official Battlefield: Bad Company 2

[Sethos]

Release date(s)

NA: Released!

EU: Released!

Gameplay in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 resembles that of Battlefield: Bad Company and takes place in the mountainous regions along the borders of Russia, among other places. Bad Company 2 will include locations in snowy mountains, dense jungles, and also sandy deserts within both story mode and multiplayer mode. The game allows players to play through missions using any tactics they choose. Like its predecessor, Bad Company 2 features destructible environments. However, more destruction is now possible; players can now completely destroy a building rather than just its walls. Bad Company 2 and Battlefield Vietnam are the only two games in the series to have blood in them without a third-party modification.

Multiplayer will allow players to choose from a set of weapon kits before each spawn, the number of which has been further reduced from Bad Company's five down to four: "Assault," "Engineer," "Recon," and "Medic," removing the "Specialist" kit, whose compact assault rifle and C4 abilities have been split between the "Engineer" and "Recon" classes, respectively.

A customizable weapon selection menu is also new to the Bad Company series (similar to unlocks in Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 2142), giving players the choice of different ACOGs or reflex sights, including short or long barrel grenade launchers; these are also chosen before each match. Each match will give players experience points, allowing them to level to multiple ranks as they did in the previous series. Experience points will be gained by each opponent killed and destroying the respective objectives. The points gained will be displayed in the screen.

A dog tag system coined from a similar system in Battlefield 2142 and Battlefield: Bad Company will allow players to collect an opponent's tag when killing by melee.

There will be new vehicles in Bad Company 2, such as the UH-60 Black Hawk, a quad bike, a two-man patrol boat, an AA-gun mounted on a light tank and a UAV helicopter controlled via laptop.

If pre-ordered at GameStop, and EB Games in Canada, the AKS-74 will be unlocked for use.

On October 19, 2009, game developer DICE posted a Twitter announcement stating the game will have dedicated server support. This was in response to Infinity Ward's announcement on October 17 that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 would not support dedicated servers.

Also announced on Twitter, multiplayer will allow players to use party chat for each mode. This is another response to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 which disables party chat in many game modes.

A new and confirmed game mode is titled Squad Deathmatch, which is DICE's take on Team Deathmatch. There are four teams, each has four players on each team. The objective is to score the most kills for your squad.

PC Enhanced Features:

Up to 32 Players on PC (24 on consoles) - Play with up to 32 players online in the biggest multiplayer Maps in Battlefield. Each with a different tactical and gameplay focus set across a variety of environments.

Full DirectX 9, 10 & 11 Support - Immerse yourself in the Battlefield world as Frostbite engine brings tanks, helicopters and explosions to vivid life on your PC. The game will fully support Windows XP, Vista, and 7 with new tech that further improves things like lighting and shadows.

Enhanced Gameplay - The PC version also includes wide peripheral support like Joysticks for flying, NVIDIA 3D Vision, Logitech LCD Keyboards and VoIP Support plus a variety of specific features tailored for PC play.

Friend Support - Find your friends online with the new buddy list to see if and who is online so you can quickly join their game.

Dedicated Ranked Server - Everyone gets non-stop action with no connection penalties based on some other player's internet. Ranked Server Provider program will give players opportunity to rent their own server(s) located in professional grade datacenters, ability to modify settings like map rotation, create reserved slots for friends or clan members, kick & Ban players, and custom name your ranked server.

Clan Support & Private Servers - Independent Clan Tag, and ability to rent servers for hosting and controlling private password protected competitive servers with expanded control over the settings from public ranked servers.

PC Squad Play System - Updated from previous Battlefield PC titles now gives control of your squad before heading into combat.

Minimum PC Specifications

Processor: Core 2 Duo @ 2.0 GHz

Main memory: 2GB

Graphics card: GeForce 7800 GT / ATI X1900

Graphics memory: 256MB

OS: Windows XP

Free HDD space: 15GB for Digital Version, 10GB for Disc Version

Recommended PC Specifications

Processor: Quadcore

Main memory: 2GB

Graphics card: GeForce GTX 260

Graphics memory: 512MB

OS: Windows Vista or Windows 7

Free HDD space: 15GB for Digital Version, 10GB for Disc Version

"The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer beta will feature the Arica Harbour map, where up to 24 players can compete. This new map displays a superb balance of vehicle and infantry combat, as the American assault unit attacks the Russian army base with full force, advancing further through a beautiful desert town and towards the industrial area in a desperate attempt to overtake the Arica Harbour. Heavy vehicle warfare on the first bases gradually turns into an intense infantry fight as the level progresses, showcasing this best-in-class online warfare experience."

