The developers of
Battlefield: Bad Company have
heard the outcry regarding the premium weaponry, both from
Sarcastic Gamer and
other outlets.
Speaking to IGN, DICE Senior Producer Karl-Magnus Troedsson said there would be no charge for the five guns. Here's how you can get the guns:
- Pay $10 for the Gold Edition of the game, have the guns on the disc
- Buy the Standard Edition, hit the max rank level of 25
- In both cases, "You have to do the marketing programs that we're going to announce further ahead" (huh?) before you can get the guns.
The last bullet point up there confuses us. What are the marketing programs? Troedsson told IGN there would be five marketing programs from EA that are free and will reportedly be "as easy as signing up for a newsletter." In other words, don't expect the Gold Edition guns on launch day, but know that you can be at rank level 4 and still get access to them at some point.
[Via
X3F]
{ Apr 9th 2008 at 8:04PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AcidMonkey @ Apr 9th 2008 8:10PM
Huh... did we really win this? We still have to pay more to get the guns now, but at least we can earn them.
So maybe we did win? That last bullet point leaves me doubtful
GI-Joe @ Apr 9th 2008 8:13PM
I wouldn't say we won anything. They're still charging 10 dollars more for a version that has the unlockable guns that are ready off the bat. Fucking stupid.
AcidMonkey @ Apr 9th 2008 8:15PM
Exactly. And giving personal info, potentially more than once? Pass.
Cal @ Apr 9th 2008 8:33PM
They could make it one of those 'participate in this offer, and refer 5 friends to win your free guns' schemes...
Mr.ESC @ Apr 9th 2008 8:44PM
Cal don't give them ideas.
BananaBoat @ Apr 9th 2008 11:32PM
They heard the outcry over pay-for-weapons, and now they are taking that away and making us participate in a marketing program? I guess that 60 dollars you'd be paying for the game (or 70? For the "special" edition) isn't enough money; They need more from advertising.
This only helps me remember why I've been boycotting Battlefield ever since 2014. I will not pay EA so that they can spy on me (like in 2014), shove ads in my face, make me pay for guns that give me an advantage, or make me participate in a "marketing program".
I'll buy another battlefield game when Hell freezes over.
AcidMonkey @ Apr 9th 2008 11:45PM
@Bananaboat,
Do you mean Battlefield 2142? Did I miss one? If so, then I know what you mean. Come to think of it, even BF2 had adverts popping up before you could play. I always wondered about that.
BananaBoat @ Apr 9th 2008 11:50PM
I couldn't remember the date because I didn't buy it
zzzzinggggggggggggggggg
AcidMonkey @ Apr 10th 2008 12:15AM
Nor did I. So I guess, uh, ziiiing?
Phil @ Apr 10th 2008 10:36AM
While the whole gun issue was annoying and pathetic, don't bring 2142 into this. It's bad enough the game hasn't gotten enough people playing to verify new booster packs when people like me still play it.
What was being installed on your comp via 2142 wasn't freaking spyware. How many cases of arrests related to EA spying on people and ratting them out have you heard of?
AND THE ADS AREN'T BLATANT AND ANNOYING. They're random billboards scattered around the area that don't even affect the gameplay! There's MAYBE one or two per map and THIS is also a big maybe. Some maps don't even have those!
2142 was a nice step forward with Titan mode but then because everyone like BananaBoat and others bitched about its minor problems, it got looked down on. Now I have a game I love for its nice sci-fi influence into the FPS military shooter, but I can't get any new content because it's not doing well enough.
Complain about paying for minor and overpriced in game content but unless the ad pops up in your face and keeps you from completing the game, you can STFU about in game ads.
BananaBoat @ Apr 10th 2008 3:50PM
Actually...2142 DOES have spyware in it. I'll let you google for the information on that.
As for the ads, I don't care if they are infrequent, frequent, or somewhere in-between; It's the principle of the matter that counts. If we put up with a few ads today, we'll soon have to put up with many ads tomorrow. That's not something myself or many others are willing to do, and we are showing our disdain for the practice by not giving them our money. I'll admit, I played the 2142 Beta, and it was pretty good (Battlefield 2 is still better), but I don't care if it's battlefield with the ads and spyware, or Zelda etc, I still won't spend my money to support the practice.
elmersglue @ Apr 9th 2008 8:11PM
so basically, if you don't want to pay, you get spam mail instead.
