Sign on Options
Theme:
To Dark

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 bombarded with free DLC

New-game purchasers of EA and DICE's modern-day military shooter granted two bonus day-one multiplayer maps, second freebie pack due later in March.

Electronic Arts has begun to establish a trend of launching free day-one downloadable content for its blockbuster titles, and DICE's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be no exception. Today, EA announced that when Bad Company 2 launches for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on March 2, wargamers will be have access to two original multiplayer maps free of charge, with two more online arenas to deploy later in the month.

As with other free DLC offers, such as those for BioWare's Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age: Origins, the Bad Company 2 add-ons will be on the house for those who pick up a new version of the game. Those who buy Bad Company 2 used can download the content for $15 (1,200 Microsoft points).

Yes, they break things--but that doesn't make them bad company.

Yes, they break things--but that doesn't make them bad company.

Aside from naming the maps, EA offered few details on what gamers can expect from the add-ons. The Laguna Alta map will be armed for Conquest mode, while Nelson Bay is catered toward Bad Company 2's Rush mode. Post-launch, the Arica Harbor scenario and Laguna Presa arena will be released free of charge for those who pick up the game new.

A direct sequel to 2008's console-exclusive game, Bad Company 2 picks back up with the derelict B Company, which comprises a fictitious US military's expendable misfits and outcasts. Destructible environments, which were a core component of the original game, will again play front and center in Bad Company 2, thanks to further revisions to its proprietary Frostbite game engine. EA also promises a new special emphasis on vehicular combat.

For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

299 Comments

  • vincentga

    Posted Feb 27, 2011 12:49 pm GMT

    Be sure nothing is free from EA.
    So they sell their (no finish - full of bugs) games for $50-$70 and you have a "half"game.
    You need to pay more to have the "free DLC".
    And the more funny it is people are happy to pay more and more.

    Bravo EA you really take your customer like s**t!

  • timblake9

    Posted Jun 8, 2010 11:34 am GMT

    can someone please confirm if all BC2 DLC is free if you bought the game brand new? because i was under the impression EA and DICE were making it all free to players (something they stated to the public against Infinity Ward and Activision who charge for their map packs?)

  • Gamma_Fit

    Posted Apr 11, 2010 6:42 am GMT

    I traded in MW2 to purchase this game....best decision I've made in a while

  • fleshimp91

    Posted Mar 7, 2010 7:07 pm GMT

    I played the Closed Beta on my PS3. Loved it. awesome stuff. I bought that other mediocre modern day shooter but thank goodness I got it cheap. *phew*
    The demo felt abit too limited. For a game that had a really expansive multiplayer. But I got, completed the Campaign, now just need to get those 2 sat uplink related achievements and I'll be happy.

  • Gamer_4_Fun

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 11:29 am GMT

    RIP Call of duty

  • kazater posted Mar 1, 2010 10:07 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    kazater

    Posted Mar 1, 2010 10:07 pm GMT (hide)

    hmm not my thing.. but cudos to you guys getting the free dlc.. the demo didnt stroke me right, so im gonna pass...

  • Inconnux

    Posted Mar 1, 2010 7:31 pm GMT

    I'm glad I waited and didn't waste my money on that other mediocre modern day shooter...

  • Thermador446

    Posted Mar 1, 2010 3:27 pm GMT

    The last few hours of waiting are the worst. I tried to play BC1, but after the beta &the demo, it just isn't the same. Wish the could've kept the demo going for a few more days. I really need to massacre lots of guys in a tank.

  • mach-stem

    Posted Mar 1, 2010 9:09 am GMT

    @ KILL3RJ3R3MY420 - Go back to your typical shooter then. I've been playing Battlefield since 1942, and believe that if done properly, a game with vehicles can blow away any shooter. There's just so much to be said about being able to traverse for 10 mins behind enemy lines only to steal a vehicle, and deal that extra damage while there. Go play the games meant for younger people, we'll be having a blast with our games.

  • nmsolo07

    Posted Mar 1, 2010 8:07 am GMT

    @KILL3RJ3R3MY420 you really have never played a battlefield game have you? go back to the unbalanced perk system and unrealistic guns in mw2.

  • bilalmalik56

    Posted Mar 1, 2010 6:07 am GMT

    is the demo for PC launched...at which site.

  • acer_062

    Posted Mar 1, 2010 2:27 am GMT

    Enough talk .... bang, bang ...

  • seanbrandowen

    Posted Mar 1, 2010 12:49 am GMT

    Demo played well,Will forsure get it,

  • mightEone

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 10:52 pm GMT

    I'm liking the direction EA is headed. The good guys aka the real gamers who buy new games win in the end. What a waste of money to buy a game used at gamestop. New $60 Used $55. Might as well wait for it to become a platinum hit. Either way this game should be good. I like the big battle feel of these type of games.

