Bad Company 2 to offer free March 30 'mapathy' cure

by David Hinkle on Mar 11th 2010 11:20AM

Oh man, EA's pursuit of Modern Warfare 2 just got hot, as DICE has announced via the Battlefield Blog that on March 30 -- the same day the Stimulus Package DLC will boost Modern Warfare 2's map count -- Battlefield: Bad Company 2's VIP members will receive the free "VIP Map Pack 2," which adds a Conquest mode scenario to the Arica Harbor map and Rush mode to Laguna Presa.

Both maps aren't new to the game, however neither has been available for play in the "unlocked" game modes noted above. So, that kinda qualifies as a "map pack," right? Regardless, it's free, as DICE boldly proclaims in its jab at Activision and Infinity Ward: "How to avoid 'mapathy' without paying!"

[Thanks, Qwaint]

Source

Tags: bad-company-2, battlefield, battlefield-bad-company-2, dice, dlc, Electronic-Arts, map-pack, mapathy, Microsoft, psn, release-date, vip, vip-map-pack-2, xblm, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (95)

Yeah, but the competition is offering new maps for all game modes for a price.

This is just expanding game modes available for pre-existing maps for free.

The two things are not comparable, and I wouldn't necessarily call this a "map pack" as is generally used in the industry.

Aren't some of the MW2 maps just re-releases of COD4 maps though? They should be free as well, since they're probably pretty easy to port.

I don't think you understand the significance of this post. Please leave the Internet for today.

The vaccine for MW2 just got a little stronger...

MW2 still rocks though.

What the hell is Mapathy? And how do I know if im a VIP member or not? I preordered the game, does that make me a VIP?

Have you actually opened the game case? On the front of it it even says there is a code in the box you need to enter to get 6 unlocks in game and vip status (which means you don't have to pay to play the first few map packs).

Hell when you play the game online it even prompts you to enter your vip code.

Bought game on Steam, so no box included, and its called Redeem code on PC I think. Guess im a VIP member then!

I love how EA is starting a trend for buying the game new, get a ton of free dlc (mass effect 2, bc2). I really hope this catches on!
I've never been one to say give me dlc for free, but if EA, dice, and bioware can do it, why can't everyone... I mean I gave $60 for bc2 and $80 for me2 and get a ton of free dlc; I gave activision $140 for prestige and $400 for mw xbox and now I need $10 more for dlc?

@shadow | reaper
You've got some sound logic there. Seriously, I bet not many gamers do that math, but it can add up. It's nice when companies treat their fans with respect, knowing that we have jobs and lives and investments. That beings said, this map pack is hopefully just the tip of the iceberg, seeing as it is the re imagining of two maps that already exist. Definitely is a new way to play em though.

Positive reinforcement has always been a good thing.

@miamilogin1
$400 to activision isn't sound logic or even true, but that also wasn't the point. The point was that we spend lots of money on video games. Compared to other things in the market and gauging what they cost, video games are expensive (LOGIC CHECK: This is true for most gamers, unless you're made of money in which case you'd be dead). If you're gonna be wise with your money, you'd always want to have the best product (more features, DLC, content that's entertaining, etc.) for the least amount of money (LOGIC CHECK: Again, this depends on if you're the strawman but instead of straw, money).

So given that both MW2 and BFBC2 are both games that you would like, logic infers that you'd want the one with the most features, DLC, multiplayer content, etc... for free. If you're a company who does the proper market research end user scenarios, you'd want to be that game (LOGIC CHECK: Only if it means a higher profit, which it seems like EA is doing with me2 and the bf francise).

Did you try to respond to yourself as someone else to back up your OP? Because if you did you just failed epically.

Awesome. Arica Harbor is my favorite map. Can't wait to see how it plays in Conquest.

I have 3 gamertags on my 360 and the VIP code only works for 1. Sadly this free map would cost me $30 for all 3 of us to play :(

Too bad BC2 maps are twice as big so yeah
i know you hate logic

These maps take place in the same location but the are fought and expand differently in different modes. This isn't Call of Duty, there is actual time and effort put into the layout of the map to assure the flow of combat is enjoyable and fair to both teams. Not only that but each map in Battlefield is several times larger than Call of Duty.

Don't know why he got downvoted, he has a point. People have different playing styles. Some love vehicles, some hate em. Some love class based systems, some don't. I, personally, LOVE vehicular warfare and find it to be an interesting aspect of FPSs, but a lot of my friends who played BF2 (LAN style, yeah keepin it old school) liked the class based system and not the vehicles, so they played servers with no vehicles. Whatev, to each his own! There are enough battlefields for all of us, so the bashing seems to be kinda... machismo'ish.

