Free Battlefield Game Planned

Battlefield Heroes Leads the Way for EA's New 'Play 4 Free' Business Model announces plans for Battlefield Heroes, a free "cartoon-style shooter" in the Battlefield series due this summer (thanks Gamer's Hell). If the cartoon part sounds like Team Fortress 2, the character shot in an article on the game in the New York Times (thanks Jhereg) and the Battlefield Heroes Website also conveys a TF2 flavor. The game is described as "leading EA’s new web-focused free to download, free to play business model which generates revenue through advertising and micro-transactions":
MUNICH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the Digital, Life, Design Conference (DLD) in Munich, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS - News) today unveiled Battlefield Heroes™, an all-new Play 4 Free cartoon-style shooter that will bring classic Battlefield gameplay to an all new mass audience. Available for download at www.battlefield-heroes.com this summer, Battlefield Heroes is EA’s first title that is offered completely for free, and features a built-in matchmaking system to ensure that players of equal skill are paired together for fair play. Developed by DICE in Stockholm, Battlefield Heroes is leading EA’s new web-focused free to download, free to play business model which generates revenue through advertising and micro-transactions. With zero barriers to entry, now anyone can be a hero on the battlefield!

“Online gaming garners a massive audience,” said Gerhard Florin, EVP Publishing Americas-Europe at EA. “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.”

Battlefield Heroes is a brand new game from the team behind Battlefield 1942™ and Battlefield 2™. Its fun cartoon-style graphics and gameplay caters to players of all skill levels. It is easy to pick up and play but with robust character customization and a deep online meta-game, gamers can spend hours building up their characters and conquering the world.

“We put a different twist on this Battlefield game going with the cartoon-style graphics and gameplay,” added Ben Cousins, Senior Producer at EA DICE. “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.”

Battlefield Heroes will be released for the PC as a free download in summer 2008. This product is not yet rated by PEGI or ESRB. For more information on EA DICE, please visit www.dice.se or www.ea.com.
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89 Replies. 5 pages. Viewing page 1.
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89.
 
Re: No subject
Jan 22, 2008, 15:36
Apo
89.
Re: No subject Jan 22, 2008, 15:36
Jan 22, 2008, 15:36
Apo
 
Planet Battlefield has an article online with some more details. Basically the same i translated and posted earlier but see for yourself for additional infos:
http://planetbattlefield.gamespy.com/fullstory.php?id=147304

88.
 
Re: No subject
Jan 22, 2008, 15:16
Prez
 
88.
Re: No subject Jan 22, 2008, 15:16
Jan 22, 2008, 15:16
 Prez
 
I love these arguments. Lots of Pixar's characters share more than a passing resemblance to Hannah Barbara cartoons of the 70's. Nothing and no one can claim total originality in this day and age.
"The assumption that animals are without rights, and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance, is a positively outrageous example of Western crudity and barbarity. Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality."
Avatar 17185
87.
 
Re: No subject
Jan 22, 2008, 12:24
87.
Re: No subject Jan 22, 2008, 12:24
Jan 22, 2008, 12:24
 
A german games magazine page has some more details:
...
* 3rdPerson only


I was excited after hearing the news yesterday but 3rd person in a Battlefield game means I'm going to pass on this one.

86.
 
No subject
Jan 22, 2008, 09:12
Apo
86.
No subject Jan 22, 2008, 09:12
Jan 22, 2008, 09:12
Apo
 
A german games magazine page has some more details:

* Free Client
* Playable only thru Internet-Portal
* Comic-Look
* 3rdPerson only
* Preassigned chooseable character
* 3 Classes
* Level-System
* Financing thru ads and buyable items
* Low Hardware Requirements
* Open Betatest in Summer

There will be some kind of unlocks when you level up, all buyable items are only visual improvements but you can also buy XP to level up and unlock stuff without playing. The ads will be shown on the unavoidable internet portal and in the menus.

