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Help Somalia hunger crisis by playing Bad Company 2
Somalia is in bad shape, you guys. Two back-to-back seasons of inadequate rains have prevented the country's agricultural infrastructure from producing enough food to cover the needs of its people, and as a result roughly 3.7 million Somali citizens are in need of assistance. The situation is so dire in some parts of Somalia that the UN has declared it a famine, which could spread throughout the entire country in as little as two months. It's bad, and once again, a group of intrepid gamers have taken it upon themselves to help when help is needed most. Battlefield community site Don't Revive Me Bro has joined forces with pro gaming organization Quantic Gaming, fellow community resource Battlefieldo, and DICE's own Daniel Matros to produce First Person Saviors, a 24-hour Battlefield: Bad Company 2 event benefiting Somalia's people. The event, which started this morning at 9 AM GMT (5 AM EDT) and runs until that time tomorrow, urges players to join specially-marked "Somalian Hunger Relief SHR" servers, rather than their usual virtual homes. Donations will be accepted by Gamers Outreach, 100 percent of which will be passed along to the World Food Programme to aid in their humanitarian efforts. In addition to the warm, fuzzy feeling you'll get from knowing you've done a good thing, people who donate are also automatically entered into drawings for prizes and giveaways, held at specific donation intervals. The event is also an opportunity to test your mettle against some of the best Bad Company 2 players in the world, as well as actual DICE employees. So get to it! Go kill some dudes, and help save millions.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 'Onslaught' delayed on XBL, still deploying on PSN today
Squad up for the Onslaught today -- if you're playing on a PS3. Battlefield: Bad Company 2's cooperative Onslaught mode has been "delayed" for Xbox Live, an EA representative has confirmed to Joystiq. The DLC will be available for $10 on PSN as soon as the weekly update occurs later today. We'll make sure to update if we receive any intel on a new date for the Xbox version -- or any date for the PC version, for that matter. President Hamilton would like you to check out our hands-on before exchanging him for this new mode. We've also placed a new trailer for Onslaught after the break. %Gallery-93433% [Thanks, Jack H.]
Battlefield: BC, Mass Effect, Army of Two sequel sales all top 1 million; Dante's Inferno comes close in Q1 2010
Electronic Arts' high-profile sequels helped the publisher fight its way to some positive cash flow in the final quarter of an otherwise traumatic fiscal year. Overall, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 led the charge with over three million units sold in the quarter across Europe and North America, with five million units sold to date. Mass Effect 2 didn't do too shabby, selling 1.6 million units during the quarter in North America and Europe, while Army of Two: The 40th Day sold "over one million units worldwide in the quarter." It wasn't all sequel talk for the core titles,as Dante's Inferno got a mention too, having sold "almost one million units in the quarter" across Europe and North America. Oh, Dante, don't cry! It ain't easy for a new franchise in this world -- just ask EA's new IPs from last fiscal year.
Bad Company VIP Map Pack 2 trailer (realistically) falls apart
EA has released a new trailer for the upcoming VIP Map Pack 2 for Battlefield: Bad Company 2. As the name of the DLC implies, this DLC is for VIP members only. Much like Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network, VIP membership is free for those who bought the game new. Meanwhile, those with used copies on Xbox or PlayStation 3 will have to fork over $15 (1200 on Xbox) for a VIP membership. PC players (lucky dogs) are exempt from all this business and will receive the pack as an update. It's worth noting that the map pack doesn't actually include any maps. Instead, it unlocks the Conquest Mode in Arica Harbor and Rush Mode in Laguna Presa. Still, it's essentially new gameplay for free, so it's hard to complain. Unless you aren't a VIP, of course. The DLC releases tomorrow, March 30.
PSA: Activate Bad Company 2's M-COM stations early to avoid picking up kits
DICE informed us at PAX East that it will continue to support its hit title Battlefield: Bad Company 2 with patching -- however, one thing it won't "fix" is players accidentally picking up kits from corpses when trying to activate M-COM stations in rush mode. With millions of copies sold so far, the kit kerfuffle is a problem we've consistently heard and experienced. Little did we know that there's been a remedy to the issue all along, as Bad Company 2 producer Gordon Van Dyke told us that players can press the M-COM activation button early. He expressed that BC2 players should spread the word. It turns out that if players hold the M-COM activation button (example: the B button on Xbox 360) before the prompt displays, they'll be able to initiate (or deactivate) the station once in range. This avoids the frustration of picking up kits off the stacks of bodies that inevitably pile up next to the boxes. It's a rather simple solution to one of the most frustrating elements in the excellent multiplayer shooter.
