"EA sent out word today reminding fans that Battlefield Play4Free has hit its launch date, and is now available at the game's Web site. The game features maps from Battlefield 2, weapons and classes from Bad Company 2, and 16 vehicles. The game was developed by the team behind Battlefield Heroes, and is the latest example of EA taking its established franchises into alternate distribution and revenue models.

After having some initial trouble over the weekend resulting in server outages, it appears that Battlefield: Bad Company 2's online servers will be coming back online. The issue affected the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 versions of the game.

"As Battlefield Bad Company 2 comes out next week, I'll tell you about the Day 1 map pack that is available to all players who purchase the game and apply their VIP code which comes with the game at no extra charge. The map pack contains two new maps which are the Rush map, Nelson Bay and the Conquest map, Laguna Alta which you can check out in the video now. The maps will be available from March 2nd which will allow the lucky North America players to get access and practice while us Europeans wait a few days more."

"Having already revealed that those who buy a new copy of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be rewarded with free additional content, publisher Electronic Arts and developer DICE have put out a trailer exploring the first two of those additions.

The PC beta for DICE's military shooter Battlefield: Bad Company 2 has been delayed until "very early next year," producer Gordon Van Dyke has explained in a blog post.

EA is releasing a Bad Company 2 beta for the PlayStation 3, but before then, we risk life and limb to see what kind of action this South American map will offer. When EA released the public beta for Battlefield: Bad Company in the spring of last year, it was limited to the Xbox 360 even though the full game would also arrive on Sony's rival console. For the upcoming sequel, EA is taking the opposite approach. The publisher has decided to spread the love around with the announcement of a Bad Company 2 public beta due out exclusively for the PlayStation 3.