R6 Vegas back in Black

Last week, Ubisoft released the second content update over Xbox Live for its modern-day tactical shooter Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas. Titled Player's Pack: Black Edition, the update included five maps--three new maps and two redux maps from prior Rainbow Six games--and cost 800 Microsoft points ($10). However, not long after it went up, the content was pulled from Microsoft's service, with no word being offered in defense of the abrupt move.

Late last Friday, Xbox Live programming director Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb posted Ubisoft's official explanation for pulling the content on his blog along with some "good news." Apparently, Ubisoft had intended for the Black Edition to appear on Xbox Live gratis.

As of June 30, though, the map pack is once again available over Xbox Live, and as promised, it is free of charge. Additionally, those who beat Ubisoft on the draw will have their 800 points automatically reimbursed, though with the caveat that reparations will require 8 to 10 weeks.

Also, "as a token of our appreciation for the Rainbow Six community" (read: oopsies), Ubisoft has announced it will be making Player's Pack: Red Edition free of charge beginning this Friday, July 6.

Now available on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas is rated M for Mature. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.