Bad Company 2 'F.R.A.G.S.' video continues Modern Warfare mockery
Hey, you remember when Infinity Ward released that unbelievably offensive "Fight Against Grenade Spam" video starring Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels to promote Modern Warfare 2? Yeah, we were trying to forget it too (sorry to remind you!), but Battlefield developer DICE just released its own variation of the video (found after the break) starring New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia to explain why grenade spam isn't so much of an issue in Bad Company 2. According to CC, due to the variety of other gameplay options (destructible environments, a handful of different vehicles and "adrenaline pumping weapons"), grenade spam isn't the same problem that it is in "competing games of this particular genre." (It probably helps that each class only starts with one grenade too, huh?) Rather than being sponsored by the notorious acronym that closed out Infinity Ward's ad, this one ends with: "Friends Really Against Grenade Spam." Oh, and for those of you playing along at home, this is at least the second advertisement for Bad Company 2 that directly parodies Modern Warfare 2 promos. We're still holding out hope that all this culminates in a cage match between Robert Bowling and Patrick Söderlund.
EA completes Battlefield: Bad Company 2 server maintenance
[sugree] EA assures us via Twitter that, after a rocky launch period, the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 online servers have now been stabilized. Pretty much every iteration of Bad Company 2 has seen issues arise when connecting to EA's servers for online multiplayer, with Xbox 360 kicking some users all the way out to the Dashboard and PC users experiencing authentication issues with PunkBuster. The developer now says that those issues have been addressed, due in no small part to new servers being added over the weekend. "All new hardware is in place and ready to serve your BFBC2 needs," the tweet reads, backed up by a Q&A on the Battlefield Blog with more info. While some players may still experience a stat loss issue, EA and DICE are actively looking into a fix and encourage anyone who experiences said glitch to report it online. Now, if you'll excuse us, we've got dudes to sneak up on and knife in the back. Source 1 - Twitter Source 2 - Battlefield Blog
Bad Company 2 to offer free March 30 'mapathy' cure
Oh man, EA's pursuit of Modern Warfare 2 just got hot, as DICE has announced via the Battlefield Blog that on March 30 -- the same day the Stimulus Package DLC will boost Modern Warfare 2's map count -- Battlefield: Bad Company 2's VIP members will receive the free "VIP Map Pack 2," which adds a Conquest mode scenario to the Arica Harbor map and Rush mode to Laguna Presa. Both maps aren't new to the game, however neither has been available for play in the "unlocked" game modes noted above. So, that kinda qualifies as a "map pack," right? Regardless, it's free, as DICE boldly proclaims in its jab at Activision and Infinity Ward: "How to avoid 'mapathy' without paying!" [Thanks, Qwaint]
DICE 'investigating' Battlefield: Bad Company 2 on Mac
Okay, Mac gamers, take a deep breath. It's been a busy day. Steam is coming to the Mac. The Left 4 Dead games will even support multiplayer across PC and Mac platforms. You're just not used to all this attention, we understand. Bear with it though, because there's more on the way. In a recent tweet, DICE's Karl Magnus Troedsson stated, "We like it!" in reference to Valve's Mac Steam announcement. When asked by UGDB.com whether the company had plans for a Mac version of Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Troedsson responded, "We're currently investigating the possibility of making BFBC2 available on Mac." It wouldn't be the first time a Battlefield game was ported to Mac -- the most recent being Battlefield: 2142 -- but it could be the first Battlefield released on Mac via Steam. Again, Mac gamers, it's a lot to take in. Try to get some sleep and we'll start fresh tomorrow.
PS3 Bad Company 2 VIP access patch 'hopefully' today; PC issues addressed
SCEA is currently certifying a patch that should allow PlayStation 3 owners of Bad Company 2 to gain access to their VIP content, according to DICE. The patch will "hopefully" go live today in North America, with Europe following "shortly after." Once patched, PS3 players will gain access to Nelson Bay (Rush) and Laguna Alta (Conquest) -- along with the ability to access all future content. The PS3 isn't the only console having problems. Every platform the game is on has had consistent connectivity issues with BC2 since launch thanks to EA's servers, but the PC version is having significant issues beyond normal network problems. DICE has posted some "temporary solutions for PC gamers" while the developer works on a "permanent solution." Answers to several of those issues can be found on the EA forums. Well, at least it's a great multiplayer game ... when it works.
