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Battlefield 1943 takes five million virtual lives on day one
Battlefield 1943 was an instant hit. We know this because we could barely play for the first few days the game was available. That didn't stop others, however, who managed to get into games and get with the killing. DICE's Gordon Van Dyke recently left an update on the official game forums, stating that players managed to get over five million kills on the game's first day of release. We imagine over half of those were people who had no business being in that airplane to begin with. Oh, and for you kids keeping count and anxiously awaiting the new Coral Sea map, it looks like it'll be available sometime this week on Xbox 360. PS3 players will likely have to wait a while, as they're lagging behind big time in the kills. [Via VG247]
Start killin': Battlefield 1943 'Coral Sea' challenge has started
The Battlefield 1943 community challenge to unlock the "Coral Sea" map is a go -- that is, for those who can get into a game. The bonus battlefield will unlock as soon as the individual communities on Xbox 360 and PS3 reach a body count of 43 million. We'd give you the current kill count as of this writing, but it's jumped nearly 50K in this brief time. The corpses are piling up fast!If someone with math skills wants to track the figures over the next day or so and give us a rough estimate of when they estimate the map should unlock, we won't hold it against you. Once "Coral Sea" opens up, if should include an "Air Superiority game mode." Get killin', folks, who knows if there'll be another carrot dangled in front of us when this challenge is done. We hope there will be.Update: As of 12:19PMEST on 7/13/09 -- Xbox 360: 30,102,476; PS3: 16,434,208 [Thanks, Doug]
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Battlefield 1943
First, we couldn't actually play Battlefield 1943 yesterday, so please forgive the tardiness of this, the latest episode of XBLA in Brief. Now that EA's servers seem to be in order, it's time to look at the new, download-only installment of Battlefield. In short, it seems pretty damned solid. Watch the latest episode and see if it deserves your 1200 ($15). Download the trial version of Battlefield 1943 [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly. [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
Battlefield 1943 servers being added 'around the clock'
As fun as Battlefield 1943 is, EA severely underestimated the amount of individuals who would enlist for battle in the Pacific yesterday on XBLA. If you tried to play, you likely spent a great deal of time staring at menus and found it a real pain to hook up and play with friends. According to a post made by Gordon Van Dyke on the official EA forums, developer DICE is doing all it can to increase the server count for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions.In the latest update, Van Dyke writes, "We have full support of EA to add as many servers as takes and then some so that everyone can play. This work has already started and servers will be added around the clock with teams working to cover this 24 hours a day so not a moment is wasted. You will be able to play this game and play it lag free!"While the prospect of a lag-free experience is something we can support, our problem was more with our inability to find matches and join our friends' games yesterday, even when multiple slots were open. But hey, at least the price was fixed! [It appears that the 90000 pricing "glitch" was a temporary workaround to dissuade Xbox Live Silver users from purchasing the online multiplayer–only game. Currently, the game is blocked from Silver account purchasing altogether and has been designated a "Gold Exclusive."][Via Edge; thanks to VIP0R, Roger, Ian & Alan for pricing glitch pics!]
Battlefield 1943 cheevos airdropped onto web, running for your flag
After EA DICE loosed the official release date for Battlefield 1943 early today, we set to scouring the interweb for more information on the upcoming digitally distributed title. Wouldn't you know it, the first thing we found was the game's somewhat less-than-thrilling Achievements over on Inside MGC, detailing how many flag caps you'll need before hearing the glorious cheevo noise and snagging 10Gs for yourself, among other things. If you're one of those folks a bit more concerned than they should be with points (aren't we all?), check out the full list to see exactly how you'll be playing BF1943 when it hits next week.
