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Hands-on: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer beta

by Randy Nelson { Nov 6th 2009 at 12:00PM }

Announced yesterday, the multiplayer beta for EA and DICE's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is going to give PS3 owners (and only PS3 owners) a one map appetizer on November 19 for the main course coming March 2, 2010. The beta features one match type -- Rush, a version of Bad Company's Gold Rush ... only without the gold -- and takes place in the sun-baked seaside locale of Arica Harbor.

Last week, we took part in a 24-player stress test for the beta (the version coming Nov. 19 will support 24 players, as will the final game) and came away rattled but ready for more. You can read about how it all went down after the break.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 -- Arica Harbor

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Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer beta hits Nov. 19, exclusive to PS3

by Randy Nelson { Nov 5th 2009 at 12:00PM }

PS3 owners will soon have another exclusive to brag about in addition to Uncharted 2. EA and DICE announced today that the multiplayer beta for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will launch on Thursday, November 19, exclusively on Sony's console. As with the recent God of War III demo, a beta code will be offered as a pre-order incentive from GameStop, Amazon and Best Buy (visit the game's official site to check which other retailers are participating).

The beta will focus on one of Bad Company 2's new multiplayer game types: Rush. This multi-stage battle takes place on a map called Arica Harbor, which is broken into unique areas for each round. American forces push forward on foot and in vehicles to scrap with Russian troops outside a military base, in an urban environment and eventually at the harbor itself in a "last stand" scenario.

EA plans to begin a PC round of the beta in December, followed up by an all-new multiplayer demo for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC early next year. The finished game hits shelves on March 2, 2010. We recently had the opportunity to play in the multiplayer beta and will bring you our hands-on impressions tomorrow morning, November 6 at 9:00 a.m. PT / noon ET.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (11-05-09)

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta details this week, EA says

by Justin McElroy { Nov 3rd 2009 at 1:50PM }

We were warned yesterday about phishers scamming folks out of personal info, promising entry into a Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta that hadn't even been announced. It seems they weren't completely off the mark though, as EA told Blend Games that details about a BF:BC 2 beta would arrive this week. If you remember, GameStop recently posted -- then pulled -- a listing that claimed those who pre-ordered the game would receive entry into a beta starting November 19.

You know what this means, don't you? It's our worst fears made flesh: Online phishing scammers who can see into the future. Well, it's been nice knowing you, civilization.

[Via Blue's News]

Over 8,000 updates and bug fixes in latest MAG beta update

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 22nd 2009 at 11:45AM }

Looks like a certain beta testing community hasn't neglected its duties as a stalwart lookout for bugs, errors and other unsavory in-game snafus. This morning, Zipper Interactive launched a patch for the MAG beta client which includes over 8,000 updates and bug fixes. The patch will be automatically downloaded and installed next time you hop into the Shadow War.

A brief synopsis of the important changes can be found after the jump. We elected to not include the full list of 8,000 updates, as it would have delayed this post until mid-April, at which point it would have been fairly useless to you.

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APB enters closed beta, virtual crime rates spike

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 20th 2009 at 5:00PM }

Almost three weeks after Realtime Worlds CEO Gary Dale teased us with the chance to go hands-on with APB, the developer's marketing head, John Davies, has confirmed to VG247 that the first wave of closed beta invites for the pseudo-MMO have been sent out. We realize this news will either find you unsurprised (i.e., you already received an invite) or disheartened (i.e., you didn't), but we thought we'd pass it along regardless, as crushing your spirits is one of our very favorite pastimes.

Aww, don't cry. Now you're just bringing us down. Hey, you can still apply to join the APBeta on the game's official site. Who knows, you might just get accepted instantaneously. There might be an invite in your inbox right this second! Just ... just buck up, okay?

Star Trek Online engaging retail Q1 2010, beta 'around the corner'

by David Hinkle { Oct 19th 2009 at 4:30PM }

Cryptic executive producer Craig Zinkievich has confirmed with Videogamer that the upcoming Star Trek Online is set to launch during the first quarter of next year -- which falls in line with an Atari document we reported on back in May. Zinkievich also confirmed that Cryptic will soon offer gamers a taste of the experience to come, stating that the game's closed beta is "right around the corner."

Though Videogamer set its phaser to "pester," Zinkievich wouldn't budge on any details about release date beyond the quoted Q1 2010 placeholder, citing that he would receive the full wrath of the marketing department should he crack. We'd like to imagine said department being full of Klingons, but we all know Cardassians really make the best marketers.

Xbox 360 Dashboard update 'preview' open for signups

by Randy Nelson { Oct 14th 2009 at 6:15PM }

As it has done in the past, Microsoft is offering early access to its next Xbox 360 Dashboard update (which integrates Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm and Zune Marketplace) to those who sign up -- and are then selected -- to preview it. Major Nelson has just updated his blog with word that the signup process has begun for the program, mentioning that Microsoft is looking for "multiple thousands" of users to test out the update. So, sounds like chances of getting in are good.

Those wishing to put their names in the hat for preview access can do so by hitting the Microsoft Connect site and filling out a survey. The preview program is being offered in all territories where Xbox Live is available, but keep in mind you'll need a Windows Live ID in order to apply. The Major says those who've been picked will receive an email in about a week; after which the update will be pushed out to their consoles, and they can start bragging about their early access via Twitter and Facebook right from their 360s.

If past Dashboard preview programs are anything to go by, everyone who signs up will eventually gain access just prior to the update's release -- which may happen on November 17.