On November 5, 2009, DICE announced a beta for Bad Company 2. Different game-related sites held contests to obtain beta codes. Retailers also gave a beta code to the customer when they pre-order the game, however, Gamestop will not allow you to cancel the pre-order once you receive a beta code from them. The PS3 version of the beta started on November 19 and will end on December 21, while the PC version will be available in early 2010. Europe & Asia - Watch the Battlefield Blog for more details about additional beta key partners.

Update 22/12/09 - Beta testing has come to an end on the PS3.

List of places giving away Beta Keys;

PS3:

Beta testing is now closed!

PC:

Beta testing is now closed!

Demo Information:

Xbox 360:

Content: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 - Demo

Price: Free

Availability: All Xbox LIVE Regions

Dash Text: Welcome to the Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2 multiplayer demo! Get ready to feel the heat of battle in the vast Port Valdez map set on the Alaskan coastline. Fight together to secure valuable crates in 'Rush Mode' as the action progresses seamlessly across a variety of different locations. Delivering best-in class vehicle warfare and unprecedented levels of destruction Battlefield: Bad Company™2 will deliver an all-out war experience unlike any other. Demo ends 25th February 2010.

PC:

N/A

PS3:

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Multiplayer Demo

Welcome to the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer demo! Experience all-out online warfare in the Port Valdez map. Demo ends February 25th, 2010

ESRB Rated M

File size: 997 MB

Just to avoid a personal annoyance with official threads, I won't link a ton of images and videos in the thread - Usually bogs down browsers and takes ages to load the thread, so instead

I will link to sites containing screenshot galleries and videos.

Screenshots:

Official Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Website Screenshot Gallery

IGN Screenshot Gallery

Team Xbox Screenshot Gallery

( Most sites have pretty much the same selection, let me know if you find some unique sites and I'll add them )

Videos:

Exclusive Debut Trailer - Mar 28, 2009

E3 2009 Multiplayer Trailer - May 22, 2009

E3 2009 Patrick Bach Interview - Jun 11, 2009

GC 2009 Squad Stories Trailer - Aug 18, 2009

GC 2009 Senior Producer Interview - Aug 27, 2009

GT Pop-block: Squad Stories Analysis - Sep 2, 2009

TGS 2009 Update Interview - Sep 23, 2009

Battlefield Moments Episode 1 - Sep 30, 2009

Limited Edition Announcement Trailer - Oct 29, 2009

Beta Announcement Trailer - Nov 5, 2009

Arica Habour MP Gameplay - Nov 6, 2009

Tactics Walkthrough Part 1: Offense - Nov 18, 2009

Tactics Walkthrough Part 2: Defense - Nov 18, 2009

Battlefield Moments Episode 2 - Nov 19, 2009

PS3 Beta Multiplayer Gameplay Part 1 - Nov 20, 2009

PS3 Beta Multiplayer Gameplay Part 2 - Nov 20, 2009

Panama Canal Gameplay Trailer - Dec 16, 2009

Squad Deathmatch Walkthrough - Dec 18, 2009

Exclusive Battlefield Moments Episode III - Dec 23, 2009

Squad Based Multiplayer Interview - Dec 28, 2009

Exclusive Single-Player Reveal Trailer - Jan 22, 2010

Squad Rush Multiplayer Mode Trailer - Jan 25, 2010

Port Valdez Demo Gameplay Trailer - Jan 28, 2010

Official Website's Video Section

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition delivers six special customizations early to give players a day one advantage in multiplayer matches. Four vehicle warfare unlocks will immediately enhance the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 best-in-class online vehicle warfare experience, delivering extra firepower, radar, and armor for the vehicles. Additionally, the tracer dart attaches to any enemy vehicle and allows RPG-toting teammates to track, lock on, and destroy their adversary. Seasoned veterans of Battlefield 1943™ will be able to immediately re-acquaint themselves with two classic and highly powerful weapons, the M1A1 submachine gun and the M1911 pistol.

The full list of six unlocks are as follows:

Four vehicle warfare unlocks

Improved Vehicle Armor – An up-armor package is mounted on all vehicle types, decreasing the effect of both explosive and penetrating warheads, significantly improving vehicle survivability.

Supreme Vehicle Firepower – Additional weapon packages are mounted for the driver of all armored vehicles, greatly expanding the range of targets the vehicle can successfully engage and destroy.

Vehicle Motion Sensor – Use this electronics warfare package to locate enemy units in direct proximity to the vehicle.

Tracer Dart Pistol – This magnetic dart attaches to any vehicle surface, allowing squad members to track, lock on, and fire rockets onto moving targets even beyond line of sight.

Two classic Battlefield 1943™ weapons

M1A1 Submachine Gun – Reliable but heavy this classic weapon is a powerful force in the hands of any Battlefield veteran.

M1911 Pistol – Highly customized M1911 are favored for its dependability and the power of its large .45 caliber round.

