If you learn one thing today, know that EA DICE isn’t shy of taking on the 800 lb. gorilla named Modern Warfare 2. The same day (March 30th) gamers will see the first map pack hit for MW2, DICE will bring out its second VIP Map Pack for Battlefield: Bad Company 2. The new content will allow gamers to tackle Arica Harbor in Conquest Mode and Laguna Presa in Rush Mode.

EA DICE was more than happy to point out that their DLC will be available for all systems day and date (unlike the timed-360-exclusive DLC for MW2) and, further, they’re excited to offer their new maps ‘free’ of charge to ensure everyone can play together. Getting the new maps ‘free’ only applies if you purchased the game new; the same unlock codes that got you the first on-disc maps when BBC2 launched will also score you this one for free. If you picked it up used however, you’ll be shelling out more cash to get the new goodies. Hope you got a decent priced on the used copy to start with…

Source

As many Battlefield Bad Company 2 players are aware, the game has been experiencing performance issues of varying degrees across the PS3, PC, and 360 due to the “high surge in traffic” experienced upon the game’s launch last week. Well, EA and DICE want you to know that they are STILL working on it, and as a result, have been steadily updating the game’s website and issuing emails in an effort to keep inhabitants of the virtual battlefield calm.

Here’s what we know:

- X360 was severely impacted, and the service is being restarted. It should be back online and we are monitoring closely.

- PC had an outage, but the service is offline currently and the service is being restarted. It should be back online and we are monitoring closely.  We will then start checking the quality of the customer experience to determine possible next steps.

- PS3 appeared to have a brief outage, but has quickly recovered and the services is functioning properly at this time.
 
We recommend you head here to keep track of updates should you continue to experience issues with the game…which DOES NOT include getting your ass kicked because you suck with a sniper rifle (that’d be me…). Hope that helps.

Empowering the EBA Community with a voice to collaboratively review the industry’s hottest titles, the EpicBattleAxe.com uREVIEW (about) delivers real insight from real gamers about The GOOD, The BAD, and The UGLY pertaining to the biggest games in the world. This is the EpicBattleAxe.com uREVIEW for Battlefield Bad Company 2. Let’s get started:
Read the rest of this entry…

Sharpen thine knives and ready thine hammer, its time for another edition of EpicBattleCry! In this week’s skirmish, we check out the Just Cause 2 demo, new Mass Effect 2 DLC, a Batman: The Brave and the Bold game headed to Nintendo consoles, and hope that Alpha Protocol finally has a firm release date.

First up in the main course, we run down the details from last week’s Nintendo Media Summit and get ready for big N to bring the pain in the first half of the year. Next up, we examine how the details of how the launch day DLC for Battlefield: Bad Company 2, may just be the thing to drive down GameStop’s prices.

The Battle Cry of the Week goes to Neo Geo’s recent birthday (and King of Fighters XIII), Joe Danger, Transformers: War for Cybertron, and calls on game publishers to think about creating their own game console.

Read the rest of this entry…

EA has sent word that two all-new multiplayer maps for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be “unlocked” on March 2nd when the game launches in North America. This map pack, which is on the game disc and unlocked via a VIP code included with every new copy of the game, features the Laguna Alta map playable in Conquest mode and Nelson Bay map playable in Rush mode, bringing the total number of multiplayer maps up to 10. Of course, those that purchase the game used or those that misplace their code will have to fork over $15 to acquire the additional content.

Later in March, DICE plans to release yet another map pack at no extra charge to players with the access codes, delivering a chance to experience the Arica Harbor map in Conquest mode and Laguna Presa map in Rush mode.
 
“Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will redefine online modern warfare on March 2. We are deeply committed to the FPS community and Battlefield fans worldwide,” said Patrick Bach, Senior Producer for Battlefield: Bad Company 2. “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.”

So, while nothing new, we’re interested in hearing what everyone thinks about the whole code thing. Does it make a different to you that the content is in fact on the disc and not accessible to those without a code (confirmed via Kotaku). How much different is it than something you would have to download to acquire? Fair, not fair, what? Let us (and EA) know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be in stores on March 2, 2010 in North America and March 4, 2010 in Europe for the 360, PS3, and PC.

In a recent interview with WorthPlaying.com, Battlefield: Bad Company 2’s senior producer Patrick Bach discussed many aspects of the highly-anticipated shooter including the game’s humor, level design, locations, and more. One aspect that came up, voluntarily, was that of DLC where Bach had the following to say:

One thing that’s also very interesting is how we see our customers. We see the game as the first step to a longer experience. We have an in-game store where you get free content or you can buy new content to the game, so it’s a very integral part of the game that we will have a long post-launch campaign. I think people will be thrilled to see what’s in that already. On day one, you will get some really cool stuff.

