Battlefield 1943 hits the trenches this June for $15 [update]

by David Hinkle { Apr 23rd 2009 at 10:15AM }

Update: EA has sent us a new trailer for the game showing off Wake Island. Enjoy!

When the first trailer for Battlefield 1943 released, we were instantly pumped for the game. Multiplayer shooters are fun, but DICE made the right call by including tons of explosions and dudes getting shot in the face in the game's debut trailer. Now, we're happy to report that the game will arrive on XBLA and PSN (1200

/$15) sometime this June (PC gamers get it in September).

Battlefield 1943 features three different tropical locales: Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and gamers can play as either the US Marines or Imperial Japanese Navy in matches supporting up to 24 players.

Essential reading: NYCC 09: Battlefield 1943 Pacific hands-on

Gallery: Battlefield 1943

Tags: battlefield, battlefield-1943, dice, ea, fps, multiplayer, pc, psn, xbla

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Brazell @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:24AM

Wait... BF1943 is an XBLA game!? I thought this would be a full release. That's good and bad, more good than bad, tough economic times.

bioadam @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:52AM

$15 + No disk to insert = impulse multiplayer
Muhahahah.

Brazell @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:02AM

Very, very true Bioadam. Will read again.

Bill29A @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:25AM

Pro - $15 bucks

Con - 3 levels.

Hmm.... maybe will get this.... maybe.

Fox318 @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:44AM

Couldn't agree more. If this was 10 dollars it would sell like hotcakes.

Also why are PC gamers getting this in September? WTF!

Jason @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:22PM

Yeah if it was $10 it would sell like hotcakes, but of course if PS3's cost $50 they'd sell like hotcakes too. $15 sounds like a steal - i though it would be $20-30.

Darkhand @ Apr 23rd 2009 1:15PM

PC Gamers are getting it in September because at that point they will have already sold you the rest of the maps for $10 more. When it gets released on the PC in September we will get all the maps for free.

BigD145 @ Apr 23rd 2009 2:18PM

It's just 1942 with Vietnam graphics.

GoldN @ Apr 23rd 2009 5:20PM

@BigD

The difference being that for some reason no one plays Battlefield 1942 anymore despite the fact that, IMO, it holds up as having the best multiplayer experience of any game I've ever played. I will gladly pay for this game again (well, 3 maps of it) if it means more people to play with.

Anticrawl @ Apr 23rd 2009 5:27PM

@Big

You couldn't be more wrong. It's a new game built on DICE's Frostbite engine (the one that was developed for Bad Company).

Ryguy226 @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:31AM

I guess no bots have been confirmed? It has been disappointing that bots weren't included in Bad Company to at least help fill some gaps with teams when they weren't completely filled, I always remembered that BF1942 had em, and though they were kinda retarded, it was still a welcome addition.

Jake B @ Apr 23rd 2009 1:44PM

There was nothin' wrong with the bots in BF 1942. Especially in the Desert Combat mod. The bots would hop in the helicopters and weren't programmed to fly them, instacrash every time.

Einhanderkiller @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:32AM

September? What?

MarkHawk @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:13PM

Missed that part... oh well sorry PC. Hey you always have battlefield 2, multiple controller inputs, and 64 players games... Still only 1 game type though. Check out USIntervention mod though. ;)

Wizzleteets @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:36AM

Man, these pricing structures are just getting wacky. This for $15 dollars or Death Tank?

Professor Lario @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:41AM

Agreed, although I am glad to see this at $15.

Bailers @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:41AM

So tough choice here... get it off PSN in June, or wait 3 months for it to hit Steam. Hmmm, both?

Divine @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:17AM

Yeah, if I enjoy the PS3 version I think it may find a place on my laptop too...

Tukachinchilla @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:41AM

So, can we expect the Desert Combat mod as a Community game? (ha!)

RE: three levels, I fully expect EA to spew levels and add-ons a la Burnout:Paradise

lgndk11r @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:57AM

Well, some of the Burnout: Paradise add ons were free, and Bad Company had that free expansion too.

bulletsmakepeace @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:43AM

I want to see more game play, but 15$ sounds right on the spot for a it could be fun.

This games sounds like it's going to also be a DLC whore tho if it does well. Expect to be buying lots of maps.

=)

Deezul @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:51AM

Looks like $15 is the new $10 on XBLA. It's telling that UNO, a $5, is STILL on the top 10 list, and UNO Rush did not replace it. When's the last time a XBLA game came out that was $5 from day one?