  • Gen_Jim

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 5:49 pm GMT

    Dice is amazing....The battlefield series is one of the greats, if you ever owed a gaming pc. Miss Vietnam and BF2 but this game looks like it will be a worthy replacement

  • ericstifer

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 5:40 pm GMT

    gonna be EPIC!

  • sleepnsurf

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 3:20 pm GMT

    Get ready noobs, BF veteran here ready to pounce on ya'll

  • rebornblood

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 2:55 pm GMT

    This Will Be A Good Game

  • Blueblaze02

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 2:09 pm GMT

    @Spartan90 obviously not. @KILL3RJ3R3MY420 Go back to COD, scrub. Enjoy your terribly unbalanced perk system.

  • Spartan90

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 1:28 pm GMT

    @ KILL3RJ3R3MY420

    your post makes me wonder if you have actually ever played a battlefield game in your life..

  • doontime

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 11:14 am GMT

    @KILL3RJ3R3MY420 A lot of people won't return to that multiplayer, I just pooped on my copy and threw it away. It has a bad perk system, there is way to much camping very easy to get kills, boring now, way to much grenade launching, just a lot of problems. The vehicles don't matter, if you played the demo you would know that, or you did and you are just being a baby MW2 fanboy haha. and don't talk about a game getting ruined, MW2 has some really stupid killstreaks

  • 1234die

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 11:04 am GMT

    Seems like you never even played a battlefield game. And vehicles didn't ruin World at war, it was a piece of garbage from the start.

  • KILL3RJ3R3MY420 posted Feb 28, 2010 10:26 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    KILL3RJ3R3MY420

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 10:26 am GMT (hide)

    Whatever everyone knows the vehicles will ruin the online MP as they did in W@W. Vehicles dont belong in MP cause they ruin the game. Everyone will be returning to MW 2 once they play the MP.

  • bennae66

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 9:45 am GMT

    ive personally not played the full retail game of bad company yet, since it hasnt launched anywhere near where i live, or anyone i know for that matter. judging by the comments in here, it appears everyone else has. i will reserve judgment till i play the full version. for the record, i diddnt think this was a MW2 post, but then, any forum for a game thats a shooter tends to turn into a MW2 post.

  • Sergeant_

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 8:15 am GMT

    This isn't the place to compare BC2 with MW2? Have you read the previous posts? Either way, I'll holster my guns and agree with you that this game will be awesome.

  • oneofthefall

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 8:12 am GMT

    who cares about MW2 ranting... this isn't the place because its about Bad Company 2 if you dont like MW2 sell the game and stop moaning about how bad that game is & stop comparing the two games (its like being in a moaning old peoples home with all these moaning gits)! anyway back on to the subject...this game looks awesome and i hope it becomes massive, now im even more happy i pre-ordered after hearing about these free maps!!!!!

  • Sergeant_

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 8:00 am GMT

    In fact just check out my blog, I give a hefty rant about how I feel towards MW2...

  • Sergeant_

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 7:42 am GMT

    Footos_mints @

    Exactly, like a previously posted - the only reason why MW2 got the massive registers was because BC2 wasn't out yet - Its stupid to give a game a score by its demo.. When MW2 came out, indeed, a couple months after it became a camp fest there is no real skill to play that game which is why I quit! BC2 is going to make obvious fools out of MW2 players. It will come to a major shock to them that there will be a high demand for "Team work", and "Attacking", all in which the elements were invisible on MW2. If BC2 doesn't win against MW2, it will not only be a sad day - but also when hell freezes over...it will only show that reviewers, and score keepers have fallen into an abyss of horrible prospective of corrupt disfigurement that declares "Camping" as a technique of team work. MARCH 2ND / 10 WILL BE JUDGMENT DAY!

  • Footos_mints

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 3:37 am GMT

    @doontime Why even mention MW2 in comparison to this? MW2 got a 9.5 because of an excellent story and a very large multi-player career along with the fun spec ops sessions. 9.5 was given before the massive camping colony bought MW2 >.> BFBC2 will have a totally different experience in all forms of the game, everything will be a lot larger. However - i think hogging helicopters and tanks will be annoying and the question is; Will that be more annoying than camping? I can't wait for this game its looking pretty amazing from what ive seen in the demo - strategy is so vital for winning an online game! Sniping with bullet drop is excellent!

  • Alivenow

    Posted Feb 28, 2010 12:20 am GMT

    I love how they are saying we are getting free DLC on day one normally isn't that just stuff that should have been in the map that they held back trying to come up with a price range. and Decided to tell the masses look we care we are giving this to you for free feel special. Thanks for the extra 2 maps though.