Battlefield 1943 declares war next week, starting July 8
Battlefield 1943 is ready to let bullets fly and bombs drop on July 8th and 9th for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, respectively. The final declaration of release was made by the official Battlefield 1943 Twitter account, intriguingly named "officialbf1943."Remember, the "Coral Sea" map can only be unlocked through community collaboration. If you won the game through our Joyswag efforts, don't forget to submit your codes!%Gallery-63331%
EA reveals Battlefield 1943 release date [update]
Hey, remember when we gave away all those codes of Battlefield 1943 just after E3 and there was a bit of confusion surrounding when you could use them -- er, ya know, actually play the game? Don't worry, we were confused too, but according to June's official EA Newsletter, the long awaited online shooter from DICE will be hitting your digital store shelves on July 9th. Interestingly, the game description no longer lists a PC version, making the delayed iteration of Battlefield 1943 that much less of a possibility -- a strange one at that, considering the franchise's PC roots. Either way, those of you that snagged codes for the game back in early June should start getting ready for battle by talking to our friends in the JPAG and setting up a game night. Talk about two tastes that taste great together.Update: DICE producer Gordon Van Dyke said today on EA's UK forums that "We are close to confirming our dates (Xbox 360 date & PS3 date), but still need to settle a few minor things." Looks as though the release date listed in the newsletter is still unconfirmed, unfortunately. Sorry, folks -- and thanks to everyone who sent this in![Thanks, Iain!]
Joystiq E3 Meetup: Virtual swag!
Pictured: the mouth of former Joystiqer, now Engadgeteer, Ross Miller Joystiq readers, you know we love you. We wouldn't be out here covering E3 if it weren't for you checking us for stories, browsing our galleries, and sending us tips. Seriously, you are the entire reason we exist in the first place. We know a lot of you read about our meetups and lament the fact that you can't get your smiling faces out here and participate. Well, with that in mind, you'll want to stay tuned to this post right here. Why? Well because you can participate in our first ever virtual swag off, concurrent with our E3 meetup in Los Angeles. We were lucky enough to snag some codes from EA for Battlefield 1943 on XBL and PSN ... before it's even out! We'll drop a code throughout the evening, so keep refreshing this post and keep your fingers poised over the "enter code" section on your platform of choice.Hey gang, we're about ready to mutiny over this Battlefield issue. We're just going to drop 30 (!) Uncharted 2 multiplayer codes, and we'll send you the Battlefield: 1943 codes closer to that wonky July 1st date. We apologize for the mess, but we're doing what we can! We hope you still love us. Check behind the break for the Uncharted 2 codes, and we're just going to firehose all of them into the post in a break.%Gallery-65188%
Battlefield 1943 'Coral Sea' map unlocked through community challenge
EA's downloadable Battlefield 1943 will take a Noby Noby Boy-esque -- albeit more violent -- cooperative approach to the release of its "Coral Sea" map. The bonus battlefield will unlock when the player communities on both Xbox and PS3 reach 43,000,000 kills each. To be clear: that's individually on each platform and not an accumulated total. So, if there's disproportionate player-base on one console, it's going to hold everyone back.Coral Sea is allegedly designed to "showcase the intense battle in the skies, offering an all-new Air Superiority game mode." Battlefield will release "this summer" according to the latest press release. Last we were told it would release in June for $15, and the PC version is still scheduled for September. (There's no word on if PC players will have to complete a similar challenge to unlock Coral Sea, but we're looking into it.)Update: An EA representative got back to us and said, "Yes, Coral Sea will release with the PC version."
