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You'll love the smell of this Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam trailer
Battlefield: Bad Company 2's downloadable Vietnam expansion will bring four new maps, 15 weapons and six vehicles into the first-person fray this Winter. The latest trailer is presented without release date, but does highlight just how you'll find release for all those weekly anxieties. As dear Alfred says, some men just want to watch the world burn.
EA kind of announces 'new, unannounced' Battlefield game
According to a tweet from Ben Cousins, general manager of EA's Easy studio, Battlefield fans can start looking forward to a new entry in the franchise. Easy handles free-to-play online games for EA, such as Lord of Ultima and Battlefield Heroes, and this Friday, the studio will show its "new, unannounced" Battlefield game to London press for the first time, Cousins tweeted. Given Easy's current projects, we're inclined to guess the new Battlefield will be another freemium entry in the online space. Of course, does it even exist? It's still "unannounced," after all -- actually, wait, wasn't that tweet kinda the announcement? We're going to need to lay down. Our brain suddenly hurts.
Lost Pages of Taborea: Low-level PvP alt
I've been spending some time making a home for myself on Artemis. Yes, I've moved away from the PvP server, and I haven't regretted it. I've never really participated in open PvP, so it's not really a surprise. I've said before that I only started on a PvP server to have that extra option available to me and to have an added dose of excitement. Well, your unofficial ambassador to Taborea may be changing his tune. After I made the switch to PvE, I wasn't sure what to do. I already had a high-level character. I didn't feel ready to put my main to rest. It's been my dedicated character for over a year, and it does give me the advantage of accessing high-level content. With the limited time I have for Runes of Magic right now, let alone other MMOs, I was tentative about making an alt. I took the plunge, made an alt, and haven't looked back. Oddly enough -- or maybe not -- I'm enjoying PvP more on a PvE server. I've found that I like alt life, and it has me thinking creatively about what to do with each character. I've spoken about PvP culture; I've mentioned my idea for improving battlefields; and last week I spoke about siege badges that can help you in battlefields. This week, I want to cover building a low-level PvP alt. There's a lot to be done in prepping a low-level PvP alt, so let's get busy.
Battlefield 1943 for PC remains on track, still no release date
Still waiting for your PC version of Battlefield 1943? Okay, first, we feel obliged to tell you that you should probably check out Battlefield: Bad Company 2. But second, you might want to know that EA is apparently issuing refunds for pre-orders of the title to folks who reserved the PC release. VG247 asked EA about said refunds, and was told, "All pre-orders can be canceled with refund at any time and we do not have any further information at this time about a release date for the PC version of Battlefield 1943." We asked an EA rep for clarification this afternoon and were told that pre-orders for any game can be refunded at any time -- furthermore, the rep specifically pointed out "Battlefield 1943 is not canceled, but we don't have any news about a release date at this time." Last we heard, the game was on track for release sometime this year and the game's producer even assured us that the PC version was still in the cards as recently as last March. So, while unfulfilled PC fans eagerly awaiting the game's release may ask for their pre-order money back, it also appears that whatever interest EA earned on your money since last October when pre-orders opened will remain in the publisher's hands. How nice of them! Perhaps it'll be used to support the game with DLC? Yeah, we're not holding our breath either.
Battlefield Heroes celebrates first birthday with free in-game items
Wow, has it already been a year since DICE's freemium version of its popular Battlefield FPS series, Battlefield Heroes, launched on the PC? Sure enough, that's the case and EA is looking to celebrate by hooking up players with a free $5 voucher for use in-game, which can be redeemed here to unlock a two-day XP boost, a two-day VP boost and 25 bandages. You'll have to act fast, as the code below is only valid until tomorrow: 49TP-ZJB7-NVTR-P8AE Other than free in-game items, EA also offers some stats on the first year of the game. Turns out, more than 4.8 million players have registered for play and the community as a whole has managed to commit 1.2 billion heinous murders in a total of 29 million hours of gameplay -- equal to 3,724 years, you monsters.
Bad Company 2 'Onslaught' mode hits XBL tomorrow, June 24
As part of his introductory post on the official Battlefield blog, the franchise's new community manager, "Bazajaytee," announced that the delayed Onslaught mode DLC for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will arrive in the Xbox Live Marketplace tomorrow, June 24, for 800 Microsoft points ($10). We're glad the delay wasn't, say, a week. Then we'd have probably shot someone -- in the game, of course.
