DICE doesn't want to charge for Battlefield:BC2 maps; EA can't comment

by Alexander Sliwinski on Mar 31st 2010 4:20PM

A producer at DICE has apparently stated that the company doesn't want to "ever" charge for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 maps. According to CVG, DICE Senior Producer Patrick Bach told Xbox World 360 magazine, "We don't ever want to charge for our maps and insisted to EA that this attitude was crucial when it came to keeping our community happy and playing together."

Joystiq contacted DICE to confirm the quote and was told by a representative, "Unless they aren't standard maps we won't charge and there aren't any in the plan that would cost."

Unfortunately, Electronic Arts – publisher of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and ultimate decision-maker in this situation – wasn't willing to go that far, telling us, "We can't comment on the future. But we'll have more details on our DLC plans shortly." And we'll share those plans with you, dear reader. Shortly.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Source

Tags: battlefield-bad-company-2, dice, ea, electronic-arts, Microsoft, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (98)

different soldiers? I'm sorry but you can't do that on one account on the PS3. It's the fact that EA used a dirty tactic to keep the code locked to your EA account which is what pisses me off. If the "DLC" was unlocked through PSN like every other content it wouldnt be a problem because it's sharable up to 5 consoles and multiple accounts but if your stupid enough to fall for EA's little tricks than your nothing but a fool.

multiple accounts on those 5 consoles*

are you saying that when you log in you do not have a menu like this after you log in with your account?

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/brian_hanna/BFBC2Game2010-03-3116-52-07-33.jpg

if you don't well then i suppose i can see your frustration, but either way, it's just something ou have to live with.

you can't expect them to lose millions of dollars because of specific cases like you.

Either way, this is just something that is going to happen more and more.

you know you are basically complaining about Cd keys right? the reason that PC games have 0 resale value?

just be lucky that this only drops the resale value by 10 dollars, and not 100% of the price.

I can't comment on Battlefield, but for Mass Effect 2 I just sign in to my gamertag that was used to redeem the Cerberus code and then also sign in with the gamertag I want to use that content with. Thus, Cerberus code content for all gamertags on one box.

Would that work here?

sorry, either way, it doesn't affect me, and right now, i could care less about your problem, next time you should just get it for the platform that allows you to do what you want to do, instead of complaining about it not working where you want it.

next time, just don't buy it.

nope PS3 doesnt have that and that wouldnt work either, i even posted a thread on the BFBC2 forums asking why the DLC isnt on my PSN account but they deleted it after it grew over 3 pages

"i did buy the game new, but hey code can only be used once and on one account."

Yeah because everyone should be able to use it? It's been the same with things like Windows Licensing for years upon years now. 1 license per system. And if you're sharing an xbox with 5 people, someone needs to spend their own money and purchase their own console.

@Solace I've responded to your post in the past and said in the VIP code is a good system (From my perspective). It's a shame it can only be tied to one account but it is a good system for the majority. Hopefully future EA will make accessible per system.

However since all the free DLC so far is on disc, I feel it's a shady way of releasing free content. I recently shipped out 2 used copies to friends but had to have one buy a VIP code because I couldn't get him one. I was a little disappointed to learn all the DLC it unlocked was on the disc.

Also **ALL NEW COPIES COME WITH A VIP CODE**
Can't stress that enough.

I Dont know what the hell you are all talking about it comes fee in all NEW COPIES... and I can access the DLC on any acc on my 360, I put the code on my main, I download it off my main, and it works on all my accounts... It works for BC2, and It works for ME2... what are you complaining about?

@Killer rin

No it doesn't since the DLC is tied to your account/EA linked account only and not your console. No one else who plays on that console it was DLed to can access the DLC. That is what has Paramore Icon is understandably upset about.

At least for the 360 and PS3.

MarkHawks, then how come I can access the DLC on my OTHER XBOX LIVE ACCOUNTS, without my main signed in, explain that to me before you tell me that, because I said that pretty clearly on my first post

despite that, DICE = Good people the community map pack was free and was the shiz at the time....Doesnt matter to me, im not a bum, seriously 5-10 bucks for countless hours of entertainment? If i remember correctly you'll spend at least 20 bucks at chilis for a meal that lasts about an hour..... Cheap asses.

Alcohol at a restaurant is expensive. $20 is nothing.

....

have you ever heard of the 10 dollar menu?

jesus, not all of us are as rich as you mr.mcduck

If you go out to Chili's with someone other than just yourself, you'll be approaching the 20 dollar line. I'm okay with that 'cause hey, it's Chili's.

Any of you been out to eat lately? Things aren't cheap. It's usually $2.00 just for a softdrink. Most of their plates are from 8-15 dollars. Add in a potential appetizer (even chips!) dessert, and tax, and you could EASILY spend $20 for one person.

I read somewhere that in a fast food place or restaurant, you would have to refill your soft drink nearly 20 times before getting your money's worth.

Oh yeah, profit margins on fountain soda are extremely high.

Most appetizers at Chili's is like a meal to me alone.

Dont forget to make funny video that takes stab at MW2!

Hey Hey Hey! We don't only have to make fun of MW2...

I'd imagine EA will just clarify that the 'free maps' are only part of Project Ten Dollar. They don't need a lawsuit right now.

