Aliens vs. Predator DLC hatching March 18

Sega's Aliens vs. Predator was regarded by many as a loss for humans upon its launch for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC last month, but the game did receive some praise for its multiplayer component. Those online modes are set to expand soon, as Sega today announced that Rebellion's action shooter would receive a quartet of online multiplayer maps as part of its first batch of downloadable content.

The Swarm Map Pack will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC (via Steam) on March 18 for $7 (560 Microsoft points). All four maps included in the DLC pack were previously made available as part of Aliens vs. Predator's limited-run Special Edition package.

Of the new maps, the shipyard-based Docks and refinery-set Machine will be available for the game's six different competitive multiplayer modes. In the cooperative survivor modes, up to four Colonial Marines can now attempt to survive against a growing onslaught of swarming Aliens in the Outpost and Hive arenas. The former is set in an abandoned colony that has been reclaimed by nature, while the latter takes place deep within the breeding grounds of the Xenomorphs--aka the Aliens.