Red Orchestra 2 to continue free DLC and mod tools tradition

Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad will keep players interested with mods, unlockables, free DLC, and maybe even expansions.

"Work has actually started on some of the first batch of new weapons and vehicles, as people start getting freed up from the main-line development," TripWire Interactive told GameSpy, but couldn't give a date for the new content.

"We'd like to think we can get the first free DLC out before the end of the year, but it really depends on what we decide to include in it, to be honest."

Smaller DLC packs - like weapons, vehicles and maps - will be free, although Tripwire is considering developing full expansions as paid content. For those keen on new experiences sooner rather than later, the game's software developer kit, eagerly anticipated by the modding community, is scheduled to launch with the game.

In the meantime, as is the fashion with shooters, Red Orchestra 2 will sport a range of unlocks to master - exclusive weapons and perks only available to the best players.

"Some people may never unlock everything," Tripwire said.

"Some people will burn through the whole lot in a few weeks. Some people scared the heck out of us with how fast they worked through everything in Killing Floor."

The developer noted that unlockables will be subtle, intended more as rewards for increasing skill rather than "that whole RPG-style thing" of tracking down collections and unbalancing gameplay.

Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad releases exclusively for PC in September. It's the sequel to Ostfront 41-45, one of the most hardcore team shooters around.