Microsoft has announced that Fallout 3 will be the first title to offer downloadable content through the newly announced Games for Windows Live Marketplace.

Said Pete Hines, VP of public relations and marketing for Bethesda: "Games for Windows LIVE helps us expand the Fallout 3 universe and bring the full experience directly to gamers. Through the Marketplace we now have a no-nonsense way to deliver updates and great downloadable content. It’s really a complete package, and a great fit for Fallout 3."

It was previously announced that the PC and Xbox 360 versions of the game would receive exclusive downloadable content. No release date for said DLC was given.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fallout, Bethesda is running a contest to allow one lucky gamer to name one of the many perks in Fallout 3, the upcoming entry in the post-apocalyptic RPG.

“Think of something in the spirit of Fallout,” states the website. “What would you really want your character to be able to do in the game? Don’t worry about any stat requirements or the level you would get it at. Just design a cool perk and we’ll fit it in where it could go.”

One winner will take home one of two grand prizes, which includes their choice of either an ATI or NVIDIA video card or an Xbox 360 console. Additionally, that person will receive Logitech speakers, a Vault Boy bobblehead and more. Runner-ups and honorable mention prizes were also mentioned. The contest ends on October 31.

Four new high-resolution Fallout 3 screenshots have been released. Check out this upcoming action-RPG.

Igniting a flurry of posts from frustrated fanboys, Bethesda Softworks’ PR Head Pete Hines said that Fallout 3 won’t be shown at E3 2006 in any form.

“I can tell you it won’t be at E3 and that it’ll be a while still before we’re ready to talk about it,” he told GameSpot, adding that they don’t like to talk about games until they are far into development. He did not give any indication as to when the much anticipated game will be shown.