Battlefield 2 demo now live

Although Battlefield 2 won't invade stores until June 21, PC gamers now have a chance to test-fire a demo of Electronic Arts' shooter. Today, GameSpot hosted the world premiere of the Battlefield 2 demo which is now available to both registered GameSpot users and unregistered visitors alike.

The Battlefield 2 demo premiere is a part of the buildup to the upcoming launch of GameCenter. The GameCenter sneak peek for GameSpot Complete subscribers is also forthcoming, and the full version of Battlefield 2 will be one of the top multiplayer games supported in GameSpot's upcoming premium gaming service. For more information on GameCenter, check out www.gamecenter.com.

The demo features three variations of the Gulf of Oman map from Battlefield 2, which is set in a near-future conflict between three clashing powers: The United States, China, and the fictional Middle Eastern Coalition (MEC). The single-player, 16-player, and 32-player versions of the map included in the demo pit the US against the MEC in time-limit-based combat. (China is not playable.)

However, the demo does not include any additional maps or other features found in the retail version of Battlefield 2. Besides the Chinese forces, the full BF2 will feature 30 vehicles and 20 soldier kits from all three sides. It will also sport a total of 12 maps, each available for 16, 32, and 64 players. Online play will be enhanced with voice-over IP and persistent character scoring, while the new battlefield commander mode will give players a tactical edge on the, er, battlefield.

After playing the Battlefield 2 demo, gamers can also check out GameSpot's new Hands-On Impressions of a near-final build of the game.