Classes are described as:

* Commando using stealth, is equiped with a sniperrifle but has low armour
* Soldier is tossing tons of grenades and is able to see thru walls
* Gunner is using explosives, has many hitpoints and can toss back grenades

Overall it seems like they try to mix up the look of the successfull TF2 with the casual gamingstyle of the successfull Nintendo Wii and try to finance the basic free game via ads and the successfull (mostly in asia) buyable items system...

85.
 
Re: No subject
Jan 22, 2008, 06:20
85.
Re: No subject Jan 22, 2008, 06:20
Jan 22, 2008, 06:20
 
You mean Activision with Call of Duty 4. Call of Duty 4 has twice as many players as TF2 and has supplanted Battlefield 2

cod4 only surpassed bf2 in the number of active servers. bf2 still has more players than cod4. at least the last time i checked.

84.
 
Re: Sue them
Jan 22, 2008, 04:05
84.
Re: Sue them Jan 22, 2008, 04:05
Jan 22, 2008, 04:05
 
Valve copied Pixar's art, fool. For the game itself, Valve copied Quake's team fortress.

You do know that Valve bought Team Fortress Software, and Robin Walker, one of the creators of the original TF, is a developer for TF2.

So Robin's copying his own creation by making a sequel? Man, and EA just copied Battlefield 2 from that 1942 game, what was it called again?

And as for the art, I guess you didn't go through the TF2 commentaries. Which surprises me, since I know how big of a fan of Valve you are. The art style they were "influenced" by was J.C. Leyendecker.

So >U (aka. Riley) which game developer do you work for again? I forget.

83.
 
Re: I agree
Jan 22, 2008, 03:45
83.
Re: I agree Jan 22, 2008, 03:45
Jan 22, 2008, 03:45
 
I don't actually have a problem with the art style. I'm just worried that in the modern politically correct world where video games are "murder training simulators", companies may choose a more mass-marketable and friendly cartoon-like graphic style rather than a more realistic one.

Hopefully, in the next five years, every new release won't be another bright, colorful, and friendly Saturday morning cartoon world where we can ruthlessly gun each other down or explode each other into chunky bits. This might just be me, but separating violence and realism further than we already have might not be a good idea.

82.
 
I agree
Jan 22, 2008, 02:46
82.
I agree Jan 22, 2008, 02:46
Jan 22, 2008, 02:46
 
Kedyn - I too really dislike TF2's art style. While I appreciate its attempt at trying something new, and if you don't like it then don't buy it, but I really really hate it. It reminds me of Bugs Bunny which I loved, but never wanted to see nor play in a game.

I prefer realism, such as Crysis (if it played smoothly) or even BF2 where I can somewhat immerse myself into the game.

Hopefully this style will just be laughed at and just go away.

81.
 
Re: ...
Jan 22, 2008, 01:18
81.
Re: ... Jan 22, 2008, 01:18
Jan 22, 2008, 01:18
 
My biggest fear is that cartoony shooters will become the new fad since WWII has been done to death. I don't know which is worse, the sheer amount of WWII "me too" games, or the amount of shitty generic fantasy MMO's trying to cash in on the WoW craze.

80.
 
Re: ...
Jan 22, 2008, 00:52
>U
80.
Re: ... Jan 22, 2008, 00:52
Jan 22, 2008, 00:52
>U
 
Oh dear, I think my head's going to explode.
Do the world a favor, and actually make it happen by putting a bullet through your head. Otherwise it's just one more case of you being wrong.


79.
 
...
Jan 22, 2008, 00:45
79.
... Jan 22, 2008, 00:45
Jan 22, 2008, 00:45
 
Riley bashing Valve again? Oh dear, I think my head's going to explode. I just think it's really sad that he can't accept that Team Fortress 2 is a really good game with great graphics, great performance and great balance.

Oh, and Riley... I raped your dad last night - stupid twat had it coming.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Founder of the "I Hate Smiley Fitz" society

Remember: Riley has autism. He has trouble communicating, and in an overstimulating
environment, he can get frightened and run away, leaving his parents frantic. - Auburn
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."
Avatar 22891
78.
 