Review: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (single player)
You know, it's so rare that my job feels like work. I mean, I play and write about video games for a living -- it's not a terribly taxing gig. I mention this not to brag about how great my life is (Twitter's the only appropriate place for that), but so you have some perspective when I tell you that almost every moment of Battlefield: Bad Company 2's single-player campaign felt like real, actual work. The campaign isn't terrible, in fact, it's largely competent. But because of a lack of inspiration and a pretty crummy checkpoint system, Bad Company 2's single-player game is just plain not fun. %Gallery-43916%
Review: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (multiplayer)
For those who prefer their multiplayer experiences to be full of camaraderie rather than competition, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 delivers a bonding experience like few other games can. By pushing the idea of teamwork upon players, Bad Company 2 is a game that discourages the "lone wolf" mentality found in many, if not most, online first-person shooters. A question I've been asked a lot this week: "I barely played and/or didn't really enjoy the first Battlefield: Bad Company's multiplayer. How does this stack up?" The sequel is more Battlefield 1943 than Bad Company. It's a more balanced experience like developer DICE's summer hit, but with a modern setting and delivering the scope one would expect from a full-priced retail experience. Squads. It's one of the most important elements to Battlefield and a feature that has gotten better through each iteration. A squad is your mini-team within the game; working with them just makes sense, since you'll be respawning with them when you die. In previous Battlefield games, squad members would sometimes be switched to the other team, even as total strangers were inserted in your squad. (As one comrade-in-arms aptly put it this week: "It's like being invited to a Rock Band party, but you're accidentally given the address next door and they're playing Guitar Hero. Sure, it's almost the same, but that's not the party you wanted to attend.") Thankfully, the biggest problem with making a squad is resolved in this outing. %Gallery-43916%
Metareview: Battlefield: Bad Company 2
While not quite the 94 review average that Modern Warfare 2 eventually ended up with, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is off to a generous start on Metacritic, averaging a 90 as of this writing. The developers at DICE have certainly kicked up some dust in challenging the monolithic multiplayer of MW2, but it remains to be seen what will eventually shake out online. For now, we've got the single-player reviews for you, just below: GamePro (5/5 Stars): "Bad Company 2's unexpected emphasis on survival skills caught me completely off guard ... The radical change in pace forced me to think and react differently to the situation than I normally would, and it made for an incredible experience. Bad Company 2 definitely has the necessary chops to give the current king of, well, modern warfare, a run for its money.." GameDaily (9/10): "Combat is both intense and exhilarating. Nothing beats unloading a few grenades at a house and watching the ammo tear chunks from it while dead bodies sail through the air. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is an immensely entertaining shooter that demands your attention" Official Xbox Magazine UK (8.0/10): "While the likes of Call of Duty and Gears of War lead you into bottlenecks where they can dazzle you with explosions and special effects, Bad Company 2 feels more like a diluted sprawl of ideas across a large canvas. This variety ensures things stay interesting but it makes it a solid rather than spectacular effort. You'll enjoy it, but will find that you struggle to recall any standout moments once the credits finally roll." Totally Video Games: (7/10): "While Battlefield 2: Modern Combat (on previous-gen machines) and the original Bad Company both featured standalone single-player campaigns, both fell well short of the kind of gameplay we've come to expect of the Master Chief or Sergeant 'Soap' MacTavish. Unfortunately, DICE still hasn't turned the corner with its single-player design in Bad Company 2." %Gallery-43916%
French Bad Company 2 ads ape military ad slogan
[Erwan Cario] If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, EA's marketing team (at least the one that handles the company's French ads) was really, really trying to flatter the French military with its latest Bad Company 2 ads. Adopting the slogan "Devenez Plus Que Vous-Meme" for its website ("Be More Than Yourself"), EA has seemingly borrowed the French military's strikingly similar "Devenez Vous Meme" ("Be Yourself.") "We are clearly in a situation of abuse of slogan ... So far, our campaign is working very well, we have very good returns," French army general Philippe Pontiès told Écrans. Allegedly, the posters will be altered sometime in the coming weeks, with the French military and EA reaching an agreement amenably. Perhaps unsurprisingly, EA has chosen not to comment. [Via GamePolitics]
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 getting two DLC maps on day one, more coming in March
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will unlock two multiplayer maps on launch day, free to players that input a "VIP code" included with new copies of the game (think: "Project Ten Dollar"). VIPs will also gain free access to a second map pack, which developer DICE will airdrop later in March. If you purchase the game second-hand, you can access the VIP code separately via the in-game store (think: $15). We can already see a repeat of the Mass Effect 2 account confusion coming from five klicks away, so make sure your affairs are in order before you redeem the code. BC2 Senior Producer Patrick Bach claims, "These first two map packs are just the beginning. We're planning ongoing support for the community by always keeping the experience fresh and ensuring the best possible gameplay experience." This is where Battlefield 1943 fans wipe the tears from their faces as they march toward a more modern battlefield.
