At their community event last week, Electronic Arts unveiled the five separate tasks you must complete to be able to use all five
previously-premium weapons in
Battlefield: Bad Company. Although the official site has only revealed one of the ways,
Planet Battlefield has outlined all five methods:
- QBU88 Sniper Rifle: Pre-order the game online or at any participating retailer. So far we know Gamestop and Amazon are part of this deal.
- UZI Submachine Gun: Download and play the demo
- M60 Light Machine Gun: Sign up for the Battlefield newsletter
- F2000 Assault Rifle: Register your Battlefield soldier name
- USAS12 Shotgun: Check your Bad Company stats online at launch.
Is this better than paying a premium? As for the quality of the weapons, our friends at sister site
X3F tell us that, at least for the beta, the Uzi and F2000 are noticeably more powerful than their available-at-launch counterparts, while the others feel pretty balanced.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jaybird1905 @ Apr 21st 2008 9:56AM
EA board meeting ...
"How do we not charge these cry-babies so we don't look like douchebags?"
"I've got it! Make them spend money on pre-orders ... download the demo ... visit our website to boost our traffic and ad revenue ... you know, RANDOM MARKETING BULLSHIT!"
"Give this guy a raise!"
ScottG13 @ Apr 21st 2008 10:11AM
Seems pretty reasonable to me. Free stuff for doing things. That's always nice.
NATO_Duke @ Apr 21st 2008 10:20AM
Yeah, seems like reasonable marketing work in exchange for the guns. No reason for people to have a hissy-fit over this plan.
copa @ Apr 21st 2008 10:34AM
Sorry, dude, I don't do chore lists for game publishers in order to get full access to the game that I payed $60 for.
The fact that two of the weapons are identified as being overpowered indicates that they are basically required for a competitive multiplayer experience.
Britton @ Apr 21st 2008 10:42AM
Jaybird and Copa have my vote for mayor. Duel Mayors.
jaybird1905 @ Apr 21st 2008 10:59AM
@ Nato "Yeah, seems like reasonable marketing work in exchange for the guns. No reason for people to have a hissy-fit over this plan."
Keyword there is WORK my friend. If I'm paying $60 for a game, EA can lick my hairy ballsack if they think I'm going to do any "work" just to obtain weapons that should be there at launch.
This is just another shameful marketing ploy to make more money through the horrific DLC situation.
I've got an idea ... let's make a complete game ... take shit out, then charge people to get it! Pure f'n genius!
NATO_Duke @ Apr 21st 2008 11:54AM
OK, I guess its another day when people need to have something to be way too mad about.
I don't see what in that list is costing you money or causing issues - hell, there have been special cars and weapons with pre-orders and certain retailers for a while now. They often get released to everyone else later anyway.
But yeah, I understand that you need something to be enraged over.
jaybird1905 @ Apr 21st 2008 1:30PM
@ NATO ...
I'm not enraged bud. I'm not purchasing this game, and am really not a fan of the Battlefield series as of late anyway ... so why would I be mad?
It's just sad to see EA unsurprisingly adapting to the "take stuff out so they'll pay for it later" attitude that Xbox Live and PSN have presented with DLC.
It's ridiculous that it's come to pre-ordering (which cost money) and signing up for newsletters (which causes spam in my mailbox) .... to get weapons for a game? C'mon. The only reason why they've changed their minds is the boycott.
They're trying to save face, but they look like even bigger douches now.
They make "comment sections" for a reason pal. So people can share their thoughts and feelings towards articles presented. If you've got a problem with it, reach around to the back of you computer and pull out the ethernet cable.
NATO_Duke @ Apr 21st 2008 2:45PM
Jay, I know why they have comment sections - that includes me being able to comment too.
