official Battlefield 3

[rajputwarrior]

What if those guns have identical counterparts in terms of stats (e.g. damage, rate of fire, etc)? If that's the case, then I don't mind it at all. The same goes for other cosmetic changes like different uniforms or accessories that affect appearance. I just hope they don't offer items for sale that give players an advantage over other players that don't have X item.

Me too. I don't want to die behind cover in Battlefield 3 because BennyTheBuff has armour-piercing rounds and I don't. All EA has to do is make it so that these items aren't exclusive.

in brink the pre order guns where just cosmetic differences from the ones you earn in the game, so i didn't mind that too much but armor piercing bullet's is kinda of a huge advantage...

[LingeringSoul]

The description I read in the Ars Technica article sounds like it's open to interpretation. Are these new weapons really something that would give you a clear advantage over everyone else, or is EA just making them sound better than they actually are in order to encourage pre-orders? At the very least, I'm hoping EA gives us some clarification. The best scenario would be to not offer guns and ammo as pre-order bonuses (like rajputwarrior said, I'm fine with bonuses that are just cosmetic changes), but I suppose that's asking for too much.

The Ars article I read was right here, by the way: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/06/battlefield-3-preorder-weapon-and-item-bonuses-annoy-fans.ars

[ToneKnee]

A new post when up on the EA site about the pre-order pack with weapons. They're saying that the weapons won't give you a clear advantage over the battlefield, it's just something extra for people who pre-order the game, like how the map pack is going to be bundled with it with no extra cost. Really, this has been blown out of proportion, the site always says the same pack will be sold in other regions at certain stores, that's it. There won't be any more weapons been taken from the game, they were specific items that might or might not useful in the game.

[rajputwarrior]

A new post when up on the EA site about the pre-order pack with weapons. They're saying that the weapons won't give you a clear advantage over the battlefield, it's just something extra for people who pre-order the game, like how the map pack is going to be bundled with it with no extra cost. Really, this has been blown out of proportion, the site always says the same pack will be sold in other regions at certain stores, that's it. There won't be any more weapons been taken from the game, they were specific items that might or might not useful in the game.

what's a clear advantage though? so there is a bit of an advantage?

[Alladaskill17]

what's a clear advantage though? so there is a bit of an advantage?

This is PR talk, purposely worded like that so that those who are upset: are calmed (hopefully) and those that will buy it/pre-order with them for the purpose of getting the DLC will think there is a reason and those pre-orders won't get cancelled. both companies win, fans are calmed. All win.

[Lamp0]

Perhaps these pre-order guns are identical, statistically, to other weapons in the game. So in other words they offer no real advantage, other than maybe being available from the start.

[ccoltmanm]

Amazing...

I felt like i was watching a conspiracy video.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

This whole pre-order thing is such a non issue it is not even funny. I guess something negative has to come out of what is perhaps the most anticipated, and thus scrutinized, release of the fall.

[trag3dy]

what's a clear advantage though? so there is a bit of an advantage?

The bullets were for shotguns only, at least they look like shotgun shells to me.

[Ayepecks]

These types of pre-order bonuses have existed for years. I've never seen it make a difference before and I doubt it will now.

[rajputwarrior]

The bullets were for shotguns only, at least they look like shotgun shells to me.

i wonder if they fix the bug where you can snipe with shotguns like you can in bc2

[Massiveterra]

I don't know if this was posted already but doesn't anyone remember Bad Company 1?

[Pupik]

I don't know if this was posted already but doesn't anyone remember Bad Company 1?

Wasn't released on the PC, so no, I don't.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Q: Is the Physical Warfare Pack available in all regions, or just in the UK?

A: It will be available worldwide at select retailers. It was first announced in the UK. Exact details for other countries and retailers will be announced at a later date.

Q: Will Physical Warfare Pack imbalance the game?

A: The three exclusive items in the Physical Warfare Pack were specifically chosen not to be overpowered or imbalance or break the game in any way.

Q: Why do I want the Physical Warfare Pack?

A: Owning these items will give you a more varied arsenal, but it will not give you a significant advantage on the battlefield.

Q: Is the Back to Karkand expansion pack exclusive to pre-orders?

A: No. You can also buy it separately if you do not pre-order Battlefield 3. Back to Karkand will be available the exact same date after the launch of Battlefield 3 no matter if you pre-ordered or buy it separately.

Q: When will the Back to Karkand expansion pack be released?

A: We have not yet announced the Back to Karkand expansion pack release date.