The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Apr 9th 2008 8:17PM
A few minutes ago I signed up for one of those marketing programs.
Huh wait a sec
*checks email*
Guess what guys! I just won the Spanish national lottery! Now all I have to do is enter my social security number and my mother's maiden name.
Done :)
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 9th 2008 8:19PM
*knock knock*
Ah, that must be your prize right there. $400
+ for Futurama Reference
Mr.ESC @ Apr 9th 2008 8:35PM
There is another way to get them. You pay half the price of the DLC and then they send a representative to your house to kick you in the balls.
Fullmetal Salchemist @ Apr 9th 2008 10:27PM
No, it's worse than that: even if you do pay, you still get spam mail. You just get it later.
BananaBoat @ Apr 9th 2008 11:54PM
Atleast EA can't market to us in our dreams yet. Goodnight guys
*Goes to sleep*
LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE NEW BURNOUT! IT'S EVEN MORE INTENSE AND OFF THE HOOK THAN THE OLD BURNOUT! IF YOU DON'T BUY THIS GAME, YOU ARE A DICK, AND YOU WILL BE RIDICULED BY EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND LOVE!
*Wakes up*
Holy crap guys, I bought this new burnout, and I totally don't miss the old modes that made me love burnout in the first place! You've got to buy this!
ViagraFiend @ Apr 10th 2008 10:46AM
My sprunger is going crazy!
John McPoop @ Apr 9th 2008 8:13PM
And round and around we go ... Fuck EA ... I loved the beta but this shit just makes me sick ... I am not going to let EA know shit about me especially not an exchange of information (e-mail? Address? Age? etc ...) for 5 fucking guns ... To think the sad fucks that buy the Gold edition won't even have access to the guns they *gasp* paid for without also giving information is such a slap in the face ... At this point EA could not pay me to play this game and its sad because I loved the beta ... Apologies for the language and ignorant tone of my post ... This shit just makes me want to go tribal on Peter Moore's face
Brian Fantana @ Apr 9th 2008 8:38PM
I agree man. I was going to give this game a try. Not now. But, why Peter Moore. He's EA Sports, not EA Games.
B Tizo @ Apr 9th 2008 8:41PM
Just so you know, Peter Moore has nothing to do with this game. He is in charge of their sports games division, so when the travesty that will be Madden '09 is released, then you can "go tribal on his face," whatever that means...
Anyway, this game won't be getting my money at all, regardless of the weapon scandal. I'll be too busy with GTA IV, CoD4, Gears 2, Fable 2, Ninja Gaiden II, and any number of other, more worthy games...
John McPoop @ Apr 9th 2008 8:47PM
oh OK my bad about Moore ... Everyone needs a face for the evil that is EA ... How about this ... I want to go tribal on the guys face who decided to conjure up this marketing gimmick ... This will create a trend if it's successful ... And to think I only have to get to level 25 AND give my personal information ... I love playing online as much as the next guy but not enough to max out at level 25 ... I am more of a campaign kind of guy but I do like multiplayer as long as there is a strong co-op mode ... Like a multiplayer campaign mode that actually involves teamwork ... Not a big fan of death match unless its team vs team ... Aww fuck it I still want to slap the shit out of Peter Moore
John McPoop @ Apr 9th 2008 8:49PM
@B Tizo
I guess going tribal on his face means his head on a stick ... Maybe I could scalp him ... yeah yeah I know ... -1 for me
thief @ Apr 9th 2008 8:16PM
...marketing programs sound a lot like spam.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 10th 2008 6:25AM
Maybe its a program for YOU to spam others...
I KNEW EA had slaves!
Free Lono @ Apr 9th 2008 8:19PM
I wonder why Justin McElroy didn't write this article???
HMMMMM.....
Love ya Joystiq.
AcidMonkey @ Apr 9th 2008 8:25PM
I doubt this would change his position any. Doesn't change mine. I'm glad this got EA's ear tho for sure.
Ross Miller @ Apr 9th 2008 8:57PM
Justin didn't write it because it's 8 at night and he sometimes has a social life. Or he's playing Rock Band. I don't know which, but I am glad to be taking a break from my research paper to feed the Joystiq machine.
baby sea tuna @ Apr 9th 2008 9:34PM
Thank you Ross.
