Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[EA opening DICE Los Angeles studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/ea-opening-dice-los-angeles-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/ea-opening-dice-los-angeles-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/ea-opening-dice-los-angeles-studio/#commentsEA opening DICE Los Angeles studio EA is bringing a new DICE studio to Los Angeles, and it's expected to be a key part in the creation of new Star Wars games. As the Wall Street Journal reports, DICE LA hopes to take advantage of the area's "extreme talent pool," a pool Activision is already knee-deep in via Infinity Ward and Treyarch, both based in California. DICE LA plans to employ 60 members by the end of 2013, and is keen to bring the very best to the studio.

"There is an extreme talent pool over [there] that we want to be a part of," DICE General Manager Karl-Magnus Troedsson told WSJ. "It's no secret our main competitor is there."

Troedsson didn't reveal just how much the company is investing in the new studio. The news comes after what's been an eventful month for EA. The company announced 900 layoffs due to restructuring, estimated to be 10 percent of its then workforce. However, EA is clearly looking to build big on the platform of exclusive rights to Star Wars games.

[Image Source: @Battlefield]

JoystiqEA opening DICE Los Angeles studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DICEdice-laEAstar-warsWed, 15 May 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 13-20 domains registered by EA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/battlefield-13-20-domains-registered-by-ea/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/battlefield-13-20-domains-registered-by-ea/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/battlefield-13-20-domains-registered-by-ea/#commentsBattlefield 1320 domains registered by EA Electronic Arts - using a known third-party service - registered the dot-com domains for Battlefield's 13-20. Fusible took note of the registrations, going on to mention that EA owns most of the Battlefield domains between one and 20 now. Battlefield 4 is expected to launch later this year.

Although the initial instinct may be to call this long-term planning a little overdone, it's not so crazy if Battlefield takes the annualized approach á la an EA Sports title. Battlefield '14 through Battlefield '20 doesn't sound so crazy now.

Update: Rock, Paper, Shotgun has picked up Battlefield21.com in the starry-eyed hopes of cashing in. It's a gold rush, folks. Don't get left behind!

JoystiqBattlefield 13-20 domains registered by EA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-4diceeaElectronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 08 May 2013 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U Frostbite engine tests yield 'not too promising' results]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/wii-u-frostbite-engine-tests-yield-not-too-promising-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/wii-u-frostbite-engine-tests-yield-not-too-promising-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/wii-u-frostbite-engine-tests-yield-not-too-promising-results/#commentsWii U Frostbite engine tests yield 'not too promising' results EA DICE technical director Johan Andersson revealed that the developer's Frostbite 3 engine, which powers Battlefield 4 and the next entries in the Dragon Age and Mass Effect franchises, does not run on Nintendo's Wii U.

Responding to fan questions on Twitter, Andersson explained that DICE's Wii U experiments with Frostbite 2 had "not too promising" results, leading to the company abandoning efforts to get Frostbite 3 up and running on Nintendo's latest console.

During the Game Developers Conference in March, Epic Games' Mark Rein noted that Unreal Engine 4 does not currently run on the Wii U. Rein later clarified, explaining that licensed developers could potentially port Unreal Engine 4-powered games to the Wii U, at their discretion.

JoystiqWii U Frostbite engine tests yield 'not too promising' results originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diceeafrostbitefrostbite-2frostbite-3nintendowii-uTue, 07 May 2013 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 Premium reached 3.5 million subscribers, generated $120 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/battlefield-3-premium-reached-3-5-million-subscribers-generated/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/battlefield-3-premium-reached-3-5-million-subscribers-generated/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/battlefield-3-premium-reached-3-5-million-subscribers-generated/#comments Battlefield 3's Premium service has garnered over 3.5 million subscriptions to date, according to EA's fiscal fourth quarter 2013 financial results. Additionally, the service has earned over $120 million for EA.

This compares to the financial results reported by EA for the last quarter, in which the Battlefield 3 Premium service generated $108 million and had 2.9 million subscribers.

JoystiqBattlefield 3 Premium reached 3.5 million subscribers, generated $120 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3DICEEAearningsElectronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 07 May 2013 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Sniping in Battlefield 3: End Game using a helicopter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/sniping-in-battlefield-3-end-game-using-a-helicopter/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/sniping-in-battlefield-3-end-game-using-a-helicopter/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/sniping-in-battlefield-3-end-game-using-a-helicopter/#comments
We're not talking about long-distance dome-capping in Battlefield 3's final DLC, End Game, while using a helicopter - actually, that's exactly what we're talking about. It's just not accomplished here in the way you're thinking.

JoystiqSniping in Battlefield 3: End Game using a helicopter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3diceeaend-gamemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 25 Apr 2013 04:30:00 EST<![CDATA[See Faith run in Mirror's Edge on Oculus Rift]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/see-faith-run-in-mirrors-edge-for-oculus-rift/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/see-faith-run-in-mirrors-edge-for-oculus-rift/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/see-faith-run-in-mirrors-edge-for-oculus-rift/#comments
We're pretty sure this would make us vomit, but those with stronger constitutions may be interested in playing Mirror's Edge on Oculus Rift. YouTube user Cymatic Bruce uploaded nearly ten minutes of the game in action.

If you have an Oculus Rift and Mirror's Edge, you can get this running by installing Viero Perception and the FOV mod.

Oculus Rift dev kits began shipping late last month to Kickstarter backers and include a free Oculus version of the Unreal Development Kit, though the promised Doom 3 BFG Edition is no longer included. Oculus has not announced a launch date for retail units yet.