So, not surprisingly, we learn that BFBC2 will support DLC of both the free and paid variety, although we don’t know exactly what flavor the day one DLC will come in. The above quote has been sparking a debate about day one DLC, and for what its worth, some reports are trimming off the opening two sentences of the quote relating to the developer’s long-term vision and viewpoint on their customers which seems like a relevant part of the discussion.

Anyway, we’ll deliver more details on the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 DLC as soon as they emerge, but feel free to chime in with your thoughts on the “Day One DLC” debate below.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 ships this March for the PS3, 360, and PC.

via Joystiq

UPDATE: I knew there must have been a reason for EA to promote some screens today…they also sent a reminder today that a demo for BFBC2 will be available to PlayStation 3 owners tomorrow. You can find out about the demo’s content here.

EA and DICE have taken to the web to showcase in-game images from the upcoming “we SWEAR we’re gonna have a respectable single-player campaign” Battlefield Bad Company 2. The images, dealing with both the multiplayer and said single player campaign, showcase the title’s alluring environments playing host to war torn combatants adrift in a sea of conflict with inner sorrow painting the canvas of the melancholy that, while repressed, is no doubt arising within their digitized heads. Ok, ok, the images just show sh*t blowing up REAL GOOD, but they’re still worth checking out!

You can do so here.

Battlefield Bad Company 2 releases March 2, 2010 for PC, PS3, and 360.

Like a well positioned sniper making his presence known with a single shot to the head, EA and DICE today announced that a free demo of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is NOW AVAILABLE via Xbox Live worldwide. Folks that pre-ordered the game can also now access the PC beta while PS3 owners will get their hands on the demo come February 4 in Europe and February 11 in North America.

“After the success of the PS3 beta, we’re excited to provide gamers – especially our long-supporting, rabidly passionate PC fans – with another opportunity to get into the game before release,” says Patrick Bach, Senior Producer on Battlefield: Bad Company 2. “Our fans have been a huge part of the franchise’s success and we can’t wait for everyone to experience the amazing gameplay and unforgettable Battlefield moments in Battlefield: Bad Company 2.”

Nice. Here’s a description of the demo:

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 console demo and PC beta will feature Port Valdez, a new vehicle focused map where up to 24 players (32 on PC) will compete against each other as either the US or Russian armies in the game’s Rush multiplayer mode. Players will have access to five land and three air vehicles where the Russian side can use everything in their arsenal including Main Battle Tanks as well as the fast-moving Quad Bikes and Mobile Armored AA. The fight will also be packed with plenty of infantry combat fought alongside the waterline towards a great oil industrial landscape in the Alaskan mountains.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 launches on March 2, 2010 in North America and March 4, 2010 in Europe for the 360, PS3, and the PC.

Light the fires and raise the steel, its time for another edition of EpicBattleCry! In this week’s skirmish we ponder the recently announced God of War III PS3 bundle, discuss the Heavy Rain demo headed our way in early February, run down the details on Persona 3 Portable, and examine new details surrounding MGS Peace Walker and the MGS Portable Ops bundle headed to PSP.

WIth Mass Effect 2 releasing this week, we take a look at the marketing of the long anticipated sequel; discuss whether or not the ad campaign has any affect on the series die hards and muse if its bringing in new blood as well.

The Battle Cry of the Week goes to Just Cause 2’s built in video capture function on the PS3, the team at Dice and the work going into Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the 8-bits of awesome that is Dark Void Zero, and Grand Theft Auto as a real candidate for implementing Natal.

Read the rest of this entry…

So, as mentioned yesterday, last night’s GTTV popped the lid off of EA’s Battlefield: Bad Company 2 with the reveal of the game’s single-player campaign being highest on the list of “sweetess”.

Well, in addition to seeing the debut trailer from the single player side, we learned from Senior Producer Patrick Bach that the squad from the original title is back for more as they embark on a mission that’s a lot more serious in tone with more at stake and “more to fight for”. Bach also discussed the single-player’s new weapons and branching paths while showcasing two missions set in South America with one being a jungle level and the other being a snow level. It was also revealed that the game will offer roughly a ten hour single-player campaign highlighted by the Frostbite engine as a key differentiating factor when compared to other first person shooters.

All in all, the game is looking pretty damn sweet. If you liked the first or just like blowing crap up real good, you should check out last night’s episode of GTTV to get the goods.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is on track for a release in early March.