  • Mr_Manikin52

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 10:01 pm GMT

    We don't want to be bombarded with data...AHHHHHHHHHHH!

  • CaptainAhab13

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 9:01 pm GMT

    No other FPS can compete. The game is just too good. Sorry IGN, but I disagree with your score of a mere 8.9...

  • CaptainAhab13

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 8:59 pm GMT

    No other FPS can compete. The game is just too good. Sorry IGN, but I disagree with your score of a mere 8.9...

  • Deaner04

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 1:20 pm GMT

    Not a big deal, I'm going to download the whole game to my hard drive anyways to make it play better, even though I have to delete MW2 off (sad day) cuz I only have a 20 Gigger

  • Sergeant_

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 11:55 am GMT

    zodiackilla @

    Spoken like a true player, which is why I still don't understand how Infinity Ward even thought of competing against DICE, the only reason Infinity got all those people to join up was because BC2 wasn't out yet!

  • gobbo00

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 11:00 am GMT

    Ozzie234

    Wrong game Medal of Honor, it would not suprise me if EA keep up with free maps to keep interest in BFBC2 until MOH launches.

  • MrNib

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 10:30 am GMT

    Picking this up on Tuesday, can't wait to play some conquest.

  • DiscipleGD

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 10:08 am GMT

    oldboy 36 Your takin this to heart huh bro? They want to give people another reason to get the game.Thats pretty much it. Its a buisness. They are in buisness to make money.Maybe everything would be better for us all if Barrak hussien Obama just took over the video game buisness like everything else and spread the wealth around and made everything fair and even.Or maybe everytime a new game gets purchased the buyer gets a "help out other gamers tax" added on to the price? lol....

  • Ozzie234 posted Feb 27, 2010 9:44 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Ozzie234

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 9:44 am GMT (hide)

    The money is probably coming from Microsoft, they just HAVE to break the total dominance of MW2 until Galo: Reach comes out.

    But who cares, all win for us.

  • zodiackilla

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 9:19 am GMT

    Best FPS ever period

  • Sergeant_

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 7:52 am GMT

    I pay top dollar for these games because overall its worth it, and I've always been a fan of BF games since the originals. I don't buy a game that's worth $60 brand new if I've never heard of the developer before. BF games have always given quality, which is why I give them a quality pay out but if you're going to complain about how they're over charging that is ridiculous, how about you spend years and years of constructing a game such as BC2 and ONLY charge $50 - $60, have a little bit of respect.

    Luckily they aren't charging games by labor hours, cause we'd be paying triple the amount! Now I do see some of your points Oldboy, Left 4 Dead was a perfected example of a rip off, or in fact Madden 10...but L4D was the most disappointing of them all it was a Cut and Paste just with melee weapons and a few new bosses, which in my opinion isn't worth $60, when I can still get the same quality of the first...don't even get me started on Call Of Duty Modern Warfare...

  • _Emperor

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 4:35 am GMT

    Swedish Dice, quality gaming!

  • stevescouse123

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 3:11 am GMT

    i played the beta for this loved it and will be getting it and free dlc if you buy it new nice

  • tanelpuusepp

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 1:31 am GMT

    Welcome to all fans of BATTELFIELD: se I think the game going to get better compensation than ever before, and I look forward to.
    Because that se is better and also a nice schedule, the pärasd when the wall of a shoot house house wall house in a nice hole and resetting vainlasi is better than wet Battelfield 2, and since the difference is noticeable difference is great, I would recommend this game to buy teistelki quickly and soon sesd you will not regret it than ever before, and believe me I know that I can distinguish it from what is good but I believe that it is the same opinions teisdel miss Mulgi but each one has its own angle of view, so I look forward to it BATTELFIELD BAD COMBANI 2

  • teaminvective

    Posted Feb 27, 2010 12:35 am GMT

    if the entire mp was put as a insert redemption code on the inside of a new game, you could sell the game cheaper if noone could use burned copies. and not listen to oldboy drone on about being poor.

  • buft

    Posted Feb 26, 2010 10:06 pm GMT

    nice good news for those people already planning to pick up the game. this trend benefits those who buy games new.

Subscribe to GameSpot's YouTube Channel

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Boxshot
Follow:
  1. Not Following
    Xbox 360: Follow
  2. Not Following
    PC: Follow
  3. Not Following
    PlayStation 3: Follow
  4. Not Following
    iPhone/iPod: Follow
Add to List
  1. Xbox 360
  2. PC
  3. PlayStation 3
  4. iPhone/iPod

Follow for the latest news, videos, & tips from experts & insiders

GameSpot Fuse
    Platforms:

    Site Blogs