JoystiqSee Faith run in Mirror's Edge on Oculus Rift originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cymatic-brucediceeaMirrors-Edgeoculus-riftpcvirtual-realityThu, 18 Apr 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 4 skipping Wii U to avoid stretching team 'too thin']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/battlefield-4-skipping-wii-u-to-avoid-stretching-team-too-thin/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/battlefield-4-skipping-wii-u-to-avoid-stretching-team-too-thin/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/battlefield-4-skipping-wii-u-to-avoid-stretching-team-too-thin/#comments Battlefield 4 skipping Wii U to avoid stretching team 'too thin'There will be no touchscreen leg-cutting minigames at launch for Battlefield 4. DICE Creative director Lars Gustavsson told Videogamer a flat "no" in response to a query about the existence of a Wii U version of the military shooter.

"I think overall for me as creative director, number one is to deliver a really great game and experience," Gustavsson explained. "Sometimes, at least for us, it's focus on what you do well and what you know well, and ensure that you deliver something good than trying a bit too much, stretching yourself too thin and risking it. I'd rather play it safe, deliver something really good and then look at the future and what could possibly be done than trying a bit too hard and then, flat."

Just a few minutes earlier, on stage at the presentation, EA Games vice president Patrick Söderlund touted the game as "a new era of interactive entertainment," built on an engine that provided "no excuses. There's nothing really holding us back anymore."

JoystiqBattlefield 4 skipping Wii U to avoid stretching team 'too thin' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-4dicegdc-2013nintendowii-uWed, 27 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Editorial: How the Concessions Stand in Battlefield 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/editorial-how-the-concessions-stand-in-battlefield-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/editorial-how-the-concessions-stand-in-battlefield-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/editorial-how-the-concessions-stand-in-battlefield-4/#comments Editorial How the Concessions Stand in Battlefield 4EA seized an entire movie theater in San Francisco in the midst of GDC 2013 to demonstrate nearly 20 minutes of Battlefield 4, which is also a video game. The venue was large and loud enough to encapsulate the shooter's cinematic aspirations, and flaunt every extravagant detail manifested in the weapons, soldiers, lighting and urban environments - right down to the cracking, withered paint on a door. Battlefield 4 belonged on every inch of that big screen.

And that's fine. I enjoy shooters, I adore movies, and I think there's a valid convergence to be found between the two. It's rarely a shortcut for superior storytelling, but the medium is malleable and fit for many authors. Some strive for realism, others seek expression in the abstract, and some guys prefer to make a crazy game about shipping soup to other planets.

None of those, however, have claimed responsibility for a "new era of interactive entertainment." That would be Battlefield 4, according to EA Games Vice President Patrick Söderlund. "Revealing the game to you all today is a big deal for us," he said in epilogue to the game's exquisitely rendered destruction. "It signals a new era of Battlefield and, frankly, a new era of interactive entertainment."

Gallery: Battlefield 4 (Fishing in Baku)

Continue reading Editorial: How the Concessions Stand in Battlefield 4

JoystiqEditorial: How the Concessions Stand in Battlefield 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield 4battlefield-4battlefield4diceeaelectronic-artsgdc-2013microsoftpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 27 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 4 confirmed to launch this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/battlefield-4-confirmed-to-launch-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/battlefield-4-confirmed-to-launch-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/battlefield-4-confirmed-to-launch-this-fall/#comments

Battlefield 4 was officially announced this evening, coming in the fall to PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. The game runs on Frostbite 3. It's been a weird road since Battlefield 4's unceremonious reveal in July 2012, where it was part of a pre-order bonus for Medal of Honor: Warfighter. Two EA military franchises enter, one survives a year later.

Pre-orders from any retailer receive the Premium expansion pack, while Origin pre-orders get the Digital Deluxe version that includes the game, the Premium expansion, access to the multiplayer beta and some bonus in-game items. Check out the first official in-game footage above.

JoystiqBattlefield 4 confirmed to launch this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-4diceeaelectronic-artspcps4Wed, 27 Mar 2013 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One final look at Battlefield 3 'End Game' DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/one-final-look-at-battlefield-3-end-game-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/one-final-look-at-battlefield-3-end-game-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/one-final-look-at-battlefield-3-end-game-dlc/#comments Battlefield 3 'End Game' DLC screens, date reiterationWith "End Game" the announced conclusion of Battlefield 3's downloadable content schedule, we will hopefully never have to post another one of its cockamamie release schedules again. Here's some new screenshots from the DLC and its release schedule again for clarity.

Continue reading One final look at Battlefield 3 'End Game' DLC

JoystiqOne final look at Battlefield 3 'End Game' DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3diceeaElectronic-Artsend-gamemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxMon, 04 Mar 2013 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3's 'End Game' DLC begins staggered deployment next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/battlefield-3s-end-game-dlc-begins-staggered-deployment-next/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/battlefield-3s-end-game-dlc-begins-staggered-deployment-next/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/battlefield-3s-end-game-dlc-begins-staggered-deployment-next/#comments

DICE has revealed its plan of attack, announcing on its Battlefield blog the release schedule for End Game, the final piece of downloadable content for Battlefield 3.

PlayStation 3 players with 'Battlefield Premium' accounts will see the content on Tuesday, March 5, as part of the subscription. For premium users on Xbox 360 and PC, End Game will arrive on Tuesday, March 12. PlayStation 3 users without Battlefield Premium accounts can purchase the content on March 19, while Xbox 360 and PC users will have to wait until March 26 to gain access to the DLC.

Pricing for non-Premium users has not yet been revealed, though previous Battlefield 3 content releases launched for $14.99 (1200 Microsoft Points).

