Microsoft has scored a pretty righteous exclusive and will be the only platform to receive the first downloadable content package for Fallout: New Vegas. No details were revealed on the only for Xbox 360 DLC, but what can you expect when the game hasn't even been released yet! It's only a day away from hitting store shelves though, so expect to hear more information soon.

Pete Hines, VP of Marketing and PR of Bethesda Softworks, had this to say:

"We're excited to continue the partnership between Bethesda and Microsoft, and build on the success of the game add-ons released for Fallout 3 on Xbox LIVE." ... "Fans will once again be able to continue their experience in the Fallout universe with the add-on packs planned for after the launch of the game."

Fallout 3 received an extraordinary amount of DLC post-release that helped make the game relevant months after the original game came out. Expect to see a similar amount of followup from Obsidian Entertainment with Fallout: New Vegas. We can't seem to get Obsidian to stop talking about their game, so it's obvious they're quite excited about what they've created.

It's a bit surprising to start hearing DLC details the day before a game's launch. Has the industry reached a point where continued DLC support has become such a selling point? It wasn't so long ago when Bethesda's horse armor made gamers shudder at the thought of DLC. It's also a bit late for Microsoft to be making a marketing push, persuading gamers to purchase the 360 version as opposed to the PS3 or PC options, since by now preorders have long been registered.

Whatever the reasoning, I don't think it's fair for gamers of any console who are about to drop $60 on a new game in the next 24 hours to have to think about DLC already. Either 360 fans have to already plan on dropping another $15 for the full Fallout: New Vegas experience, or PS3 and PC players can plan on not getting access to the full game at all. Hopefully Fallout: New Vegas will blow everyone's expectations out of the water and price will be no matter. Still, awkward timing.

Picking Fallout: New Vegas up tomorrow, Ranters? Are you drooling at the though of DLC already or frustrated at the thought? Or were not a fan of Fallout 3, like myself? Perhaps New Vegas will change our minds.

Fallout New Vegas releases tomorrow, October 19 for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. Digital PC copies will unlock at 12 PST/3 EST, or you can pick up your box at a plethora of Best Buy and GameStop midnight openings.