With EA doing everything in their power to propel their flagship shooter Battlefield 3 ahead of Activision’s hotly selling Call of Duty series, many believed that the first hints of ‘Battlefield Premium’ signaled an impending paid-for subscription service in the vein of Call of Duty Elite.
For a company that chided Activision about the model when it came to touting their own online Battlelog component, a similar service now would be a prime retrospective example of the pot calling the kettle black. A few weeks and a few more opinions later, however, the picture that’s forming of Battlefield Premium paints it more as a one-time, “season pass” purchase than the Elite-style annual membership.
Though EA has yet to comment on Premium, the publisher is expected to announce the package at their June 4th E3 press conference. In the meantime, MP1st cites sources (whom they claim were Premium’s original ousters) that have compiled a list of what to expect, revealing the mysterious 5th DLC pack as Battlefield: Aftermath in the process.
According to the report, a $60 purchase of Battlefield Premium includes the following content spread out evenly over DLC packs Back to Karkand (already released), Close Quarters (releases June 2012), Armored Kill (Fall 2012), Aftermath (late 2012), and End Game (Spring 2013):
- 20 Maps
- 20 New Weapons
- 10+ New Vehicles
- 4+ New Game Modes
- 30+ Assignments
- 20+ Dog Tags
- “Premium Benefits,” which are made up of skins, camos, and early access to all DLC.
If the report is true, it would mean that Aftermath will replace End Game’s Winter ’12 spot and bump the conclusively-named DLC back to 2013. Coincidentally, Danish retailer coolshop has also listed Battlefield Premium on their website and – while differing on the existence of Aftermath – reveals a one-time purchase model:
BF3 Premium Service is 1 code in a box to give the consumers early access to the BF3 DLC expansion packs – Back to Karkand (already released), Close Quarters (releasing June), Armoured Kill (releasing Sept) and End Game (releasing December).
Unlike Call of Duty Elite, Premium doesn’t appear to transcend multiple games and require any renewal. Its offerings are hardly new, however – DLC early access would stand in for the EA Sports Season Ticket early access to NCAA Football, Madden, FIFA, NHL, and Tiger Woods: PGA Tour – and it does dangle the carrot of a cheaper composite price on DLC when you lock it in upfront (assuming each DLC is $15 like Karkand).
That said, truth in the rumored details would show how EA, pioneers of the contentious online pass, are continuing to pursue alternate methods of monetizing content. Considering the lucrative sales generated by Elite, positive fan reception of Premium could at least give the recently-struggling company something to brag cheer about at the end of Battlefield 3′s life cycle.
Ranters, will you purchase Battlefield Premium in its proposed format? How keen are you on the idea of buying DLC before its even developed?
-
Follow me on Twitter @Brian_Sipple.
Source: MP1st, coolshop [via MP1st]
Xbox One: Watch The Next-Gen Xbox Presentation Here! 
Electronic Arts Engineer Blasts the Wii U 
What You May Not Know About The ‘Xbox One’ [Updated] 
GR Giveaway: Win a Superhero-Sized Trip to San Diego This July! 
Loading ...
….I already got Back to Karkand with my Limited Edition and preorderd Close Quarters from GreenManGaming….which I can’t refund…now idk if it would’ve been a better idea to just wait it out and not have preordered this DLC and just bought the premium pass..crap -_-
seriously? “we will give you something we are sure everyone already has” BS! EA needs to get their S together and atleast drop the price
I’m not so sure about $60 up front. I could put that money down on one of the many games coming out this fall that I want. Also, I don’t know why EA would charge $60 for Premium when there are only going to be 3 or 4 new DLC packs (I don’t count Back to Karkand since it’s free). That’s $15 or $20 per pack with Premium, which would mean that 1. Premium will just be an alternate way of paying for the DLC packs, because you won’t be saving any money (and you’ll get Premium Benefits, which don’t add much value) 2. the DLC packs are going to be insanely expensive individually! We’re talking $20 or $25 per DLC pack, I figure. I really hope that either the former is true or Premium will be less than $60, allowing Premium members to save money while offering each individual DLC pack at a normal price.
This is like a big jab at EA.
I’m not buying that sh***y Close Quarters(this is BF, NOT COD). I already own karkand, with main game cost me $63.59 with tax. So why would I fork out another $60 bucks for premium ? Lol, what a joke.
You’re right. This BF not CoD. Which means the maps in CQ are going to be better than CoD maps, because DICE is superior to IW and Treyarch. Plus, the maps are going to have lots of verticality, something you don’t see in CoD maps.
Well said
CQ is the one I look forward to the most. The run and gun is better than the heli/jet campers and tanks that can dominate an entire map.
No vehicles= less tactics. While I’m looking forward to CQ, it’s not my most anticipated BF3 DLC pack. I like big, outdoor (and indoor) maps where driving vehicles is they best way to get somewhere. Plus, CQ will bring lots of people using shotties, and it’s going to be annoying.
No way I’m dishing out $60 up front for DLC’s that might turn out to be crappy. I’d rather wait and see how they do, and if they go on sale.
I doubt they’re going to be crappy. Most of BF3′s original maps are great. The only 2 that I don’t really like are Tehran Highway and Operation Firestorm, but I’m sure many other people think those maps are great. The Back to Karkand map pack was awesome as well, with Wake Island being the weak link, but even then it’s not too bad. I believe all of the DLC packs will be great, with maybe a map or two that I personally don’t like.
I Know Im down and most of theses h8rs will probably buy it as well. They just like to use the internet to make themselves feel better.
And its not my fault you cant fly a plane and you’d rather run and jump like a halo-Tard.
PSN: JDBowman79