Battlefield-Heroes posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Battlefield Heroes update 'Heroes of the Fall' now live

by Justin McElroy { Sep 30th 2009 at 5:13PM }

It may seem like a contradiction, but it is possible to make "free" an even better value. Just look at Battlefield Heroes; the game just added a boatload of new content (we've got a full list after the break) as part of its "Heroes of the Fall" update, and it's still all delectably free.

If you can't be troubled to read a whole list, some of the most notable changes include a new map called "Riverside Rush" and some improved social networking functionality. And, as you can see above, the update features a guest appearance by the Sepia-Toned Village People, who we hear are huge in the Netherlands.

Continued →

Battlefield Heroes enlists two million recruits

by David Hinkle { Sep 26th 2009 at 6:15AM }

DICE's free-to-play FPS, Battlefield Heroes, just had its two millionth soldier signed up for duty, EA announced. It's an impressive accomplishment considering the game only opened its doors in June and netted its first million users back in July. And as a reward for all of the players' hard ~~work~~ gaming, EA has dated the title's Heroes of the Fall update for September 30.

We already knew about the proposed changes to the game's social networking functions and the class updates, but there's also the prospect of a new map to be excited about. EA is taking name ideas for the new locale right now at the game's official site, so head on over and suggest one. If you're looking for a bit of inspiration, may we suggest The Joystiq Map of Joystiqing Joystiq: Joystiq?

Battlefield Heroes updates coming in 'Heroes of the Fall'

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 21st 2009 at 10:27AM }

EA and DICE's free-to-play online shooter Battlefield Heroes is getting some TLC in the form of "Heroes of the Fall," a series of updates and changes that will presumably be released this ... fall. The game's official blog has news about the update coming in a slow drip -- for now, we know the Gunner class will be getting some major improvements, and all players will receive military rankings to go along with their current levels.

Also getting a revamp is the game's social networking functions, making it easier to keep track of your in-game friends. Just make sure you don't befriend any of those dastardly Nationals. They simply cannot be trusted!

[Via Big Download]

Battlefield Heroes stats: free-to-play, but plenty will pay

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 13th 2009 at 3:30PM }

With its hands on some stats from EA, IGN estimates that Battlefield Heroes -- the free-to-play microtransaction-based online shooter -- has brought in almost $30 million, with the average "buyer" spending about $20 on the game. The most popular purchased items are the sleek Kommendant's Coat, Special Forces Officer Cap and Maverik's Sunglasses. A healthy 76 percent of "Battlefunds" (the game's currency) are spent on clothing, with a majority of the rest going to XP boosts.

The piece is packed with neat statistics on the game. Did you know that there are 1.5 million players across 133 countries, though 75% of users are from just ten countries (none of which are in Asia), including Brazil and Poland?

Gallery: Battlefield Heroes

Battlefield Heroes registers over 1 million players

by Griffin McElroy { Jul 14th 2009 at 7:30PM }

The growth of Battlefield Heroes has been slow and steady -- a natural side-effect of EA and DICE's slow trickle release of beta codes for the free-to-play shooter. However, on June 25, Heroes' floodgates were flung wide open, letting every would-be cartoon soldier access to the title. Now, about 19 days since that fateful event, EA has revealed some impressive statistics: Over one million players have registered for the online battle.

That's quite a few digital soldiers, but we're curious to know how many of those decided to purchase fancy hats for their militaristic avatars, and whether EA is turning a profit thanks to the sale of said chapeaus. We've emailed EA to try and find out.

[Via Big Download]

(Another) Michael Jackson video game on the way, scheduled for a 'holiday release'

by Ben Gilbert { Jul 11th 2009 at 4:30PM }

After the King of Pop's passing last week, Joystiq has had an inordinately high volume of Michael Jackson-related stories. Day after day, the video game industry honored his passing -- free "Thriller" downloads on Xbox Live, Battlefield Heroes costumes, and a full on recreation of "Smooth Criminal" using Rag Doll Kung Fu's engine. Today, less than a full week after the singer's death, his production company (MJJ Productions) confirmed to MCVUK that a game starring Jackson and featuring his music has been in production at MJJ for "several months" and is purportedly on schedule to release "this holiday season."