Bananarama @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:54AM

This game seems like it took a bit more effort than Uno. They could have just made 5 or 6 more maps and charged a full 60 bucks for it. I think the $15 price point is perfect for this game.

essaregee @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:07AM

Well Unfortunately I doubt that this game will have bot support.
Wikipedia states that
"downloadable multiplayer-only title." and I think Dice also said something about ti being multilayer only as well, so sad that no bot support, it would have been a blast.

jkjudgex @ Apr 23rd 2009 2:01PM

Bots are not fun to play against... they are predictable and stupid. Wanting bots to fill a gap on a team is a bad thing to wish for. Go play a single player or co-op game if you want to play against the computer.

Battlefield has always been about players fighting other players.

Otis @ Apr 23rd 2009 7:06PM

I know right? People shouldn't be given choices in how to play games! GOD DAMNED HAVING CHOICES!

Premature ejaculation man @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:22AM

Provided the maps are actually good, this sounds like an excellent deal to me. However, I'm not sure how different it will be from Bad Company's multiplayer.

I shall twiddle my thumbs in the meantime whilst awaiting reviews.

wickedpheonix @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:11PM

Did you never play Wake Island on BF2?

I feel very sorry for you.

Jason @ Apr 24th 2009 1:29PM

Wake Island on BF2 is my favourite map ever in any game! Running along the beach shooting people; sniping someone from one end of the island across the water to the other end; swimming out to enemy ships, getting on them and spawn killing (totally acceptable in this context); etc. etc.

maxpontiac @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:43AM

How can you people be complaining over a 15 dollar price tag? That is inexpensive when compared to Call of Duty WAW map pack of 4 maps only.

One less map, a BRAND NEW game, and people still whine.

This is the generation of the gimmee-gimmee-gimmee!

Crusty Magic @ Apr 23rd 2009 4:01PM

Good point.

rulesaremyenemy @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:50AM

Why would you buy this on PC when you can get Battlefield 1942 with all of the expansions for $10?

Bananarama @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:56AM

Because this adds a lot more stuff than 1942? The graphics are much better, and destructible environments will totally change the strategies on these maps, when you can't hide in and around buildings. But that does remind me I need to find my battlefield 2 discs and install the Forgotten Hope 2 mod.

Anticrawl @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:02PM

... because it's not 1942. It's a new game built on the Frost engine.

MarkHawk @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:09PM

The big benefit I see is everyone will have Microphones. The Frost engine is great and I love it it but, I also wont see more then 16 players on my team. In fact out of those 16, 8 will be waiting for the bombers to spawn.

Anticrawl @ Apr 23rd 2009 2:40PM

And 7 of those 8 will be terrible pilots who will either crash the plane immediately or team kill one another/blow the plane up so others can't use it if they can't have it. Welcome to Battlefield ladies and gentlemen.

The one other guy? Yeah that’s me enjoying the mindless bloodshed, waiting patiently for them to get discouraged, quit, or die so I can hop in the plane and make use of it.

J @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:51AM

I am there day one! This will be a total time suck.

Freak Mojo @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:02PM

Hell yeah... I totally agree with the idea of a random and easily accesible bullet and bomb riddled experience whenever I feel like it.... sign me up!!!!

MarkHawk @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:07PM

Damn it! I really wanted that 10 Dollar Mark. Half of my friends are going to pass on this because 10 dollars is past impulse buy for an XBLA game... especially one we've already bought. If their not going to buy it then chances are I wont. This is slightly upsetting.

On a side note it is still much cheaper then WarHawk but there is a big difference there.

MarkHawk @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:07PM

Sorry 15* dollars is part impulse buy.

Xvnine @ Apr 23rd 2009 7:04PM

Seriously? Get a job you freaking leech.

Game_playa @ Apr 25th 2009 4:42PM

lol

Bailers @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:13PM

I'm sure this was talked about when 1943 was announced, but why would DICE spend the time on this when they could be working on BF3? I'm not complaining at all, they will get at least $15 from me. But I wonder if this is a "dry run" of sorts for a possible BF3? It would make sense that DICE would move away from modern times and not try to compete with Modern Warfare. Anyone have any ideas?

Mike @ Apr 23rd 2009 1:34PM

Quick money. Imagine the revenue they will reap from a $15 game based on an already uber-successful franchise for which they can immediately start selling loads of quickly produced DLC. It will sell like mad and it most likely required very few resources and little capital (comparative to full retail titles) to develop. This will give DICE a steady flow of cash while they work on Battlefield 3.

tabicat @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:29PM

I'll never spend more than $10 on anything in the Marketplace.

WRE @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:42PM

You're missing out.

Draken Stark @ Apr 23rd 2009 3:00PM

Are you trying to collect shit or still trying to find something fun? A real gamer looks at quality and not just price, though price is still an issue, $15 I get in an hour. 1 hour making over 3 hours of fun is worth it to me. lol somehthing making less than that is shameful so long as it costs anything or isn't fun at all.