JoystiqBattlefield 3's 'End Game' DLC begins staggered deployment next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3Battlefield-PremiumDICEDLCDownloadable-ContentEAElectronic-ArtsEnd-Gamemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxFri, 01 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Origin deploys sale on all things Battlefield]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/origin-deploys-sale-on-all-things-battlefield/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/origin-deploys-sale-on-all-things-battlefield/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/origin-deploys-sale-on-all-things-battlefield/#comments Soldiers, sweep your sectors - discounts are creeping in the brush. Select Battlefield games are up to 75% off until February 27 on EA's Origin online store, with discounts applying to both digital and physical products.

Highlights include Battlefield 3 for $10 as a download on PC or $20 for a physical copy on all platforms. A Battlefield 3 Premium subscription is also on sale for $30, a discount of $20 - Battlefield 3: Premium Edition physical copies are on sale for $40; $35 for a PC download. Bad Company 2 is also on sale for $5, with its Vietnam expansion's price tag a hot $5 compared to its usual $15 asking price.

JoystiqOrigin deploys sale on all things Battlefield originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3battlefield-3-premiumbattlefield-3-premium-editiondiceeamicrosoftoriginpcplaystationpremiumps3xboxTue, 19 Feb 2013 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Pretend you were there with all of these DICE 2013 presentation videos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/10/pretend-you-were-there-with-all-of-these-dice-2013-presentation/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/10/pretend-you-were-there-with-all-of-these-dice-2013-presentation/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/10/pretend-you-were-there-with-all-of-these-dice-2013-presentation/#comments

DICE 2013 is over and done with, but through the magic of AV recording and the internet, most of the presentations are available online. The only major address that's not on YouTube is the introductory discussion between Valve's Gabe Newell and director JJ Abrams, but we all know how that thing went down.

Engadget has a one-stop shop for all of the DICE 2013 talks you may have missed, including Supergiant Games' Amir Rao on multiplatformism, Quantic Dream's David Cage with "The Peter Pan Syndrome: The Industry that Refused to Grow Up," Ouya's Julie Uhrman, former Junction Point head Warren Spector, Jenova Chen of thatgamecompany with an emotional presentation, BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka, Telltale Games' Dan Connors with some Walking Dead wisdom, and more.

This much candid information is priceless, especially considering all the money you didn't lose by not physically traveling to Las Vegas for DICE 2013.

JoystiqPretend you were there with all of these DICE 2013 presentation videos originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DICEdice-2013macmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitawii-uxboxSun, 10 Feb 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First Battlefield 3 End Game screenshots get dirty]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/first-battlefield-3-end-game-screenshots-get-dirty/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/first-battlefield-3-end-game-screenshots-get-dirty/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/first-battlefield-3-end-game-screenshots-get-dirty/#comments EA has released the first official screens of Battlefield 3's next piece of DLC, End Game. The screens highlight the dirt bike, one of End Game's new vehicles, riding off in dirty, explosion-filled glory. You can also glimpse one of the four new maps, Operation Riverside. End Game arrives in March.

Gallery: Battlefield 3 - End Game

JoystiqFirst Battlefield 3 End Game screenshots get dirty originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3diceeaelectronic-artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxFri, 08 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gabe Newell's DICE keynote: Steam Box price point 'much, much lower' than living room devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/gabe-newells-dice-keynote-steam-box-price-point-much-much-lo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/gabe-newells-dice-keynote-steam-box-price-point-much-much-lo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/gabe-newells-dice-keynote-steam-box-price-point-much-much-lo/#comments

Valve co-founder Gabe Newell didn't drop any major announcement bombs during his DICE keynote address, but he did provide insight into Valve's current, internal approach to the gaming industry. Newell discussed the evolution of Steam software within the context of future hardware, notably Valve's Steam Box, and stressed the continued importance of the PC.

As for the Steam Box's in-home PC streaming system, Newell said it would be a cheap addition to any TV, starting at $100 and eventually hitting $0. "The price point that's going to be hit is going to be much, much lower than things we've traditionally seen in living room devices. Better, it's basically a PC in the console form factor and at the console price point. There's nothing really magical about the hardware - this is the great thing about PC, is that it's been evolving so quickly."

Businesswise, make the in-home streaming experience a great one and it could serve as a gateway to high-end PC gaming, Newell said: "A user who has a great experience using in-home streaming is going to be much more likely to upgrade to a PC in a console form factor and then continue to invest."

The Steam Box will hinge on in-home streaming rather than cloud gaming, and Newell explained that he was a long-standing skeptic of cloud gaming. As he saw it, the cloud incurred a huge network cost that could collapse the system upon its own success, and it put latency compensation in the wrong place, at the center of the network rather than the edge.

"One thing we believe is latency sensitivity is going to increase in the future," Newell said. "The ability to do local, high-speed processing will become more important than it is right now."

Continue reading Gabe Newell's DICE keynote: Steam Box price point 'much, much lower' than living room devices

JoystiqGabe Newell's DICE keynote: Steam Box price point 'much, much lower' than living room devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DICEdice-2013gabe-newellkeynotepcSTEAMsteam-boxvalveThu, 07 Feb 2013 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3's 'End Game' captures the flag]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/31/battlefield-3s-end-game-captures-the-flag/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/31/battlefield-3s-end-game-captures-the-flag/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/31/battlefield-3s-end-game-captures-the-flag/#comments

Battlefield 3's downloadable content morphine drip is about to conclude with "End Game" sometime in March. This trailer for the final DLC pack shows off some exciting capture the flag gameplay, along with the all-new dirtbikes.