Re: Only in our industry...
Jan 22, 2008, 00:42
>U
78.
Re: Only in our industry... Jan 22, 2008, 00:42
Jan 22, 2008, 00:42
>U
 
Capitalism thrives on advancing.
No, capitalism thrives on such derivations. The IPod wasn't the first digital music player. Windows wasn't the first graphical OS. The market leading product isn't necessarily the first to market nor is it necessarily more advanced than its predecessors and competition. Since it looks derivative, EA's game is obviously trying to compete in the crowded marketplace on price, and such price competition is the heart of capitalism.

But you've never shown any kind of understanding of economics, have you?
I've just shown more understanding of the subject than you have.

This comment was edited on Jan 22, 00:57.
77.
 
Re: Only in our industry...
Jan 21, 2008, 23:06
77.
Re: Only in our industry... Jan 21, 2008, 23:06
Jan 21, 2008, 23:06
 
Welcome to capitalism. Save your moral outrage for something other than a developer of a rehashed 10 year old game with an art style it stole from another company. At least EA's remake is half as old and doesn't cost $30 upfront.

It's less capitalism and more Chinese socialism.

Capitalism thrives on advancing.
China thrives on reducing and replicating.

But you've never shown any kind of understanding of economics, have you? You've just shown petty agendas.
76.
 
No subject
Jan 21, 2008, 22:03
76.
No subject Jan 21, 2008, 22:03
Jan 21, 2008, 22:03
 
At least you wont be paying for an unfinished product.

75.
 
Re: Sue them
Jan 21, 2008, 21:54
>U
75.
Re: Sue them Jan 21, 2008, 21:54
Jan 21, 2008, 21:54
>U
 
What was the Pixar games that Valve copied? I though Pixar made movies, my bad.
Valve copied Pixar's art, fool. For the game itself, Valve copied Quake's team fortress.


74.
 
Re: How is this free?
Jan 21, 2008, 21:49
>U
74.
Re: How is this free? Jan 21, 2008, 21:49
Jan 21, 2008, 21:49
>U
 
Granted you're not paying any cold hard, but you're still being subjected to shitty ads and lord knows what else they're going to take in the way of statistics and information.
So where was your indignation when Valve did the same thing with Counterstrike and Steam? EA is neither the first nor the worst at this, and it's exactly because you sheep tolerated that shit from Valve, Ubisoft (Splinter Cell, etc.), and other companies that we are seeing more and more of this in-game advertising and tracking. At least this game from EA will be free to play in some form.

This comment was edited on Jan 21, 22:27.
73.
 
Re: Only in our industry...
Jan 21, 2008, 21:42
>U
73.
Re: Only in our industry... Jan 21, 2008, 21:42
Jan 21, 2008, 21:42
>U
 
You wouldn't take offense? You wouldn't see it as a clear-cut dirty tactic and pure ripoff
Welcome to capitalism. Save your moral outrage for something other than a developer of a rehashed 10 year old game with an art style it stole from another company. At least EA's remake is half as old and doesn't cost $30 upfront.


72.
 
Re: Only in our industry...
Jan 21, 2008, 21:35
>U
72.
Re: Only in our industry... Jan 21, 2008, 21:35
Jan 21, 2008, 21:35
>U
 
Uh huh. How long do you think that plan will last?

Once they establish a player base, they can "change" their mind and come out with some great extra weapons or power ups.
At which point you can stop playing the game and play something else.

71.
 
Re: Only in our industry...
Jan 21, 2008, 21:33
>U
71.
Re: Only in our industry... Jan 21, 2008, 21:33
Jan 21, 2008, 21:33
>U
 
We'll be left to play Battlecruiser games?
I'd take playing with grandma's teeth over that.

70.
 
Re: Only in our industry...
Jan 21, 2008, 21:31
>U
70.
Re: Only in our industry... Jan 21, 2008, 21:31
Jan 21, 2008, 21:31
>U
 
However, my spending habits, my demographics, are NOT free.
You're right. They are more than free because you are paying Valve to take them when you play its games on Steam.

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