I think that people are so sold on being angry about this from when they were weapons for purchase that they will continue to be mad no matter how things change.
josh @ Apr 21st 2008 4:38PM
I never had any plans to buy this game, but I agree that it's ANNOYING AS HELL that consumers are expected to preorder, sign up for spam, and do other tasks in order to get all the content on the disc. It's not like these are add-ons, these are on the game people are paying $60 for, but they can't have unless they jump through hoops.
If you bought a DVD, would you think it was okay if you couldn't access certain scenes unless you signed up for an email list? I know I wouldn't.
Consumers should avoid buying this game just so to help prevent this from being the norm. Imagine if EVERY game had this?
jaybird1905 @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:29AM
NATO ...
Exactly.
EA are a bunch of money hungry pricks. They are trying to save face, and still make money off the DLC. If they had a brain they would've just scratched the "pay-for-weapons-that-should-already-be-there" idea altogether.
Phatty @ Apr 26th 2008 7:39PM
You do know that pre-ordering something doesn't cost you more than you would have to pay anyways, right? Plus, if it's really that big of an issue to you, don't do anything, because all the guns are going to be released down the road anyways. But please, don't whine about it. It's better than they charge us for the guns. People are always just little bitches about everything; can't ever be content.
jaybird1905 @ Apr 28th 2008 11:07AM
Phatty...
No one will be content when publishers pull shit like this.
If you don't see something wrong with taking things out of a complete game just to charge people ... there's a big cozy chair waiting for you at EA I'm sure.
Munish @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:01PM
lmao that was the greatest thing ive heard all week lol.. u should read the article on cracked.com http://www.cracked.com/article_16330_5-innovative-ways-gaming-industry-screwing-you.html
Jomolungma @ Apr 21st 2008 9:58AM
Here's my question - is this game even worth it? With all of this beta playing I haven't read/heard too many reviews. Anyone out there think this game is worth a pre-order? Of course, pre-ordering means you need to make some financial commitment before the reviews come out, which pretty much sucks ass.
ThePremierAssassin @ Apr 21st 2008 10:00AM
Beta = OKAY
Could be better...loads better. Goldrush is interesting but it gets boring after a while...
IF its the ONlY Multiplayer mode in the final game I won't be buying it...
So screw EA and their bitchass tactics...
ThePremierAssassin @ Apr 21st 2008 10:00AM
Beta = OKAY
Could be better...loads better. Goldrush is interesting but it gets boring after a while...
IF its the ONlY Multiplayer mode in the final game I won't be buying it...
So screw EA and their bitchass tactics...
PojoMofo @ Apr 21st 2008 10:01AM
I played a lot of BF2 on the PC and it is pretty badass, a lot like COD4 MP. Dont know if BF: BC is similar
Jomolungma @ Apr 21st 2008 10:20AM
Yeah, I had heard BF2 was pretty awesome, so I was psyched for BF:BC, but I've only heard mixed stuff about the beta.
Platinum_Skeet @ Apr 21st 2008 10:50AM
Beta's pretty good for not having parachutes in a BF game. If BFBC doesn't have the normal modes where your capturing territory then it won't be worth the purchase.
But if parachutes and more modes are in the game then what's been shown in the beta so far this game will definitely be worth it...
driven2sin @ Apr 21st 2008 1:19PM
people here just hate EA -ok?- worse than any ex-girlfriends they might of had if they weren't so jaded because of EA which makes them even more jaded about EA
How is gold rush more boring than anything going on in Halo? the thing is, a lot of the social outcasts don't want to work together towards a goal in any shape or form; they rather just snipe, increase ranking, repeat
PojoMofo @ Apr 21st 2008 9:58AM
Ridiculous, looks like more COD4 for me. I am fully onboard with the boycott of this games and these sleazy tactics. Are the things they ask to do a big deal??? no, but its the principle.
The X3F comments just solidify my position.
Mike @ Apr 21st 2008 10:04AM
Achievement unlocked:
You've sold your soul
5 points
PojoMofo @ Apr 21st 2008 10:11AM
Your gamertag automatically gets changed to "EA's Bitch"
JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 21st 2008 10:15AM
Your account will be suspended if you don't buy a new FIFA/NBA/NHL/MADDEN every year.And DON'T even think about playing non-EA games.