Bad Company 2 VIP Map Pack 3 coming this week
The docile environs of Battlefield: Bad Company 2's Nelson Bay and Laguna Alta maps will be shaken up this Wednesday, June 9, when the VIP Map Pack 3 incorporates two new gameplay modes into the mix. Nelson Bay will get the four-team Squad Deathmatch mode, where players will have to fight to control the M3A3 Bradley tank if they hope to succeed; while Laguna Alta will add the ever-popular Squad Rush mode. If you're a visual learner, you can check out a trailer for the new scenarios posted above. As with all the other VIP packs, this new content will be free for those who have redeemed the VIP code that comes with new copies of Bad Company 2. If you missed out, you can always grab said code from your respective gaming platform's online marketplace for $15.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 PS3 update now live
Has your propensity for keeping things old school prevented you from getting ahead in the ultra-competitive world of Battlefield: Bad Company 2? Specifically, have you been held back by the M1 Garand rifle's lack of stat-tracking? You won't have to change your ways in order to get the recognition you deserve -- a patch went live for the PS3 version of the game last night (the 360 version is coming soon!) which corrects this oversight, as well as a few other minor multiplayer bugs. In addition, you'll now get more points for securing team objectives, and will lose more points for killing your fellow team members. We love seeing such strong reinforcements of karmic ideals in our multiplayer shooters. Click past the jump to see the full list of changes included in the update. [Thanks, Fernando]
Battlefield Heroes deploys a double XP weekend
From today through 5:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 23, Battlefield Heroes players can input the following code to earn double the XP they normally would for playing: 5RH4-G9WR-MVV2-Q4E7. Just enter the code on this page, then it's off to the races -- er, the battlefield, rather. You've got to give it up to DICE, who has managed to keep its free-to-play shooter fresh through steady content updates -- the latest of which includes a new map and mode centered around jetpacks. And that, folks, is how you enlist over three million players. [Via Big Download]
Hands-on: Battlefield: Bad Company 2's co-op Onslaught mode
Click for a screenshot onslaught. Being the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 fan that you are, you've no doubt read about the game's upcoming Onslaught mode DLC. If, for some reason, you haven't -- and didn't click on that link there -- here's the skinny: it will add up to four-player co-op to EA's latest military shooter, pitting human-folk against opposing A.I. foes in a rush to complete four different maps as quickly as possible. You'll want to do that because the mode will sport worldwide leaderboards for each of its four difficulty settings. I played the mode a couple of weeks back at EA HQ. Even on the lowest difficulty setting my three fellow players and I were absolutely humiliated within seconds of starting our first level. The A.I. is unforgiving. Our initial embarrassment had what I believe is the effect DICE is after with this mode: really making squads work together. You won't make it 50 feet if you don't -- and if you all die it's game over. %Gallery-93433%
DICE explains current lack of Onslaught in PC version of Battlefield: Bad Company 2
While the announcement of new DLC and a new mode for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 was good news to many, it was perplexing to PC owners. See, the new Onslaught mode has only been announced for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Speaking on the Bad Company 2 forums, DICE associate producer Barrie Tingle explains why Onslaught is seemingly skipping the PC. "The problem we have on PC," says Tingle, "is that all our servers are dedicated with providers." As a result, Tingle says that changing a 32-player Conquest server into a 4-player Onslaught server adds up to a net loss of 28 player slots. He adds that DICE isn't "ruling out" the possibility of PC Onslaught, but the company is "researching how to bring it to PC without affecting players who don't have Onslaught or their own server to run it on." When reached for comment by Joystiq on the subject, an EA representative responded, simply, "We'll have more details about PC DLC at a later date." If only there were an awesome military shooter we could play while we wait .... [Via VG247]
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 gains co-op 'Onslaught' mode soon
For those of you who like to play Battlefield: Bad Company 2 in good company (FIRED - Ed.), EA just announced a new co-op mode for four players. Onslaught Mode, available "soon" on PS3 and Xbox 360, remixes the Valparaiso, Atacama Desert, Isla Inocentes, and Nelson Bay maps for use in co-op with new vehicle placements and different times of day. Players are asked to complete specific objectives in each map, with enemy AI attempting to prevent those goals. For example, the announcement specifies that "Vehicle warfare comes to the forefront in Atacama Desert while Nelson Bay focuses squarely on infantry assault." We're following up with EA about the price of this DLC, as well as the prospect of its release on PC.
TERA welcomes you to the northeast
There are a lot of things about TERA that have helped push it to the forefront of people's minds without having seen much of the game, but the lore is certainly a big part of it. Aside from being a fine way to wave away fantasy inconsistencies, there's something infinitely unique about a world being dreamed into existence. But life in Northern Shara (with Shara being the eastern continent) is anything but a peaceful dream, as it's the site where the unnatural Argon first burst into the world. A new lore entry on the official site goes into detail about just what is happening in the besieged environment. Argon forces are both the core threat of TERA and the biggest danger to the region, but they're not after simple conquest. They've imported vast machinery to help them terraform the world into a more fitting environment, crawling across the landscape and distorting it. Still, within the city of Kaiator, the Valkyon Federation (presumably including the player characters) works to stem the flow of invaders and disrupt their efforts. Take a look at the full description for a better picture of the world's first battlefield against what seems to be utter annihilation.
