A free content update/patch is headed to Uncharted 3 sometime before the end of this month, bringing with it new multiplayer modes and the promise of a better tomorrow. Well, the promise of more updates in the future, at any rate.

In addition to an Advanced Settings menu and various other gameplay tweaks, Patch 1.11 reintroduces two features from Uncharted 2's multiplayer functionality: The Lab and Elimination Mode. The Lab, which is more of a playlist than a gameplay mode itself, contains unique variants of other multiplayer modes. It's set to launch with a T-bolt/Pistole-only version of Team Deathmatch, with "other game types" to be added "as the year progresses," according to Naughty Dog's patch notes.

Elimination Mode splits players into two teams of five, with the obvious goal being to eliminate the opposing team. Unlike Team Deathmatch, however, players do not respawn during Elimination Mode matches - victory is claimed once one team has been fulled killed three out of five times.