannia #92 2 years ago

    ^and by 'people' you mean everyone except you?

  • Quixz #93 2 years ago

    Haha.. it's not April 1st is it?

  • freakzilla #94 2 years ago

    We can all thank the sheep-like mentality of gamers around the world for this. THANK YOU.

    PS: Am I the only who could stick with their decision to not buy this game?

  • Gormless #95 2 years ago

    Probably but i bet the sheep have had more fun playing it than you have trying to be a smug git because you didnt.

  • coolbritannia #96 2 years ago

    Got my copy of MW2 in my bag ready to trade in after work. Should rename it the gamestation stimulus package.

  • Gilbert09 #97 2 years ago

    1200 MS points is only £10.20, sorry but if you can't afford a tenner for endless fun with these new maps then you should be ashamed...

    I will be buying them as soon as it is released on 30th March, and MW2 is so much better than BFBC2
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 08:47

  • Harmonica #98 2 years ago

    Ashamed of what?

    Tell me more about this endless fun we're all going to miss out on, honestly. £3.40 per map is not good value considering the price of map packs in the past and the ridiculous idea of a map pack consisting of three new maps.

  • rhinoxious #99 2 years ago

    Wow, yes the price is a rip off, but god there's some serious pent up rage here.

    It's only a game, if you don't want the maps, don't buy them. Activision is just another corporate body who's bottom line is providing value to its shareholders. It doesn't give a shit about you or what you think, except to the extent necessary to generate profits.

    If you really think this is the biggest scam ever, or if you care more about a few quid rather than playing some new maps, then go and buy some shares instead, you can have one share in Acti/Blizzard for $11.54, around the same of the map pack (it probably won't be as fun though, but who am I to judge what you enjoy).

    If you're so angry about this that you can't see past the fact that this a simple financial choice, one designed to generate profit for shareholders and provide an option of further possible entertainment for you, and not one designed to screw you over, trick you, or force you to define yourself as an individual by your purchases ...

    ... then you should probably put down the joypad for a while and go for a nice walk in the spring sunshine. Breathe. Relax etc.
    Edited by 1 at 16/03/10 @ 12:33

  • smernicki #100 2 years ago

    i love MW2 but what a fucking rip-off

  • EvilMonkey70 #101 2 years ago

    I refuse to bend over for these people and pray that many others have the strength to stand against this corporate greed. It's only going to get worse people!

  • DefdumBlindkid #102 2 years ago

    I paid £26 on release day and played about 50hs+ on MP. If think this DLC is a bit pricey but overall cost versus enjoyment in terms of pence per hour is still very low!

  • stuartlawson #103 2 years ago

    ive heard rumors of 4 new camoflauges for the guns and 4 new game modes aswell

  • Harmonica #104 2 years ago

    I've heard rumours of all sorts of things, them being rumours n'all.

    @ DefdumBlindkid

    Just think about how low your pence-per-hour rate would be if they included, say, even twice as many maps? That's not a very clever argument.

  • ELJJO #105 2 years ago

    you guys are really funny. your juss ranting about 15 dollors? ok really? just buy 1600 microsoft points 1200 points off of thats no big deal.realize you`ve bought 800 msp map packs that bring 3 maps ur just buying 1 nd 2/3 of maps for the same exact price. okay mabey theres 2 old maps nd wat ? there juss tryin to make money and tryin to make you enjoy there products more so its a win, win deal. so theres really no extra cost just regular cost plus 2 maps witch equal 5 dollors. now dont be a bunch of cheap punks, go out nd buy the new map packs