Microsoft and 343 Industries are giving gamers who participated in the "14 Day, Buy and Play," promotion a chance to play the recently released Crimson map pack free of charge for a limited time.
Microsoft sent a code that gave promotion particpants access to multiplayer specializations through a code. Those gamers will now also be able to access the Crimson map pack, but it is only for a limited time, as the ability to play the new map pack will expire on Dec. 18.
Here is Microsoft's official statement regarding the limited time access to the map pack:
"Many of you participated in our "14 Day - Buy and Play" program, a special offer that granted early access to six Specializations. As part of that program, we are providing complimentary access to the Crimson Map Pack for a limited time (through Tuesday, December 18 at 9am UTC/GMT). At that time, the complimentary limited access to the Crimson Map Pack will close, and "14 Day - Buy and Play" program participants will no longer be able to access the content for online play (please note anybody who has already purchased the Crimson Map Pack or owns the Halo 4 Map Pass or Limited Edition will not be impacted and will continue to have access to the content after the complimentary access period ends).
If you enjoy the new maps and would like to continue playing on them after that date, the Crimson Map Pack can be purchased through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 MS Points, or via purchase of the War Games Map Pass. We hope you're enjoying the special Crimson Map Pack preview, and we'll see you on the (new!) virtual battlefields."
For gamers who participated in the "14 Day, Buy and Play," promotion, you can get access to the maps for free by purchasing the Crimson map pack directly through the game's link to the Xbox Market Place. If you try to purchase the map pack through the Xbox Dashboard or Xbox Live website, you will be charged the maps regular price of 800 Microsoft Points. After the Dec. 18 deadline you will have to purchase the map pack for the DLCs regular price.
Halo 4 Crimson Map Pack includes the following three new multiplayer maps:
Wreckage: Wreckage is the manifestation of the chaos of war. A medium-sized, asymmetrical map great for accommodating a wide range of objective-based game modes including King of the Hill and Capture the Flag, it is a ravaged environment of crashed debris, where the surrounding destruction creates complex paths perfect for throwing off your opponents, or testing the limits of your Warthog. This devastated landscape provides plenty of cover, and tons of nooks and crannies are at your disposal while fighting for your turn to become King. Wreckage supports up to 16 players in Infinity Slayer and up to 12 players in a variety of other modes, including Capture the Flag, King of the Hill and Oddball.
Harvest: Harvest is a canon concept brought to life - the doomed agricultural planet where humans first made contact with the Covenant. A small to mid-size map, Harvest is ideal for Capture the Flag. Here, you'll need to get creative to effectively use light vehicles which are limited to the exterior pathways and can't get into the bases, making this map perfect for infantry firefights and face-to-face skirmishes. Snipers will also feel right at home; long sightlines are broken up by great cover and hiding spots. Harvest allows up to 12 players to face off in Capture the Flag, Infinity Slayer, King of the Hill, SWAT and Slayer Pro.
Shatter: Shatter is themed around natural crystalline surfaces and the huge UNSC factories mining them. This large, symmetrical map is a playground for the Warthog and Mantis - its open pathways make it easy to get around, whether on foot or in vehicles. Shatter is a great fit for Dominion and the new game type Extraction. For some close-quarters face-time, escape the open landscape and duck into a mining facility, or slip through a doorway and hunt unsuspecting Spartans. This map has variety for different types of players. Shatter enables multiplayer mayhem for up to 16 players in Infinity Slayer and up to 12 players in other modes, such as Capture the Flag, King of the Hill, Dominion and Extraction.
Crimson Map Pack also features "Extraction," a new game type:
Extraction: Extraction is a 5 vs. 5 objective-based game type where opposing Spartan teams are tasked with extracting assets from various sites around the map. Once a team has found a site and is in position, they must plant their beacon and protect it from the opposing team while the extraction process occurs. If the defending team remains in control of the beacon, they receive one point, however if the opposing team overtakes the site before extraction is complete, the point goes to them. Once a site has been extracted, a new site becomes available. The first team to extract five points wins.
Watch the map pack's trailer below...