Video: Limited Edition Unlocks ( Can also be found in video section )

Reserve your copy today and get access to the Limited Edition of the game, available at no extra cost from the standard edition.

Reserve Your Limited Edition

Purchase on Steam

Here's a PDF Document containing Neowinian's Soldier names

List of Soldiers

( Thanks to MI6Labs )

[WastedJoker]

Man and I thought the Halo Reach official thread was early :/

:p

[Ridlas]

I played the PS3 beta and it looks sick! Just cant aim well :(

Gonna have to wait for the PC demo ^^

Also pre ordered the Limited edition for PC D:

[ViperAFK]

Absolutely cant wait for pc version. Just pre-ordered the limited edition :)

[ObiWanToby]

I played the PS3 beta and it looks sick! Just cant aim well :(

Gonna have to wait for the PC demo ^^

Also pre ordered the Limited edition for PC D:

Same. It looks great on the PS3, but I am horrid at the controller compared to that of the mouse.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

For the love of humanity, please don't bring up the topic of when it's appropriate to create an official thread for X game. Anyway, I'm very much looking forward to the PC version. I might even pre-order it if that will give me early access to the beta or something.

Mouse & keyboard FTW!

[Nighthawk-F117]

This looks really good. I've not played the first one though, looking forward to it.

I've got a PS3, and Battlefield 1943; it's been telling me I can take part in the beta, but I can't find a way for people in the UK (or Europe) to take part.

Does anyone know how?

[PixilEyes]

I'm going to trade cod6 in for this preorder.

Finally a good fps.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

This looks really good. I've not played the first one though, looking forward to it.

I've got a PS3, and Battlefield 1943; it's been telling me I can take part in the beta, but I can't find a way for people in the UK (or Europe) to take part.

Does anyone know how?

I do not know but just an FYI, I believe the Beta ends on Monday, at least I believe that is what it says on my end.

Great job Sethos. (Y) I just do not have the patience to gather all of this info like that, so damn fine job.

So really not sure what I can put to the conversation except Battlefield is my personal all time favorite series for MP FPS gaming, and especially after checking out the Beta on the PS3, I have high hopes for this version and am hoping it comes close to recreating the PC experience I know and love.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

I'm with you on that, DL. It's been so long since I last enjoyed Battlefield 2 properly. And it's about damn time another Battlefield game comes out on PC.

[Sethos]

Great job Sethos. (Y) I just do not have the patience to gather all of this info like that, so damn fine job.

Cheers Larry

As for the game, it only just caught my interest in the last few days to be honest mainly because of one thing; weapon damage.

Watched a few videos and it seemed people actually died after just a few shots which is a massive improvement over the first game.

I mean, the times where I've moved up behind 2, maybe 3 players and opened up the taps on my machine gun and barely killing one of them because the time it takes to kill a player, giving them enough headroom to turn around and return fire.

That was basically my main gripe with the original game. Really is a shame I didn't get a beta key for the PS3 version as I'd like to test

out the weapon damage first hand, because videos and be deceiving but as it stands, the game is on track to blow Modern Warfare 2 away and every other multiplayer based shooter on the market in that 2009 / 2010 time-frame.

And Larry, your ditching the 360 version completely?

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I'm with you on that, DL. It's been so long since I last enjoyed Battlefield 2 properly. And it's about damn time another Battlefield game comes out on PC.

Definitely, but to say I am skeptical would be putting it lightly. I mean lets face it, we still do not have the PC version of 1943, and that is slightly worrisome. I am not a developer, I know next to nothing about programming games, but I just get the funny feeling they are having issues with the whole destructible environments and the player count on the PC. I would personally give up the whole destructible environments just to have a true sequel to BF2. So I wonder what the future holds for the PC side of things for sure, as I am pretty sure they have already also announced Battlefield 3.

This is the first game I can say I am definitively getting on two platforms, 360 to play with friends and PC to experience it the way I think it should be experienced.

[trag3dy]

For the love of humanity, please don't bring up the topic of when it's appropriate to create an official thread for X game. Anyway, I'm very much looking forward to the PC version. I might even pre-order it if that will give me early access to the beta or something.

Mouse & keyboard FTW!

You can pre-order the CE version right now for the for the same price as the regular edition from Gamestop and Amazon. That's what convinced me.

And you get an AKS-74u if as an added extra if you order from Gamestop.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Cheers Larry

As for the game, it only just caught my interest in the last few days to be honest mainly because of one thing; weapon damage.

Watched a few videos and it seemed people actually died after just a few shots which is a massive improvement over the first game.

I mean, the times where I've moved up behind 2, maybe 3 players and opened up the taps on my machine gun and barely killing one of them because the time it takes to kill a player, giving them enough headroom to turn around and return fire.