Near the end of the clip, there's also a quick glimpse at the air superiority mode. The all-airplane mode was a highlight of Battlefield 1943, now making its return in a modern context.

JoystiqBattlefield 3's 'End Game' captures the flag originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3diceeaElectronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 31 Jan 2013 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 Premium hits 2.9 million subscribers, earns $108 million for EA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/battlefield-3-premium-hits-2-9-million-subscribers-earns-108-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/battlefield-3-premium-hits-2-9-million-subscribers-earns-108-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/battlefield-3-premium-hits-2-9-million-subscribers-earns-108-m/#comments As part of its fiscal third quarter earnings release (PDF), EA has revealed that the Battlefield 3 Premium service has garnered a total of 2.9 million subscribers, nearly a million more than the publisher reported in October. Additionally, the service has netted Electronic Arts $108 million in sales.

Available either as an individual $50 purchase or as an included bonus with the Battlefield 3 Premium Edition, the Battlefield 3 Premium service offers in-game items, access to DLC and special Battlelog features like the ability to reset stats and gain server queue priority.

JoystiqBattlefield 3 Premium hits 2.9 million subscribers, earns $108 million for EA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3battlefield-3-premiumdiceeaElectronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 30 Jan 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DICE aims to bring Frostbite engine to Mac]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/dice-aims-to-bring-frostbite-engine-to-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/dice-aims-to-bring-frostbite-engine-to-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/dice-aims-to-bring-frostbite-engine-to-mac/#comments EA developer DICE is looking to bring its Frostbite engine to the Mac, according to a job listing on the studio's website. DICE is seeking a Mac OS X engineer to work with "a team focusing on bringing Frostbite to Mac." The engineer will also "work closely with game team customers and the Frostbite team to deliver an engine as great on OS X as it is on Windows and traditional console platforms."

Presumably, the listing refers to Frostbite 2, which would enable Electronic Arts to bring a large back catalog of games to Apple's platform, including Battlefield 3, the most recent Medal of Honor games and Need for Speed: The Run. More importantly, it would allow EA to publish future Frostbite games on Mac, including Dragon Age 3, Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel and the next Mass Effect.

JoystiqDICE aims to bring Frostbite engine to Mac originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diceeaelectronic-artsfrostbitefrostbite-2frostbite-enginemacMon, 28 Jan 2013 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[2013 DICE Award nominations led by Journey, Walking Dead, Far Cry 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/2013-dice-award-nominations-led-by-journey-walking-dead-far-cr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/2013-dice-award-nominations-led-by-journey-walking-dead-far-cr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/2013-dice-award-nominations-led-by-journey-walking-dead-far-cr/#comments The nominations have been announced for the 16th annual DICE Awards, and Journey leads the pack with nods in 11 categories including outstanding achievement in music composition, outstanding achievement in game direction and overall game of the year. The Walking Dead, Far Cry 3 and Halo 4 have each racked up eight, seven and six nominations, respectively. Dishonored and Borderlands 2 each pulling in five nods.

In addition to Journey, contenders for game of the year include The Walking Dead, Far Cry 3, Borderlands 2 and XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

The DICE Awards will take place on February 7 at 10:30pm ET, during the 2013 DICE summit, and will be hosted by Chris Hardwick of The Nerdist and Talking Dead. The event will be streamed live on Machinima. You can read the full list of nominations right here.

Continue reading 2013 DICE Award nominations led by Journey, Walking Dead, Far Cry 3

Joystiq2013 DICE Award nominations led by Journey, Walking Dead, Far Cry 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsAIASdicedice-2013dice-awardsjourneymicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitaxboxMon, 14 Jan 2013 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 'End Game' DLC dubbed 'lethal high-speed warfare']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/battlefield-3-end-game-dlc-dubbed-lethal-high-speed-warfare/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/battlefield-3-end-game-dlc-dubbed-lethal-high-speed-warfare/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/battlefield-3-end-game-dlc-dubbed-lethal-high-speed-warfare/#comments Slightly more specific Battlefield 3 'End Game' DLC details emerge More information has been released regarding the contents of Battlefield 3's final DLC pack "End Game," which is still slated for March 2013. Specifically, End Game will include four new maps "designed for high speed combat and action," according to the announcement, as well as three new vehicles, a support dropship with the ability to deliver vehicles and the addition of Capture the Flag as a playable mode.

As always, End Game will be available for "free" to anyone with a Battlefield Premium membership/subscription/dark pact, though normal folk will need to pony up some cash for the right to ride a dirt bike into a hail of bullets, which doesn't really sound like the best idea if we're being honest.

JoystiqBattlefield 3 'End Game' DLC dubbed 'lethal high-speed warfare' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3DICEDLCEAElectronic-Artsend-gamemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 20 Dec 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mirror's Edge, Mass Effect limited edition art prints for sale now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/29/mirrors-edge-mass-effect-limited-edition-art-prints-for-sale-n/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/29/mirrors-edge-mass-effect-limited-edition-art-prints-for-sale-n/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/29/mirrors-edge-mass-effect-limited-edition-art-prints-for-sale-n/#comments Mirror's Edge and Mass Effect feature in limited edition digital art collectionIn the art world, it's all about ME - Mass Effect and Mirror's Edge, that is. DICE and BioWare are selling a few museum-grade, limited edition prints via art dealership Cook & Becker, available now.

There are 50 copies of each print from Mirror's Edge and the Mass Effect series, though Mirror's Edge offers "large" editions of four prints, limited to 18 each. Every print, large or standard, is hand-numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

The large Mirror's Edge prints run, in inches, from 30 x 20 to 30 x 48, and cost $500 to $750. Standard prints of Mirror's Edge and Mass Effect scenes aren't much smaller and run $235 to $325, except for Mass Effect's The Team, which is $2,500, at 32 inches by 70 inches.