Though no definitive "yes" or "no" has been given on the game's release (or any info on the developer, publisher, or the game itself), reports say the game contains recent voice recordings by the singer. The closest we get to actual information on the game's release window is, "I am sure it will still be released ... Michael loved games," by way of an MJJ Productions rep. Here's hoping it's more Moonwalker and less Space Channel 5 -- but then, that's just how we get down.

[Via Industry Gamers]

Michael Jackson honored in Battlefield Heroes, kind of [update: Costumes will be free]

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 30th 2009 at 6:10PM }

Update: Electronic Arts has contacted us to let us know that the outfits will be free. Multiplayer has updated its own story, noting that the prices mentioned were seen on the Battlefield Heroes test servers. Upon release to the actual public, they will be offered at the consumer-friendly price of no dollars. Original post is below.

In a touching display of respect for the recently deceased King of Pop, Electronic Arts has uploaded a pair of the music legend's iconic outfits to Battlefield Heroes -- one for each of the game's two factions. Members of the Royal Army can now drape themselves in the white suit worn by Michael Jackson in the "Smooth Criminal" music video, while National Army recruits can don the black leather apparel featured in "Bad." This is a really neat way for EA to show -- wait a sec, you have to pay for them?

You're telling us that EA is charging 420 Battlefunds (about $3) for these outfits? Well, surely, they're donating the money to sick kids or something, right? No? They're just ... keeping it? That's sorta messed up, guys.

Battlefield Heroes now open to the masses

by Justin McElroy { Jun 25th 2009 at 5:00PM }

We're so excited that we can finally share our love of Battlefield Heroes with the whole world. The casual, free-to-play shooter has (finally) gone live, and you can start outfitting your soldier right now.

While the game itself is free, if you want to level up faster, get special emotes and exclusive weapons, you're going to need to shell out some cash. But there's no need to worry about that at the moment -- just go, start up an account and feel free to swap your usernames below.

[Via BD]

Rumorong: Battlefield Heroes not heading to PS3/360 [update]

by Ben Gilbert { May 17th 2009 at 3:00PM }

Though we're running this one under the "likely an error and probably not a hot scoop" category, a listing for Battlefield Heroes on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 has appeared on the EA press site. Pointed out by GOONLINE (their caps, not ours), the listing posits a June 2009 release date -- interesting considering the PC version of the game has been marred by delays. The site also pegs the PC version with a September release, a significantly more solid release date than EA has provided as of late.

At this point, however, we'd like to note that the game's developer, DICE, has stated before its lack of interest in console ports of the game, telling Videogamer.com a year ago, "We could port the engine and do it, I just don't know what we would gain from it. Everyone's who's [sic] got a 360 or PS3 also will have a PC that can run this game." We've reached out for comment from EA and will update you when we hear more.

Update: As expected, EA's Ben Cousins has shot the rumor down.

Fan-named map 'Coastal Clash' coming to Battlefield Heroes soon

by David Hinkle { Apr 30th 2009 at 4:30AM }

DICE recently opened up the Battlefield Heroes forums to suggestions for the title of the map you see above. The winner, Noobilator, ended up dubbing this particular area Coastal Clash, and it stuck. The map is still in the development process, and needs more play testing before being deployed into battle, but fans of Battlefield Heroes can look forward to destroying this peaceful little village sometime soon.

If you're trying to experience Battlefield Heroes for yourself, and don't have a beta invite, hit up the site. DICE is handing out codes to everyone.

[Via Big Download]

Battlefield Heroes still isn't out ... so play this Flash game instead

by Xav de Matos { Mar 28th 2009 at 4:00AM }

Although EA promised the world would be in the middle of a cartoon-shaded war by now, it looks like Battlefield Heroes isn't going to hit the planned Q1 '09 release. If you're one of the unfortunate many who haven't been invited into the party, EA has a quick game that may hold you over.

