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A new series of Bad Company 2 videos are being released by DICE. First episode is now up on you tube. You can watch it here.

Deploy into World War II combat! “Battlefield 1943™” arrives on Xbox LIVE® Arcade

Attention! Get armed and ready to enter the World War II Pacific Theater of Operations. The fully-featured, action-packed “Battlefield 1943™” is available for quick and convenient download on your premier destination for digitally distributed games, Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, July 8.

Build your rank as a fierce fighter pilot, a steel-fisted tank commander, or even a skilled rifleman. Log on to Xbox LIVE where you and up to a whopping 24 players can engage in historic battle between the US Marine Corps and Japanese Imperial, whether it´s in the sky, on land or across the sea.

Published by Electronic Arts and developed by EA Dice, “Battlefield 1943™” will be available for 1200 Microsoft Points worldwide, excluding Korea. The game is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.  For more details, go here. 

*Xbox LIVE Gold membership required for online multiplayer

Game on!

DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio, today announced Battlefield: Bad Company 2(tm), the sequel to last year’s blockbuster title. In this installment, the Bad Company crew again find themselves in the heart of the action, where they must use every weapon and vehicle at their disposal to survive. The action unfolds with unprecedented intensity, introducing a
level of fervor to vehicular warfare never before experienced in a modern warfare action game. To get ready for the assault this winter, players can prepare for action in Battlefield 1943(tm), an all-new multiplayer game available this summer via PlayStation(r)Store, Xbox LIVE(tm) Marketplace and on the PC.

In Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the ‘B’ company fight their way through snowy mountaintops, dense jungles and dusty villages. With a heavy arsenal of deadly weapons and a slew of vehicles to aid them, the crew set off on their mission and they are ready to blow up, shoot down, blast through, wipe out and utterly destroy anything that gets in their way. Total destruction is the name of the game, delivered as only the DICE next generation Frostbite(tm) engine can. Either online or offline, enemies will soon learn there is nowhere to hide. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be available for the Xbox 360(r) videogame and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION(r)3 computer entertainment system and the PC.

Using the same Frostbite(tm) engine, Battlefield 1943 takes players back to WWII. The game offers endless hours of 24 player multiplayer action over three classic and tropic locations; Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Delivering the award-winning through-the-gun and vehicle warfare online experience DICE is best recognized for, Battlefield 1943 will have players battling in ruthless aerial dog fights and intense trench combat. Players can see the game in action at New York Comic Con (Booth #1441) from February 6th-8th.

“Bad Company 2 takes everything that players liked in the original and ups the ante - more vehicles, more destruction and more team play,” said Karl Magnus Troedsson, Executive Producer Battlefield Franchise, DICE. “Battlefield 1943 is a new take on a blast from the past classic coming to life with brand new technology that we’re eager to get into players hands.”

To sign-up for the Battlefield Heroes(tm) beta, players can visit www.battlefield-heroes.com. For more information on DICE, please visit www.dice.se or www.ea.com. For more information on the Battlefield franchise please visit: www.battlefield.com.

Game on!

On August 7th, Battlefield: Bad Company(tm) players worldwide will get to experience the intense rush as they tackle online play in a whole new way with Conquest mode that will be released as a free download for the PLAYSTATION(r)3 and Xbox 360(tm).

Made famous by Battlefield 1942(tm), Conquest mode pits players against each other in a fast paced battle to eliminate the opposing team’s tickets. Players deplete their opponent’s tickets by one point per kill and can cause their opponent’s tickets to spiral downwards by capturing control points. Four maps that are currently available for online play in Gold Rush mode will be available to conquer with Conquest mode.

Screenshots:

Video:

Battlefield: Bad Company - Conquest Mode Video (.mov - R-Click & ‘Save Target As’).

Game on!

Introduction:
In most shooter games, cover is key. It’s a warm security blanket, giving you that ‘I’m safe’ feeling as you pause to let your health recharge. Well, don’t get too comfortable with that feeling, because in Battlefield: Bad Company (B: BC) taking cover will only help you for a short time.

The multiplayer you’ve come to know and love from the Battlefield series is here and more intense than ever before, along with a completely fleshed out single-player campaign. Get ready to head to the Battlefield. You’re in Bad Company now.

Gameplay:
You are Private Preston Marlowe, and you’ve just been reassigned to B Company – a collection of quasi-criminals, rejects and other misfits that the Army considers very expendable. You aren’t exactly thrilled about the placement, but it was either this or military prison for earlier crimes you’d committed.