Check out the Mirror's Edge and Mass Effect prints on Cook & Becker for all your holiday shopping and/or selfish needs.

JoystiqMirror's Edge, Mass Effect limited edition art prints for sale now originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-printsBioWarecook-and-beckerDICELimited-Editionmicrosoftpcplaystationprintsps3xboxThu, 29 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Battlefield 3: Aftermath available today on PS3; Dec. 4 on Xbox 360, PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/psa-battlefield-3-aftermath-available-today-on-ps3-dec-4-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/psa-battlefield-3-aftermath-available-today-on-ps3-dec-4-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/psa-battlefield-3-aftermath-available-today-on-ps3-dec-4-on/#comments

Battlefield 3's "Aftermath" DLC pack will be available later today for those with a PlayStation 3. The DLC includes four earthquake ravaged maps and a crossbow. There's also a new game mode called "Scavenger," which tasks players armed only with pistols to search for more powerful weapons.

Continue reading PSA: Battlefield 3: Aftermath available today on PS3; Dec. 4 on Xbox 360, PC

JoystiqPSA: Battlefield 3: Aftermath available today on PS3; Dec. 4 on Xbox 360, PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3diceeaElectronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 27 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: DICE doesn't want to be a 'Battlefield factory']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/ea-dice-doesnt-want-to-be-a-battlefield-factory/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/ea-dice-doesnt-want-to-be-a-battlefield-factory/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/ea-dice-doesnt-want-to-be-a-battlefield-factory/#comments DICE doesn't want to be Battlefield factory, working on other gamesDICE's Stockholm studio has 300 people and no, not all of them are working on Battlefield content, EA Games Vice President Patrick Soderlund tells OXM. DICE launched Mirror's Edge in 2008, but since then it's been all Battlefield, all the time, with Battlefield 4 scheduled for beta next fall.

Asked whether taking a risk on a Mirror's Edge-type game is worth it when Battlefield is so lucrative, Soderlund responds, "Well it depends, right? Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. It's also important for us - the DICE guys are roughly 300 people in the Stockholm studio; not all of them are working on Battlefield things, and that's intentional, because we don't want to become a Battlefield factory."

One way to circumvent the transition to "Battlefield factory" is to develop a sequel to Mirror's Edge - which is exactly what former Battlefield executive producer Ben Cousins says DICE is doing. "It is general knowledge in the Stockholm dev scene that Mirror's Edge 2 is in production at DICE," he tweets.

It's worth noting that Cousins isn't with EA anymore, but he is based in Sweden.

JoystiqEA: DICE doesn't want to be a 'Battlefield factory' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3battlefield-4DICEEAmicrosoftmirrors-edgemirrors-edge-2pcplaystationps3xboxWed, 21 Nov 2012 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve's Gabe Newell inducted into AIAS Hall of Fame]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/valves-gabe-newell-inducted-into-aias-hall-of-fame/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/valves-gabe-newell-inducted-into-aias-hall-of-fame/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/valves-gabe-newell-inducted-into-aias-hall-of-fame/#comments Valve's Gabe Newell inducted into AIAS Hall of FameGabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve, is the 17th inductee into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, earning the title for 2013. Newell joins Shigeru Miyamoto, Sid Meier, John Carmack, Michael Morhaime, Drs. Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuck, and Tim Sweeney, among others, in the AIAS Hall of Fame.

Newell will also be a keynote speaker for Thursday's conference at the 2013 DICE Summit. Epic Games President Mike Capps will present Newell with the Hall of Fame Award at the 2013 DICE Awards.

"Gabe is a living legend of the video games industry, and his relentless focus on customer experience has made our whole industry a better place," Capps says. "Valve's unconventional success is an inspiration for us all, and I couldn't be more pleased to present Gabe's Hall of Fame award."

Continue reading Valve's Gabe Newell inducted into AIAS Hall of Fame

JoystiqValve's Gabe Newell inducted into AIAS Hall of Fame originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academy-of-interactive-arts-and-sciencesAIASaias-hall-of-fameDICEdice-summitdice-summit-2013gabe-newellvalvevalve-softwareThu, 15 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 1942 free on Origin]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/05/battlefield-1942-free-on-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/05/battlefield-1942-free-on-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/05/battlefield-1942-free-on-origin/#comments Battlefield 1942 free on OriginBattlefield 1942 is currently free on Electronic Arts' Origin digital distribution system. The gratis download is in celebration of the Battlefield series' 10 year anniversary and Battlefield 3 Premium's 2 million members making bank for the publisher.

According to EA, Battlefield 3 has sold over 17 million copies so far. The game's latest expansion, Aftermath, begins its month-long release campaign at the end of the month.

Gallery: Battlefield 3: Aftermath

JoystiqBattlefield 1942 free on Origin originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-1942battlefield-3diceeaElectronic-ArtspcMon, 05 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 Premium sells 2M subscriptions, FIFA 13 sells 7.4M units]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/battlefield-3-premium-sells-2m-subscriptions-fifa-13-sells-7-4m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/battlefield-3-premium-sells-2m-subscriptions-fifa-13-sells-7-4m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/battlefield-3-premium-sells-2m-subscriptions-fifa-13-sells-7-4m/#comments Electronic Arts announced massive sales for its Battlefield and FIFA franchises as part of its second quarter earnings today. Battlefield 3 Premium, which had over 1.3 million subscribers in late July, now has surpassed 2 million.

