First Borderlands DLC to drop this year

Increasingly, developers are announcing plans for downloadable content before their game is even released. The week after BioWare announced a day-one expansion for Dragon Age: Origins, Gearbox Software has detailed the first add-on for Borderlands. Called The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, the add-on will be available later this year for the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 for $9.99 (800 Microsoft points).

As advertised, The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned will feature undead opponents aplenty, accidentally created by the titular doctor (unrelated to Dr. Zed, one of the first characters people meet in the game). Players will join up with the semi-mad scientist to track down his creations, which are running amok in a new region the DLC adds to the game, Jakobs Cove.

Gearbox promises that The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned will be a "full-fledged expansion" and will be the first in a series of DLC add-ons to Borderlands. The M for Mature-rated "role-playing shooter" ships on October 20 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with the PC version arriving on October 26.