Battlefield 3 open beta begins September 29

Electronic Arts wants Battlefield 3 combat-tested before the military first-person shooter hits stores October 25. To that end, the publisher today announced that an open beta test for the game's multiplayer mode will kick off September 29 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions of the game.

However, some players will be able to download the beta a little early. Those who preorder the PC edition of the game through EA's digital storefront Origin will be able to get into the action beginning September 27, as will those who preordered the Limited Edition of EA's 2010 military shooter, Medal of Honor.

Players will be able to play the game's Rush mode on the Operation Metro map, set in the subways of Paris. The Rush mode has two teams fighting over key strategic points on the map, with one squad designated as attackers and the other ordered to protect the locations.

Battlefield 3--which EA says has been in development for three years--will sport both a single-player campaign and an online component, which can be played with up to 64 players (for the PC version only). It will also support co-op play for its campaign and will let gamers pilot jets, among other vehicles.

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Battlefield 3.

[CORRECTION]: EA has indicated that the beta will end October 10. We regret the error.