On a side note, I don take well to people feeling all high and mighty and bashing other people's opinions, so I will glad put them in their place (machismo style).

Uhh, PC version already has these maps?

The VIP code is console only, PC users get automatically. It's EA trying to get more $ from the used console game market. The code is locked to one account. So when you sell or trade your BFBC2, the next user will have to buy the maps from the built-in store. They will be locked to his account. Rinse & repeat. $$

Different modes.

No...they're the same modes.

Maybe they should fix Battlefield 1943's server problems. A post on the games' forums has 430 replies to it about the in-game message 'THE GAME APPEARS TO BE UNAVAILABLE, PLEASE TRY AGAIN'. I can never seem to play when I want to.

Sure, I'm living in the past, but that's no excuse for them.

Actually BF:1943 was $15. I haven't heard of hardly any problems with servers on BF:BC2.

woh where'd his reply go? Did Jacob find the elusive delete post button? He could probably use it a few more times on this articles comments.

I personally worked on a stage of development with EA on Bad Company 2, specifically on gameflow in multiplayer. If only gamers could appreciate the time and effort put into the creation and reworkings of these maps. People like Jacob here only prove that it's wasted effort and we might as well throw a few objects on a map with some grass and sell it to you.

Unless I'm not seeing a deleted post, I'm gonna guess he got downvoted (original good point notwithstanding) because he tried (and failed) to have a conversation with himself...as someone else.

That's fine Jacob, say what you will. Only reason I'm even on Joystiq today is because I have the day off. We work mon-sat. Working on finishing up milestone so we can go into alpha for .

Whaa? The knifing animation is one of my favorite parts in the game. It feels like you're actually knifing. Compared to MW2's knifing it feels a lot more rewarding.

Heres a little tidbit about the argument about the "charts." There are more MW2 fanboys out there than BC2 so called fanboys... i wouldnt even say BC2 has its fanboys i dont think there was one guy who plays BC2 that doesnt own or hasnt played MW2. I never even played the first badcompany. I enjoy this game alot, but alot of my friends who own MW2 i told them to play BC2 and they say screw that MW2 is the best... they havent even tried it, so its just a bunch of fanboys who thinks mw2 is amazing and doesnt have flaws when it terribly does which is what dice bashes in the game. Also cant wait to play conquest in Arica

It's not going too well for Infinity Ward lately is it?

Sweet. Don't have to worry about picking one to buy, I can keep having fun on both for the price of one! Weird! It's possible to like more than one game!

If they where a fat ugly bird I'd still marry them

Map pack 2? Where is map pack 1?! they STILL havnt fixed the in game store!

The in game store, for PS3 at least, will be patched to work. Sony is currently sitting on it per EA. Hopefully it'll be out soon.

Although, it's hella annoying that it didn't work day one. Seriously, did nobody put the damn game in the drive before it shipped and make sure it connected?

I realize that. I just think it's funny that they're making a big deal out of something that the PC version has had since launch. This and the "special game mode" that went out with Gamestop Pre-orders.

Knifing in MW2 is more like a slash, which wouldn't immediately put you on the ground unless you were a pussy. In BC2, you actually STAB the enemy, and it's most rewarding when it's directly in the back.

So yeah im planning to get the limited edition on saturday from steam but when does the limited edition offer end?

Eh, I think knifing is more satisfying when you and your opponent both have to reload. Either you stab them while they're bringing their pistol out, or you have this awkward dance where both of you just poke at the air while strafing in circles.

@miamilogin1
I fail to see how I have no logic... The modern warfare xbox split profits primarily between microsoft, activision, & infinity ward. The same profit scheme as the game itself. They profited from three versions of modern warfare and a mw xbox. Then compare that to bad co 2 which only has one version of the game. They make $60 per person no matter what (as opposed to mw who could make up to $500 on one person), yet the one who is set up to make less money is giving away free dlc. Hence, if the "little guy" can do it, why not everyone?

I stand corrected shadow | reaper. I wasn't aware of the stipulations of that deal. Also, your larger point was solid anyway.

Before a few a**holes start bashing and labeling me as a MW2 fanboy, let me say this: I LOVE BC2 multiplayer. I haven't put the game down since I got it. But DICE, before you start taking more jabs at other games just cause it's your "style" or whatever, offer something other than content we already have for free: then you can talk. Yes, I understand the maps in question are new to certain game modes...that does NOT make it new content, therefore, big whoop that you're offering it for free! I guarantee the moment they have new maps to release, it will not be for free.

Well played DICE,well played.

Excellent news. I kind of enjoyed how each game type had specific maps, but there is nothing to complain about here.

Previous 50 Comments

Bad Company 2 to offer free March 30 'mapathy' cure

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