Mr.ESC @ Apr 21st 2008 11:47AM
And your personal description changes to
"The idiot that just sucked EA's bawls for more weapons.
We can lend you this weapons wh*re for your parties at the cost of 500p".
Doom e 69 @ Apr 25th 2008 10:27PM
Achievement Unlocked:
You've just caved into the pressure of aggressive marketing!
69 Points!
Phranctoast @ Apr 21st 2008 10:16AM
Other than signing up for the newsletter, everything sounds like stuff people would have done anyway.
baby sea tuna @ Apr 21st 2008 11:11AM
I agree, with the exception of preordering and newsletter, that doesn't sound too unreasonable. I'd probably download the demo anyway, and if I bought the game, I'd probably register and check my stats like I did on HBO for Halo 3. Then again, between GTAIV, MGS4, Mario Kart, and well...life, I probably won't have time to pick this one up anyway.
Unless it gets amazing reviews or something.
jsutcliffe @ Apr 21st 2008 10:21AM
Why would your stats be interesting at launch? They'd do better getting you to check them after you'd logged X hours of game time, to get you hooked on stat-whoring.
PojoMofo @ Apr 21st 2008 10:26AM
TO be honest, the stat keeping in BF games are incredible, not only the usual rank info, K/D, etc. They keep track of how many kills you have gotten with each weapon, how many kills with each class, accuracy with eash weapon, win/loss ratio with each class, win/loss per map, and on and on.
jsutcliffe @ Apr 21st 2008 10:28AM
Oh, I'm quite aware of that. Took me ages to wean myself off staring at my BF2/2142 stats all day. ;)
Trev @ Apr 21st 2008 10:30AM
So what do I do if I decide to buy this a month after launch and can't pre-order it? Am I out the shotgun and sniper rifle forever?
I'm already not all that excited about this one, but that could change if the final game turns out to be a lot of fun. Making it impossible to get these things after launch would ensure I don't ever buy it.
PojoMofo @ Apr 21st 2008 10:32AM
Lucky for you, you can just purchase them seperately!!
waynski1457 @ Apr 21st 2008 11:20AM
I bet the codes will be plentiful online. I don't know if that constitutes stealing since you won't be paying more than someone who bought it at launch. But I'm just saying...
Charlie_Six @ Apr 21st 2008 10:34AM
Bah! This game is about Mercenaries! Wealthier players are supposed to have an advantage over the poorer ones. You're all a buncha hippies!
Mr.ESC @ Apr 21st 2008 11:44AM
I lol'd
1up.
dlahay @ Apr 21st 2008 10:54AM
X3F doesn't know what they're talking about. The "premium" weapons aren't any more powerful than what's available.
pinwheel herman @ Apr 21st 2008 11:11AM
If I remember correctly, EA said that the guns would be unlockable in the $70 special edition via the marketing campaign, and in the $60 regular edition when you hit the max level cap of 25 (and also complete the marketing campaign). This means that you still have to pay the $10 for the special edition, unless you want to try and level up your character when everyone else is running around with better weapons than you!
Boffo the Sock @ Apr 21st 2008 11:24AM
So instead of paying a premium, you can jump through hoops that include submitting yourself to newsletters and data mining. I expect this game to fail hard.
jcd @ Apr 21st 2008 11:35AM
Wouldn't a better strategy for making as much money as possible be just turning out a great game to begin with so alot of people buy it?
Mr.ESC @ Apr 21st 2008 11:43AM
Well I'm not a big city lawyer but…
Don't usually pre-orders cost money? I mean you have to drop 5 to 10 bucks to pre-order a game nowadays so basically if you pre-order you are paying for the weapons anyway. Let’s be honest I don’t see this game selling 1M first day so the pre-order is worth it.