While I would buy new maps for this game, what worries me is how you have to pay $15 just to unlock the two bonus maps with one mode each. That's far worse then MW2's maps. Luckily that's just their way of flipping off the used gamers and DICE certainly wants to treat their fans right, so I'm very hopeful.

you didn't pay an extra 15 dollars if you bought it new.

for 60$ you got a very full length game.

If you bought the game new you don't have to pay $15. If you pay $15 you not only get access to this round of maps but also future maps available to VIP's. I don't see how what is worse than MW2's mapathy pack.

The only DLC I would consider paying for is something along the lines of BF:Special Forces. It had Maps, new equipment (Like the zipline, grapple hook) and vehicles. It was major MOD not just a couple of new maps. So BFBC2:SF would be fantastic. Warlord with destruction 2.0 and grapple hooks. Here's my $$

If they make all their DLC free to vip members, it very well might keep me buying new instead of used in cases like this. Sigh. I sure loves me some bfbc2

this is why I less than 3 dice

Dice than is less I why this 3

What is this I don't even

♥?

Alt+3 (Numpad)

I accidentally the whole dice.

I don't the not.

I'm sure DICE is genuine about not wanting to charge for extra maps, but there's no way EA, MS, and Sony will let that happen.

I like battlefield and mw2 so please don't get all defensive after this next comment.

I would bet money that activision sells more map packs than EA sells full copies of battlefield.

how about releasing a free map for every million copies of the game sold?

Then they have to wait to see if they sell a million before they can start making it. Seems like a long process.

but in this case the subject at hand is good...

Idunno I think MW2 and its map packs and Spec ops are worth the money and I think Battlefield and it's VIP content is worth the money.

Here's what I think of this announcement; BC2 will be getting a map pack, and it will be overpriced. However, to save face from the gaming community, DICE was pro-active and made the "we wouldn't charge" speech. Infinity Ward on the other hand, waited til after the pricing for COD:MW2 mappack was announced to make similar "we wouldn't charge (as much)" sentiments.

DICE is working some pre-emptive damage control.

Having said that, it's quite possible that EA would love to stick it to one of their biggest rivals Activision and allow DICE to release a map pack for less money, which would mean, we as gamers win!

Though I will say one more note on the issue, DICE also said it planned on supporting Battlefield 1943 with DLC content. One year later and nothings come of it, however they have shut down a number of BF1943 servers, making the game damn-near unplayable due to lag on most nights.

Ha. The so called "free" DLC is not DLC.. it's already on the disc you bought. The "DLC" should be called "DLU" - downloadable unlock. Huge Battlefield fan here, but if I am to pay for new maps, I want truly new maps. Not the same maps, just with different layouts in different game modes. That to me seems sketchy.

I'd pay for new game modes like 2 squad death match, choppers only, tanks only etc. Or release a map with friggin airplanes. That would be worth money.

Thats great news, lets hope that they stay thinking that way, but even if EA wants to charge the future maps, i wont mind buy them.

Of course.....lets hope not to charge them

And that is why I like BFBC2 and DICE over MW2 and IW with their $15 map packs that only have 3 new maps and two recycled ones.

I'm chiming in with another one of the VIP code for 1 gamertag on 360 problems.

I have 3 gamertags on my 360.

every
single
piece
of
downloaded
content

on my 360 works for all the accounts on 360. The 360 was designed for this.

Now comes shitty EA who makes up this shitty VIP code thing and screws teh system up. now EA wants me to pay $15/head to unlock the content that the back of the game box says I get (read it).

Let me ask you this, when you buy a DVD, do you have to pay extra to let your family members see the deleted scenes/extras? Thats what EA is doing to us console owners with brothers/kids that play.

they saw the last $ of mine.

Paying for maps is totally bogus.
If they are going to charge they should either include a new gametype, include new weapons (or map specific ones), or throw in a single player campaign.

I find it funny that a 5 map pack for MW2 is called a "stimulus package" when all it does is give stimulus to Activision's bank account.

I hope EA realises they can keep the fans happy rather than create a mob by going against the will of the original developer.

I think a good strategy would be to have free map packs, but offer "paid for" clothing/skins ingame and avatar clothing. That way, the whole Battlefield community can continue to play all the maps together (thus, not creating a divide), yet those who want to give something back to DICE/EA (that can afford to) can pay for the paid stuff. A bit similar to open-source projects having donate buttons.

We can all hope, right..?

dice is a good company. and they still are even tho they were bought by an evil company. microsoft shouldve nabbed dice during the rallisport racing years.

I have absolutely no qualms about paying for additional content for BF:BC2. Unlike a certain egomaniacal, microsoft pocketbook dwelling sell out of a publisher, DICE still knows how to make a multiplayer shooter that doesn't piss all over the faces of its long time PC fanbase.

So yeah, charge away. I wouldn't pay for MW2 content if it was $1

Previous 50 Comments

DICE doesn't want to charge for Battlefield:BC2 maps; EA can't comment

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Reader Comments (98)

Posted: Mar 31st 2010 4:50PM s ls said

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Posted: Mar 31st 2010 4:55PM BrianH said

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Posted: Mar 31st 2010 6:29PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said

Posted: Mar 31st 2010 4:41PM rullers said

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