Chances are high that if you have some sort of DLC code for BioWare’s newly released sci-fi RPG epic, Mass Effect 2, you’re probably pulling your hair out right now.

According to Kotaku, there are myriad issues plaguing players’ experience with the game. For instance, there are reports of GameStop codes not working, activation issues on the Cerberus Network (BioWare’s in-game DLC launching pad), and an inability for many players to even connect on the PC version’s Cerberus Network. There are also reports of Blood Dragon armor issues, the helmet in particular being a thorn in some gamers’ sides.

Have any of you fine folks run into similar problems? My course load prevents me from diving into Mass Effect 2 until the semester ends, so I can’t say I’ve experienced any troubles—or the game, for that matter. I might just cry. But if you’re experiencing download troubles, don’t fret, because BioWare handyman Chris Priestly (sorta) has you covered.

Yeah, I know—this place is turning into Hardcore Dragon Age Gamer. I can’t help the news is still slow, so read up and hush.

If you can’t get enough of the nostalgic RPG fun in Dragon Age: Origins, worry not. BioWare’s got their fans covered with an upcoming DA:O expansion—yes, a seriously old-school full expansion—called Awakening, due for release this March. The expansion will ship on a retail disc and will be available in downloadable form, and will cost gamers $39.99.

Players can expect new areas, higher level cap, five new characters (although BioWare has been unclear on whether or not they’re all playable), and lots of new loot. BioWare says players can expect roughly 15 hours of new gameplay in the expansion. (more…)

The next DLC for EA and BioWare’s Dragon Age: Origins, a heart-warming tale of revenge and ogre massacre called Return to Ostagar, hits Xbox Live and the PC on January 5. PSN will see the DLC pack sometime later. If you want to know what to expect in the pack, catch a glimpse below, courtesy of Gamerfuzion and Youtube.

Categorize this in the “well, duh” department. Gearbox Software’s Mike Neumann, creative director of recent hit Borderlands, told VG247 that a Borderlands 2 is a “no-brainer.” Take that with a grain of salt considering it isn’t a concrete “yes”; but given that Borderlands sold extremely well for Gearbox and publisher 2K Games, I’d be very surprised if a sequel doesn’t surface.

Neumann also spoke about Randy Pitchford’s recent anti-Valve remarks, claiming that the Gearbox honcho’s statements were “twisted and contorted.” Whatever that means. Whether he really meant what he said about Valve or not, Pitchford would do well not to stir that particular hornet’s nest in the future. Don’t bite the hand that feeds, and all that jazz.

This is probably as good a time as any to remind you folks that the first DLC for Borderlands, titled The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, hits Xbox Live and PlayStation Network on November 24th. The pack will cost you 800 space bucks (or Microsoft Points if you prefer) on XBL and $9.99 on PSN. Players will head to the titular island to take on zombified critters and score sweet new loot. Neumann wouldn’t comment on a possible level-cap increase in this or future DLC, but I’m certain we’ll see it soon enough.

This trailer, courtesy of Kotaku, shows off the Blood Dragon Armor, which comes in new copies of Dragon Age and can also be used in Mass Effect 2.

If this was paid DLC, I’d probably pass, despite the armor’s high awesome factor. Thankfully, it’s free for the folks who pick up Dragon Age brand-new. I assume that means there will be a download code included in the box. Sorry, used-game buyers.

Seemingly out of nowhere, BioWare today released a new add-on for their excellent space RPG, Mass Effect. Entitled Pinnacle Station, the 2-3 hours of new content features 13 new combat scenarios to test your mettle against. I admit that the combat was the weakest part of the game so I’m not sure why they would release an add-on focusing on it, but it’s nice to have an excuse to return to the game.

Pinnacle Station costs 400 MS points, includes 150 points of new achievements, and requires your character to have attained Spectre status before accessing it. In addition to the new content, patch 1.02 has been released for the PC version of the game, fixing numerous bugs.

Valve today announced a new campaign, Crash Course, for Left 4 Dead. It will be free on PC, but will cost an unspecified amount of money on Xbox 360.

The campaign takes place shortly after No Mercy, and features only two chapters. Apparently the helicopter pilot who rescued everyone from the hospital was infected. Oops! It’s intended to be primarily played in Versus, although single player and co-op will of course be supported as well. A few tweaks to the gameplay have also been made.

An exact date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as we know.

Happy Bungie Day.

Via Major Nelson’s blog, the gaming world is made aware of Bungie’s extended peek at the Halo 3 maps set to be included with this October’s release of Halo 3: ODST.

Amounting to not much more than some screenshots… but diehard fans of the sticky grenade will no doubt begin salivating for the new maps and the hope of finally completing out those darned achievements.

Here’s the link to Bungie’s post on the matter.

When Burnout Paradise was released in January of 2008, one of the first promises developer Criterion Games made was that the already massive city would be expanded by a new downloadable island. They also promised that it would be free.

Fast forward 18 months and the situation has changed. The island has been released, but not for free. It was announced long ago that after a series of free DLC updates, there would be premium DLC packs, but so far none of them have really felt worth the cost. Big Surf Island is arguably the first “real” DLC released for the game. But is it still worth the price?

After downloading the latest update for the game and purchasing the key to unlock the island, you’ll immediately have access to a dune buggy and plopped down onto 4th Street. Long time players may have noticed a bridge being constructed next to the parking garage here for the last several months, and now that bridge is accessible. Begin tearing through the bridge and you’ll immediately begin to understand just what Big Surf Island is all about.

Jump. Lots of jumps. Lots of crazy big insane jumps.

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