The publisher also announced that FIFA 13 has gone on to sell 7.4 million units (excluding mobile downloads) during its first four weeks on the retail field. This makes the latest installment in the footie franchise the "biggest sports launch of all time" for the company.

Oh, and don't you fret none about the legacy versions of those two franchises. Battlefield 3 and FIFA 12 together sold "nearly 4 million units" since April, the beginning of EA's current fiscal year.

JoystiqBattlefield 3 Premium sells 2M subscriptions, FIFA 13 sells 7.4M units originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3battlefield-3-premiumDICEEAElectronic-artsfifa-13microsoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 30 Oct 2012 16:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3: Aftermath starts rolling out November 27, details unearthed [update: correction]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/battlefield-3-aftermath-starts-rolling-out-november-27-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/battlefield-3-aftermath-starts-rolling-out-november-27-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/battlefield-3-aftermath-starts-rolling-out-november-27-details/#comments

It's been a while since we heard anything about Battlefield 3 post-earthquake expansion Aftermath, but today EA grounded out some more details to us, including a release date of November 27 for PS3 Premium members. We also have a debut trailer to enjoy along with new screenshots below.

The new mode is called Scavenger, a Conquest variation which ties into the expansion's setting of a devastated Tehran. You play as a lost soldier, armed only with a pistol and forced to search the rubble to find more powerful weaponry. If you're lucky, you might stumble across the scoped crossbow featured in the trailer.

The expansion adds four new maps, including the reasonably self-descriptive Epicenter and Markaz Market Monolith. There are also three new vehicles, ten new assignments, ten new dog tags, and five achievements/trophies. EA says Aftermath 'starts' releasing on November 27, first for PS3 Premium members, which translated means we can likely expect the same week-by-week roll-out as before. When it does find its way to you, it'll cost $14.99 on PS3 and PC, and 1200 MSP on Xbox 360.

Update: EA notes the Markaz Monolith map was incorrectly denoted in the information provided to us.

JoystiqBattlefield 3: Aftermath starts rolling out November 27, details unearthed [update: correction] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3battlefield-3-aftermathDICEEAmicrosoftpcplaystationps3PSNrelease-datesteamXBLMxboxThu, 18 Oct 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mirror's Edge jumps onto PSN September 25]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/21/mirrors-edge-jumps-onto-psn-september-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/21/mirrors-edge-jumps-onto-psn-september-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/21/mirrors-edge-jumps-onto-psn-september-25/#comments Mirror's Edge jumps onto PSN September 25Mirror's Edge is coming to PlayStation Network on September 25, Sony announced. The Official PlayStation Blogcast revealed DICE's first-person platformer features in next week's PSN update, although the podcast didn't disclose a price. The game is already available for digital download on Xbox Marketplace ($14.99), Steam ($19.99), and Origin ($19.99).

Of course, that's not the 'Mirror's Edge 2' announcement some of you are waiting for. As soon as EA and DICE break out of the 'definitely maybe' shtick, we'll let you know.

JoystiqMirror's Edge jumps onto PSN September 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DICEEAMirrors-Edgeplaystationps3PSNrelease-dateFri, 21 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield series on sale today through Origin]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/battlefield-series-on-sale-today-through-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/battlefield-series-on-sale-today-through-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/battlefield-series-on-sale-today-through-origin/#comments

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Battlefield franchise, Electronic Arts has deployed a sale for the series on Origin, with each installment available at $10 apiece. That means Battlefield 2 through Battlefield 3 (standard edition), which sounds like it would only be two games, but is actually several, are all the same price.

The discount is only available today, so you better oscar mike to Origin if you're interested. Did we "oscar mike" that right? No?! We've learned nothing!

JoystiqBattlefield series on sale today through Origin originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-1942Battlefield-2142battlefield-3battlefield-bad-company-2DICEeaelectronic-artspcThu, 20 Sep 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 Premium Edition now $59.99, launches today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/battlefield-3-premium-edition-now-59-99-launches-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/battlefield-3-premium-edition-now-59-99-launches-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/battlefield-3-premium-edition-now-59-99-launches-today/#comments EA has knocked $10 off its Battlefield 3 re-release, the company announced today. Battlefield 3 Premium Edition was first announced back in August as a $69.99 package, but the publisher has reduced the price of admission to $59.99.

Battlefield 3 Premium Edition combines DICE's latest shooter with a Premium membership, necessary to access all of the game's expansions such as the previously released Back to Karkand and Close Quarters, this week's vehicle-based Armored Kill, and the next two packs set to drop later this year, Endgame and Aftermath. A "Multiplayer Head Start Kit" is also included in the package, unlocking "15 different weapons, gadgets and vehicle upgrades" in-game to fast-track newbies to the front lines.

Battlefield 3 Premium Edition is available today on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Continue reading Battlefield 3 Premium Edition now $59.99, launches today

JoystiqBattlefield 3 Premium Edition now $59.99, launches today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3battlefield-3-premiumbattlefield-3-premium-editiondiceeamicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 11 Sep 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Card Hunter combines tabletop gaming with digital magic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/card-hunter-combines-tabletop-gaming-with-digital-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/card-hunter-combines-tabletop-gaming-with-digital-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/card-hunter-combines-tabletop-gaming-with-digital-magic/#comments Card Hunter combines tabletop gaming with digital magicJon Chey is a co-founder of Irrational Games, who recently formed up a brand new studio called Blue Manchu, to work on a new game called Card Hunter. Card Hunter might easily be mistaken for many similar games of much lower quality: It's a Flash game that runs in your browser, and it's going to be a free-to-play title monetized by microtransactions, using collectible cards to fuel the gameplay.