That was basically my main gripe with the original game. Really is a shame I didn't get a beta key for the PS3 version as I'd like to test

out the weapon damage first hand, because videos and be deceiving but as it stands, the game is on track to blow Modern Warfare 2 away and every other multiplayer based shooter on the market in that 2009 / 2010 time-frame.

And Larry, your ditching the 360 version completely?

Nope, see below your post and above this one. I plan on getting it on both.

And okay just to give you an instance. Me and Massiveterra were on the ground, and he had seen a guy running up the stairs in a building and make it to the roof. I asked him where the guy was and he said the roof. We were 3 stories below, and basically across the street from the guy, so a decent amount of distance between us and him. I took him out with a headshot no problem at all as he was just sitting there on the roof looking the other way. So I would say the weapon damage from that perspective is pretty spot on from what I could see.

With that said, and one of the reasons I always disagreed with you about the hit detection and weapon damage, is Battlefield as the series overall has always been a tad more forgiving and it always took just a few extra bullets than other games to take someone out if you were not hitting them in the head. And just with the fact that there are Tanks, Mounted Guns and jeeps, etc., it has always meant if you did not take a direct shot you could perhaps walk away from an encounter with either or. Perhaps that is why I personally enjoyed it more overall over the years, as it does definitely not favor reality as much as it favors what makes for a fun experience. So what you always considered as broken I always just considered of how it always has been. But then again if you get a headshot, you get a headshot, and the way I know I got the headshot in the above example as I get an extra +50 points and it said Headshot.

[Xero]

I loved Bad Company. Great to see it coming onto the PC. While I do enjoy the console versions, I never got into it as much as I did with Battlefield 2 on the PC. Now if I can only sort out booting into windows on my new mac we'd be set. Can't run that **** in a virtual environment, I need power! :p

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Definitely, but to say I am skeptical would be putting it lightly. I mean lets face it, we still do not have the PC version of 1943, and that is slightly worrisome. I am not a developer, I know next to nothing about programming games, but I just get the funny feeling they are having issues with the whole destructible environments and the player count on the PC. I would personally give up the whole destructible environments just to have a true sequel to BF2. So I wonder what the future holds for the PC side of things for sure, as I am pretty sure they have already also announced Battlefield 3.

This is the first game I can say I am definitively getting on two platforms, 360 to play with friends and PC to experience it the way I think it should be experienced.

I'd like to think that they're busy working on it, you know... to improve the PC version rather than releasing an uoptimized and buggy game. As for Battlefield 1943, I was looking forward to it but it kept getting delayed so I think I might as well skip that. I honestly can't wait to see how pretty the game looks (in person). Battlefield: Bad Company 2, that is. :)

[ObiWanToby]

I wonder how many DX11 features will be taken advantage of.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I just went ahead and pre-ordered the limited edition from Amazon for the 360. It is currently selling for $56.99 (5% savings) and no tax and free shipping. (Y)

Just made sense to me to order it now. Not only is it the Limited Edition, it is also a 5% savings. Also the awesome thing is about Amazon they do not charge you until the item is about to be shipped, so if I change my mind I can go ahead and cancel, but it also means I am locked in with this low price. If it goes lower, I am guaranteed to get that lower price, but if it goes higher, I still get this slightly lower price, so that's why I went and purchased it. $10 is $10 and that is what I save with no tax and not paying the full $60. Thanks for the heads up tr3gedy. :yes:

[WastedJoker]

Who will play you in the movie of that fine story, DirtyLarry?

[Lamp0]

Defiantly getting this. Though I hope they fix the horrid lag and clunky-ness that bad company 1 had.

Also is the Limited Edition coming out in europe? It's not on Amazon.co.uk or Play.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

GOTY 2010, calling it now :p lol

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Who will play you in the movie of that fine story, DirtyLarry?

I was sharing information about how people can save some money here in the US without needing wiseass comments like this. My response I am editing out right now that I originally wrote was more or less uncalled for, but so is your comment.

[.KICK]

Who will play you in the movie of that fine story, DirtyLarry?

Have to admit, that was a bit random and uncalled for but never mind.

I have not tried the beta, I would like to but didn't get a code. I will definitely be picking this up to play with the usual BF crew, you know who you are ;)

Just hope they fix the damn splash damage on rockets! Annoyed me sooooooo much!

[Sethos]

So a little update, the Beta Test on the PS3 should now have come to an end ( Ended 21/12/09 ) so we have the demo and the PC beta to look forward to.

Although this is a week or two old now, you can get a pretty snazzy BC2 theme and wallpaper for your 360, PS3 and PC. The PC wallpaper is free, not sure about the PS3 theme but the Xbox 360 theme costs 240 points which was kinda expected. I'm using the PC wallpaper myself, it looks awesome.

Battlefield Blog - Wallpaper & Theme Entry

Edited December 22, 2009 by Sethos

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

That is one cool wallpaper.