When developer DICE teased a "big announcements" the day before Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One, it added a little credence to reports that publisher Electronic Arts may have struck a partnership deal with Microsoft for timed exclusivity for Battlefield 4 DLC, not unlike the deal Microsoft has with Activision for timed DLC on all things Call of Duty.

As it turns out, EA's non-sports branches were nowhere to be found at the presentation, but shortly thereafter, Battlefield 4 was confirmed as an Xbox One release. Since the game's announcement last year fans have only seen the 17 minutes of single-player gameplay and it won't be until the EA press conference at E3 on June 10th that we see the game's key feature (multiplayer).

We already know the game looks wonderful, built upon the already-impressive Frostbite 2 engine, which has seen upgrades and was re-dubbed Frostbite 3. The latest three screenshots revealed on the official Battlefield Facebook page are a testament to next-gen visuals BF4 promises:

[gallery order="DESC" columns="1" exclude="189334,189336"]

On the topic of next-gen, the release dates and prices for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have yet to be revealed, so for now we only know the official release date of Battlefield 4 for PC and current-gen systems. We do know however, what the cover art looks like for each of the next-gen versions, revealing our first look at the case designs for the PS4 & Xbox One, thanks to EA (also from their Facebook):

Battlefield fans following BF4 closely may already know about EA's potential DLC plans (that may include dinosaurs!) and how they're implementing Mass Effect 3-style battlepacks, but we finally have official word on the first DLC expansion, titled 'China Rising'.

Pre-order #BF4 and get the "China Rising" expansion pack at no additional cost.

Fight for dominance across the vast and majestic Chinese mainland in four massive maps, using all-new vehicles and high-tech military equipment.

Battlefield 4 China Rising DLC

Battlefield 4 releases October 29, 2013 for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, and after for the PS4 and Xbox One.

-

Let me know on Twitter @rob_keyes if you're going to play BF4 on PC or a next-gen console!

Source: EA