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We’ve only seen a trickle of info and screenshots about Battlefield: Bad Company since it was announced back in August 2006.  Everything we’ve seen so far indicates that we’ll be looking at an action-packed military shooter in the same vein as the rest of the Battlefield series with destructible environments, deep multiplayer elements and some of the most gorgeous explosions and fire effects we’ve ever seen.  Today, though, EA issued a new trailer and screenshots for the game, as well as a press release stating that the multiplayer beta will be going live next week.   

Anyone who has played the series knows that online multiplayer is the real reason to buy a Battlefield game, and this beta invitation seems to indicate that EA and developers DICE Stockholm are well aware of this.  Players who want to get in on the beta action need to either pre-order the game through EB or Gamespot, or sign up on one of IGN's many gaming sites (Gamespy. TeamXbox, PlanetBattlefield, etc.)  In addition, the press release gives a June 2008 release date for the title.  Good news, as many believed that the lack of available info for the game indicated that it would never actually be released.  Vaporware?  Sure doesn’t sound that way now. 

Check out the trailer, click on the pics to make them less not-big, and, if you really feel like it, go ahead and read the press release.  I’ll wait here for your impressions.

EA DICE ANNOUNCES MULTIPLAYER BETA PROGRAM FOR BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY, SHIPPING JUNE 2008

Guildford, UK – March 20, 2008 – EA DICE, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced the multiplayer beta test for Battlefield: Bad Company™ on the Xbox 360® video game system from Microsoft. IGN Founders’ Club and IGN Insider will offer keys to members and the public in North America and the UK to participate in the multiplayer beta test, starting March 25, provided by IGN’s popular game download site FilePlanet (http://www.fileplanet.com). In addition, keys will also be available through IGN Entertainment’s gaming web sites including IGN.com, GameSpy, TeamXbox, Planet Battlefield and Voodoo Extreme. Battlefield: Bad Company will launch on the Xbox 360 and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system in June 2008.

“We’re really excited about this beta since it gives us a chance to let a wider audience play our new multiplayer game, ‘Gold Rush’. The feedback coming back from something like this is crucial for us as developers and will help us with the final changes and polish in the game,” stated Karl-Magnus Troedsson, Senior Producer for Battlefield: Bad Company. “Battlefield and FPS fans get their first glimpse into how tactical destruction can be applied in multiplayer gameplay. We think offering two of the multiplayer maps will give gamers a fantastic experience and some great insight into the game.”

The Battlefield: Bad Company multiplayer beta test will give players a chance to return to the battlefield to embark on an exciting mission to capture the spoils of war. Gamers will battle through two different maps, access new infantry kits and vehicles as well as experience the unique tactical destruction in Battlefield: Bad Company that changes the way first-person shooter games are played. With an unlimited upgrade tree and rewards, the multiplayer beta gives players the exhilaration, excitement and fun that awaits them when the final game ships later this summer.

“Xbox LIVE has a tradition of hosting some of the greatest demo and beta events gamers can play,” said Marc Whitten, General Manager of Xbox LIVE. “We continue this practice of awesome online gameplay with the new beta of Battlefield Bad Company.”

Developed by Sweden-based developer EA DICE (Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment), Battlefield: Bad Company has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI. For more information about the Battlefield franchise, please visit www.battlefield.com or our press web site at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press.

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About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA SPORTS BIG™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2007, EA posted revenue of $3.09 billion and had 24 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.electronicarts.co.uk. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press.

Battlefield: Bad Company is a trademark or registered trademark of EA Digital Illusions CE AB. PlayStation” and “PLAYSTATION” are registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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