EA Games will show off the next Battlefield game for the PC at E3 2004. The new game is simply titled "Battlefield 2," and unlike previous games in the series, which have taken place during historical conflicts like World War II and the Vietnam War, the new game will take place in a fictitious, modern-day conflict in the Middle East between US soldiers and Middle Eastern opposing forces.

We saw the game only briefly, but it showed a small force of US soldiers creeping through the ruined streets of a city that could have come right out of Ridley Scott's acclaimed motion picture Black Hawk Down. While carefully advancing into the city, one soldier scouted the area with a pair of binoculars until the opposing force revealed itself from the roof, opening fire on the soldiers below. Several of the US soldiers immediately ran for cover by taking a running dive (which caused them to immediately go prone) behind scattered debris.

From what we saw, Battlefield 2 will also feature a full array of modern-day combat vehicles, including attack helicopters and tanks that can make all the difference in a crowded urban skirmish, at least until an antitank trooper pulls out a grenade launcher.

Battlefield 2 is currently scheduled to ship in 2005 for the PC. We'll have more information on the game as soon as it becomes available.