Dead Rising 2 DLC theme packs lurch out October 12

Capcom has pursued an aggressive downloadable content strategy with Dead Rising 2, one that began before the game's September 28 launch and will extend at least into November. Thus far, that strategy has included the record-setting prologue episode Case Zero, and Capcom confirmed during this year's Tokyo Game Show that it would also release the epilogue add-on Case West in the near future.

As it would turn out, Capcom also has more traditional DLC in the works, announcing today a quartet of theme packs for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions of Dead Rising 2. The first of these packs will be available on October 12, and Capcom will roll out the remainder at the rate of one a week until November 2.

The Psychopath Theme Pack kicks off the new content, removing all doubt of Chuck's mental stability and making him more difficult to kill. The pack also includes new takes on weapons such as chainsaws, cleavers, and axes. On October 19, Capcom will release the Soldier of Fortune pack, allowing Chuck to "Rambo out" with double ammo, increased shooting accuracy, increased damage, and added headshot accuracy.

Capcom's October 26 update will be for sports fans, as it increases the damage of weapons ranging from baseball bats to basketballs. The Sports pack also includes a new charge/tackle attack, presumably meant to imitate a linebacker blitz. The theme packs will conclude on November 2 with the release of the Ninja add-on. The pack includes a new stealth mode, in which zombies must be much closer to Chuck before becoming aggro.

All of the packs also include new costumes and clothing that Chuck can mix and match with other items in the game. Capcom did not provide pricing information for the packs and had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.