Battlefield: BC2 console update coming May 11
Recons! Medics! Assaults! Lend us your Engineers! If you're still adhering to your nightly routine of playing Battlefield: Bad Company 2 until your eyes refuse to stay open any longer, you'll be pleased to hear about some upcoming changes coming to console versions of the game. Unless, of course, you actually like the game's unkillable, super overpowered deathcopters. In that case, you're about to be sorely disappointed. Changes coming in the update -- due out May 11 via Xbox Live and PSN -- include a few balance tweaks of most weapons, a slight nerfing of the attack helicopter and an increase in the velocity of tracer darts, making it easier to stick 'em to that aforementioned helicopter. Joy! Check out the full list of changes after the jump.
Xbox Live Marketplace in May: Rocket Knight, Dragon Age DLC and more
You know that dusty piggy bank you've had sitting on the shelf forever? Look, forget the kid's college fund -- she's not going to college for, like, years -- and bust that thing open! There's going to be some solid content on Xbox Live Marketplace this month. In the mood for XBLA games? How does Rocket Knight or Zeno Clash tickle your fancy? Oh, so you want some DLC -- Dragon Age: Origins will have more to offer the tireless adventurer later this month. Want to learn the Secret of Monkey Island? During the week of May 17, the secret will be half-off. See what we mean? Head past the break for more XBLM release highlights for the month provided by Microsoft.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 VIP Map Pack 3 almost ready for deployment [update]
Look, we have a fairly refined and nuanced stance on how Battlefield: Bad Company 2 should be played: in Rush Mode. ... Yep, that's it. But, we recognize that some people just like to do things incorrectly and, lucky for them, so does developer DICE. Cue: VIP Map Pack 3. The latest free download for all VIP members adds maps to Squad Rush and Squad Deathmatch -- specifically, Laguna Alta will become available in Squad Rush mode and Nelson Bay will become available in Squad Deathmatch. Planet Battlefield was kind enough to point out the DLC that, as you can see above, is visible in the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 store. We'll let you know when you can download it. Update: Added clarification of source and removed the "sometime in April" quote, which never originated from DICE. Joystiq apologizes for the confusion and regrets the error. [Via BadCompanyTwo]
Battlefield Heroes gets jetpacks, new map and new game mode
DICE's freemium FPS, Battlefield Heroes, has had its finger on the pulse of what's hip for quite some time now. It offered content for sad MJ fans when the King of Pop passed away and even implemented some supernatural content when that New Moon flick came out. Then there was the latest stuff celebrating the release of Battlefield: Bad Company 2. DICE clearly hasn't forgotten about its baby and now, for its three million and growing userbase, it's offering a trio of new goodies, headlined by the new in vogue multiplayer item: jetpacks. Players will use the jetpacks on a map called Midnight Mayhem, which sports a brand-new game mode called V2 Vengeance -- players must battle to capture and control a giant rocket. The content is available right now, so head on over to the Battlefield Heroes site if you want to throw down.
Another Amazon deal: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 for $47
Though the boys of Bad Company usually won't spare any subject from being the target of their crude brand of wit, there's one thing they'd never think of dissing: Sweet, sweet savings. Amazon recently began offering Battlefield: Bad Company 2 on 360 and PS3 for just $47. That's not quite as hot as getting both Mass Effect games for just three dollars more -- but really, in this economy, three dollars is a pretty substantial sum of money. You could easily buy one of your favorite candy bars with that much cash, which, in the long run, will provide much more enjoyment than any video game possibly could. Unless it's a Mounds, of course.
PSA: Battlefield: Bad Company 2's 'Squad Rush' now available to all
EA's lifted the velvet rope and now the whole of the unwashed masses enjoying Battlefield: Bad Company 2 can access the Squad Rush multiplayer mode. Previously only available to those who pre-ordered the game, this mode pits two squads (of four players) against each other as they fight over a single M-COM station. Once the attacking team has destroyed the M-COM station, it opens up the next section of the map -- it's a scaled-down version of the regular Rush multiplayer mode. If you're looking for something in the way of moving pictures, head past the break for a trailer that EA was kind enough to send over.
Battlefield 1943 recruits one million on Xbox Live
We're glad you like Battlefield 1943 so much ... because that's all you're going to get from it. Even though DICE's XBLA multiplayer shooter has reached one million downloads on Xbox Live this week, producer Gordon Van Dyke told us at PAX that there really aren't any plans for DLC. It's extra surprising when you consider that it's also the fastest rise to one million downloads for any Xbox Live Arcade game in existence, releasing back in July 2009. We wonder how many people waited until it was $10 to buy?
