Xbox 360 Fanboy

Anyone who wasn't lucky enough to experience the closed beta of the slightly controversial EA first-person comedy-shooter (not kidding), Battlefield: Bad Company, will soon have their chance. Today EA announced that a demo for the DICE developed title will hit the Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN on June 5. The single and multiplayer demo promises to showcase what was in the beta as well as the wacky characters found in the campaign mode. Gamers who decide to pre-order the title from select retailers will be treated an early download of the demo beginning May 29.

For those at home keeping score you'll remember pre-ordering and playing the demo will give gamers access to two of the five controversial weapons found in the beta. Pre-ordering gives gamers access to the QBU88 Sniper Rifle while downloading and playing the demo nets players the UZI Submachine Gun.

Battlefield: Bad Company ships on June 25.

Coming from Sony's recent Playstation media event (at least something good comes from those, hoozah!) is a brand new, all in-game footage, delicious ball of awesomeness trailer for Mirror's Edge. And did we already say it's a delicious ball of awesomeness? Because it is. Witness DICE's upcoming and "true" first person experience as main character Faith jumps from building to building, leaps through the air, slides, glides and kicks the crap out of gun wielding baddies with ... her legs. We're excited and truly believe that Mirror's Edge has that special something. Enjoy!

The Battlefield: Bad Company DLC controversy has settled down after EA compromised with their "marketing promotions" idea and now today, thanks to Planet Battlefield, we know exactly what we'll have to do to earn all five additional weapons. So, without further wait, here are the non-Microsoft point involved steps to earn each controversial weapon ...

• QBU88 Sniper Rifle: Pre-order the game online or at any participating retailer.
  
• UZI Submachine Gun: Download and play the demo
• M60 Light Machine Gun: Sign up for the Battlefield newsletter
  
• F2000 Assault Rifle: Register your Battlefield soldier name
• USAS12 Shotgun: Check your Bad Company stats online at launch.

Like we said, there's no Microsoft points involved, but is this really a better solution? A show of hands please, who's committed to completing all five tasks listed above to earn the Bad Company weapon bounty?

[Via Joystiq]

Now that we can (almost) put all that negative purchasing in-game weapons talk aside, we can proudly scream from the rooftops that EA has officially announced that Battlefield: Bad Company will release to retailer shelves on June 23rd. Yes, it's acceptable to say that Bad Company has had its fair share of controversy and negative sentiment, but we know some enjoyed the beta and can look past the game's ... erm, past. But what about you? Will you be a member of Bad Company this June and openly announce your purchase from the rooftops? Hmm?

A few weeks ago Electronic Arts released news that the exclusive weapons found in the special edition (the Gold Edition as it's called) of Battlefield: Bad Company would be made available on the Xbox Live Marketplace for a fee. After sending the internet into an expected uproar over the decision that resulted in angry comments from X3F readers, an internet boycott campaign and an analysis of the situation on our own X3F TV, it seems EA has changed their mind.

Earlier today in an interview with IGN, Senior Producer at DICE Karl-Magnus Troedsson spoke the words throngs of FPS fanboys have been waiting to hear. "No, there's no charge for any of the guns in the game. All of the guns in the game can be achieved without purchasing them."

But the story doesn't end there. Jump in to find out what you'll need to do to claim your weapons from EA when Battlefield: Bad Company hits this summer.

We're a bit late on the call to arms, but the movement is still alive and in full force. Sarcastic Gamer has spear-headed a Battlefield: Bad Company boycott that has gathered a bunch of followers who are united in a retail boycott of EA and DICE's upcoming shooter. Why the need for a boycott? Well, it's those oh so controversial weapons that EA confirmed would have to be purchased separately off the XBLM when the game hits retail. If you agree with and refuse to purchase Bad Company unless EA gets rid of their weapon purchase business plan then join Sarcastic Gamer's boycott by signing their petition, plastering web banners across the internets and watching their resistance video on loop at twelve hour intervals. The call to arms has already started, are you signing up?