If I ever decide to buy this game and honestly I don’t see that happening unless the Single player mode is badass and it gets a 9.5 overall in meta-critic because seriously it looks generic as hell (I rather buy TF2 again for the PC with Garry’s mod) it will be the gold edition, I’m a fan of collectable crap.
riggs @ Apr 21st 2008 11:45AM
i can imagine a commercial for the guns from the set it and forget it guy.
john kewley @ Apr 21st 2008 12:12PM
played the beta of BF BC and to be honest it was a little dissapointing, its not terrible but its doesnt seem hold the magic of the BF series. I know its a beta but from the extensive play tests i have had i cant see any dramtic changes occurring in the way the game feels so close to its release now JUNE, ie controls and weapon s fire etc. Vechicles are done better than previous BF on the 360. I have been sold on all the BF series from the PC (but even those games failed slightly in what the promised but were the best example at the time. Good try DICE but i was expecting a little more this time around, or has EA rushed you.
Charlie_Six @ Apr 21st 2008 12:34PM
I'm hearing a lot of "meh" reviews of the beta, which is sad ;( IMO, BF2142 had the best infantry combat of the series, but the game totally removed useful aircraft from the game. When is a battlefield-style game going to have good aircraft again??? Does Bad Company even have aircraft? Maybe I should give up and get Frontlines.
Do you hear me DICE? I need aircraft!!!
Tim The Enchanter @ Apr 21st 2008 1:06PM
There were aircraft in BF2142. There was a transport chopper/hover vehicle, an attack chopper/vehicle, and the bases, the Titans, could be moved, and you could also jump their defense systems. The attack one was cool, but they did not pwn
JangoGod @ Apr 21st 2008 1:21PM
I think I'm to late to try to change your minds, but I may as try anyway.
I give this a 9.3 the beta. This is just for the beta that has only 2 maps and one game mode and some balance issues. I can't wait till the full game comes!
Its not perfect due to having problems like when you fall, you lose a ton of health (Going to fix they said)
Team killing is pure evil. Its not the TKing. Its when you crash in a helicopter/vehicle, you lose 25 points for each guy that was in with you. So if your in a jeep and its full, but you crash, you just lost over 100 points man! But its hard to crash a jeep, but its easy to crash a helicopter, but it keeps the noobs out of the helicopters :)
Now for the awesome things: This game feels like BF2. Theres this fun feeling about blowing up a house that just feels right. The destruction is awesome. You can take a tank and make ditches in the ground! After your base has been artilleryed to death, you have all these holes that you can crouch into and hide. Its just really fun to do.
The graphics are awesome. Its still is true to BF2 and has the "Fog" so you can only see so far ahead, but its not as bad as BF2 though.
This game is going to be awesome. Forget about the sucky DLC guns! By the time you hit rank 25, you'll have all the awesome unlocks that are way better.
hyphy911 @ Apr 21st 2008 1:33PM
COD4 is still the shiz, but with vehicles and being able to blow the walls out of buildings, I'm looking forward to this. Especially since I was disappointed with Vegas2. I'm not sure why everyone is so mad about getting these unlocks for pre-ordering the game. I always pre-order for a game that I want. May as well get something out it.
joel @ Apr 21st 2008 1:54PM
I have been playing the beta for the last few weeks and I really enjoy the game personally. I agree with teh guy saying that goldrush better not be the only mp mode cause that would kill it for me also. Over all though the game is fun, tactical, all the glitches that beta testers have been complaining about have already been fixed according to the officle bfbc website. Really the best advice I could give is rent it, and if you really enjoy it buy it....don't be bias like most of the people in this forum bitching about E.A...
Joel @ Apr 21st 2008 2:25PM
if you go to the official website htey have already said they have made the vehicles feel heavier like the tanks feel like a 60 ton fighting machine lol, and they said that they have fixed the bug on the hit detection...so you should be able to take somebody out pretty easly now in the final product.