COVERT @ Apr 9th 2008 10:30PM
Hey Lono I was thinking the exact same thing. I think he didn't write this article because he's out for dinner eating crow.
Griffin McElroy @ Apr 9th 2008 10:55PM
14:56...
14:57...
14:58...
14:59...
Justin McElroy @ Apr 9th 2008 11:13PM
I was busy buying a "World's Best Boycotter" certificate for Sarcastic Gamer. It worked, no one bought the game before it didn't come out. You did it!
I'm sure that this has nothing to do with the negative pressure applied to EA by sites like ours, Xbox 360 Fanboy, Penny Arcade, etc.
But good for you guys. Love you too.
Free Lono @ Apr 9th 2008 11:30PM
Showing your true colors McElroy brothers. Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back.
Wow.
Griffin, bite me.
riggs @ Apr 10th 2008 8:16AM
man you ARE sarcastic.
ManekiNeko @ Apr 9th 2008 8:19PM
So you pay for the guns and you're still accosted with advertising? All righty then. If Electronic Arts is trying to polish up their tarnished reputation, they're not doing a very good job of it.
LaughingTarget @ Apr 9th 2008 8:20PM
This is what Hotmail is for. Make a spam account, lie on the form and get the stuff, no problems.
Mike @ Apr 9th 2008 8:26PM
that's not really the point now is it? It's fucked up that you have to participate in a marketing program to get shit you paid for no matter how many damned hotmail accounts you use to do it.
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 9th 2008 8:20PM
this is bullshit
Mr.ESC @ Apr 9th 2008 8:42PM
Bullsh*t?
THIS...IS...EA!!!
(Try to censor yourself there are kids reading this stuff)
Oh yeah
*kicks Shmil into a pit.
Why don’t you have a seat over there! Muhahahaha.
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 9th 2008 8:53PM
...you're just in your own little world, aren't you?
Mr.ESC @ Apr 9th 2008 8:57PM
Actually is pretty darn big and there are Dinosaurs and Magic.Not to mention the cute little bunnies oh and Naked chicks and Heavy metal.
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 9th 2008 9:02PM
Would you say it's your own "little big planet?"
SharpShooter @ Apr 9th 2008 8:22PM
Here use this guys:
Slopsbox.com
It's a disposable email address. I use this when I need an email for crap like this and don't want my email spammed.
Cal @ Apr 9th 2008 8:32PM
What about mailinator? That's good too
Mike @ Apr 9th 2008 8:22PM
What? Marketing program? Sounds like they wanna send me spam in order to allow me to use the guns on the disc I bought....... I feel sick to the stomach - I almost liked it better when I was mad at them for charging extra for shit on the disc - now they just want me to participate in a "marketing program" which most likely involves giving at least my email address to someone who I would rather not give it to.
ApolloIV @ Apr 9th 2008 8:26PM
Marketing campaign? Spyware in my Battlefield 2142? Nah never.
fred @ Apr 9th 2008 9:15PM
it's more likely than you think.
VanillaMummy @ Jun 23rd 2008 1:55PM
That was sarcasm, bro.
epsilon343 @ Apr 9th 2008 8:26PM
This has got to be the worst way to go about doing this. Hell, I'd rather put some MS points down and get all 5 or whatever instead of signing up for some retarded spam programs that have absolutely no relevance to this game. Why are they even doing this? Does $60 not cover the cost of 5 extra guns within an FPS?! Charge $61 then if that's your reasoning, I'm sure most people wouldn't notice that, after taxes have been applied.
I'll keep hoping and praying that EA realizes their mistakes but every time they disappoint their customers and show themselves to be the big bag corporate assholes that we all know them to be. I'm not saying the other game companies aren't like this but at least they hide it pretty well, or at least better than EA.
At this point I'm going to refuse to purchase this game regardless of how good it is. Hopefully some of the bigger media outlets will do something to put the spotlight on them and force them to change this fucked up program before people think that this is the OK thing to do.
clamonster @ Apr 9th 2008 10:51PM
dude i've hoped and prayed about EA changing.. But you know what? We all keep getting screwed over with each EA game we buy...
Screw this spam and grab a copy of COD4 : )