While Card Hunter may look shallow on the surface, it's anything but. Chey and his team have crafted what's essentially a love letter to tabletop gaming, combining mechanics usually meant for traditional board gaming (like game boards, cardboard cutouts, dice, and action cards) with a high-quality and well-designed video game.

Gallery: Card Hunter (PAX Prime 2012)

Continue reading Card Hunter combines tabletop gaming with digital magic

JoystiqCard Hunter combines tabletop gaming with digital magic originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>card-huntercardsdicedigitalflashfree-to-playgamingjonathan-cheynostalgiapax-2012pax-prime-2012pcrpgtabletopTue, 04 Sep 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield: Armored Kill rolls out launch trailer, wide release to take weeks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/battlefield-armored-kill-rolls-out-launch-trailer-actual-launc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/battlefield-armored-kill-rolls-out-launch-trailer-actual-launc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/battlefield-armored-kill-rolls-out-launch-trailer-actual-launc/#comments
The launch trailer for Battlefield 3's Armored Kill downloadable content hit today, although defining it as a "launch trailer" is being quite liberal with that word.

It's certainly launching day for Premium PS3 subscribers, but Xbox 360 and PC Premium subscribers will need to wait another week until September 11. The non-premium grunts will jump into the pack on September 18 for PS3 and September 25 for Xbox 360 and PC. We think that about covers it for the "launch."

JoystiqBattlefield: Armored Kill rolls out launch trailer, wide release to take weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armored-killbattlefield-3diceeaelectronic-artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 04 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rovio picks up another Battlefield alum]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/rovio-picks-up-another-battlefield-alum/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/rovio-picks-up-another-battlefield-alum/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/rovio-picks-up-another-battlefield-alum/#commentsRovio picks up another exBattlefield producerTrading gritty, realistic murder for the more cartoony, family friend kind, DICE senior producer Patrick Liu has left the Battlefield developer in favor of the greener, pig-filled grasses at Angry Birds megalith Rovio. Liu will be filling the role of Creative Director at Rovio's Stockholm studio.

The announcement was made early this morning by Rovio Stockholm general manager Oskar Burman, who himself is also a Battlefield alumni, albeit a slightly different one.

During his five-year tenure at DICE, Liu filled various producer roles on Battlefield: Bad Company, Battlefield 1943, Medal of Honor and Battlefield 3. His work history also includes serving as Associate Producer on The Darkness and The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena before joining DICE.

JoystiqRovio picks up another Battlefield alum originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DICEEAroviorovio-stockholmFri, 31 Aug 2012 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 'Armored Kill' dated, get in line for access September 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/battlefield-3-armored-kill-september-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/battlefield-3-armored-kill-september-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/battlefield-3-armored-kill-september-4/#comments Battlefield 3 Armored Kill DLC dated, first access September 4Battlefield 3's Armored Kill downloadable content has one of many release dates, with Premium subscribers on PlayStation 3 obtaining first access on September 4. Xbox 360 and PC Premium subscribers have to wait another week until September 11. Premium subscribers receive a two week jump on everyone else, with regular releases of September 18 for PS3 and September 25 for Xbox 360 and PC.

Armored Kill is the third DLC pack for Battlefield 3 after Back to Karkand and Close Quarters. Apart from four new maps, including the biggest in the series' history, Armored Kill will offer a ton of new vehicles for players to drive, fly, and generally blow up. Also included is the new Tank Superiority mode, which is effectively a King of the Hill take on Battlefield 1943's Air Superiority but, you know, with tanks.

JoystiqBattlefield 3 'Armored Kill' dated, get in line for access September 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armored-killbattlefield-3diceeaelectronic-artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3release-datexboxMon, 27 Aug 2012 08:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 quadruples the official DICE server count on consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/battlefield-3-quadruples-the-official-dice-server-count-on-conso/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/battlefield-3-quadruples-the-official-dice-server-count-on-conso/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/battlefield-3-quadruples-the-official-dice-server-count-on-conso/#comments Looking for some more variety in game modes? DICE has upped the number of official servers for Battlefield 3 on consoles - four-fold. Quick matches will still drop you into the first available ranked server, rented or not, but if you input "DICE" when searching, it should list all the available DICE servers.

You'll find these newly-added DICE servers available on Xbox 360 and PS3 as of right now, the Battlefield Blog says. There's no word on whether DICE will be instituting a similar measure on the PC.

JoystiqBattlefield 3 quadruples the official DICE server count on consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3diceeamicrosoftplaystationps3xboxFri, 24 Aug 2012 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 Premium Edition coming September for $70]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/battlefield-3-premium-edition-coming-september-for-70/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/battlefield-3-premium-edition-coming-september-for-70/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/battlefield-3-premium-edition-coming-september-for-70/#comments Battlefield 3 Premium Edition coming September for $70
A new version of Battlefield 3, the Battlefield 3 Premium Edition, will arrive this September, executive producer Patrick Bach announced during EA's Gamescom press conference. As the title implies, the Premium Edition includes a membership to the Battlefield Premium service which, in turn, grants access to new expansions, including Back to Karkand, Close Quarters, and the upcoming Armored Kill, End Game and Aftermath.

The Premium Edition also features the "Multiplayer Head Start Kit," which includes "15 different weapons, gadgets and vehicle upgrades." The Battlefield 3 Premium Edition will launch on PC, Xbox and PS3 this September for $70 in North America, €60 in Europe and £50 in the UK.

