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New Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer trailer reminds us of the good ol' days

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 19th 2009 at 8:30PM }

Ahhh yes, flying helicopters from base to base, frantically scrambling to a good vehicle or cover, and the always prudent flag rush -- staples of any good Battlefield: Bad Company online multiplayer match. Maybe you were more into sneaking into a building's attic, blowing a hole in one corner, and carefully sniping the other team from afar? You are our bane!

Ahem, that said, the latest multiplayer trailer for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 above, serves to remind us of all the good times we had the first time around. It also, unfortunately, serves to remind us that the second game still isn't out for another three months. Luckily, some of you will get to enjoy the multiplayer beta starting today. Do us all a favor, folks -- shell the snipers!

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2

A tour of Battlefield: Bad Company 2's multiplayer

by JC Fletcher { Nov 12th 2009 at 10:00PM }

You guys like games about modern warfare, right? We heard that somewhere. If so, you'll probably be interested in hearing more about Battlefield: Bad Company 2. What, did you think we were talking about another game?

In the G4 video after the break, producer Gordon Van Dyke provides a running commentary of direct-feed multiplayer footage, demonstrating the kind of gameplay you'll be able to help tune (and also enjoy) in the PS3 multiplayer beta. Or, to put it a different way, there's thirteen minutes of direct-feed Bad Company 2 footage after the break. Hardly needs any more dressing up than that, does it? Enjoy it -- no tips required.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (11-05-09)

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Battlefield: Bad Company 2 looking to catch MW2-jaded PC gamers on the rebound

by Christopher Grant { Nov 10th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Perhaps detecting a dedicated server-shaped weakness in the competition's defenses, Electronic Arts is beginning to position next year's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 as a legitimate heir to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare throne. On yesterday's Q2 earnings call, EA Games label prez Frank Gibeau said that, in addition to other things, Bad Company 2's "deep new online play with dedicated server support ... will put Battlefield in head-to-head competition with Call of Duty for quality and online gameplay." EA CEO John Riccitiello later said, "Battlefield: Bad Company 2 ... has every right to see itself as a rival to the #1 FPS game that one of our competitors is releasing next week." (Note: We presume Riccitiello misspoke and meant "this" week and not "next" week ... unless he thinks Left 4 Dead 2 is the #1 FPS game and that EA is its own competition).

Continuing to pour gasoline on the dedicated server fire, Gordon Van Dyke from Bad Company 2's DICE tells IncGamers, "On the PC, it's a PC version, which is getting that same treatment, and then also a little bit more as PC users are generally used to a different type of experience than console users are, and we recognize that and we want to make sure that we give that to the PC market and give the console market more." He was less committal when discussing modding tools, offering, "Once we start getting there and the engine gets to a level where we can release tools that are easy for our own guys to use, and then easy for people publicly, then we'll get into that and we'll really start to focus on it."

Though the first Battlefield: Bad Company never made its way to the PC, with promised support for the platform and a PC beta hitting this December -- just a few weeks after the PS3-exclusive console beta gets underway -- it's clear EA and DICE are making up for lost time.

Source – Electronic Arts Q2 2010 Earnings Conference Call [PDF link]
Source – DICE: Bad Company 2 PC Gets A "Little Bit More" [IncGamers]

Hands-on: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer beta

by Randy Nelson { Nov 6th 2009 at 12:00PM }

Announced yesterday, the multiplayer beta for EA and DICE's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is going to give PS3 owners (and only PS3 owners) a one map appetizer on November 19 for the main course coming March 2, 2010. The beta features one match type -- Rush, a version of Bad Company's Gold Rush ... only without the gold -- and takes place in the sun-baked seaside locale of Arica Harbor.