Q: How much does the Back to Karkand Expansion pack cost?

A: We have not yet announced a price. However, it will be included in the Limited Edition at no extra charge.

Q: Do I have to choose between Back to Karkand and the Physical Warfare Pack as my pre-order bonus?

A: No. There is no way you can pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition and not end up with the Back to Karkand expansion pack at no extra charge. On top of this, select retailers all over the world will carry the Physical Warfare Pack. Exact details for other countries and retailers will be announced at a later date.

Q: Why do you offer pre-order bonus items?

A: Because we believe in rewarding our core fanbase with special offers -- such as giving them the Back to Karkand expansion pack at no extra charge.

SOURCE: Battlefield Blog

:)

[gkl]

The stuff might not imbalance the game but I just dislike this approach simply because I'm a completionist nerd that has to gold/plat/whatever star everything. I don't mind pre-order bonuses as long as I'm able to get them as well either by purchasing separately or by unlocking via earning XP. Another problem is that those perks aren't just some dumb skins but actually look quite useful.

But my biggest gripe is that this pack is available only for select retailers. Again, I don't mind bonuses for pre-orders in general, but I do mind them if I have to pick a specific retailer that I'm not comfortable with or who might not decide to ship to my country.

That said, I will pre-order BF3 eventually just so I get the Back to Karkand expansion for free. But since I can purchase it separately after the game's release, such pre-order bonus is just fine. Very good, actually.

[madd-hatter]

35,000 views...

wtf

[rajputwarrior]

anyone wanna bet me that this game won't be on steam? origin only? they just pulled crysis 2...

honestly, for me. no steam = no buy.

[LingeringSoul]

anyone wanna bet me that this game won't be on steam? origin only? they just pulled crysis 2...

honestly, for me. no steam = no buy.

I'm fairly confident that it will be on Steam, but EA is probably going to wait until the absolute last minute (i.e. release day) to make it available for purchase. They want to entice people to purchase the game in their Origin store as much as possible. They've already done a pretty bang-up job, considering that the Karkand pack is only free if you pre-order from Origin.

[gkl]

I'm fairly confident that it will be on Steam, but EA is probably going to wait until the absolute last minute (i.e. release day) to make it available for purchase. They want to entice people to purchase the game in their Origin store as much as possible. They've already done a pretty bang-up job, considering that the Karkand pack is only free if you pre-order from Origin.

No, Back to Karkand is free if you just pre-order. Doesn't matter where. Unlike PWP grrrr :p

[LingeringSoul]

No, Back to Karkand is free if you just pre-order. Doesn't matter where. Unlike PWP grrrr :p

Whoops, you're right. Just checked the GameStop pre-order page and they indeed have the Back to Karkand pack free: http://www.gamestop.com/pc/games/battlefield-3-limited-edition/90173

Sorry, don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

anyone wanna bet me that this game won't be on steam? origin only? they just pulled crysis 2...

honestly, for me. no steam = no buy.

As LingeringSoul said, it'll most likely be on Steam on release day. They'd be shooting themselves in the foot to make it an Origin-only game. EA can pull that off with a MMORPG like Star Wars: The Old Republic but not a FPS (especially when Battlefield 2 and Bad Company 2 are on Steam).

[rajputwarrior]

As LingeringSoul said, it'll most likely be on Steam on release day. They'd be shooting themselves in the foot to make it an Origin-only game. EA can pull that off with a MMORPG like Star Wars: The Old Republic but not a FPS (especially when Battlefield 2 and Bad Company 2 are on Steam).

i hope so. i am interested in this game, and i may pick it up depending on how it all turns out but no steam is a guaranteed no sale with me. (may sound stupid to some of you, but it's just how i am :p )

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

The Physical Warfare Pack is a time-based exclusive. It'll be unlocked later on for free. See here: http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/battlefield_bad_company/archive/2011/06/16/physical-warfare-pack-available-to-all-battlefield-3-players.aspx

[Lamp0]

The Physical Warfare Pack is a time-based exclusive. It'll be unlocked later on for free. See here: http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/battlefield_bad_company/archive/2011/06/16/physical-warfare-pack-available-to-all-battlefield-3-players.aspx

Well I guess that clears that up. I wonder why they didn't mention that sooner.

[gkl]

Well I guess that clears that up. I wonder why they didn't mention that sooner.

Exactly. All of this boycott nonsense could have been avoided.

Now, where's my Steam pre-order! :D