343 Industries announces the first free DLC pack details for Halo 5: Guardians called Battle of Shadow and Light, which includes new maps, modes, and REQ content.

Microsoft and 343 Industries promised players that Halo 5: Guardians would be getting not only meaningful DLC post-release but that all future maps would be free as well. Sticking to that plan, the first content update for November, called Battle of Shadow and Light, has finally been revealed and looks to add not only new content for players to unlock, but also additional modes and maps.

Arguably the biggest update to Halo 5 is the addition of Big Team Battle to the Arena multiplayer modes. For those who may not know, the mode pits two teams of eight players against one another, making it the largest multiplayer experience outside of the 24 person Warzone playlist. In addition to Big Team Battle, five new maps are also being added, including Deadlock, Basin, Guillotine, and Recurve. These maps were created using the map creation tool known as Forge and are based on previous maps in the Halo franchise.

Finally, the Shadow and Light update will be adding 48 new requisitions that range from the Ultra Rare Shinobi Spartan armor to the legendary Dying Star Light Rifle. Additional content includes new weapon and vehicle skins, new icons, new character armor items, and a new assassination called Shove It.

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While 343 Industries isn't planning on creating any additional story based content as future DLC, fans will be getting a monthly fix of new content including 15 additional and free multiplayer maps to help prevent the player base from splintering. With the full suite of content expected by June 2016, 343 Industries is hoping to keep the Halo 5 fanbase playing their game well into next year.

Many franchise fans were shocked when it was announced that Halo 5: Guardians would launch with microtransactions. While 343 Industries has stated numerous times that these would not be "pay to win" type of features, many fans remained skeptical. With the game now out, it is clear that the game and the REQ system have become a big revenue generator for Microsoft. And for fans, that revenue keeps future DLC free and not part of paid map packs.

Are you still playing Halo 5: Guardians or have you moved on to some of the other high profile games that have recently come out? Will this DLC pack sway you to come back? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Source: Halo Waypoint