Continue reading Battlefield 3 Premium Edition coming September for $70

JoystiqBattlefield 3 Premium Edition coming September for $70 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3diceeagamescom-2012microsoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 14 Aug 2012 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 4 sticking to modern warfare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/battlefield-4-sticking-to-modern-warfare/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/battlefield-4-sticking-to-modern-warfare/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/battlefield-4-sticking-to-modern-warfare/#comments http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2012/08/karlmagnusbf4.jpgBattlefield 4 will be set in modern times, DICE general manager Karl Magnus Troedsson revealed at GDC Europe today. The game, which was announced with no pomp last month, will have a beta sometime next year, but little else has been revealed. However, with a lag time of six years between Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 3, why did the studio go with Battlefield 4 so quickly instead of heading back to Bad Company?

"There's a lot of things inspiring us as to how the franchise will move on. Everything from fans' feedback, to market research and, of course, what we want to build ourselves. It's not just one single thing," said Troedsson, continuing with a hint of sarcasm. "And, yes, I know Battlefield 4 is probably the most creative name we ever could come up with. I can't comment any more on that game because it's all secret."

However, he did go on to say, "We still want to stay in this genre, the modern day as it is. We feel this is a place we can be and continue with the series. Battlefield 4 can live in this space and be very successful."

Hinting, in conclusion, "That doesn't mean there might not be a Bad Company game again in the future."

JoystiqBattlefield 4 sticking to modern warfare originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-4DICEgamescom-2012gdc-europe-2012karl-magnus-troedssonmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxMon, 13 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Battlefield lead David Goldfarb now at Starbreeze, working on Payday sequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/07/ex-battlefield-lead-david-goldfarb-now-at-starbreeze-working-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/07/ex-battlefield-lead-david-goldfarb-now-at-starbreeze-working-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/07/ex-battlefield-lead-david-goldfarb-now-at-starbreeze-working-on/#comments ExBattlefield lead David Goldfarb now at Starbreeze, working on Payday sequelLast month, we heard that Battlefield 3 lead designer David Goldfarb exited EA's Sweden-based DICE studio. It seems that Goldfarb is staying in the country, as he's accepted a job at Starbreeze-owned developer Overkill Software. Goldfarb announced as much on Twitter, donning the above Payday: The Heist mask and scaring children worldwide.

Goldfarb is set to work alongside studio lead Ulf Andersson on a sequel to Payday, as well as an unannounced title Overkill is working on. "I've worked on these huge games, and that was great, but I really wanted to work on smaller, tighter, and more intimate projects that are more gameplay driven, and I saw the opportunity to do that here," Goldfarb told Develop. Andersson added, "I'm really looking forward to this to see if we can make something really cool together."

JoystiqEx-Battlefield lead David Goldfarb now at Starbreeze, working on Payday sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david-goldfarbdiceea-diceelectronic-artsoverkilloverkill-softwarepayday-the-heiststarbreezestarbreeze-studiosulf-anderssonTue, 07 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 'Aftermath' DLC in December, 'End Game' in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/battlefield-3-aftermath-dlc-in-december-end-game-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/battlefield-3-aftermath-dlc-in-december-end-game-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/battlefield-3-aftermath-dlc-in-december-end-game-in-march/#comments Battlefield 3's "Aftermath" DLC pack, leaked way back when and then finally confirmed but a day ago, will find itself in the hands of capable soldiers the world over come December, according to this Battlefield Premium hype page.

The site's calendar also officially acknowledges and dates BF3's "End Game" DLC pack for March of 2013. Both packs are said to contain four new maps, new unspecified weapons, equally new and equally unspecified vehicles, and "more." While Battlefield Premium subscribers gain access to DLC content two weeks earlier than regular folk, we expect the December and March launch windows to apply to both categories of people, provided the Premium launches aren't near the tail end of either month.

JoystiqBattlefield 3 'Aftermath' DLC in December, 'End Game' in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aftermathbattlefield-3battlefield-3-aftermathbattlefield-3-end-gameDICEDLCEAElectronic-Artsend-gamemicrosoftpcplaystationps3release-windowxboxFri, 27 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA's Battlefield 3 ad campaign on Facebook shows 440 percent return on investment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/eas-battlefield-3-ad-campaign-on-facebook-shows-440-percent-ret/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/eas-battlefield-3-ad-campaign-on-facebook-shows-440-percent-ret/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/eas-battlefield-3-ad-campaign-on-facebook-shows-440-percent-ret/#comments EA's Battlefield 3 ad campaign on Facebook shows 440 percent return on investmentA major part of Facebook's business, in addition to keeping an accurate and exceedingly detailed log of the horrible web of lies you spin during your daily social activities, is as an advertising platform. As it turns out, advertising on Facebook can be pretty helpful, at least if the product you're shilling is something globally recognized like Battlefield 3.

"Electronic Arts recently spent $2.75 million promoting Battlefield 3 on Facebook," said Facebook COO Sheryl K. Sandberg during the company's first investor call since going public. "They attributed $12.1 million of their sales to these ads, translating to a 4.4x return on their Facebook marketing spend." Sandberg didn't elaborate on how EA extrapolated that figure.

An independent study performed on 60 different Facebook advertising campaigns showed that 70 percent of campaigns analyzed saw a 300 percent return on investment at minimum, according to Sandberg, while 49 percent of campaigns enjoyed 500 percent returns. It's difficult to determine how well that figure scales up, considering its small sample size, but we're sure that the simple act of typing "500 percent returns" has caused several dozen advertising executives to salivate uncontrollably.

JoystiqEA's Battlefield 3 ad campaign on Facebook shows 440 percent return on investment originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbattlefield-3DICEEAElectronic-ArtsFacebookmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Sheryl-K-SandbergxboxFri, 27 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST