Armory Staff

Just in from EA's Battlefield Blog Highlights of the Week, May 13 Another week is now on the books here on team Battlefield, and what a week it was! There have been giveaways, details on what’s coming next, and plenty of contributions from you, our amazing readers, providing plenty of goodies to discuss, so let’s get to it, shall we? Hunting For Vietnam We kicked the week off with a scavenger hunt of sorts when we handed download codes for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam over to five of the biggest Battlefield fan sites around the ‘net. These sites all hid the codes within their regular content. Backgrounds, images and text all could hold these codes, and only the most dedicated and perceptive of our fans tracked these down to call their very own. When will this happen again? Which sites will hold the key for some free DLC? The only way to find out is to stay tuned to the Battlefield Blog! Back to Karkand This past Tuesday saw the launch of a new blog series detailing the Back to Karkand DLC, where we sat down with Lead Designer Niklas Fegraeus to chat about the map pack to the upcoming Battlefield 3. http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.ImageFileViewer/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles.battlefield_5F00_bad_5F00_company/B2K_5F00_Strike_5F00_at_5F00_Karkand_5F00_Concept.jpg_2D00_550x0.jpg This post brought us new details on this map pack which will include some of the most famous maps in the Battlefield series to date. Some tidbits from this include that this updated version of Back to Karkand will use all of the destructive power of the Frostbite 2 engine. “Now, with the destructive power of Frostbite 2,” says Fergraeus. “Someone can just RPG that building and expose the defenders within.” Don’t just take our word for it – our fans had the chance to speak out as well, including Twitter user @insane 141 when he said “It’s well designed and well balanced. The best map ever made.” Be sure to check the full post for all the details. Be sure to pre-order Battlefield 3 today and get Back to Karkand for free! Around the Web GameSpot named Battlefield 3 as one of their most anticipated games from E3 2011. GameSpot editor Shaun McInnis says “In an era when everyone is trying to make a Call of Duty clone, DICE may be one of the few studios out there with the talent and resources necessary to create the new standard in military shooters. But whether DICE follows the Call of Duty formula or sets off in its own direction remains to be seen. We just know that we're eager to see where Battlefield 3 is headed.” With this year’s E3 promising loads of great games, we’re thrilled and honored to be one of GameSpot’s most anticipated games. German PC Gamer named Battlefield 2’s Karkand map the #2 greatest FPS map in gaming history this week, and we’re ecstatic about it. We’re incredibly happy that people still think of Karkand in such high regards, and that’s the reason why we’re bringing it back for Battlefield 3. This is certainly one of our favorite maps as well, and that’s why we’re making sure that everyone gets a chance to see this legendary map for themselves. Just imagine what it’ll be like on the Frostbite 2 engine! Have you ever wondered what would happen if DICE took a “Pimp My Ride” approach to designing vehicles for the Battlefield series? Well, one of our fans actually did, and recreated what would happen if the troops from the Battlefield series wanted to turn their 1989 Humvee from slopper to proper, creating some LOLz for the entire family. Get a taste of this comic strip below, and take a look at the entire strip here. http://cdn.medalofhonor.com/sites/default/files/images/pimpmyhummer.jpg Thanks for tuning in and we’ll be back next week with even more Battlefield goodies for you to enjoy! Until then, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, leave us a note in the comments section and we’ll respond as soon as possible. Follow Battlefield on Twitter! Fan Battlefield on Facebook! http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=39731 More...

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Previously posted on the blog - "Developing games is a dream job" with Patrick Liu! http://bit.ly/kudyIJ @pottan Battlefield: Previously posted on the blog - "Developing games is a dream job" with Patrick Liu! http://bit.ly/kudyIJ @pottan More... Battlefield: Previously posted on the blog - "Developing games is a dream job" with Patrick Liu! http://bit.ly/kudyIJ @pottan

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Russia holds the crown in 5on5 Infantry #BFBC2 http://bit.ly/ivLJcN Battlefield: Russia holds the crown in 5on5 Infantry #BFBC2 http://bit.ly/ivLJcN More... Battlefield: Russia holds the crown in 5on5 Infantry #BFBC2 http://bit.ly/ivLJcN

