f you put off buying Gears of War 2 DLC because you thought it was overpriced, congratulations! Microsoft and Epic Games are rewarding your frugality in a big, big way with the recently announced Gears of War 2: All Fronts collection, coming to retail stores on July 28. All Fronts features every multiplayer map made available via DLC to date, plus a new campaign chapter, plus—you guessed it—even more multiplayer maps, all for $19.99. Let’s look at a full breakdown of what you’ll get.

The three previously released map packs included in All Fronts, are:

* The Combustible Map Pack: a set of three new maps which debuted for 800 MS Points ($10).

* The Snowblind Map Pack: a collection of four new maps, previously available for 800 MS Points ($10).

* The Flashback Map Pack: a collection of five maps from the original Gears of War, which was made available for 400 MS Points ($5).

That’s already more than what All Fronts will cost you, but Epic has included a horde (forgive the pun) of new material as well. This includes the previously rumored Dark Corners Map Pack, a collection of seven (!) new multiplayer maps, and a new campaign chapter entitled “Road to Ruin.” All Fronts will also include a custom Live theme, a poster and a strategy guide, making it possibly the best deal on extra content ever—unless you already purchased the map packs at the aforementioned prices. If you did, and you’re still interested in purchasing the new maps separately, brace yourself: Dark Corners will be available via Xbox Live Marketplace for 1600 MS Points, a.k.a. $20—the exact same price that All Fronts will be available at retail.

Which leaves us with one big question: with DLC being touted as a much cheaper and more profitable way for game companies to deliver content, why are Epic and Microsoft offering gamers the best deal in stores? Have the virtues of DLC been overhyped? Do game companies make more money at retail, even with the supposed threat of the secondhand market?

Whatever the reason for Epic’s decision, we’re starting to think our economics teacher was right: apparently consumers really do vote with their wallets—even gamers. And with All Fronts’ offerings coming out to around a dollar per map, that’s a new price point we’re more than happy to vote for, whatever venue Epic decide to offer it in.

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