[Thanks, Saccia]

As quirky as it sounds, we believe to have just discovered our new comedic weak spot ... hopping med kits. That's correct, bunny hopping med kits of jumping extravagance. The Project Mod Gaming crew captured med kit hopping enjoyment this week while playing the newly released Battlefield: Bad Company beta. And as much as we want to say it isn't a glitch, we have to believe it is. Though, just think of how cool it would be to play the retail build of Bad Company and be able to spring a med kit mid-game, having it bounce around as if a coked up bunny were inside. If that were the case, we'd have no problem being a medic every game.

Having problems getting into the Battlefield: Bad Company beta? We mean legitimately of course. Well, Xbox Live's Major Nelson has you covered! For the next 10 days the Major will award 10 fresh beta codes per day, equaling the 100 codes he was able to snag for EA's Battlefield: Bad Company beta test.

The controversial beta of the upcoming first-person shooter went live on March 25 and is set to run until April 25. For details on the giveaway, including how you can be entered to win, visit Major Nelson's blog.

Update: Some of our loyal commenters are telling us that a modified Xbox 360 console is not required for the Battlefield: Bad Company beta leak. However, considering the online nature of this "demo" we'd recommend you'd be wary of attempting this process -- lest the ban hammer be used to knock your console offline for good.

Tipsters are telling us that the Battlefield: Bad Company beta has not only leaked to online download sites but that it may also be playable via a burnt DVD-R, much like the demo for Guitar Hero III. The ability to clone the download of the beta and release it to other consoles also reminds us of the Call of Duty 4 beta glitch which allowed gamers to use the account recovery feature to circumvent the barriers in place of people who hadn't been selected to participate in the closed test.

This situation appears to be more serious as download sites are claiming users will have to modify their console in particular ways in order to run the download from a DVD-R. Of course we remind you that any modification of your Xbox 360 console will void your warranty and can lead to an outright ban of all Xbox online services, including playing games over Xbox Live.

Don't do it. Stay in school. This is your brain on drugs.

You get the idea.

[Thanks, BadMon1906]

It's true. Today, EA confirmed that Battlefield: Bad Company will feature micro-transactions surrounding a few of the game's weapons. Crap.

Discovered via the Bad Company beta menus, a few of the game's weapons mentioned the fact that they could only be unlocked via an XBLM purchase. In an effort to clarify the rumors, EA confirmed with IGN that Bad Company will feature five unlockable weapons which will be a part of a promotional period prior to the game's launch and will eventually end up being free downloads after the retail launch. But the game will also sport five other weapons which will be exclusively included in Bad Company's Gold Edition or as a purchase off the XBLM for a "small individualized price". EA wanted to make it clear that the purchasable weapons do not give players any significant edge, rather they'll give players more variety. And that's supposed to make us okay with it? Pssht, micro-transactions suck.

Update: Wow. Never underestimate how quickly gamers can consume free beta keys. Once again, all the public keys have been exhausted with only Insider and Founder members keys left.

Big news for those of you who missed out on the free Battlefield: Bad Company beta key codes that were released to the general public last Thursday. EA and DICE just replenished their stock and put up a new batch of public keys that are available on a first come first serve basis. And you'll be happy to know that they are available right now! W00t!

If you recall, when they first became available, all of the Bad Company public beta keys were claimed within' a few hours time leaving many wannabe participants empty handed. So quickly, most fanboys didn't even know how to obtain one before it was too late. So, this time we advise pointing your browser to IGN's FilePlanet, answering a few questions, signing up and grabbing your free beta key before they disappear. Remember, EA will be flipping the switch within' twenty-four hours time when the Bad Company beta officially kicks off tomorrow the 25th.