Last week, we took part in a 24-player stress test for the beta (the version coming Nov. 19 will support 24 players, as will the final game) and came away rattled but ready for more. You can read about how it all went down after the break.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 -- Arica Harbor

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Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer beta hits Nov. 19, exclusive to PS3

by Randy Nelson { Nov 5th 2009 at 12:00PM }

PS3 owners will soon have another exclusive to brag about in addition to Uncharted 2. EA and DICE announced today that the multiplayer beta for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will launch on Thursday, November 19, exclusively on Sony's console. As with the recent God of War III demo, a beta code will be offered as a pre-order incentive from GameStop, Amazon and Best Buy (visit the game's official site to check which other retailers are participating).

The beta will focus on one of Bad Company 2's new multiplayer game types: Rush. This multi-stage battle takes place on a map called Arica Harbor, which is broken into unique areas for each round. American forces push forward on foot and in vehicles to scrap with Russian troops outside a military base, in an urban environment and eventually at the harbor itself in a "last stand" scenario.

EA plans to begin a PC round of the beta in December, followed up by an all-new multiplayer demo for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC early next year. The finished game hits shelves on March 2, 2010. We recently had the opportunity to play in the multiplayer beta and will bring you our hands-on impressions tomorrow morning, November 6 at 9:00 a.m. PT / noon ET.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (11-05-09)

DICE receives fan letter in thanks of Bad Company 2 dedicated servers

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 4th 2009 at 10:15AM }

Edward

of New Jersey was so happy with DICE's decision to support dedicated servers for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 that he sent the company a $60 check. Although it's pretty hard to look up the

family of New Jersey to ask Eddie why he sent the money, we'll guess it had something to do with Infinity Ward's decision to not allow dedicated PC servers for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

As for what DICE plans to spend the money on, Battlefield Producer Gordon Van Dyke gave no indications. Some Battlefield 1943 maps would be nice. The intern could probably get it done for $60, right?

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta details this week, EA says

by Justin McElroy { Nov 3rd 2009 at 1:50PM }

We were warned yesterday about phishers scamming folks out of personal info, promising entry into a Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta that hadn't even been announced. It seems they weren't completely off the mark though, as EA told Blend Games that details about a BF:BC 2 beta would arrive this week. If you remember, GameStop recently posted -- then pulled -- a listing that claimed those who pre-ordered the game would receive entry into a beta starting November 19.

You know what this means, don't you? It's our worst fears made flesh: Online phishing scammers who can see into the future. Well, it's been nice knowing you, civilization.

[Via Blue's News]

Watch out for Battlefield Bad Company 2 phishing, warns BF blog

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 2nd 2009 at 5:30PM }

DICE is letting folks know that there are currently no Battlefield Bad Company 2 Beta sign-ups, meaning that any recent invitations you may have received represent scams. Battlefield producer Gordon Van Dyke is letting the community know that any site asking you to sign up for the beta is phishing -- he recommends you "give them the middle finger."

Van Dyke notes that if players aren't reading an announcement from the company's site or official Twitter, it just ain't real. Although we're sure you savvy consumers know better in this age, game companies aren't going to ask for your social security, mother's maiden name or other standard security questions.

EA details Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition, same price as normal

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 29th 2009 at 12:34PM }

EA and DICE revealed today what's to be found with the treasure trove of weaponry in Battlefield: Bad Company 2's Limited Edition retail release. The BFBC2 "while supplies last" edition will contain six special game unlocks -- only four of which are for Bad Company 2 -- and cost the same as the regular retail version.

The four BFBC2 unlocks are:

Improved Vehicle Armor - Pretty self explanatory.
Supreme Vehicle Firepower - Additional weapon mounts for the driver.
Vehicle Motion Sensor - Locate enemy units in proximity to vehicle.
Tracer Dart Pistol - Attaches to any vehicle "to track, lock on, and fire rockets onto moving targets even beyond line of sight"

The other two unlocks are for Battlefield 1943 and give soldiers the M1A1 Submachine Gun and the M1911 Pistol, which are both ... you know, guns that go pew-pew. BFBC2 launches March 2 and 5 in North America and Europe, respectively. Meanwhile, poor Battlefield 1943 has been waiting for new maps since July 20, 2009.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (Limited Edition)

EA opens pre-orders for Battlefield 1943 PC

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 2nd 2009 at 7:40PM }

The official Battlefield 1943 Twitter account has tw@ted that the EA Store is ready to take pre-orders for the PC version of the game. The three-map (four, if you count the aerial-centric Coral Sea) battle fiesta is expected sometime in 2010, along with Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (and possibly Battlefield 3).

It'll certainly be interesting to see if the PC FPS demographic embraces the more casual-oriented Battlefield 1943 in the droves that brought the console version to its knees -- at this point, we'd be happy if the development of the PC version simply brought new maps for all.

[Via VG24/7]

Gallery: Battlefield 1943

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 'Moments' trailer is obscenely awesome

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 30th 2009 at 7:14PM }

There's one major thing Battlefield: Bad Company 2 possesses that its insanely hyped competitors lack: A liberal dose of good old fashioned profanity. Of course, we haven't played said competitors, but we can't imagine another game's characters drop bombs of the "S" and "F" varieties as freely as those seen in the trailer above. Well, except for the two agents in House of the Dead: Overkill, but that's a special, special exception.

Fortunately, it looks like there's some solid action in there to accompany all the dirty words. Check out the trailer for an uncut, uncensored and unsuitable for work gameplay chunk from a multiplayer match in BBC2. The game, that is -- not the brainy British television channel.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Battlefield Heroes update 'Heroes of the Fall' now live

by Justin McElroy { Sep 30th 2009 at 5:13PM }

It may seem like a contradiction, but it is possible to make "free" an even better value. Just look at Battlefield Heroes; the game just added a boatload of new content (we've got a full list after the break) as part of its "Heroes of the Fall" update, and it's still all delectably free.

If you can't be troubled to read a whole list, some of the most notable changes include a new map called "Riverside Rush" and some improved social networking functionality. And, as you can see above, the update features a guest appearance by the Sepia-Toned Village People, who we hear are huge in the Netherlands.

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Battlefield Heroes enlists two million recruits

by David Hinkle { Sep 26th 2009 at 6:15AM }

DICE's free-to-play FPS, Battlefield Heroes, just had its two millionth soldier signed up for duty, EA announced. It's an impressive accomplishment considering the game only opened its doors in June and netted its first million users back in July. And as a reward for all of the players' hard ~~work~~ gaming, EA has dated the title's Heroes of the Fall update for September 30.

We already knew about the proposed changes to the game's social networking functions and the class updates, but there's also the prospect of a new map to be excited about. EA is taking name ideas for the new locale right now at the game's official site, so head on over and suggest one. If you're looking for a bit of inspiration, may we suggest The Joystiq Map of Joystiqing Joystiq: Joystiq?

New Battlefield: Bad Company 2 footage brings the vehicles, boom

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 24th 2009 at 7:00PM }

We're sure that Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Executive Producer Karl-Magnus Troedsson (awesome name!) is a very nice gentleman, and we're sure he says some really interesting things in GameTrailers' TGS video found after the break, but he keeps interrupting some glorious multiplayer gameplay footage. Shhh, Karl-Magnus, we're trying to watch the booms, bangs and bagongings.

Check out the footage after the break to get an idea of all the mayham and some of the vehicle cockpit views we'll experience when Battlefield: Bad Company 2 releases -- when else, but 2010 ... just like everything else.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2

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DICE founder forms Antic Entertainment, unveils Junk: Battles

by David Hinkle { Sep 22nd 2009 at 5:29PM }

DICE founder Fredrik Liljegren has his sights set on free-to-play games, as he's revealed (via Gamasutra) his new studio, Antic Entertainment. He's joined by Digital Extremes alum Mark Mikulec and Jeff Evans at the London, Ontario-based studio, which features talent from a variety of titles such as Dark Sector, BioShock and DICE's Battlefield series.

In fact, the team's already got a title underway called Junk: Battles (Seriously? You named your game Junk?), an RTS hybrid designed to work in most major web browsers, where users create a ship and battle other users, gaining stats and ship parts as they progress. While the game is in its earliest stages, feel free to battle through all of the junk (sorry!) at its site here.