The official Battlefield Heroes website has released a Flash version of the game to help pass the time before the open beta begins. In the Battlefield Heroes Flash Game players have 60 seconds to shoot as many "Nationals" as they can, who each pop into frame Wack-A-Mole style and await a bullet sandwich. It isn't as sexy as playing the real game, but ... yeah, we got nothing.

[Via BigDownload]

DICE's Lars Gustavsson says game industry is at a 'crossroads'

by Ben Gilbert { Feb 24th 2009 at 3:00AM }

Lars Gustavsson is no stranger to risk. After last year's first-person parkour-based action/platformer Mirror's Edge stumbled off shelves during the holiday season, you'd think DICE's creative director might be dissuaded from continuing to push the envelope. However, speaking at the Design Innovate Communicate Entertertain Summit (conveniently shortened to D.I.C.E.) last week, he told the crowd "the games industry has come to a crossroads."

According to him, the situation is multi-faceted -- the poor economy is forcing lower overhead costs on developers and people are less willing to spend their money while consumers are also less likely to invest in new intellectual properties (such as the aforementioned Mirror's Edge). Should developers play it safe with proven IPs or take risks in hopes of breaking in?

He pontificates that "more customization offerings, new business models, data-driven development and the active tuning of the games" will drive innovation and allay risk going forward. "It's totally different from anything we've done," Gustavsson noted when referencing upcoming online-only multiplayer shooter Battlefield 1943. And he seems to be putting the development costs where his mouth is, as Battlefield 1943 sticks to his plan (on paper at least) to a tee. It remains to be seen whether they'll work out. After all, we're still waiting on that other Battlefield game.

Battlefield Heroes now aiming for Q1 '09 release

by Dustin Burg { Feb 4th 2009 at 10:41AM }

After announcing a delay last Summer (and missing the planned '08 release), then closing and subsequently re-opening the beta, EA has informed us that its ready to bring the online-exclusive Battlefield Heroes to the gaming masses ... relatively soon.

According to a supplement (PDF) included in EA's latest investor report, Battlefield Heroes should be released by quarter's end. That means if EA and DICE can keep development on track, we'll be blasting cartoonified soldiers in Heroes by March, at the latest.

Battlefield Heroes beta rolling back into action

by Jason Dobson { Jan 23rd 2009 at 3:30AM }

Things have been quiet on Battlefield Heroes' front lines since Electronic Arts first called for a ceasefire last November, halting the game's release and sending scores of pastel-colored grunts back to their bunks. Now EA has reopened beta sign-ups, giving the boys in green another chance to enlist.

Still, it's unknown how many players will be admitted into the beta, and greenhorns eager to taste the free-to-play shooter's cartoon action could be left in their barracks. Seasoned vets, however, will get first dibs, and do not need to get back in line, as any players who were already in the beta or had previously signed up will automatically receive an invite to report for duty. As for when soldiers can expect the call to action, EA is saying only to watch for more announcements in the "coming weeks."

[Via Massively]

Battlefield Heroes beta in ceasefire until early '09

by Jason Dobson { Nov 13th 2008 at 2:44PM }

Get back behind the sandbags, soldier! No, not those, they're far too realistic. These, more cartoony bags are much better suited to protect your rounded corners and chiseled jaw while waiting for Electronic Arts to decide when Battlefield Heroes will roll onto the front lines. EA once more postponed the official release of its free-to-play shooter, while the closed beta will soon go dark until sometime next year.

James Salt, senior producer on Battlefield Heroes, broke the news on the game's website, writing that the beta will close down Friday night at 6pm CET so the team can focus on "polishing the backend." In the meantime, we expect many brokenhearted, animated grenadiers to keep polishing their oversized rifles until early 2009.

[Via Big Download]