Gallery: Facebook / Twitter on Xbox 360

Indie MMO 'Love' goes into paid alpha testing

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 6th 2009 at 12:00AM }

Try as we might to remain impartial about games that are a long way away from release, we fell in love with Love the second we laid eyes on it. Imagine our joy when we learned that Eskil Steenberg's city-building MMO had entered alpha testing, and could be played right this hot second. Having trouble imagining? Allow us to help -- our joy was immeasurable.

A few of the game's followers have raised quite a stink about one caveat to the alpha test: Applicants are required to purchase a license in order to join in the festivities. At €3.00 (or about $4.50), it's hardly a bank-breaking purchase, but mandating payment in order to test out an MMO is fairly uncharted territory. Don't look to us for criticism of this unprecedented practice -- we instantly bought it.

Final Fantasy XIV beta will be PC-only

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 2nd 2009 at 1:01PM }

For those of you holding fast to the hope that you'll get your hands on Square Enix's next MMO, Final Fantasy XIV, before the game's eventual release, it appears as though you'll need to get your hands on a Windows PC first. In a recent interview with Game Watch, FFXIV director Hiromichi Tanaka said the game's beta release will be on PC only.

Starting with a closed population of 10,000 people and eventually opening up to the public, the beta could be running at full capacity by as early as Summer 2010, according to Tanaka. Hopefully, by that point we'll be playing Final Fantasy XIII -- in English -- and no longer cracking jokes about FFXIV releasing before XIII ... Hopefully.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIV

[Via RPG Site]

APB beta bustin' caps next week

by David Hinkle { Oct 1st 2009 at 7:01PM }

If you're chomping at the bit for some virtual crime, we're here to let you know that the wait to get your fix is almost over: Realtime Worlds CEO Gary Dale confirmed (via GI.biz) that a beta for the PC version of APB is currently on the docket for next week -- a beta which Realtime Worlds began taking applications for mid-August.

If you haven't yet applied to be in the beta, you should probably get on that. Not sure if you're interested? Did you know the game is part GTA, part San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing?

LucasArts seeking testers for Star Wars: The Old Republic

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 29th 2009 at 3:31PM }

Be still, beating, midichlorian-infused heart -- LucasArts is looking for players to test its story-driven MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic. The official call to action deftly avoids the use of the B-word and stipulates that the testing will be executed on an extremely limited scale. If you're hoping to get in on the massively-multiplayer lightsaber action, you can sign up on the Account page of the game site.

Actually, we really want to get into this test, so ... how about you sit this one out? C'mon, wouldn't you rather watch some YouTube videos of adorable puppies instead? Look at them! With their little waggly tails.

Gallery: Star Wars: The Old Republic

Sony accepting applications for European MAG Beta

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 15th 2009 at 2:45PM }

PlayStation.Blog recently dropped an announcement that will send European fans of acronyms and large-scale combat through the roof. Zipper Interactive is going to be handing out 16,000 beta codes for MAG to those living in Europe over the course of the next few weeks. To apply, go to the blog's "Competition" page and fill out the appropriate info. It's first come, first serve, so ... come! Be served!

If you're not fortunate enough to live on the West-Eurasian Peninsula, take solace in the fact that Zipper's going to eventually need to enlist everyone on the planet to test out the game's enormous server load. Also, remember that we've got freedom and liberty and stuff.

Gaikai closed beta coming to Europe first

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 9th 2009 at 4:45PM }

Cloud computing service Gaikai will be entering closed beta "later this month" in Europe, company head Dave Perry announced earlier today. Perry explains that since "all three founders are European" they've decided to "start [the] closed beta in Europe later this month," and plan on bringing the beta to North America next (you can sign up fairly quickly right here). Perhaps unsurprising, his announcement comes just one week after OnLive, that other cloud computing-based service, opened its own public beta in North America.

IGN recently got its hands on Gaikai and snagged a video (that we've dropped after the break) of the service running through Windows 7 on a new MacBook. It appears to be working just as smoothly as when we last saw it, though now in the hands of an outside party. Our concern comes with the choice of games being demoed here: World of Warcraft and Mario Kart 64, not the most demanding apps we could imagine, especially when OnLive is showing off Crysis.

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Sony details MAG pre-order bonuses: where to get what

by Randy Nelson { Sep 9th 2009 at 2:00AM }

Following a weekend of 256-player mayhem at PAX '09, Sony has unloaded more details on the pre-order campaign for its "massive action game," MAG, which releases on January 26, 2010. First up are three exclusive in-game characters, each corresponding to one of the game's three PMC armies -- with custom gear -- and available via a different retailer. GameStop has the S.V.E.R. ~~soldier~~ contractor for offer while Game Crazy is offering the Raven recruit -- we're not sure why, but Sony's keeping the wraps on where you can pre-order to receive a Valor grunt.

Reserving the game via Amazon will grant you access to your very own S.V.E.R. "personal space" (read: apartment) in PlayStation Home. If you want the most alluring incentive, however, it's back to GameStop for access to the public beta of MAG beginning October 10. (Qore subscribers will be let in on September 17.) Initially, the beta servers will only be online during specific play windows, but Sony has confirmed that they'll be up-and-running 24/7 after November 9.

If you want all of the goodies, you're going to need to mount your own MPC ("massive pre-order campaign").

Register to beam aboard the Star Trek Online closed beta

by Justin McElroy { Sep 4th 2009 at 3:01PM }

If you didn't guarantee yourself a spot by buying a lifetime membership to Champions Online, your second chance to join the Star Trek Online closed beta just veered into scanning range. You can find the link to the necessary form right here. It's still not a sure thing, mind you, as participants will be randomly selected from those who register.

Considering its checkered past, we're a little bit nervous about STO, but we really hope it's good, if only to keep this cat off suicide watch.