Battlefield 1943 new video and screens
There's no more to say about our hands-on time with Battlefield 1943 than what's been said already ... so we thought we'd cut the chit-chat and let you soak up the new video above and screens below. Actually, we have one minor detail to correct. Previously, we reported that Battlefield would be $15 on the PlayStation Store; it's actually only $14.99. So how will you be spending that extra penny? %Gallery-63331%
DICE explains the wait for Battlefield 1943 on PC
After revealing that the PC version of Battlefield 1943 would release over two months after the XBLA release, DICE is attempting to cool the heads of angry PC fans on the EA forums. Producer Gordon Van Dyke explains that Battlefield 1943 will be the first PC game to use DICE's Frostbite Engine, which was already used to create the console exclusive Battlefield: Bad Company.Van Dyke states that the PC's open nature requires more features and support and adds that the game "can't just be thrown out there using copy/paste." DICE was aware that there might be backlash from PC gamers, but Van Dyke notes, "We feel once you play the first Frostbite PC game ever from DICE you'll see why we put this extra time and care in on the development making all right again in the universe."We'll find out in September.[Via Big Download]
Battlefield 1943 hits the trenches this June for $15 [update]
Update: EA has sent us a new trailer for the game showing off Wake Island. Enjoy! When the first trailer for Battlefield 1943 released, we were instantly pumped for the game. Multiplayer shooters are fun, but DICE made the right call by including tons of explosions and dudes getting shot in the face in the game's debut trailer. Now, we're happy to report that the game will arrive on XBLA and PSN (1200/$15) sometime this June (PC gamers get it in September). Battlefield 1943 features three different tropical locales: Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and gamers can play as either the US Marines or Imperial Japanese Navy in matches supporting up to 24 players. Essential reading: NYCC 09: Battlefield 1943 Pacific hands-on %Gallery-43905%
GDC09: Battlefield 1943 rolls onto Iwo Jima
click to Great War size Many of our GDC demos, Battlefield 1943 included, have been of the incredibly brief variety. (Is the industry saving up its really good stuff for E3 or what?) In the case of DICE's return to its classic multiplayer-only, WWII-era FPS franchise, what we saw and played at an event that shouted, "Hey, you! Yeah, you! C'mere! You've never seen this before!" was ... exactly what we'd played before. This time, however, it was on on a new map -- the island of Iwo Jima. %Gallery-48671%
DICE's Lars Gustavsson says game industry is at a 'crossroads'
Lars Gustavsson is no stranger to risk. After last year's first-person parkour-based action/platformer Mirror's Edge stumbled off shelves during the holiday season, you'd think DICE's creative director might be dissuaded from continuing to push the envelope. However, speaking at the Design Innovate Communicate Entertertain Summit (conveniently shortened to D.I.C.E.) last week, he told the crowd "the games industry has come to a crossroads." According to him, the situation is multi-faceted -- the poor economy is forcing lower overhead costs on developers and people are less willing to spend their money while consumers are also less likely to invest in new intellectual properties (such as the aforementioned Mirror's Edge). Should developers play it safe with proven IPs or take risks in hopes of breaking in?He pontificates that "more customization offerings, new business models, data-driven development and the active tuning of the games" will drive innovation and allay risk going forward. "It's totally different from anything we've done," Gustavsson noted when referencing upcoming online-only multiplayer shooter Battlefield 1943. And he seems to be putting the development costs where his mouth is, as Battlefield 1943 sticks to his plan (on paper at least) to a tee. It remains to be seen whether they'll work out. After all, we're still waiting on that other Battlefield game.
NYCC 09: Battlefield 1943 Pacific hands-on (XBLA)
Battlefield 1943 Pacific is just like ... well, other Battlefields. That's a compliment, by the way. 1943 is no janky spinoff. It's small in scope, sure, but it offers (and even improves upon -- read: no more health packs!) the core experience of its disc-based brethren. This is visible -- even playable -- in a pre-alpha build (XBLA version) on the New York Comic Con show floor. We got our hands on the Wake Island map, one of three in the downloadable game, which is modeled on the actual geographic location with a few gameplay-enhancing improvements. 1943's color palette is distinctly vibrant, clashing against the epic destruction that ensues once a match begins. As featured in Bad Company last year, the Frostbite game engine's destructible environments are exploding and imploding in 1943 as well, with buildings reduced to mere foundations as players carelessly toss grenades, launch rockets and even bomb from the skies (bombers can be somewhat controlled from within specially-marked, protected bombing HQs). Destruction is a gimmick -- but a good one. %Gallery-43905%
Battlefield 1943 coming to XBLA, PC and PSN this summer [update]
If you're hoping to hone your Battlefield skills before the Bad Company returns later this year, you'll get your chance this summer when the series goes back to WWII with Battlefield 1943, a multiplayer game coming to XBLA, PSN [updated: and PC!]. Built on the same engine as Bad Company, the downloadable game will offer 24 players the chance to battle it out across Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Listen, we try to be skeptical of newly announced titles until they've proven themselves, but holy crap are we ever excited about this. Oh yeah, and in other Battlefield news, the first screenshot of Bad Company 2 has been revealed. Check it out after the break. %Gallery-43905%
