Now this is how to do DLC in a classy way... make some money on your DLC... let the hardcore fans who are actively playing the game buy it... then make it free after a few months and then top it off with some free DLC to drum up new buzz. Smooth move Ubi way to be a leader in the biz. MS and other developers should take note. This is how DLC is done.

via majornelson:

Rainbow Six Vegas Black Pack Update (good news)

Ubi has send me the official word on the RSV Black Pack (which went MIA earlier this week) and it is good news:

‘Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas Black Pack Downloadable Content for Xbox 360 Live was originally intended to be free content for the fans of Rainbow Six Vegas. We apologize for the error. All players who purchased the Black Pack will be reimbursed automatically.* The Black Pack will be posted Saturday June 30th and will be free of charge. Also, as a token of our appreciation for the Rainbow Six community, we are making the Red Pack free as of Friday July 6th as well. Thanks for playing and we hope you enjoy this free content.’

Make sure your account information is up to date so we can properly apply the credit!

As I understand it the content should go out after 0300 PT.

Edit: * All players who purchased the Black Pack will be reimbursed automatically within 8 to 10 weeks.

Ubisoft put pressure on Microsoft ?

How is something like this free when whats it 4 tracks on Guitar hero costs quite abit. :/

Wow very cool.

If UBI did put pressure on MS then I'm real glad they did and im real glad they have balls. I also wouldnt doubt the theory of MS intentionally charging 800 point for the pack when it first came out.

Ubi charged for the pack in the first place. Now that this content is available on PS3 "for free" (included in retail price), Ubi made it free because Microsoft's policy is that publishers can't charge for things that available for free on other platforms.

I was gonna say the same thing. so it aint no gift people .... dont let them fool you.

Hi everyone, I am new in the forums and I really like this site, wich is one of the best IMO.So, that can be applied too to all previous Oblivion content that is available on the PS 3 version of the game for free like Knights of the nine wich still costs 800 MS points.
I do not get it, why some publishers make some content free and why others do not.
Also I think that their official word it is nothing more than a mere smoke curtain (you know how Ubi like to chaarge for everything they put on the marketplace ala EA) IMO.

It still premium content indeed, but not only that. If you check the classic map pack for GRAW 2 it still premium and the PS 3 version has it for free. So what szaromir says doesn't make sense to me. I may be wrong, but lets hope this Ubi goodness opens a new way for the other developers, such as Beteshda, Atari, Activision or even MS (EA it is a lost cause) to start making their premium content free. You know we can dream for free.

PD:Sorry for my grammar but that is the best I can do.

Those examples actually escaped my mind. GRAW 1 downloadable packs were later available in a disk version with the game and they were sold at the classics price and I got a copy, there were limited number of those (this was in the UK, dont know about other countries).
EDIT: THE GRAW 1.0 Game of the year edition is still available by the way, I just checked here
http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/3251033/Tom-C...

The Oblivion and GRAW2 downloads are still premium though and it kinda sucks cauz they're all free in the PS3 version. I sold my copy of oblivion on the hope that Bathesda might decide to make a special edition copy of the game that has all the downloadable content which I would definately buy. I never got to finish the game to be honest but I would want to get this special package if it ever becomes reality.

I have also GRAW GOTYE wich by the way the content it is not included in the disc, but you get a code for download it wich sucks if your 360 ever gets broke, and if you check the pack it still premium for half the price it was launched. Also if you look to Perfect Dark, the map pack it is included in the classic version of the game but it still premium for users who got the game in t he first place. And for Beteshda, if they ever release a GOTYE for Oblivion I am 100% sure it will include a code and the content wont be included in the disc. I hate that, because I want it in the disc.

Splitting your audience is completely true... MS would be smart to get the Map content sponsored by some company... this happened before on an xbox title, can't remember the sponsor or title now, but its been a while back. Or at least make it a little more affordable... 250 MS points for 5 maps or something.

These companies have to realize they stand to make more money if the sell 10x the DLC if it is half the cost they are charging now. There is a sweet spot on cost, and they definitely aren't there.