Battlefield 3 launched last year, just before Modern Warfare 3, and despite a slightly lower average score from critics compared to its competitor, it was a major success for publisher Electronic Arts for two reasons. From a sales standpoint, Battlefield 3 represented the single-biggest launch for EA to date and it was used to help launch their own digital platform and service, Origin, which now is a mainstay for future EA titles.
For consumers, the story wasn’t as glorious. Battlefield 3 launched with weak co-op and single-player offerings which hurt it critically, further burdened by bugs and missing features in its core multiplayer component. The game required quite a bit of additional development by DICE who – through a series of major updates – have patched the game to a state where it should have been at launch. And now that Battlefield 3 has positioned itself a solid and well-balanced multiplayer shooter, it’s time for the additional content to roll in and that’s exactly what’s happening.
The Back to Karkand DLC previously added popular maps from the franchise for players who pre-ordered the game and more recently, the Battlefield Premium service launched where players could buy into a content plan that would give them early access to all of the upcoming (and past) Battlefield 3 expansions alongside a few added features. Close Quarters released, adding infantry-focused maps and modes, and next month comes Armored Kill, adding vehicle-focused gameplay and the biggest maps the franchise has ever seen.
For players who’ve yet to jump in, now is the time. The game is done (for real), DLC is out, and you can get it all for a much lower price than the early adopters who paid far more for the same content. Individually, the game and the Premium content costs over $100, but with Battlefield 3: Premium Edition, players can get it all for just $69.99, only $10 more than the retail price of the standard edition at launch.
Patrick Bach, Executive Producer, Battlefield 3:
“Since launch, over 15 million people worldwide have enjoyed the thrill of Battlefield, and with the release of Battlefield 3 Premium Edition the community is set to surge once again. Packing a ton of gameplay at an incredible price, there has never been a better time to jump in and see what all the fun is about. We look forward to seeing some new faces on the battlefield.”
The Battlefield 3 Premium Edition includes:
- Battlefield 3: Among the fastest selling titles in EA’s history, Battlefield 3 has sold more than 15M units since release. Lauded by game critics worldwide for its compelling single player campaign, intense co-op missions and its addictive and world-class multiplayer, Battlefield 3 has won more than 130 awards globally.
- Battlefield 3 Premium membership: Battlefield 3 Premium is an innovative offering that includes early access to five digital expansion packs including Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand, Battlefield 3: Close Quarters, Battlefield 3: Armored Kill, Battlefield 3: End Game and the newly announced Battlefield 3: Aftermath. These themed digital expansion packs introduce a massive amount of content including 20 new maps and weapons, four new game modes and more. Players will also receive new soldier and weapon camos, deeper personalization options, and advanced features making for the ultimate Battlefield 3 experience.
- Battlefield 3 Multiplayer Head-Start Kit: This kit will automatically unlock 15 different weapons, gadgets and vehicle upgrades so new players can immediately jump in.
It’s a fantastic deal for interested players, especially with more content coming later this year and into next year as we approach the release of Battlefield 4. It’s also smart on EA’s part because the server counts are outweighing the amount of players actively playing, so the more people they can get online the better for everyone.
The one risk EA may be running against savvy gamers is the precedent they’ve set with Battlefield 3. They forcefully required players to use Origin with this game and released it when the game (and Origin) wasn’t ready for launch, only to follow it up with a much more affordable package after the game was heavily patched. Players with patience would be wise to wait out their next launch until a similar, more attractive edition of the game presents itself.
For those of us with the game already, we’re still hopeful that DICE will allow for mod support down the line.
Are you going to jump into Battlefield 3 with this deal?
Battlefield 3: Premium Edition will be available in North America on September 11 and in Europe on September 13 for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. PlayStation 3 players will also receive an additional week of early access to all remaining digital expansion packs.
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Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes.
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Wow this is f*cking horse sh*t. I want $40 back. I mean really, we had to buy premium for $50 and now new comers will get it for $10. That is extremely ridiculous and extremely enraging.
Actually, BF3 is being sold for $40 now, so newcomers will get Premium for $30.
Doesnt matter what it is not, I still payed full price fpr everything.
Doesnt matter what it is now, I still payed full price for everything.
What…a…load…of sh**.
