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Every new home console needs its killer app. Over the past few generations these "must-have" games have been dominated by first person shooters, from Halo and Perfect Dark to Killzone and Resistance. The PS4 will be no different, with Killzone: Shadow Fall representing one of its most impressive and highly anticipated launch titles.

Sony took to Gamescom last week to showcase new multiplayer details for Shadow Fall, highlight how it's going to change the way Killzone is played online and discuss the plans for free DLC.

Guerrilla announced that DLC maps for Killzone: Shadow Fall will be free for download, with the goals of keeping the community constantly up-to-date, and facilitating that growth. Guerrilla has not announced the cost of other potential DLC, but maps are expected to not cost a single penny. Victor Zuylen, Community Editor at Guerrilla Games posted the following on the official Killzone site:

"To increase longevity even further, we plan to continue support for the title well after launch — and yes, DLC multiplayer maps will be released free of charge to ensure everyone can play."

Free DLC is out of the norm for Sony's first party titles. Both PS3 Killzone titles charged for additional map packs. Killzone 3 also gave gamers the option to download multiplayer as a separate entity. This multiplayer download was free to try, but if a player hoped to exceed a rank of Sergeant I they had to pay a fee of $15 to continue to play.

Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 3 was even more aggressive, charging for all aspects of online multiplayer and separating it completely from the main game. Uncharted 3 charged for maps, player skins, and online modes (co-op, arena, adventure). Those who did not buy the game first hand had to pay for a PSN pass, a $10 payment to play the game online.

With the increasing popularity and competition of free-to-play titles, it’s understandable that Sony would choose to let certain DLC go for free. This could also mean that Sony is looking to make extra cash on other elements of DLC.

In a world where DLC cost gamers a collection of arms and legs, this is a breath of fresh air. Killzone: Shadow Fall will allow its fans to “play by ‘their’ own rules” and help to keep their wallets a little fatter while doing so on new locations.

Killzone: Shadow Fall will launch alongside the PS4 on November 15, 2013.

Source: Guerilla Games