EA Announces Free Battlefield Game

Electronic Arts has unveiled a free, ad-supported addition to its popular Battlefield series of games, called Battlefield Heroes.

Unlike previous entries in the franchise, Battlefield Heroes will feature "cartoon-style" graphics, along with a built-in matchmaking system to help ensure fair play by putting together gamers of equal skill, character customization options and a "deep online meta-game" which will offer numerous hours of gameplay to gamers of all levels. The game is being developed by Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment (EA DICE), the studio behind the previous Battlefield games.

"We put a different twist on this Battlefield game going with the cartoon-style graphics and gameplay," said EA DICE Senior Producer Ben Cousins. "There's something here for all types of players - be it our core Battlefield fans or casual gamers. With the new online model, we will continually add new content to keep the game fresh and keep players engaged, while integrating player feedback in real time. As a game developer, it is such a cool new way to make games."

Gerhard Florin, executive vice president at EA, added, "Online gaming garners a massive audience. People want to play games in new ways, with easier access that is quick to the fun. With Battlefield Heroes, EA brings its first major franchise to North America and Europe with a new distribution model and pricing structure adapted to the evolving way that people play."

Along with advertisements, the game will use microtransactions to generate revenue, although details of how they will be implemented were not given. Battlefield Heroes is currently scheduled for release as a free download in summer 2008.

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So they looked at what the MMORPGs+cash shop model is generating for money or something? Really, i can't think of any other reason than that. But i think the whole 'fr33 f0r3v3r!!!11!1!! lolz' thing isn't appliable, again, for this kind of game...

I just hope they will do it correctly, unlike the twitch game gunz:the duel, in which people look like they get an epileptic seisure to do all those stunts.

furthermore, i think they are jealous of TF2, maybe.

Malygris:
Unlike previous entries in the franchise, Battlefield Heroes will feature "cartoon-style" graphics

Team fortress 2 yes?

Let's pray that they don't have a repeat of the claustrophobic 2142 maps (featuring invincible mechs!).

Which begs the question:

What time period is this actually set in?

Hopefully old again, I liked the old Battlefield better than the new ones. And that really made me think of TF2. Is it gonna be for PC or PS3/360? Anyway, it might be pretty cool to have both BF: Bad Company, and this one loaded up.

I'll give it a shot, its free after all (unless I want to be any good)

Annom:
I'll give it a shot, its free after all (unless I want to be any good)

If you're implying that the people who pay will be given an unfair advantage, the write-up on this over at Joystiq specifically stated that EA said the microtransaction items will be strictly cosmetic. How long that lasts, who knows. But at launch, it should be an even playing field for the moochers (like me) in the crowd.

Free EA Game...

PARADOX DETECTED. INITIATING AUTO-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE.

JakubK666:
Free EA Game...

PARADOX DETECTED. INITIATING AUTO-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE.

Rofl. I am just as surprised, though I'll probably download it if I like the look of it. Please, Gods of Gaming, let it be done well.

P.M.

Geoffrey42:

Annom:
I'll give it a shot, its free after all (unless I want to be any good)

If you're implying that the people who pay will be given an unfair advantage, the write-up on this over at Joystiq specifically stated that EA said the microtransaction items will be strictly cosmetic. How long that lasts, who knows. But at launch, it should be an even playing field for the moochers (like me) in the crowd.

Yes I do, but I must of missed that news, thats very good news for us mooches.

I refuse to partake in another EA game until they make one with choppers and jets that fly like they do in Battlefield Vietnam. Only with better graphics. And less jerks to play with and against. And that makes me breakfast and cleans the bathroom.

Notice the phrase "the game will use microtransactions" and "ad-supported addition." There is a reason this game is "free." Next thing we see is having Axe being shoved up our ass with every EA game.

It sounds like a bad knock-off of Team Fortress 2, just trying to make some money by taking a good idea from someone else.

EDIT: It also sounds like a knock-off of Soldier Front, a decent Massive Multiplayer online shooter, which has a free game in which people can buy items to make their character better.
EA is comprised of scam artists.

EA: "Oh god, look at all these people defecting to CoD4 and TF2! We need to rip them off to get them back!"

What I miss right now is the necessary $20 million to make a super duper MMO which will intoxicate the PC market even more and let me multiply my revenues by ten.

As for the cartoon thing, you are right, TF2 has done it, but WoW is in cartoon style just as well. They really didn't have to look far to find inspiration.

Geniuses!