You are thrust behind enemy lines, and ordered to infiltrate and secure various enemy installations with your squad mates: Sergeant Redford (Squad Leader), Sweetwater (Tech. /Comm. Specialist), and Haggard(Explosives Expert). Things get a bit ugly out in the field and the Army decides to disavow B Company and strand you behind enemy lines. Left for dead, you and your squad mates set out on a new mission of your own. Thus begins your search for the caches of gold you know the enemy mercenaries are getting paid with – something your whole squad agrees is worth fighting for.

Your squad mates in the single-player game seem to be there more for ‘scenery’ and comic relief than to actually help you fight the battles. In fact, despite having three AI teammates, it really feels like you’re fighting through the game alone. Your teammates never die, and they just aren’t very good shots. Many times, I’ve watched as Sweetwater or Haggard stand nearly face-to-face with an enemy, but neither of them goes down until I shoot the enemy myself.

In a way, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because you learn to do everything yourself. Learning each weapon, how and when to use cover, calling in airstrikes, etc. are essential skills you’ll need for when you’re ready to jump into some multiplayer – where working as a team is essential.

Rather than the standard, ‘get out of harms way for a moment to let your health recharge’.  B: BC has you using an auto-injector to provide a health boost.  While you don’t have to search for more syringes and you don’t run out, it’s a different take on health that forces you to keep an eye on your health meter and give yourself an injection when needed.  Don’t forget or you’ll find yourself dead fast! 

With some of the most destructible environments yet seen in a shooter, B: BC will leave you with very few places to hide out for long. You can destroy woodpiles, fences, gates; even blow big holes in the sides of buildings. Despite the game’s excellent use of destructible cover, however, the enemy seldom takes advantage of it – robbing you of the joy of blowing that cover out from in front of them and making you question the AI of your enemies.

While the graphics are a bit bland in color (your typical green/brown/black/grey look), they are done well and the explosion effects are fun to watch. You get plenty of chances to see explosions too, as there are destructible fuel barrels and other explosive items scattered all over.

The sound in B: BC is excellent. While the voice acting and corny writing leave a bit to be desired, the sounds of battle are done well. Shotguns, sniper rifles, grenades, etc. all sound as they should. You’ll hear shots whizzing past your head, choppers flying by, mortars exploding, and they’ll all sound great. Just don’t expect any awards for best dialogue.

Extras:
If you’re a longtime fan of the Battlefield franchise, then you know that multiplayer is where it’s at. The multiplayer in B: BC is no exception to that rule. It’s easy to get into a game, and once there it’s a lot of fun to play.

Bad Company really only features one multiplayer mode, but it’s a good one. It’s called Gold Rush, and you play in scored, timed rounds as the attackers or defenders of the gold. At the start of each round, you select your class/weapons kit. Your choices are: Assault (Rifle/Grenades/Knife), Demolition (Shotgun/Rocket Launcher/Knife), Recon (Sniper Rifle/Handgun & Motion Sensor/Knife), Specialist (Light Auto Rifle/Tracer Gun & Grenade/Knife) and Support (Light Machine Gun & Medic Kit/Power Tool/Knife).

Some multiplayer maps also feature vehicles for your battle tactics. There’s everything from Soft Armor vehicles like light transports and trucks, up to Heavy Armor vehicles like tanks and even Attack Helicopters. The pace of the online gameplay feels about right, and the destructible cover really helps keep things interesting.

The debate rages on as to whether or not B: BC dethrones Call of Duty 4 for squad based online multiplayer. It’s a tough call for some people to make. I think I still prefer CoD 4 online, but maybe I just haven’t played enough B: BC online yet. You’ll have to pick up B: BC and decide for yourself.

Conclusion:
With engrossing online gameplay and, finally, an in depth single-player story not seen in previous Battlefield titles, B: BC is a worthy addition to the series. More multiplayer modes would have been nice to see, but overall Battlefield: Bad Company is a well made game that you won’t regret spending your hard earned cash on.

Score: 8.7

The gold rush is here! EA Digital Illusions CE AB (DICE), a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. today announced that its highly anticipated summer release, Battlefield: Bad Company(tm) has shipped to retail stores. The game will land on retail shelves on June 25 in North America and June 27 in Europe. Launching on PLAYSTATION(r)3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360(tm) videogame and entertainment system, players will join the ‘B’ Company, a wayward band of soldiers more interested in the pursuit of gold and personal financial gain than following the rules.

Battlefield: Bad Company delivers a deep single-player campaign loaded with dark humor, intense combat and deafening destruction. Players take on the role of Preston Marlowe, a young soldier whose antics land him in the division with the highest mortality rate alongside other troublemakers Sarge, Haggard and Sweetwater. Players will tackle harsh terrain and fierce enemies with their squad of renegade soldiers as they search for an elusive treasure using dozens of vehicles, weapons and deadly toys all at their disposal for explosive experimentation.