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Get 60% off @Battlefield Bad Company 2 & Vietnam (PCDD only)! Ends at 7pm PST. Enter code "ba2b5aco63" at checkout: http://bit.ly/lf7WtU #EA Battlefield: Get 60% off @Battlefield Bad Company 2 & Vietnam (PCDD only)! Ends at 7pm PST. Enter code "ba2b5aco63" at checkout: http://bit.ly/lf7WtU #EA More... Battlefield: Get 60% off @Battlefield Bad Company 2 & Vietnam (PCDD only)! Ends at 7pm PST. Enter code "ba2b5aco63" at checkout: http://bit.ly/lf7WtU #EA

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Very nice art pice by Battlefield Turkey´s very own Aytac Dogan! http://bit.ly/msGpEf #BF3 Battlefield: Very nice art pice by Battlefield Turkey´s very own Aytac Dogan! http://bit.ly/msGpEf #BF3 More... Battlefield: Very nice art pice by Battlefield Turkey´s very own Aytac Dogan! http://bit.ly/msGpEf #BF3

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Total bodycount for players on Xbox 360 is 5 167 915 520! #BFBC2 Battlefield: Total bodycount for players on Xbox 360 is 5 167 915 520! #BFBC2 More... Battlefield: Total bodycount for players on Xbox 360 is 5 167 915 520! #BFBC2

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: The current bodycount for #BFBC2 is 4 437 916 030! Battlefield: The current bodycount for #BFBC2 is 4 437 916 030! More... Battlefield: The current bodycount for #BFBC2 is 4 437 916 030!

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Battlefield Facts: 128 326 800 Dogtags have been taken across all three platforms! #BFBC2 Battlefield: Battlefield Facts: 128 326 800 Dogtags have been taken across all three platforms! #BFBC2 More... Battlefield: Battlefield Facts: 128 326 800 Dogtags have been taken across all three platforms! #BFBC2

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: The Battlefield EA UK Forums are down for maintenance at the moment. We´re sorry for the inconvenience. Battlefield: The Battlefield EA UK Forums are down for maintenance at the moment. We´re sorry for the inconvenience. More... Battlefield: The Battlefield EA UK Forums are down for maintenance at the moment. We´re sorry for the inconvenience.

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Check out www.battlefieldcommunities.com with links to BF News in 12 different languages! @BFcommunities Battlefield: Check out www.battlefieldcommunities.com with links to BF News in 12 different languages! @BFcommunities More... Battlefield: Check out www.battlefieldcommunities.com with links to BF News in 12 different languages! @BFcommunities

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 UK Forums Announcement Feed Going Back to Karkand #1: Your chance to relive the greatest Battlefield maps ever Image:... More... Going Back to Karkand #1: Your chance to relive the greatest Battlefield maps ever

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: First images and new details emerge for our themed expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand! http://bit.ly/lAM6Ga #BF3 Battlefield: First images and new details emerge for our themed expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand! http://bit.ly/lAM6Ga #BF3 More... Battlefield: First images and new details emerge for our themed expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand! http://bit.ly/lAM6Ga #BF3