Welcome to the world of gaming: rip offs… rip offs everywhere…
This is why I don’t blindly go out and buy games anymore. It’s just a few months till a better version comes along with all the DLCs included and a better price tag. I rent the games to see if I like ‘em, and when the GOTY version, or the “premium” version, or the whatever-the-hell-they-wanna-call-it version comes out, I buy that.
^I’d recommend this to anyone. You’ll save money and you won’t end up punching holes through your walls when the corporate execs that run the publishers/developers screw you over
The only downside (one that’s too big for most gamers to accept) is having to wait those few months to play the full version of the game.
Well this sure is a kick in the nuts for the folks that bought Premium. But I didn’t, so I’m pickin this up for PC! Wooh!
Someone explain to me why this is a rip-off. You bought it at launch. You have been playing for 10 months. Anything depreciates with time. So do video games. If I bought a computer, a tv, a car, a year later you can get that same thing at a cheaper price. This isnt video game companies screwing you over. This is how business works. You all can’t really be that dumb.
It’s a rip off IMO because you buy something for an insane price and then on top of that, they get you to buy all the over priced extras, and then (naturally), a few months later they release a whole bundle with all the extras included for about the same price as the original – sometimes it’s even cheaper than it was originally! A while back I bought the Arkham City collectors edition for the same price as the regular version – just for having the patience to wait for the suppliers who want to get rid of their left over stock… If I’d have rushed out and bought it at launch, I’d have wasted money. And if i’d have wasted a bit longer, I could have gotten the new version of Arkham City that’s coming out in a few weeks.
“This isn’t video game companies screwing you over. This is how business works.” – and that’s the thing. Yes, it is how business works… and just so happens that businesses are known for screwing people over
I come from a family who’s been very successful as entrepreneurs. My grandfather built up one of the most successful clothing companies in South-Africa and another relative of mine is a CEO at one of the biggest chain stores in the whole continent of Africa (not trying to brag since I didn’t even do anything lol, but I’m just giving you a sense that I KNOW how business works)- so trust me when I tell you that anything you buy in a store that’s just been released, is completely overpriced – having the patience to wait a while and buy it after all the sheep flock to their midnight releases and after the pre-orders are shipped out, then you’ll end up saving quite a bit…
You are right in saying that all things depreciate over time, but this isn’t a case of depreciation. This is a case of corporations exploiting their customers and charging all they can (because let’s face it, they could have charged over a $150 for BF3 at launch and most fans of the franchise would have bought it regardless) – you hit it on the nail when you said “this is how business works” – thing is, I just refuse to partake in the cycle anymore. And guess who isn’t pissed off now since he never bothered to buy the game when it was released.
I will grant you the point you brought up that if a person bought the game at launch, that they get the privilege of playing it for all this time. I can’t argue with that. I’ve rented MW3 and BF3 and I’ve borrowed the games from friends, but I can’t wait to own them myself.
*”And if i’d have WAITED a bit longer”
This is a case of depreciation. All products have a life cycle. BF3 has already peaked and is on the decline and they are trying to extend its life cycle. They aren’t forcing you to buy any extras. If you can wait then wait and you know you will get a good deal. But just bc you decided to buy it day 1 doesn’t mean you get ripped off. It just means you have no patience. This is standard business practices. Anyone who was going to buy BF3 has most likely already bought it. Anyone who was going to buy premium has already bought it. So this will encourage people who traded in BF3 to re buy it or bring in new people who just want a fantastic deal. These are simple business practices taught in college.
Bought Battlefield 3 2 weeks ago and bought premium yesterday. I am about to s*** bricks.
xD
LMAO
I already bought everything, and well it’s been almost a year since all this stuff is out, and if there’s still anyone who hasn’t tasted the Battlefield, this is an EPIC chance. Go for it!
This is the biggest rip off I have ever witnessed Dice/EA do not care a s*** for their early buyers we have been dumped and then they have the cheek to ask me to be a early buyer of BF4, they must be mad,
My friends and I are so pissed with them that we are setting up our own BF2 server for private games and to hell with DICE/EA.
We will never be ripped off by this company again.
I advice all BF3/BF4 gamers I know it hurts but do as we do hit them in their pocket walk away and drop your early reduced map version of BF3 in the bin as you leave.
Anyway who has ever heard of buying extra functions and weapons how unfair is that?
Also rent a server what a load of money making profiteering.