Gamers can also jump online for some intense multiplayer action as players become either an attacker or defender in the Gold Rush multiplayer mode as they protect or destroy crates that hold precious gold and their ticket home. As gamers embark on their quest for financial freedom, they’ll experience the same classic Battlefield gameplay including access to numerous vehicles, weapons and open maps as well as the new tactical destruction that only Battlefield: Bad Company can deliver. The popular Conquest mode made famous by the Battlefield franchise will be offered as a free download* later this summer.

Game on!

An enduring symbol of wealth and the frequent goal of treasure hunters, gold has been captivating mankind for centuries. Recently, this fascination hit a fever pitch when gold prices soared to a record $1,000 per ounce (breaking the record of $875 set in 1980). All of the sudden, everyone from brokers on Wall Street to people trading in their old jewelry began experiencing modern day gold fever. This is the 21st century gold rush.

In one of this summer’s most anticipated videogames, Battlefield: Bad Company drops gamers behind enemy lines with a squad of renegade soldiers, the ‘B’ or Bad Company, who risk it all on a personal quest for gold. The game has gone gold and will hit the market on June 24 in North America and June 27 in Europe. Players can jump online to download the demo today on Xbox LIVE(tm) Marketplace and PLAYSTATION(r) Store to get a taste of gold before the game hits retail shelves.

Additional Game Details:

Cinematic single-player experience - A deep single-player campaign loaded with dark humor follows a wayward band of ordinary soldiers who risk it all on a quest for revenge and personal gain.

War, your way - Battlefield: Bad Company sandbox environments are fully destructible, meaning structures can be demolished down to its foundation. Gamers can shape the battlefield to match their play style - the possibilities are literally endless.

Genre-defining multiplayer Gold Rush mode - Support for 24 players online in a world designed to take full advantage of the game’s massively destructible environments featuring expansive maps that’ll keep players on the battlefield hours on end as they either defend their gold or destroy their enemies’ treasures.

New vehicles, weapons and toys - Land, air or sea, dozens of new tools are waiting for explosive experimentation. Battlefield: Bad Company gives gamers the building blocks to get creative and usher in a new era of their own “Battlefield moments.”

Frostbite(tm) game engine - DICE’s Frostbite game engine raises the bar for next-gen gaming, with stunning HD graphics that bring characters, vehicles, and environments to life like never before.

Free downloadable content - DICE will deliver the classic and highly-popular Battlefield Conquest Mode post-launch to continue the intense online multiplayer action.

Game on!

Those of you fortunate enough to have early access to the demo have already seen this footage, but it’s a nice sneak peek for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure yet.  Enjoy.

For those who haven’t had a chance to play the demo yet - it hits the Xbox Live Marketplace on June 5th.

Game on!

If you’re eager to get your hands on Battlefield: Bad Company, then you’re in luck!  The B:BC demo will be arriving on Xbox Live on Thursday, June 5th. 

Can’t wait that long?  Well 360 Rant Rave has got your back.  Thanks to our friends at EA and DICE, We have a few exclusive demo codes that will allow you to get the demo a whole week early (US & Canada only).  Want in?  The codes are only available to 360 Rant Rave forum members with 25 forum posts or more, so log onto the forums & let us know you’re interested!

 See HERE for more Battlefield: Bad Company coverage on 360 Rant Rave. 

Game on!

Feeling creative?  Well warm up those photoshop skills, becuase it’s time for another 360 Rant Rave contest!

The Challenge: Design a Site Logo for 360 Rant Rave*

The Prizes: The Top 3 designs selected will receive a download code for the QBU88 Sniper Rifle for Battlefield: Bad Company, due out for Xbox 360 on June 23rd.

At their community event last week, Electronic Arts unveiled the five previously-premium weapons you can unlock in Battlefield: Bad Company:

QBU88 Sniper Rifle
UZI Submachine Gun
M60 Light Machine Gun
F2000 Assault Rifle
USAS12 Shotgun

Get the sniper rifle the easy way - design a 360 Rant Rave logo!  To submit your design, log onto the 360 Rant Rave forums & post your entry in the ‘360 RR Logo Design Contest‘ thread. 

Winners will be selected on Friday, June 21st, and the winners will receive their codes on Saturday June 22nd - just before Battlefield: Bad Company releases. 

Game on!

*360 Rant Rave will retain usage rights for the winning design.  The winning design may or may not be used by 360 Rant Rave at the site’s descretion.