Just in from EA's Battlefield Blog Going Back to Karkand #1: Your chance to relive the greatest Battlefield maps ever http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/200x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/battlefield_5F00_bad_5F00_company/B2K_5F00_Intro_5F00_Final.jpg Meaty expansion pack. Click for meaty wallpaper in Full HD. Part I in a behind the scenes series on Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand Containing four of the best Battlefield maps ever created by DICE, the first expansion pack for Battlefield 3 will be a treat both for returning fans and newcomers. Read on for more in-depth details on Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand and how to get it at no extra charge. Anyone who preorders Battlefield 3 will receive our first themed expansion pack at no extra charge. When Lead Designer Niklas Fegraeus got the assignment to lead the expansion pack, his thoughts immediately went to the four most played and loved maps in the history of Battlefield: Strike at Karkand, Wake Island, Gulf of Oman, and Sharqi Peninsula. Combined, these four maps have been played for an incredible 25,000 man years! It’s obvious returning Battlefield fans should be excited. What does the expansion pack offer to those new to Battlefield? -- It’s pretty simple, really. These are evidently some of the very best maps we have ever built. We have unquestionable data and feedback from the community saying so. You would be crazy turning down the chance to boost your game with these classic multiplayer maps. http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/battlefield_5F00_bad_5F00_company/B2K_5F00_Strike_5F00_at_5F00_Karkand_5F00_Concept.jpg An early piece of concept art for the Frostbite 2 reimagining of a true classic. Meant to represent lighting and color palette only. Actual map layout will be very similar to the original. Click for 1920 x 1080 version. What does the Frostbite 2 engine and the Battlefield 3 gameplay bring to the reimagined version of Strike at Karkand? -- From a gameplay perspective, destruction is the biggest addition compared to the original map in Battlefield 2 back in 2005. I remember this particular building by the square in the original where players could defend very effectively. Now, with the destructive power of Frostbite 2, someone can just RPG that building and expose the defenders within. At the same time, we need to be careful not to add destruction that breaks the tried and tested game flow of the map. You were also Lead Designer on last year’s expansion pack Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam. Do you see any similarities between that and Back to Karkand? -- Certainly from the perspective of scope and ambition, they are very similar. This is no simple map pack. Back to Karkand will also include iconic Battlefield 2 weapons and vehicles to bring back to the base game, new unlocks and persistence, and more content that we will talk about later. They are also similar in that they are both strongly themed. In your mind, what makes Strike at Karkand still great? -- Strike at Karkand finds the perfect combination of tight urban infantry combat and traditional Battlefield vehicle combat, without any one side ever dominating the fight. I also think that the linear flag positions give you a clear idea of where you need to go, creating a strong sense of direction. "It's well designed and well balanced. The best map ever made" -- Twitter user @insane141 on why he loves Strike at Karkand David Spinnier (formerly Göthberg) is currently Co-op Lead Designer for Battlefield 3 and the one who created the original Strike at Karkand map for Battlefield 2. How do you feel now that your map is set for a reimagining in Battlefield 3? -- I'm super happy and proud that it became such a classic. I'm excited to see it remade with a whole new level of graphics and destruction and have given the developers of the expansion pack a few pointers on the map. What was your original design idea for Strike at Karkand? -- I wanted almost to tell a story. In my mind when I started the design, I could see these tanks rolling downhill in a sandy desert into a city where defenders were scurrying around, setting up a defensive perimeter and then being pushed back further downtown. I also wanted to create an asymetric battlefield with a defensive focus. Infantry defenders meeting heavy armor. I just started painting the layout of the map in Photoshop and went from there. What happened when you actually started play testing the design? -- I remember one of the first play tests. People were behaving exactly as I had imagined: Placing mines and C4, climbing onto roofs to get a clear view and clear shot of the tanks rolling in. It all just fell into place. It was a fantastic feeling. http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/200x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/battlefield_5F00_bad_5F00_company/Karkand_5F00_Orig_5F00_Design.jpg Bonus feature: The original design doc for Strike at Karkand from Battlefield 2! Do you have any original design docs for Strike at Karkand lying around that we could have a look at, just for fun? -- Sure thing! Here is my original layout design, last saved in October 2004. If you know your Karkand, you realize that the layout here is mirrored from the actual in-game map. This was something I wasn’t aware of at the time, but when you entered your layout into the game editor, everything was reversed! To receive Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand at no extra charge, all you need to do is preorder Battlefield 3. Come back next week for more in-depth details on Back to Karkand. For more information on Battlefield 3, visit the Official Site. For the latest news on everything Battlefield, follow us on Twitter. http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=39534 More...