After obtaining a Battlefield: Bad Company beta code through some questionable means, we proceeded to redeem our code and download the beta off the Marketplace. After firing it up and realizing the servers aren't yet live, we decided to troll through the game's menus to learn a little more about what we were in for all while listening to the calming piano music being played. Then, almost as if were were slapped in the face with a trout, we spotted the chart you see above. It's a default controller chart that confirms that Bad Company will include a Halo 3'esque "take screenshot" feature in multiplayer with the simple press of up on the d-pad. We're not sure how easy it'll be to take a screenshot while in the heat of battle or if there will be any other screenshot taking options, but at least we know there will be one. Gimped or not, adding the ability to take screenshots in any game is a big plus in our book. Now about paying for weapons ...

Well with the rise of the microtransaction age we were bound to see some exploitation, and it seems that the horse armor syndrome is rising again, this time over at EA. We've heard about it via several sources already, including a reader, and it appears that the Battlefield: Bad Company Beta lists individual weapons for sale via the XBLM. A total of ten weapons are locked that have text reading "Available for purchase on Xbox Live Marketplace" next to them. The details of this are a bit shaky as of now however, as of those ten weapons, five weapons are listed as simply available for purchase, and five are listed as available in gold edition or for purchase. The gold edition likely refers to the game's collector's edition which sports a faux gold finish and which will apparently have extra content.

Now, whether or not collector's editions having in-game items is a good idea isn't the issue, the issue is the microtransactions in regard to in game items. It isn't really an issue with single player games, as the content purchases of other players cannot effect your experience. But in the case of a multiplayer shooter having more weapons available to those with larger pocket-books just doesn't feel right. With EA experimenting with microtransactions in their new Battlefield Heroes PC game, it would seem only logical that they would continue the experiment in the console realm. But with the PC version's microtransactions based around things other than in-game items that effect balance (EXP, Skins, etc) we're hoping the console side of the experiment fails, and the PC one is widely adopted.

[Thanks vince]

Update: Hopefully you got in, because all of the public beta codes have been exhausted. Though, you can still grab one if you're a part of IGN's Insider or Founder's club.

But a few hours ago, the Battlefield: Bad Company beta was officially revealed and specifics were a bit light. But now IGN just posted more information regarding the beta including multiplayer details and official links for you to grab your beta code today.

First off, we're sure you want to know how you can confirm your beta seat right now, so let's talk about that. To grab a beta download key, head over to File Planet, answer a few screener questions and login / create an IGN account. Once that's complete, you'll be redirected to a confirmation page where, if they're still available, you'll be treated to an Xbox Live redemption code to gain access into the beta which kicks off on March 25th. Easy as pie!

Next up, Bad Company beta multiplayer specifics. IGN posted a introductory video (embedded above) showing off the new Gold Rush gametype, how it's played and the strategies involved. If you're hungry for more deets, IGN also posted weapon, vehicle and gadget information so you'll be prepared for battle come Monday. Make the jump, get your read on and be sure to sign up for the beta key ASAP. We're not sure how long those keys will last.

[Thanks, Chris]

Even though we already received information about its existence last week, this time it's official with both EA and DICE announcing that a Battlefield: Bad Company multiplayer beta will be kicking off next Tuesday, March 25th on Xbox Live. Beta access is open to North American and UK residents with access keys being handed out via IGN's Founder's Club, Club IGN, File Planet and other IGN owned websites including TeamXbox. Also, North Americans can obtain a Bad Company beta code by being one of the first 5,000 to head to GameStop and plop down a Bad Company pre-order.

As far as multiplayer specifics go, the Bad Company beta will feature two multiplayer maps (Ascension and Oasis) and the multiplayer mode "Gold Rush". And just like betas before it, DICE will use all the data they mine from their Bad Company beta to further tweak and improve upon the game before its release. Remember, the multiplayer fun kicks off on March 25th and will run through April 25th with access being made available through various IGN websites as well as Gamestop pre-orders. Now go, run forth and obtain a beta code soldier!