Battlefield Bad Company 2 PC walkthrough gets into the nitty gritty
For those of you wondering just how superior the PC version of Battlefield Bad Company 2 is to the console iterations, the answer lies at least partially in the above PC version walkthrough. Sure, stuff like kit selection and squad layout is a bit more in-depth, and there's the near-ubiquitous (for PC games) server browsing/dedicated server support -- multiplayer count also gets a boosted 32-player count over the console's 24 -- but other than that ... alright, that's kind of a lot. When you also factor in DirectX 11 support (for fancy lighting, among other things), the differences get starker. It would certainly seem that DICE hasn't forgotten its roots as a PC game developer. That said, even if you're a strident console-only gamer, the above walkthrough also gives us our first eyes-on with "Valparaiso" -- a multiplayer map apparently set in the Chiléan city. Here's a shocker: it looks just as impressive as everything else we've seen from the game thus far (even more so, graphically speaking, as it's running on a presumably tricked out PC). Bad Company 2 arrives on your console of choice (minus the Wii) in early March. %Gallery-43916%
ESRB outs WWII-based opening of Bad Company 2
The original Bad Company spinoff in the Battlefield series kept the franchise's setting firmly in modern times, but if the Bad Company 2 ESRB description is true, you'll be seeing a return to WWII in the sequel. At the very least, the game's opening will bring players back to the Pacific side of the war, with the ESRB description saying, "In single-player mode, players conduct missions on an unnamed Japanese island during World War II and then move into the modern day through jungles, deserts, and snowy terrain." Just like we've discovered in our way too many hours with the game's multiplayer demo, the description details the inclusion of "melee attacks with a power drill" (yes, seriously) and the characters use of profanity "during cutscenes and in the heat of battle." And yes, we're just as excited by the former as you might imagine. %Gallery-43916%[Via BigDownload]
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 MP demo coming to 360 ... NOW
It's time for the masses to try out Battlefield: Bad Company 2's multiplayer, as EA has seen fit to deploy a demo on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The 1.4GB download will see fierce fighting on the Port Valdez map in "Rush Mode." Access to the demo ends February 25, 2010, a week before launch. For those interested in learning more about the single-player campaign, check out our hands-on of the solo experience with Preston, Sweetwater and the rest of B company. Update: PlayStation 3 users will receive the demo on PSN February 4 in Europe and February 11 in North America. Add Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – Demo to your download queue %Gallery-43916%
Bad Company 2 loses smooth tunes, keeps hardcore explosions
During tonight's season premiere of Gametrailers TV, EA's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 was at center stage with first footage and details of the game's single-player experience. The episode revealed the original B Company would return, with players reprising their role as Private Preston Marlowe. The single-player story, which takes players from Alaska to South America, sees the rambunctious squad attempt to locate a devastating weapon system the Russians have uncovered. Of course, destruction once again plays a major role in the game, but sadly the smooth soundtrack that accompanied the original game seems to have been replaced by a generic "epic" score. Hopefully it'll be the least of our concerns when the estimated "10 hour" experience lands on consoles and on PC on March 2, 2010. According to the episode, a new multiplayer demo will land some time in February (perhaps the rumored demo date is accurate?) When contacted for an actual date for the new demo, an EA representative told Joystiq details would be revealed soon. Check out the single-player trailer after the break.
GTTV revealing Bad Company 2 campaign this week
This Thursday at 12:30am ET, the new season of GameTrailers TV is set to debut with a look at Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Specifically, the trailer for this week's episode promises that the show will display the first footage of the game's single-player campaign (we've seen multiplayer already, after all). Beyond the Bad Company 2 footage, GTTV will also have a clip from the upcoming Halo Legends anime collection. This might be a stretch, but we're guessing there will be Spartans in it. As always, expect any juicy details to wind up here on Joystiq once the episode airs.