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Don´t forget about the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam Code Hunt today at 4pm CET! http://bit.ly/kSOr4k Battlefield: Don´t forget about the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam Code Hunt today at 4pm CET! http://bit.ly/kSOr4k More... Battlefield: Don´t forget about the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam Code Hunt today at 4pm CET! http://bit.ly/kSOr4k

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Strike at Karkand is the second best MP map ever created! (Link in German) http://bit.ly/dlwAVw Battlefield: Strike at Karkand is the second best MP map ever created! (Link in German) http://bit.ly/dlwAVw More... Battlefield: Strike at Karkand is the second best MP map ever created! (Link in German) http://bit.ly/dlwAVw

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 UK Forums Announcement Feed Another Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam Code Hunt! (PC) *Happy Monday Battlefield Community!* Image:... More... Another Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam Code Hunt! (PC)

Just in from EA's Battlefield Blog Another Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam Code Hunt! (PC) Happy Monday Battlefield Community! http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/300x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/battlefield_5F00_bad_5F00_company/BC2V.jpg On Tuesday the 10th of May at 16:00 CET (10 am EST and 7am PST) we are giving away five Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam codes for PC hidden on five different community sites around the internet.The first one to get the code gets to keep it and also, one code is only valid on one EA account. Happy hunting! Keep a look out for the codes on: www.planetbattlefield.com Pixel Enemy www.offdutygamers.com www.dontrevivemebro.com www.battlefieldo.com For more exciting Battlefield news, keep a look-out on our twitter channels! www.twitter.com/battlefield www.twitter.com/zh1nt0 http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=39596 More...

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: And another code hunt begins! http://bit.ly/kSOr4k Battlefield: And another code hunt begins! http://bit.ly/kSOr4k More... Battlefield: And another code hunt begins! http://bit.ly/kSOr4k

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Interview with DICE Global CM - Daniel Matros @zh1nt0 http://bit.ly/iFsIGy Battlefield: Interview with DICE Global CM - Daniel Matros @zh1nt0 http://bit.ly/iFsIGy More... Battlefield: Interview with DICE Global CM - Daniel Matros @zh1nt0 http://bit.ly/iFsIGy

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Battlefield 3 Interview with Executive Producer Patrick Bach from DICE! http://bit.ly/mt25GN Battlefield: Battlefield 3 Interview with Executive Producer Patrick Bach from DICE! http://bit.ly/mt25GN More... Battlefield: Battlefield 3 Interview with Executive Producer Patrick Bach from DICE! http://bit.ly/mt25GN

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Stay tuned tomorrow for the very first images and new info on the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack! #BF3 Battlefield: Stay tuned tomorrow for the very first images and new info on the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack! #BF3 More... Battlefield: Stay tuned tomorrow for the very first images and new info on the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack! #BF3

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: Great games from the @battlefield and @medalofhonor series are on sale through Steam for today only! http://bit.ly/jKSNMp Battlefield: Great games from the @battlefield and @medalofhonor series are on sale through Steam for today only! http://bit.ly/jKSNMp More... Battlefield: Great games from the @battlefield and @medalofhonor series are on sale through Steam for today only! http://bit.ly/jKSNMp

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: RT @GunClub: Our pals from the EA Store are selling titles from the @Gunclub roster at a 40% discount this weekend only! http://bit.ly/m ... Battlefield: RT @GunClub: Our pals from the EA Store are selling titles from the @Gunclub roster at a 40% discount this weekend only! http://bit.ly/m ... More... Battlefield: RT @GunClub: Our pals from the EA Store are selling titles from the @Gunclub roster at a 40% discount this weekend only! http://bit.ly/m ...

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: What is your most anticipated game for #E3? http://go.ign.com/mOrkeM Battlefield: What is your most anticipated game for #E3? http://go.ign.com/mOrkeM More... Battlefield: What is your most anticipated game for #E3? http://go.ign.com/mOrkeM

Just in from Battlefield Bad Company 2 Twitter Feed Battlefield: http://www.cybergamer.com.au/pc/bf/ - Your source for Australian Battlefield awesomeness! Battlefield: http://www.cybergamer.com.au/pc/bf/ - Your source for Australian Battlefield awesomeness! More... Battlefield: http://www.cybergamer.com.au/pc/bf/ - Your source for Australian Battlefield awesomeness!